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Deaths by ligation around the neck are in practice from the time immemorial and before adventure of civilization. Hanging is that form of asphyxia, which is caused by suspension of the body by a ligature which encircles the neck, the constricting force being the weight of the body or a part of the body weight. Due to population explosion, poverty and increasing stress and strain in our daily life, we frequently come across cases of suicides, homicides and accidents. The present study aims towards analyzing socio-demographic pattern, causes& precipitating factors for committing suicide by hanging in this region. Due to population explosion, poverty and increasing stress and strain in our daily life, we frequently come across cases of suicides, homicides and accidents22. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over eight hundred thousand people commit suicide every year all over the world. In India, every year >1 lakh people commit suicide, and it accounts for 17.5% of all suicidal deaths in the world. Hanging is the most common method of committing suicide as it is believed to offer a rapid and relatively painless death, and there is no cost involvement other than that of the ligature material2. According to NCRB reports the incidence of suicides by hanging increasing every year by India, 31.5% in 2010, 32.2% in 2011, 37.0% in 20122. The present study aims towards analyzing socio-demographic pattern, causes precipitating factors for committing suicide by hanging in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: an unknown dead body always becomes a challenge to the Investigating officer and forensic expert. However, the problem of determining the identity gets aggravated and taxes for the experts, when the dead body is recovered in decomposed/ skeletonized and mutilated form. Materials and Methods: A standard proforma was designed to collect the information to ensure consistency for the whole sample. All dead bodies that were brought as unidentified were included however identified dead bodies were excluded from the study. Results: A total of 407 post-mortem examinations were conducted at the mortuary of the department during under study and amongst them, 56 cases (13.75%) were found unidentified. Of these unidentified cases, 69.64% (39 cases) were in decomposed and 30.35% (17 cases) were in fresh state. Unidentified cases comprised 80.35% males (45 cases) and 19.64% females (11 cases). Conclusion: Unidentified dead bodies were only 13.75% of the total dead bodies coming to the autopsy in the mortuary of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, VCSGGIMS & R, Srikot, Srinagar, Pauri Garhwal, UTTARAKHAND during the study period of 5 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Death is unnatural and suspicious when it is caused by external causation like injury or poisoning or other than natural course. In such deaths of married females, the inquest is carried out, and a medico-legal autopsy is conducted to ascertain the cause of death and manner of death. Materials and Methods: This record-based, retrospective study was carried out at RVRS Medical College, Rajasthan in the year 2021 (1st January, 2021 to 31st December, 2021) to know the pattern of the suspicious death of married females brought for medico-legal autopsy. The inquest report, medico-legal autopsy report, histopathological examination report, and chemical analysis report findings were tabulated and analyzed. Results: The maximum number (31.62%) of female deaths belonged to the age group of 18-22 years of age. A total of 33.82% of females died during a marriage duration of less than 5 years of married life. A total of 22.79% of female deaths were related to dowry and 60.2% of females belonged to rural areas. A total of 59.56% of females were died due to poisoning and 75% of female deaths considered suicidal. Conclusion: Suspicious deaths of married women brought for medico-legal autopsy must be dealt with due to precaution to determine the cause and manner of death. One must be vigilant that the suspicious death of a married female may be associated with dowry in the Indian scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Summative assessments play a major role in shaping the student's learning. There is little literature available on validity of summative assessment question papers in Forensic Medicine & Toxicology. This study analyses 30 question papers from 6 reputed universities for content validity. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional record-based observational study was conducted where 30 university summative question papers in Forensic Medicine & Toxicology from 6 universities across India were evaluated for content validity. The learning domain assessed, the type of questions asked, and sampling of the content was compared and presented in the results. Results: From the results of the study, it was noted that 80% weightage was allotted to recall in most papers and only one paper tested for application. 