Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology

Sudden unexpected deaths arouse many questions in the minds of the deceased’s relatives, investigating officer and also the general public. This is a fact more so when a person dies and in the process sustains some accidental injuries giving a false picture of foul play. So the onus lies on the forensic expert to explore all the findings at autopsy and come to a conclusion as to the cause of death, to aid the investigative process. We came across one such case where an apparently healthy middle aged individual was found dead in his room. Few fresh injuries were present thus creating an air of suspicion. Detailed post mortem and histopathological examination proved it to be a case of death due to Mitral Valve Prolapse.

Key Words: Sudden Death; Natural Death; Cardiac anomaly; Mitral Valve Prolapse.

What better can be the thought to reviving an individual’s identity even after death.identification of individuals not known is of utmost importance in this world.moreover personal identification is important in investigating criminal cases,attaining legal documents of death and also settling of insurance policies .every individual is unique, so is his identity and similarly his dentition as well., Forensic odontology plays an important role in retriving evidence and identifying an individual and that too with a conclusion that is genuine and can be relied upon., People might feel what role could a dentist play in reviving a person’s identity after death.but it is for us to bring it to their notice that the tooth is the hardest structure of body and its unique composition makes it resistant to various mechanical, thermal and chemical insults.,Keeping in view the above thoughts in mind,one can understand what role can a dentist play in investigations regarding death.dental records can be a boon in the progress of investigations that sometimes need a clue for identification of an individual along with other proofs,thus helping in confirmation of any doubt which arises., The aim of this paper is to present not only the various kind of dental records but also some of latest dental advancements that can greatly help in recognizing an individual.this would be a step forward from us dentist in making all practitioners aware about these records.such an effort would collectively make all practioners,dental and medicine in making people understand the value and importance of keeping an individual dental record.

Key words: forensic odontology, dental records, dental identification

Background: Sex determination in mutilated and fragmentary remains is an important exercise in forensic practice. Present study was conducted to establish sex using foramen magnum morphometry on skulls from autopsied bodies. Materials & Methods: A total of 230 skulls (146 males and 84 females) were studied to measure antero-posterior diameter (length) and transverse diameter (breadth) of foramen magnum. Area of foramen magnum was calculated and Sectioning point analysis was performed. Results: Mean length, breadth and area of foramen magnum in male were 36.40 mm, 32.93 mm and 939.50 mm2 respectively, whereas the mean length, breadth and area in females were 31.62 mm, 28.32 mm and 700.5 mm respectively. Thus, measurements in males were significantly higher as compared to females. Sectioning points for length, breadth and area were 34.01 mm, 30.62 mm and 820 mm2 respectively. Sectioning Point analysis showed the accuracy of sex determination is more with area of foramen magnum followed by length and breadth of foramen magnum. Conclusion: The foramen magnum morphometry can be an important tool in sex differentiation.

Key words: Skull; foramen magnum; sex determination; south Indian.

A handful of histopathological findings unrelated to the cause of death are noticed in routine histopathological examination of medicolegal autopsies. These findings which are of practically no significance to the autopsy report however have an immense academic value. A two year retrospective study was undertaken to enlist the various incidental microscopic findings in autopsy specimens. The interesting findings that were noted are Macronodular cirrhosis, Miliary tuberculosis, Aspergillosis of lung, focal von Meyenberg complex, Solitary cyst of liver, Intra tubular germ cell neoplasia (ITGCN), Ectocervical cavernous hemangioma and vegetations over the aortic valves. This article highlights these incidental findings along with a brief review of literature.

Key words: Incidental, Histopathological, Medicolegal autopsies.

Background: Aim of the study is to determine sex of sacrum using different parameters like curved length, vertical length, anteroposterior diameter and transverse diameter of first sacral vertebra, width of sacrum, length of ala and extent of sacral hiatus. Materials & Methods: The intact sacra of 110 adult human of known sex obtained from government medical college Aurangabad. The various parameters like length, width, curved length, anteroposterior and transverse diameter of first sacral vertebra were measured by using thread, sliding caliper and ruler. Several indices like sacral index, curvature index corporobasal index and alar index were calculated. Results: Demarking points were evolved and none of the parameters appeared to be promising in identifying sex, except transverse diameter of first sacral vertebra and length of sacrum which is useful in study of medico-legal cases. Various indices were calculated using standard formula for each, the mean and standard deviation for each index was calculated along with demarcating points which determine sex with about 100 percent accuracy.

Key Words: Sex Determination, Sacrum

Background: Stature estimation is one of the important parameter in establishment of the identity of a person. It is important to establish studies in different populations as stature varies in different races and populations.Material and methods: In the present study, an attempt has been made to estimate stature from the lengths of tibia, radius and ulna in 100 medical students belonging to South Indian population. Linear and multiple regression equations were calculated for estimating stature from the lengths of tibia, radius and ulna. Results: In males, correlation coefficients of the linear regression equations ranged from 0.714 to 0.630 with standard error 4.93 to 5.47 cm. Whereas, in females it ranged from 0.661 to 0.560 with standard error 4.12 to 4.55 cm. Multiple regression equations involving all the three parameters showed higher correlation coefficients (0.829 in males and 0.747 in females) with standard error 4.02 cm in males and 3.73 cm in females. Conclusion: The regression equations of the present study are helpful in estimating stature from the lengths of tibia, radius and ulna in South Indian population.

Keywords: Forensic anthropology, identification, stature, dismembered body, limb length.

Background: Knowingly or unknowingly the Red Cross emblem is being misused among health care professionals. In the present study, attempt has been made to find out misuse of the emblem amongst health care professionals like by Pharmaceutical shops, Doctor’s clinics/ Hospitals, Medical laboratories, Doctor’s vehicles and Ambulances. Material & Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study (single blind) was conducted on randomly selected pharmaceutical shops, doctor’s clinics/hospitals, medical laboratories, doctor’s vehicles and ambulances in and around Puducherry from Jan-Feb 2011. All the data were collected randomly by using a self designed questionnaire on use of Red Cross emblem by above mentioned health care professionals. On each category 100 samples were selected. Results: Out of 100 samples in each category, it has been found that misuse of Red Cross emblem in Pharmaceutical shops was 12%, Doctor’s clinics/Hospitals was 37%, Medical laboratories was 48% , Doctor’s vehicle was 21% and in Ambulances it was 66%. Conclusion: In spite of existing law against the misuse of Red Cross emblem, its inadvertent use is rampant. It still needs awareness programme among health care professionals from time to time. It is recommended that implementation of existing law should be strictly followed.

Key words: Red Cross emblem, Pharmaceutical shops, Hospitals, Medical laboratories, Ambulances.