Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Vasu was involved in thousands of medico-legal examinations and played a pivotal role in numerous high-profile cases. Among the most notable was the Soumya murder case, a brutal assault and murder on a moving train that shocked Kerala.
Dr. Vasu began her career in 1982 as a tutor at Kozhikode Medical College and earned her MD in Forensic Medicine in 1984. Her career path took her to various prestigious institutions, including Kottayam Medical College, where she served as Assistant and Associate Professor. From 1997 to 1999, she was deputed as Professor at Pariyaram Medical College.
In July 2001, she became a Professor there and went on to handle several high-profile and controversial cases. In 2010, she joined Thrissur Medical College and served as the Head of the Forensic Department until 2012. In 2014, she became Principal, reports the Mathrubhumi.
In 1995, Dr Vasu was awarded a World Health Organization (WHO) fellowship for advanced training — a recognition that broadened her horizons and connected her with international forensic practices. She also underwent specialised training in the United Kingdom on handling atrocities against women and children, as well as forensic pathology related to terrorism cases, working closely with experts from Scotland Yard.
Her list of awards includes the Justice Fathima Beevi Award in 2017, the Vanitha Ratnam Award from the Kerala government, and the Devi Award for Professional Excellence in 2016.
She published extensively in both national and international medical journals and authored a compelling book titled Postmortem Table, which provided rare, introspective glimpses into her professional world.
Over her 40-year career, Dr Shirley Vasu performed nearly 20,000 autopsies and mentored hundreds of students who now serve as forensic professionals across India and abroad.
She is survived by her husband, a doctor, and their two children. Her students remember her not just for her clinical precision, but for her compassion.
Also Read:RIP: GMCH Chandigarh Director Dr BS Chavan succumbs to cancer at 59
Speaking to TNIE, Naseema Abdul, one of her many students from Kozhikode, said, “From her first investigation of skeletal remains in the early 1980s to handling the Soumya murder case decades later, Dr Shirley Vasu’s journey was one of grit, brilliance, and service.”
“She was more than a doctor for us; she was a voice for the voiceless, a mentor for the next generation, and a symbol of women breaking barriers in science. As one of her former students, Dr Shirley taught us that the dead can speak. It is up to us to listen,” Naseema said, reports the TNIE.
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.