70 to 80% of the marks were allotted to Forensic Pathology leading to disproportionate sampling. Core areas in Toxicology and Medical Jurisprudence were sparsely assessed. Conclusion: The content validity of the summative question papers in Forensic Medicine and Toxicology was unsatisfactory, emphasising the need for evaluation of the clarity and efficacy of the blueprints being used by the universities. Faculty training to motivate and influence a change in the mindset is necessary to bring about a course correction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organ donation is remarkable achievement in modern medicine which helps those suffering from chronic incurable end organ diseases. However, the process of organ donation and transplantation is not devoid of ground level difficulties like timely diagnosis of brain death, harvesting of organs during the supravital period, transporting the retrieved organ to a facility where transplantation is to be conducted and in Medicolegal cases the Forensic Pathologist has to examine the patient and allow/disallow the retrieval of organ based on their necessity in determining cause of death. The Forensic Pathologists can do their bit in expediting the above mentioned process by conducting the autopsy in operation theatre where organs were retrieved. This practice is being followed in Telangana, Tamil Nadu and now in Karnataka. This paper aims to study the profile of organ donors, analyze the types of organs retrieved and to highlight the role of Forensic Pathologists in expediting the process of organ donation and transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snakebites account for a substantial public health burden in India, contributing to 80 % of global snakebite fatalities. This case series explores the intricacies of two alleged neurotoxic snakebite deaths, delving into the complexities of diagnosing neurotoxic snakebite deaths in India through meticulous medico-legal autopsies. Despite initial suspicions and circumstantial evidence suggesting snakebite involvement, the autopsies revealed surprising causes of death. The article discusses challenges in accurately attributing deaths to snakebites, and the potential for false claims, and underscores the crucial role of Forensic pathologists in dispelling enigmas. Forensic pathologists are urged to maintain an unbiased approach, allowing postmortem findings to guide conclusions amidst deliberate attempts to mislead. The cases described highlight that ruling out snake bites in cases with positive history is as challenging as opining a case of neurotoxic snake bite as they are mainly the diagnosis of exclusion in autopsy., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Corrosive digestive tract injuries are considered to be a source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The cases of acid ingestion in Forensic Medicine practice are not infrequent. Corrosive ingestion usually presents with injuries over the face, oropharynx, esophagus, and gastrointestinal tract. We report a case of a 65‐year‐old woman who was brought to the emergency department with a history of ingestion of toilet cleaner at her home. Following this, she developed blackish‐brown discoloration over the abdomen. The patient survived for less than one day. An autopsy confirmed the perforation of the stomach and small intestine. 500 ml of blackish fluid was present in the peritoneal cavity which resulted in corrosive peritonitis. The chemical examiner's report showed corrosive mixtures comprising sulfate, nitrate, and chloride ions in the peritoneal contents. This case report highlights atypical cutaneous presentation over the abdomen following corrosive acid ingestion, which has not been reported previously. The possible explanation for this cutaneous manifestation was corrosive effects of the underlying viscera due to its close proximation to the abdominal wall and presence of minimal intra‐abdominal fat. A direct physical connection between perforation and cutaneous findings was not identified. The case emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach in managing such cases, analyzing ingested material, and following standard autopsy protocols in case of death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With modern civilization and the rise in literacy, cases of human sacrifice are rarely encountered by forensic practitioners. Human sacrifice, also called 'Narabali' in India, involves an act of deliberately killing an individual due to ritualistic beliefs for the appeasement of the Gods, spirits, or ancestors. Human sacrifice and ritual murder are often considered synonymous, but ritual murder further involves offering the body part to the deity after killing. Diverse methods were historically adopted for human sacrifice across the globe, strongly influenced by their superstitious, religious, and cultural beliefs. Cases of human sacrifice mostly involve children. We report the rare case of human sacrifice involving an adult victim assaulted by a sharp weapon over the posterior aspect of the neck. The deceased succumbed due to the transection of the cervical spine and corresponding spinal cord. Corroboration of circumstances of death and profiles of the deceased and the perpetrator with autopsy findings were essential in the investigation. This case report discusses extreme superstitions and beliefs, resulting in homicide., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Introduction: Hanging is that form of asphyxia which is caused by the suspension of the body by a ligature which encircles the neck, the constricting force being the weight of the body, or part of body weight. Strangulation is a form of death caused by constricting the neck by some means other than body weight. The means used may be ligature (ligature strangulation), human hand (throttling or manual strangulation), elbow (mugging), or some hard subject such as stick (bansdola). Aims and Objectives: To study the differentiating aspect between Hanging and Strangulation, with respect to type of ligature material and its position, external and internal finding of neck and changes in the subcutaneous tissue of neck. Results: Hanging amounted for 50.37% cases while strangulation