Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology最新文献

{"title":"A Cross Sectional Analytical Study of Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Eastern India","authors":"Sandeep Bansal, Ishita Manral, Gautam R Dhokia, JK Bhatia, Shivakumar, Anadhakrishnan T T, Dobi Sravan Kumar","doi":"10.37506/h558jf27","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37506/h558jf27","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: The present study is an epidemiological study of the fatal cases of COVID-19 positive by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction in a tertiary care centre in West Bengal. The trace, track and treat mode of investigation has helped in the control and timely intervention in the disease pathogenesis\u0000Objective: to analyse the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 related deaths in tertiary centre in Eastern India and comprehended the pattern of deaths due to COVID-19. This will help in understanding the gaps between infection and deaths.\u0000Methods: It was a cross sectional analytical study. The Medical certification of cause of death was studied and data was tabulated.  We collected deaths due to COVID-19 in a tertiary set up in Eastern India from March’2020 to September’2020.\u0000Results: A total of sixty-one deaths were studied. Among the deaths with COVID-19, mild type accounted for the most followed by the severe type. The median age was 65 years  50% of the deaths were distributed in 60-80 years age group. Additionally, the male to female ratio was 3:1. % of patients had underlying comorbidities. It was noted more amongst males.  Most of the underlying diseases were hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, cardiovascular diseases.\u0000Conclusion: COVID-19 posed a greater threat to the elderly people and men with fatal consequences.","PeriodicalId":516766,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141661827","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trends in Suicidal Deaths Brought for Medicolegal Autopsy at Govt. Rajaji Hospital, Madurai: A Retrospective Study","authors":"Sadasivam Shanmugam¹, Mohamed Nasim², Chandrasekar Raju, Mohamed Nasim","doi":"10.37506/h3r6tm48","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37506/h3r6tm48","url":null,"abstract":"  Suicide is a major cause of death in today’s world. The pattern of suicidal deaths in a particular area points not only to the quality of living but also the social and mental makeup of the population. \u0000AIM AND OBJECTIVES:1. To ascertain suicidal death patterns in and around Madurai. 2. To analyse the data with respect to demographics presentation, methods used for committing suicide. 3. To find out the underlying factors that led to Suicide. \u0000METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted at Govt. Rajaji Hospital mortuary, Madurai which covers almost entire district for medicolegal autopsies. The study period was from 01/01/2021 to 31/12/2021 which amounts to one year study. The study design comprised of thoroughly scrutinised information gathered from autopsy related documents, history of relatives of the deceased, hospital records, concerned investigating officers and laboratory report of viscera and other relevant details available in our department. Suicide notes if any were also included. Data was analysed using standard statistical method. \u0000RESULTS: Out of 986 cases of suicidal deaths majority of the cases were Male belonging to the age group 21-30 years followed by age group 31-40years. Poisoning and Hanging were the most common methods employed. Most of the victims were of lower socioeconomic class belonging to rural background. Economic instability and family conflict were the most common cause that led to suicides. \u0000CONCLUSION: Suicidal deaths are preventable by the combined effort of the Government agencies, adaption of healthy lifestyle, counselling facilities and change in the mindset of the people to adapt to all difficult situations in life.","PeriodicalId":516766,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141659579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genital Lichen sclerosus mistaken for child sexual abuse and genital mutilation","authors":"Amit Patil, Mukta Agarwal, Prabhat Kumar, H. Narang, Shashank Ranjan","doi":"10.37506/184zse84","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37506/184zse84","url":null,"abstract":"Child sexual abuse is a severe and widespread problem across the globe. The sexual exploitation of children is incomparable whose dynamics are very unusual to that of adult sexual abuse and hence should be handled and investigated differently. Failure to misdiagnose sexual abuse can expose the children to the risk of further abuse and may lead to serious consequences.  