Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology

 Introduction: Trauma is one of the leading preventable causes of death in developing countries, and is posing a major social health an health problem. Trauma affects generally the young people, and accounts for loss of more years of life, than lost due to cancer and heart diseases put together. Material and Methods: The present study was done for one year retrospective and two years prospective study from July 2014 to July 2016 at Al­Amen Medical College and District Hospital Mortuary, Vijayapur. Results: In the victims of chest injuries 63.0% were due to RTA, 16.35% due to railway accidents, and least is from due to sports injury in 0.92% of cases. Young adults between 21 to 30 years (36.54%) are more vulnerable to the fatal chest injuries. More number of victims died on the spot. In road traffic accidents maximum number of victims were pedestrians i.e, 27 cases (40.90%), followed by motor cyclists in 15cases (22.70%) and least in bicycle riders. Conclusion: In the victims of chest injuries 63.0% were due to RTA, 16.35% due to railway accidents. Young adults between 21 to 30 years (36.54%) are more vulnerable. Manner of death was commonly accidental in nature in 83 cases followed by homicidal and suicidal in 12 and 9 cases respectively. Peak time of occurrence chest injuries is between 6pm to 12 midnight and least between 12 midnight to morning 6am. More number of victims died on the spot. In road traffic accidents maximum number of victims were pedestrians i.e, 27 cases (40.90%), followed by motor cyclists.

Keywords: Chest Injuries; Blunt Trauma; Manner of Death; Visceral Injury.

 Context: The use of anthropology has increased day by day by forensic experts for identification. With increasing frequency of mass disasters due to nature and man, the numbers of deaths are increasing which pose a threat for identification due to mutilation. Similar situation is encountered in cases of murder, where there is destruction of identity. Such situations give rise to studies which estimate the stature from different body parts. Aims: The present study was carried out with the aim to evaluate the anthropometric relationship of foot length with the stature of an individual in study population and to derive regression formulae and multiplication factor to estimate stature from these dimensions. Settings and Design: The present is an observational study wherein total of 208 individuals were selected for study, 105 males and 103 females, from 10 to 60 years of age. The measurements were carried out in the department for a fixed duration to avoid diurnal variation. Methods and Material: The parameters were measured after excluding any disease or deformity. Stature was measured with the subjects barefoot, standing erect, the feet pointed outward at 60 degree angle and head oriented in the Frankfurt plane. Foot length (FL) was taken on left foot as a straight distance between the most posteriorly projecting points of the heel (Pternion) to the most anteriorly projecting point (Acropodion) of the first or second toe whichever was bigger when the foot was fully stretched. After proper positioning measurements was taken. Statistical Analysis used: Statistical programme for social science and Microsoft excel. Results: The measured foot length showed significant correlation (p<0.05) with the stature of the individual. Conclusion: Linear regression equation and multiplication factor for estimating stature from foot length was derived for males, females and either sex. The regression equation gives more accurate results than multiplication factor for estimation of stature.

Keywords: Stature; Foot Length; Regression Equation.

 Road Traffic Accident is an event that occurs on a street resulting in one or more persons being injured or killed, where at least one moving vehicle is involved. According to a study conducted by Alcohol & drug Information Centre (AIDC), India showed that around 40% of the road accidents have occurred under the influence of alcohol. Young male drivers are at a greater risk of such accidents. The use of alcohol before driving was a significant contributing factor in fatal road traffic accidents, mainly in single vehicle accidents, and particularly among young male drivers. Alcohol was the most significant intoxicant, but multi­substance use was also significantly prevalent. The majority of the drivers with alcohol were strongly impaired judgmentally with decreased attention span leading to increased roadside casualties and mortalities particularly among the youth and middle­aged persons.

Keywords: Alcohol; Road Traffic Accidents; Death; Prevention

 Autopsy of an unknown descendent is always a challenging task for the forensic experts, unfortunately which often brings no significant results. The reasons may be reluctant investigating authority, lack of proper history, decomposed, skeletonized or mutilated body etc. Unfortunately, much desired interest is not shown by investigating authority as well as forensic experts, unless and until there is suspicion of foul play or any obvious prima facie evidence suggestive of homicidal manner of death. As a result most of the time actual cause and manner of death remains a mystery. Here we have studied 104 cases of such unknown and unclaimed descendents with respect to their incidence, identification and cause of death. Incidence of unknown cases was found to be 4.17% of total cases.19% of the total cases was identified successfully by means of different parameters of identification. 58% deceased died due to unnatural cause. Cause of death in most of the cases was found to be multiple injuries (27%), followed by head injury (14%), whereas pulmonary TB was the leading culprit among natural deaths. 

Keywords: Unknown; Identification; Medico Legal Autopsy; Death; Cause of Death. 