was 17.20% cases among the violent asphyxial deaths. Clothes (65.45%) were most common ligature material both in hanging and strangulation as well. Position of ligature was above the level of thyroid in 95.12% cases while in strangulation the position of ligature was at level of thyroid in most of the cases (45.71%). Associated injuries are present in 51.43% cases of strangulation. Subcutaneous tissue is white glistening in most of hanging cases (76.58%) while contused in most of strangulation (82.86%) cases. Conclusion and Suggestions: It is suggested that in the interest of justice to avoid confusion, in all cases of violent asphyxial deaths, the post-mortem examination should be conducted by the Forensic experts only. Police personals should also be given training that they should not cut the ligature material and remove ligature material before post-mortem examination so that easy differentiation of hanging and strangulation can be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction : Human organ weights besides race, age, gender are also reported to be dependent on environmental and socioeconomic conditions which are quite different in various parts of India. Hence, the organ weights reported from other parts of India are definitely not applicable directly to the population of Pune Zone of India. Hence the study was undertaken to study the weight of human organs in Western Maharashtra.Systemic disease processes, poisonings, decomposition that affect organ weights were excluded in the present study. Aims and Objectives: Establish the range of normal organ weight of brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and spleen in Indian population group living in Pune Zone of Western Maharashtra and to estimate the variability in the organ weights. Material and Methods: 210 cases (145 males and 65 females) on whom autopsy was conducted after following the inclusion and exclusion criteria were part of study in the span of 6 months Results: The mean weight in males were Brain(1182.6g), Heart(319.31g), Right Lungs(458.22g),Left Lungs(428.99g) Liver(1337.7g),Spleen(175.36g) Right Kidney(139.58g),Left Kidney (136.04g). The mean weight in females were Brain(1160.35g), Heart(314.56g), Right Lungs(463.33g), Left Lungs(415.41g), Liver(1408.67g), Spleen(177g), Right Kidney(133.16g) , Left Kidney(126g). Conclusion: In the field of forensic pathology, organ weight is usually used as a determinant of disease processes or pathologic states. Thus, being able to predict the weight of an organ is less important than the knowledge of what a normal organ should weigh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author offers observation on significance of doing medicolegal work including autopsies in private medical colleges in India. Topics discussed include legal provision in Scotland about autopsy, example that Indian law is not against privatization of medicolegal services, and opportunities for private medical colleges to conduct autopsies and for the overall privatization of medicolegal work/autopsies.

Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) is of great concern in young adults because of its potential to cause great incapacitation. This arena of cardiology has gained importance in South Asian countries, particularly India due to increased prevalence that is related to traditional risk factors, altered life styles and inherent risk factors. In this study, we sought to evaluate, at autopsy, the pathology of atherosclerotic CAD in young patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). A 10-year retrospective autopsy-based study was carried out in a large tertiary-care centre and patients aged ≤45 years with IHD were selected. Out of 545 autopsied cases of IHD, 95 patients (17.4%) were young. Among these 95 patients, 84 (88.4%) had IHD related to atherosclerotic CAD; the youngest patient was 18 years old. Predictably there was sole involvement of left anterior descending artery and the presence of fibrous plaques. Irrespective of the plaque morphology, the commonest complication was thrombosis produced by plaque erosion seen in 36.9% of patients. Acute coronary insufficiency was noted in 52 patients (61.9%), while healed infarctions were surprisingly noted in 28 patients (33.3%). Screening for IHD in the young population may help to improve prognosis by detecting subclinical disease, although more studies are necessary to establish reference limits for this young population. Additional research must also focus on treatment concerns that are specific to young patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Wormian bones (Wbs) are small bones located in or near the sutures of the skull which are irregular in size, shape, and number. The present study is to look into the morphological details of such supernumerary bones of skull with regards to their incidence, number, and topography in skulls from the Haryana region. Materials and Methods: This observational study was carried out in the tertiary care hospital, in the region of Haryana and the total of 147 human skulls were examined during routine autopsy procedures with respect to sutures and topographic distribution of Wbs. The data were statistically analyzed. Results: In the present study, the overall incidence of Wbs was seen in 52 skulls (35.3%) with males having 23.8% and females having 11.5%. Conclusion: The knowledge of incidence and distribution of Wbs in the skull could be useful to radiologists, causality medical officers, and autopsy surgeons in successfully differentiating a skull fracture from normal suture with Wbs or exit gunshot wound from fractured small Wb and