This case report describes the forensic examination of a 17-year-old girl who primarily presented to the obstetrics and gynecology department with complaints of episodic acute urinary retention and difficulty in passing urine. While evaluating her, the primary physicians observed complete adhesion and fusion of labia majora. This unusual presentation made the examining physicians suspicious of genital mutilation and child sexual abuse. The examination revealed that the labia majora was less appreciable and was fused like parchment-like skin with no visualization of labia minora, clitoris, hymen and vaginal opening.  There were no fresh signs of injuries to the anogenital region and no evidence of any surgical procedure done in the recent past suspected to be of genital mutilation. The local examination findings and absence of signs of trauma or surgical scar marks disproved the suspicion of genital mutilation and sexual abuse. The patient's condition was diagnosed with lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, causing genital labial sclerosus. The attending physicians often mistake such conditions as signs of suspected sexual abuse and if not correctly identified, may invite unwarranted child abuse inquiry by law enforcement authorities.","PeriodicalId":516766,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141661331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Study Of Pattern Of Death In Unclaimed Dead Bodies Autopsied In A Tertiary Care Hospital – An Autopsy Based Cross Sectional Study","authors":"R. Senthil Kumar, A. Gokulakrishnan","doi":"10.37506/y51d6v98","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37506/y51d6v98","url":null,"abstract":"Article 6 of universal declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law”. Identification means the determination of the individuality or recognition of that person or dead body based on certain physical characters unique to that individual. It may be complete or partial. Complete identification means the absolute fixation of the individuality of a person, while partial identification means ascertainment of only some facts like race, sex, age and stature. Visual identification is not reliable in majority of the cases, therefore two important identification marks should be noted in live and dead cases. The description should contain anatomical land mark, size; colour either raised or not raised from surface and if no distinct mark is available left thumb impression may be taken. Other points which are considered in establishment of identity are race, religion, sex, age, and other age related changes, acquired peculiarities like mole, tattoos, and congenital deformity. In decomposed and mutilated cases accurate identification is needed for establishment of corpus delicti after homicide. The identification of cadavers is a  crucial  issue  in  forensic  setting, but   the   official  extent  of  this  problem  is  still  poorly  known  in  most countries.   The fact that an  underestimated  problem  of  unclaimed decedents exists  can  be seen from the very small number of published articles  on  the  topic.","PeriodicalId":516766,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141661536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cardiopathology in Methamphetamine Poisoning-Related Deaths in Chiang Mai Thailand","authors":"Prompiriya Jatuten, T. Monum, Yutti Amornlertwatana, C. Jaikang","doi":"10.37506/2cya1962","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37506/2cya1962","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Blood Methamphetamine levels have been utilized to assess methamphetamine exposure and its toxicity. Heart is a major target organ of methamphetamine intoxication. In some autopsy cases heart pathologies have been revealed at low level of methamphetamine and extensively to be understand a relationship between the blood methamphetamine level and heart pathology.\u0000Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between blood methamphetamine level and heart pathology by using postmortem cases.\u0000Methodology: One hundred and twenty medico-legal cases were included and blood methamphetamine or amphetamine levels in whole blood along with heart pathological finding were determined.\u0000Results: Coronary atherosclerosis, myocardial fiber hypertrophy, and fibrosis of the left ventricular myocardium were highly frequency findings in methamphetamine intoxication. Interestingly, forensic cases revealed myocardial fiber hypertrophy in chronic methamphetamine users.