Medical evidence must be assessed as a whole

The post-mortem recorded ligature marks and other physical findings. The doctor also acknowledged features that could be consistent with hanging. The medical evidence was therefore inconclusive as to homicide. The Court considered the doctor’s answers in cross-examination. An inconclusive opinion must be assessed with other incriminating circumstances. It cannot establish guilt where the remaining links are missing. Uncertainty about cause and time of death affected the prosecution theory. The medical evidence did not complete the chain of circumstances. (Bernard Lyngdoh Phawa v. The State of Meghalaya | 2026 INSC 85)