thus ruling out the possibilities of presence or absence of fractures due to physical abuse, brittle bones, and exit gunshot wounds. It is also helpful to neurosurgeons in timely diagnosis and management of diseases or fractures in relation to the Wbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present prospective study aims to establish the epidemiological profile of deaths with blunt abdominal trauma which were subjected to post-mortem examination in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Hyderabad, Telangana for a period of two years from June 2010 to May 2012. The epidemiological aspect included victim’s age, gender, religion, geographical area, socio-economic status etc. The study revealed that among 150 cases in the study period, the most common cause of injury was road traffic accident (n=90;60%). Majority of the victims were aged between 21-30 years (n=48; 32%). Incidence was common in males (n=108; 72%). Blunt abdominal trauma was most common in Hindu religion (n=97; 64.67%). The major geographical area of distribution of the study population with blunt abdominal trauma was Urban (96; 64%). Majority cases occurred in lower socio-economic class (n=65; 43.33%), Cases were common in married individuals (n=95; 63.33%). Most commonest day of incidence was Saturday (n=44; 29.33%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background – There are numerous methods available for estimation of time since death (TSD) in early post-mortem interval. But, precise determination of TSD is always a big challenge. There are some methods available which can be used for precise determination of TSD, but those have been used in temperate climatic region, such as Henssge nomogram method and Moritz formula. This paper is a humble trial to test the reliability of Henssge nomogram method in tropical climate of central India. Methodology – A cross sectional study was carried out on 173 randomly selected cadavers which were brought for autopsy in department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal. After collecting routine demographic data like age, gender, height, weight etc. following data were also collected – ambient room temperature, rectal temperature, known TSD and determined TSD by Henssge nomogram. Data was analysed by using SPSS software. Conclusion – Henssge nomogram method is a reliable way to determine TSD in 24 hour time frame in cold weather i.e. <23 ºC but not in summer weather i.e. >23 ºC and in the fourth time slot of 18-24 hours in the present study circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Head is one of the most venerable part of body to get injured in the road traffic accident. Head may got serious injuries in the terms of morbidity and mortality. Method: This study was conducted for the period of one year from January to December 2015 at the postmortem house of G.S.V.M. medical college and LLR hospital Kanpur U.P. 808 cases of skull fracture in head injury caused by fatal road traffic accident were evaluated. Results and Conclusion: Linear fracture of skull is most common seen in 132(16.34%) cases. Parietal bone is single most commonly involved bone comprising 117 (14.48%) case. Most commonly involved age group is 21-30 year contributed 230 (28.47%) cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of Covid-19, personal protective equipment is much needed and often in short supply as a protection against the virus, but nobody until recently was discussing the downside of its prolonged use by its wearers. Increasing numbers of health care workers feel unwell using it and are overheating and some have fainted. Will it impair their professional performance? This article considers this aspect of PPE based upon the personal experience of a Forensic team at AIIMS Bhopal in India who wore it during autopsy work and proposed recommendations to minimise it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bulldozer fatalities are usually due to accidental crushing of the body at the workplace. However, severance of the skull cap simulating a chopping injury to head is rare in the literature. Medico-legal investigation may be posed with different challenges when carrying out an autopsy of a victim with this devastating head injury. The police will seek an opinion about the type of weapon responsible for the injuries, the nature of injuries produced and manner of death. In the present case, the victim was hit at dusk by a protruding part of the bulldozer blade as he crossed in front of a bulldozer that was approaching his tractor from the opposite side of the road. His skull cap was severed and he died instantly. This report considers the circumstances of his death, its mechanisms and strategies for preventing such deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sudden unwitnessed, unexpected deaths when the bodies are found in public places require a complete and meticulous medicolegal autopsy to ascertain the cause and manner of death to avoid further unnecessary investigations by the legal authorities. Such deaths attributed to gastrointestinal causes at autopsy are relatively uncommon. We report a case of sudden unexpected death due to strangulated inguinal hernia in a 60-year-old man. The body was discovered in a public area near a place of worship. The present case illustrates a potentially preventable sudden unexpected death due to a surgically correctable gastrointestinal condition. In the present case, the individual feared being hospitalised for treatment of his scrotal swelling with potential surgery and the eventual loss of daily income. In our opinion, such apprehensions may have delayed the