\u0000Conclusion: The levels of methamphetamine and amphetamine associated with myocarditis, cardiomyopathy and dystrophic calcification mitral valve. Evaluation of methamphetamine and amphetamine levels are key biomarkers for predicting the seriousness of heart-related pathological conditions. ","PeriodicalId":516766,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141660088","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Expertise of Forensic Specialist in the Clinical Forensic Medicine Unit: A Need of the Hour","authors":"DilipKumar R, Rohith K, K. Leena Pramod, Kishor Kumar B","doi":"10.37506/4psg8v60","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37506/4psg8v60","url":null,"abstract":"In the casualty it is the duty of an Indian Medical Graduate to examine and record the details of medico legal cases and send intimation to the police. In emergency services sometimes the Indian Medical Graduate is not able to record the injury details of the patient due to lack of expertise, disinterest and sense of apprehension towards legal procedures. According to the new curriculum the Indian Medical Graduates study Forensic Medicine in the second and third year and during Internship they are again posted in Forensic Medicine to undergo medico legal training. In the Postgraduate curriculum of Forensic Medicine they have casualty postings. The number of postgraduates joining Forensic in various medical colleges is dropping at an alarming rate as it is considered as dead body science. Clinical Forensic Medicine (CFM) is the area of forensic medicine that relates to the medical examination and assessment of the living. It also has a significant public health and safety role.  Research based on clinical forensic examination results have the potential to contribute to injury and death prevention. The aim of this article is to share the author's experience in the Clinical Forensic Medicine unit.","PeriodicalId":516766,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141660690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Study on Psychological Autopsy of Suicidal Cases of North Bengal Region","authors":"Vivek Kumar, Saikat Saha, Goutam Kumar, D. Chhetri, R. Maitra, Rajib Prasad","doi":"10.37506/2nfea515","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37506/2nfea515","url":null,"abstract":"There are times when physical evidence found at post-mortem examination does not uncover the cause and mode of death. This is known as equivocal death. The psychological autopsy is an attempt to reconstruct the decedent’s life to get a better understanding of his cause of death. It is used to determine the victim’s psychological intent, using interviews and examination of documents to reconstruct the behaviour, personality, lifestyle, habits and history of the victim prior to death. Psychological autopsy helps as an investigative instrument which requires an application of abilities, experience, and training to assess a variety of factors including the behaviour, thoughts, feelings, and relationships of an individual who is deceased. There may be situations that the family members of the deceased does not want to reveal thefacts about his death. Hence the counselling and interviews of family members, friends, and relatives has to be done with empathy. So the interviewer has to be flexible. The interviewer should establish mutual respect and confidence, with the informant, and ensure confidentiality and anonymity, and also obtain an informed consent before the interview. Hence one should be qualified and skilled to conduct the interview. False information also can be given due to lack of memory or it may be intentional. Suicide note, Personal documents, Medical records, school records, military records, employment records, should be carefully analysed. With the above mentioned information, a psychological autopsy report is produced, the final conclusion depends on the accuracy of the data collected from the interviews, examination of relevant documents and other materials. Therefore the interviewee’s probabilities and limitation to science should be noted. Thus the final judgement as to the mode of death is based upon a review of all the known facts and circumstances; including the coroner’s report, forensic medical report, police reports, crime scene analyst reports, and the psychological reconstruction ,so that people may learn from the tragedy and, hopefully, be cautious and reduce the chances of similar occurrence in future. Psychological autopsy is most often used in cases of suspected suicide or homicide in an attempt to reconstruct the personal life and character of the deceased, to uncover hidden facts that may help to give family members peace of mind and also plays a role in revealing the manner of death.","PeriodicalId":516766,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141662086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pattern of Injuries in Victims of Fatal Road Traffic Accidents in Southern Haryana:An Autopsy-Based Study","authors":"Kapil Yadav, Devinder Kumar, H. Chawla, Renu Yadav, Mustafa Khan, Ravi Prakash Yadav, Gynecology","doi":"10.37506/k8qyjk97","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37506/k8qyjk97","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Road traffic accident is one of the major avoidable public health problems and is on the rise which can be attributed to increase in the number of vehicles, daily life changes, nasty tendency of violating traffic rules, anarchic traffic system and risky approach. It is a matter of national concern, in view of its extent and gravity and the subsequent negative impacts on the economy, public health and the general well-being of the people. The aim of this study was to know the pattern of injuries in victims of fatal road traffic accidents.