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Introduction: Stature is defined as the maximum height attained during one's lifespan. Human stature estimation is one of the essential aspects of Forensic anthropological investigation which helps in the identification of a person or a body in different civil and criminal matters. Material and Method:The present prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Government Medical College, Amritsar on 200 healthy undergraduate Punjabi students (100 males and 100 females) to find out the bilateral and bisexual variations from the percutaneous measurement of length and breadth of hand and fingers except thumb to reconstruct the stature for identification purposes. Results: The mean height in males was 174.3690±6.18 cm, in females were 159.50±6.22 cm and in all the subject (N=200), the mean height calculated was 166.94±9.68 cm. coefficient, 't' test and ANOVA test and regression equation for height is formulated. The regression equation for all the subjects (n=200) is Y = 36.734 + (4.994 * LHL) + (2.683 * RHW) + (5.023 * RMFL) - (3.489 * LRFL). Conclusion: Stature is observed significantly related to hand length, width and length of fingers. Linear regression equations for estimation of stature would be of immense value for medical professionals and can be used for identification of a person from stature for civil and criminal purpose wherever required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction:An increasing death rate as a result of violence constitutes a large group in medico-legal autopsies especially deaths due to asphyxia which are one of the most important causes in violent deaths. Analysis and interpretations of cases of hanging, ligature strangulation, throttling, suffocation, traumatic asphyxia and drowning is presented in this paper. Aims and Objective: The present study was carried out with a view to study the incidence and postmortem finding of violent asphyxial deaths with regard to key features that help to differentiate between different violent asphyxial deaths. Method: A ten years retrospective study of all medico-legal autopsies of violent asphyxial deaths was undertaken between 1st January 2006 to 31st December 2015 in the department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Government. Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab, India. Results: Incidence of violent asphyxia deaths is 3.98% of total autopsies. Hanging (50.37%) was most common method of asphyxiation followed by drowning (29.48%). Males (68.06%) outnumbered females (31.94%) with male to female ratio of 2.13:1. Most affected age group was 21-30 years among both the sexes. Most of the victims were married 233 (57.25%) compared to unmarried 100 (24.57%) and unknown 74 (18.18%) cases. Suicide (53.56%) was most common manner of death followed by homicide (19.90%), accidental was least common (17.20%) and in (9.34%) cases manner was unascertained. More cases 52.83% of violent asphyxial deaths were reported from rural area as compared to urban (27.76%) and residence status of 18.18% cases were unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A poison is a solid, liquid or gaseous substance, which if introduced in to the living body, or brought in contact with any part produces ill effects or death by its local, systemic or both types of action. Objective: The present study was carried out with a view to study the incidence and key features of postmortem findings in poisoning and their demographic distribution in forensic autopsy cases. Methods: A ten years retrospective study of all medico-legal autopsies of poisoning deaths was undertaken between 1st January 2006 to 31st December 2015 in the department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Government. Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab, India. Results: Incidence of poisoning deaths is 5.66% of total autopsies. Most common age group amongst the males was 21-30 years; Male to female sex ratio was 2.59:1. The maximum number of deceased practised Sikhism 392 (67.82%), followed by Hinduism 140(24.22%), Christianity 6 (1.04%) and Muslims 1 (0.17%). Males out numbered female victims amongst all the religion groups except Muslims. As far as the mode of intake of various poisons is concerned, oral route was most preferred one in majority. Detailed analysis of 578 cases of deaths due to various poisons has revealed that Irritant metallic & non metallic poisons 479 (82.87%) were the most common type of poisons detected in the present study, followed by cerebral -inebriant type in 17 (2.94%) cases. the colour of gastric contents was black in 112 (19.38%) cases, green in 34 (5.88%) cases, blood stained in 106 (18.37%) cases. Conclusion: As the main profession of rural population in Punjab is agriculture and in the present study three types of major poisons used as pesticides in farming have been reported i.e. aluminium phosphide, organ chloride and organophosporus compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Firearm injury is one of the important causes of morbidity & mortality in India and Punjab is not an exception to this. Methods: A study of 100 firearm cases was carried out at GMC, Amritsar to analyze the details of the physical characteristics of firearm injuries. Results: Majority of victims were males belonging to Sikh community from rural area. Examination of clothing was conducted in 67% of cases in which corresponding tear/cuts and stain was present in 85% of cases, while blackening and burning was observed in 24% cases. Entry wounds were found mostly on the Limbs; 52% in Lower Limbs, 34% in upper Limbs followed by 33% on Thorax. In most of the entry wounds 85.16 % margins were inverted and shape was oval 61. 94%. Physical characters like abrasion collar (AC) was observed in 19.35%, burning in 11.61% and contusion ring (CR) in 8.38%, blackening in 7.09% and singeing of hair in 5.8% of cases. As far as study of exit wound is concerned they were present only in 23% cases and were present mostly on the Limbs; 65.21% in upper limb and 26.09% in lower Limbs and their margins were everted in 86.96% cases. Foreign bodies were present in 60.65% cases and fracture in 15% cases while nature of Injury was simple in most of the 84% cases. Conclusions: In this study of Firearm Injuries, entry wounds were more common than exit wounds and were mostly smaller in size, circular in shape with inverted margins and showing AC, CR, blackening and singeing of hair as compare to exit wounds which were larger in size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Medicolegal cases are imperative part of medical practice and is an important constituent of emergencies of tertiary care centers and the doctor on duty prepares medicolegal reports of such cases. The pattern of mechanical injuries due to assault differ between countries and communities due to their specific traditional, cultural and social factors prevalent in their areas. The major chunk of these medicolegal cases are of injuries caused as result of violence in this part of India. Materials & Methods: The present study of 500 medicolegal cases of mechanical injuries of assault was conducted of those patients, who were admitted to Emergency department of Guru Nanak Dev Hospital attached to Government Medical College, Amritsar noting down their demographic details and injury details both clinically as well as radiologically. Results: In this study it was observed that majority of medicolegal cases were seen among males (89%) of age group of 21-40 years (61%). Majority of the cases belonged to rural background (77%) and most commonly involved occupational group was the labourers (35.4%). Also, the majority of injuries were simple in nature(79.8%) and were predominantly inflicted by blunt weapon(67.6%) however the reverse trend was seen in injuries with grievous nature where the most common weapon was sharp edged weapon(55.1%). Conclusions: Since the assault related injury cases were higher among males, in young age group and in a rural population so for prevention of assault related activities, the main focus should be on encouraging the young age group, the concept of tolerance and rationalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]