potentially life-saving hospital surgical intervention in the individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Genotypic polymorphism studies at 15 highly polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) loci were carried out in two populations belonging to one caste and one tribal group of Madhya Pradesh, in central region of India. These include 110 individuals from Brahmin caste (Kanyakubj) and 89 from Gond tribe (Ojha). The 15 loci studied are: 13 CODIS STR core markers, i.e., D8S1179, D3S1358, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, THO1, D13S317, D16S539, D5S818, FGA and 2 other loci D19S433 and D2S1338. The results show departure from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium with respect to two loci, viz., D3S1358 and FGA in Gond tribe and at seven loci, viz., D21S11, D19S433, TPOX, D18S51, THO1, D5S818, and FGA in Brahmin caste. Population differentiation tests between the two studied populations and with seven neighboring populations (4 tribes and 3 castes – two middle castes and one Deshasth Brahmin) revealed significant differences at several loci. The power of discrimination of the microsatellite markers used was found to be high for both the populations. The data thereof is of immense significance for forensic result interpretation and is an addition to the existing autosomal STR database on Indian population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Yellow phosphorous (YP) is the toxic form of elemental phosphorous and the chief constituent of firecrackers and rodenticides. In India, the rodenticide paste is frequently used for the suicidal purpose. This study is an autopsy-based observational study which describes the histopathological features of heart, lungs, liver, and kidney of fatal cases of YP poisoning. The most common autopsy features in the viscera were congestion and petechial hemorrhage. The liver histopathology findings were microvesicular steatosis (68%), hepatic necrosis (62%), macrovesicular steatosis (50%), inflammatory cells (46%), sinusoidal congestion (40%), cholestasis (32%), and toxic hepatitis (18%). Hepatic necrosis ranged from being focal to centrizonal in distribution. Congestion was the most common feature observed in the lungs and the kidney. This is the largest autopsy-based study on YP poisoning till date. The histopathological features of liver were consistent with YP poisoning whereas the findings of heart, lungs, and kidney were nonspecific in nature., (© 2018 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.)

Adipocere formation depends upon multiple environmental factors. In comparison with temperate countries, it usually develops early in the subtropical climate. We have studied a retrospective data of 31 cases with adipocere formation at Department of Forensic Medicine at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Most of the cases were recovered during the month of May to October from closed rooms at home, open grounds, open forest areas, various water sources, and riverbanks. The time duration of recovery from the time of death was from 12 h to 7 days 12 h. In 10 cases, adipocere formation was seen within 2 days, and in four male cases among them, the adipocere formed within a day. Most of the bodies showing adipocere formation within 2 days were recovered from land. These facts showed that subtropical climate having hot and humid weather promotes early adipocere formation compared to temperate climate., (© 2018 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.)

The ligature mark is the most relevant feature of hanging. This study was undertaken with a view to determine the characteristic features of hanging and its association with ligature material or mode of suspension. Of a total medicolegal deaths reported at an Apex Medical Centre, hanging was noted in 4.1% cases, all suicidal with mortality rate of 1.5 per 100,000 population per year. The hanging was complete in 67.7% with nylon rope as the commonest type of ligature material used for ligation. The hanging mark was usually single, situated above thyroid cartilage, incomplete, prominent, and directed toward nape of neck. The mark of dribbling of saliva was seen in 11.8% cases. Facial congestion, petechial hemorrhage, and cyanosis were significantly seen in partial hanging. Though occasionally reported, the argent line was noted in 78.7% hanging deaths with neck muscle hemorrhage in 23.6% cases. Fracture of neck structure was predominant in complete hanging., (© 2015 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.)

Firearm (FA) injuries pose great health burden and presents enormous challenge for health and national economies. This study was undertaken to analyze the characteristics of fatal gunshot injuries, their pattern, associated factors, and postmortem findings in central India, to provide data for such fatalities in this region, which has not been reported earlier. This is a descriptive, retrospective cross-sectional study carried out on the victims of FA injuries referred to the mortuary. Of the autopsies conducted during study, 2.09% were firearm-related deaths. Of the cases, males (92.42%) notably outnumbered females in a ratio of 12.2:1. Homicidal attacks were maximum, and unlicensed, illegal country-made weapons were the preferred choice. Suicides were least. Result signifies that illegal country-made weapons should be strictly limited to save the precious lives. A holistic approach encompassing public awareness, behavioral modification, and stringent management of law and order is the need of the hour., (© 2014 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.)