\u0000Material & Method: The present study was a prospective, cross-sectional study. The study was conducted at the tertiary healthcare centre in southern Haryana. Total of 75 cases of fatal road traffic accident cases were enrolled during one year of study period. The basic information about the deceased like age, gender, mode of travel of victim was obtained from investigating officer narration and inquest papers. During autopsy, detailed examination of injuries was carried out and the autopsy findings were recorded and analyzed.\u0000Results: It was observed that out of 75 cases male outnumbered female in ratio 5.25:1. majority of the victims belonged to age group 21-30 year (26.7%). Among the external injuries, abrasions were most common followed by lacerations. It was also observed that majority of the victims had intracranial hemorrhage (60%) followed by rib fracture (41.3%) and 17.3% of the victims had pelvis fracture.\u0000Conclusion: From the present study it was concluded that road traffic accidents were more common in the younger age group and two wheeler occupants followed by pedestrians were most vulnerable to road traffic accidents.","PeriodicalId":516766,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141659371","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Prospective Study of Gunshot Injuries among the Patients Admitted to the Emergency Department","authors":"Saurabh Pathak, Faiz Ahmad, Kashif Ali","doi":"10.37506/z00qe161","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37506/z00qe161","url":null,"abstract":"Background-Increased incidence of firearm injuries in developing countries has been attributed to poverty, unemployment, political instability, lack of education and unequal distribution of wealth. Itis one of the important causes of morbidity and mortality in our country. \u0000Material and methods-This prospective study was conducted at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital, AMU, Aligarh in the department of Forensic Medicine and in the Trauma and Emergency department between October 2018 to September 2020.130 patients of Gunshot injuries were included after obtaining informed consent. \u0000Results-Males (n=115; 88.46 %) were the predominant victims of gunshot injuries while female patients comprise of 11.54 % (n=15) only. Male to female ratio was 7.67:1. Majority (n=115; 88.46 %) of the gunshot injury cases were the result of homicidal motive. Lower (n=50; 35.46 %) and upper extremities (n=41; 31.53 %) were the most common sites of injury. \u0000Conclusion-There is a need to decrease the number of firearms used and sold in India. We need to eradicate illicit local community gun manufacturing units.","PeriodicalId":516766,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141658773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence Of HIV In Dead Bodies Posted For Autopsy: A Cross Sectional Study At A Tertiary Care Hospital","authors":"Rohan Thorat, G. S. Chavan, S. M. Jawle, P. S. Dode","doi":"10.37506/4ynm2z04","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37506/4ynm2z04","url":null,"abstract":"Background: There are various reports regarding the suicide commission by HIV positive persons, but as such postmortem serological studies are yet not done to document the status in autopsy. Also it’s vital to test a body before autopsy to avoid infection to the forensic experts and concerned persons in autopsy and allied work.\u0000Objectives: The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of HIV infection, in unreported post-mortem cases in the autopsy room.\u0000Material and Methods: The prospective study was done at the Department of Forensic Medicine in collaboration with the Department of Microbiology located in the Tertiary Care Government Hospital, Mumbai. Total of 216 cases were examined during a span of one year. Cases selected as per inclusion and exclusion criteria, tested for HIV after taking consent from guardians.\u0000Results: Most common age group was found to be 31-40 years. Males were 72.22% while females were 27.78% of study. Out of total 6 were tested positive for HIV. Out of total 6 HIV cases 4 (80%) were males and 2 (20%) were females. Out of 6 cases 5 (83.3%)  were below 50 yrs. 82.3% tested positive in first 24 hours of death. 3 (50%) died due to pulmonary tuberculosis, 2 (33.3%) due to meningitis and 1 (16.7%) due to lobar pneumonia. Conclusions: HIV among dead bodies presenting to autopsy is not uncommon.\u0000 ","PeriodicalId":516766,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141662138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}