 Background: We have been facing a frightening rise of substance abuse among the youngsters in recent years. Further, the problem is seen across all socioeconomic groups, from urban areas to small towns. However new substances are being abused which have also been documented. Substance abuse primarily amongst youth has been a matter of concern throughout the world. Study Design: It’s a descriptive cross sectional study, done in collaboration with NGO (Balbhavan Project) working in slum areas of Ahmednagar. Duration of Study: 6 months from January 2016 to June 2016. Material and Methods: Considering the time frame for the study, Research was carried out with the help of NGO working in slum areas of Ahmednagar and children fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data was collected with the help of pre­designed questionnaire. It was estimated that the total sample size will be about 246 children who are using substances. (Calculated by open Epi Software). Observation: The Result obtained at the end of our study was quite shocking. It was found that in slum area 87% children were drug abusers, among which 83% were boys and 17% were girls. A high correlation of substance abuse was found with increasing age. Most abused substance among them was Tobacco, Alcohol, Inhalants, Sedative and opium.

Keywords: Substance Abuse; Tobacco; Craving; Slum Area; Children etc

 Introduction: Acute poisoning is one of the most common causes of morbidity & mortality worldwide. As per WHO around 3 million poisoning cases with 220,000 deaths occur annually. Agriculture pesticides are used in Asian region for self­poisoning particularly in rural areas with high fatality and majority of pesticide exposure are seen more in middle and low income countries. Methodology: Study was conducted at Shri B M Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Bijapur, Karnataka from 1st Jan 2013 to 31st Dec 2013. Data was collected from all the poisoning cases admitted & treated in the emergency department and medical ward. Results: In the present study total 494 cases included, maximum numbers of cases were due to poisoning by insecticides (41.3%) followed by snake bites (16%) & Lice powder contributed (11.7%). Maximum cases were found in the rainy season (37.4%). Suicidal poisoning was most common (70.6%) as compared other modes. Oral route was most commonly found for consumption of poison (72.5%). 61% of victims were Literates & 39% illiterates. Occupation wise, house wives contributed most (27.7%), followed by farmers (26.5). Married persons (53%) were found more than unmarried (47%). Hindus (87.9%) were more than other religion. Rural people (81.4%) were more as compared to urban. Conclusions: From the above study we can conclude that sociodemographic features of fatal and non­fatalpoisoning in Bijapur­ Maximum numbers of cases were due to poisoning by insecticides, Suicidal manner of poisoning was commonest, males were more affected than females, House wives suffered more, maximum cases were in rainy season.

Keywords: Poisoning; Insecticides; Sociodemographic Features; Manner of Death; Non­Fatal Poisoning.

 Background: Stature estimation of an individual from the skeletal material or the mutilated or parts of limbs has obvious significance in the forensic identification analysis. Estimation of stature is considered as one of the main parameters of personal identification. Establishing personal identity is one of the main concerns in forensic investigations. Objective: The current study dealt with developing a regression equation for stature estimation from foot length. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Place of Study: Department of Forensic medicine, Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad. Methods: The present study was carried out to establish the regression equation and correlation co­efficient between individual’s height and foot length. It was conducted on the children of age group 9 years to 17 years. 239 subjects were selected irrespective of their caste, religion, dietary habits & socio­economic status. Observation: The mean (+SD) Stature of 239 students was 134.61 + 21.05 cm. The right foot length showed a significant positive correlation (r= .017, p=0.0001s) with the stature. The left foot length also showed a significant positive correlation (r= .024, p= 0.0001s) with the stature. The constant and regression co­efficient value regarding right foot length was 143.97 and 0.123 respectively and left foot length was 144.93 and 0.172 respectively for estimating the stature. Conclusion: The present study has established definite correlation between stature and foot­length and also regression equations have been established. Foot measurements have a strong relationship with stature; hence, the stature of an individual can be successfully estimated from the foot length regression model derived in the study.

Keywords: Foot Length; Stature; Regression Equation.

 An autopsy consists of a post­mortem examination to discover the cause of death or the extent of disease. And a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury. Aims: To determine the histopathological findings related or unrelated to the cause of death and to highlight various incidental and interesting microscopic findings in autopsies. Methods and Material: Retrospective study for three year was carried out. Organs of total of 389 autopsies were received. Various his­topathological findings were observed in 183 cases. Results: Out of the various organ received for histopathological examination, pulmonary edema, Atherosclerosis, Pneumonia Chronic venous congestion of liver, Cloudy change in kidney lesions were commoly observed few incidental malignancies like case of renal cell carcinoma, meninigioma, nonhodgkins lymphoma etc. were observed. Conclusions: pulmonary edema is commonest finding followed by atherosclerosis. Incidental histopathological findings may or may be not be contributing to cause of death ,but they help in academics and research purpose.

Keyword: AUTOPSY.