Journal of Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

Physical and sexual assault with or without homicide occurs throughout world regardless of race, age, nationality, financial status etc. Women and childrenare the most vulnerable group as they may not be able to defend themselves. Sexual cases are generally not reported because of social stigma and whatever we see is the tip of iceberg. This case deals with the story of a minor [14yrs] girl who was found lying by the side of road in an unconscious condition with multiple injuries. Inquest report was prepared as a case of road traffic accident but later on she was identified and then relative of injured complaint to police against certain suspects that she was kidnapped from her house and was allegedly raped and later on died and the postmortem examination was conducted in Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Government Medical College, Amritsar. 

Physical Child abuse also known as Battered baby Syndrome (BBS) or Non Accidental Injury (NAI) occurs when the child suffers repetitive physical injuries by a parent or guardian. It can cause severe injuries to the children and even death. We report two autopsy cases in which both the children were brought dead in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi by the guardians with no complaint of foul play. During autopsy the characteristic findings of physical abuse were found and were reported to the investigation officer. It led to the arrest of the guardians and legal proceedings were initiated. The western countries have developed a centralized reporting system for child abuse but the cases of physical and mental abuse of children mainly at their home from parents or guardian are highly under-reported in India. The authors intend to highlight the importance of interpreting such injuries not only during autopsy but also in clinical setups so that perpetrators of child abuse are not spared. The authors have given recommendations about the steps which could be taken to detect child abuse at an early stage and save the life of a child.

Molecular techniques in forensics is gaining importance in medico-legal and criminalities identification after establishment of molecular methods such as DNA (Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid) finger printing to identify individuals. The principles and techniques used for forensic means; modern DNA profiling procedures that are widely used in resolving various issues of inheritance or succession, identifying missing child, paternity dispute, murder and sexual assault, adoption maintenance of minor child and victim of mass disasters. Nuclear DNA evidences have been recovered from blood, semen, saliva, skin and hair roots. DNA base techniques such as PCR (Polymerase chain reaction), RFLP (Restriction fragment length polymorphism), VNTR (variable number of tandem repeats), STR (Short tandem repeats), Y-chromosome analysis and Mitochondrial analysis are being used for investigation. DNA-based evidence has become a significant supporting tool for law enforcement agencies/investigators to solve difficult crime cases and give right decision and judgment.

Medical negligence litigation has become a common experience for the medical practitioners. It is important to know what constitutes a medical negligence and take preventive steps. The doctor has certain duties to his patient who comes to him for treatment for his illness. If there is any deficiency of duty or service due to commission or omission causing damage to the patient, it amounts to medical negligence. When there is a litigation of medical negligence, a legal procedure is followed to address the complainant The doctor has to be aware of the medico-legal procedures and laws dealing with alleged medical negligence cases. It will help them to take precautions and follow safe medical practice.

Prologue- Pesticides is a generic term for a variety of agents that may be classified more specifically on the basis of pattern of use and organism killed such as insects, weeds, fungi, and rodents. A number of pesticides can cause neurotoxicity. It is not surprising that these agents also have neurotoxic effects on large mammals including humans. Despites man’s persistent efforts to develop mechanism of actions in selectivity and specificity of these agents towards certain species while reducing toxicity to other forms of life, all pesticides possess an inherent degree of toxicity to human being. This family of chemicals such as the organophosphates, the carbamates, the pyrethroids, the organochlorines, and other compounds directly target nervous system to show their mechanism of toxicity. Insecticides interfere with chemical neurotransmitter or ion channels in nerve cell, and usually cause reversible neurotoxic effects, that could nevertheless be lethal. The effects of pesticides on the nervous system is as neurotoxins, or may contribute to chronic neurodegenerative disorder, one of the most common notably is Parkinson’s and Alzhemier Disease. This brief review summarizes some of the main neurotoxic insecticides, their effects and mode of action.

The present article describes the potential utility of derivative ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometric technique in the discrimination of different kinds of ignitable liquids in their neat states. Derivative UV spectrophotometry is capable of differentiating these ignitable liquids as derivative spectra have more number of points for comparison than their corresponding normal zero order spectrum. Derivative spectra are relatively simple. The technique is rapid, simple, cost-effective and can be used for the screening purpose at the initial stage of investigation. Taking into account the results obtained in the present work, it is possible to suggest the use of this technique to distinguish these ignitable liquids, if recovered from arson scene or clandestine laboratories. 

Chemical and Toxoclogical analysis of viscera is conducted in a Medicolegal Death investigation to rule out poisoning/intoxication in the death of the deceased. The analysis is done only in Forensic Science Laboratories established by Indian Government. The Viscera reports are usually received after a period of considerable delay and opinion about the case is kept pending till then. Keeping the same thing into consideration, this study was undertaken to analyze the system of Viscera analysis after autopsy and identifying the factors and problems hampering the timely Chemical Analysis. The study was conducted in Department of Forensic Medicine, All India Institute of Medical sciences, New Delhi. All the Medicolegal Autopsy Cases in the period of one year from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2013 where viscera was preserved were studied. Data was collected and analyzed from the PM reports and the subsequent viscera reports from FSLs received in the Department till 30th April 2017. The viscera analysis report was received in only 45.5% cases till 30th April 2017 and only 6.2% cases analysis reports were received within six months of conduction of postmortem. Poisons and Drugs were detected in 134 (41.5%) case out of which Ethyl and Methyl Alcohol constitutes 78.6% cases and only in those cases quantification was performed. The reasons of the delay in analysis of viscera and its effects on Medicolegal Death Investigation are discussed. It was concluded that there is a need of establishing Toxological Laboratories associated with the district hospitals and Medical Colleges where postmortem are being conducted.