The present study is a retrospective analysis of 13 cases of deaths, which resulted from throwing of corrosives over the body. The cases were autopsied at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College & Associated Hospitals, Delhi, India, during a period of 13 years from July 1998 to June 2011. The cases represented approximately 0.1% of all autopsy cases during the same period. Data were analyzed with regard to the age, sex, place of occurrence, pattern of injury, survival period, and cause of death. Of these cases, 8 (61.54%) were male, and 5 (38.46%) were female. The most common age group of the victim was 21 to 30 years (46.15%). Six of the victims were attacked on the road side. Face and thorax were involved in all cases (100%). The average total body surface area of burn was 56.69%.The mean survival period was 28.2 days. In 53.85% of cases, the cause of death was septicemia.

Sudden or unexpected deaths can occur from violence, poisoning, as well as from natural causes. In spite of gastrointestinal diseases being one of the important causes for sudden natural death, only limited studies have been conducted into the pattern of sudden deaths due to gastrointestinal causes. As a result, a 10-year (January 2001 to December 2010) retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, South India. Data were collected from the post-mortem register maintained in the department and the relevant reports were reviewed. Descriptive statistics for qualitative type of data was summarized using frequency and percentage. A total of 7520 deaths were reported. This included a total of 291 sudden natural deaths, out of which 62 cases (21.3%) were due to gastrointestinal causes. Maximum number of cases (nine cases - 15.6%) occurred in the year 2009. Of the 62 cases, 87% were males and 13% were females. The age of the deceased ranged from seven to 78 years and maximum numbers of cases were in the age group of 30-39 years (25.8%). Out of 28 cases (45.1%) of cirrhosis, 19 died due to variceal bleeding and the rest due to hepatic failure. Perforations resulted in death in 29% of cases due to peritonitis.

Talcosis is a rare form of pneumoconiosis caused by long-term exposure to talc (hydrous magnesium silicate) through inhalation or intravenous exposures. Although it occurs commonly as an occupational hazard or is due to abuse/overuse of talc, talcosis in the course of food adulteration is seldom or hardly reported. We present a case of talcosis in a worker who had considerable exposure to talc during the initial preparation of "samosa," a triangular fried Indian savory. There were typical pulmonary histological findings of talcosis with extensive deposition of birefringent crystals in histiocytes. On account of this unusual pathogenesis, we have coined a new terminology "samosa pneumoconiosis" to describe this condition.

Objective: Medico-legal autopsy is conducted routinely in some countries and selectively in others in hospital deaths. This study was conducted to evaluate the views of the forensic medicine experts regarding this matter., Methods: A questionnaire pro forma was sent to sixty-five forensic medicine experts practicing in different medical institutions all around India. Designations and experiences of the participants were noted by requests in the same questionnaire. Their specific experience in conducting medico-legal autopsy in hospital deaths was also requested for. Responses were charted in frequency distribution tables and analyzed using SPSS, version 17.0., Results: One-third of the participants felt that a medico-legal autopsy was necessary in all the hospital death cases as defined in the present study. Ten percent of the participants opined that a medico-legal autopsy was unnecessary in hospital deaths. The majority of the experts mentioned finding the cause of death, followed by finding the manner of death and collecting the evidentiary materials, as the reasons for medico-legal autopsy in hospital deaths. Twenty percent of the participants felt that internal findings at autopsy poorly matched with the case records. All the experts agreed that external autopsy findings matched with the hospital case records. Nearly two-third of the participants felt that it was difficult in some cases to interpret the autopsy findings without case records from the hospital where the deceased was treated., Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the exercise of carrying out medico-legal autopsy routinely in every hospital death as evident in the Indian framework is often unnecessary as per the experts' opinion. Autopsy findings in hospital deaths often correlate with hospital case records.

We report a case of death due to heroin leakage in a body packer, attempting to smuggle the drug by concealing it in his gastro-intestinal tract. The body was recovered 3-5 days of incidence that was confirmed by autopsy. Fifty pellets (packages) were recovered from the body, 42 identical oval shaped "egg" packages were found in the stomach out of which two were damaged, 6 in small intestine, 2 in large intestine. The total weight of the powder was 267 g. Toxicological analysis of the powder samples from the damaged package and other 48 packages was performed and was found positive for heroin, caffeine and codeine. The main pathological findings at autopsy were pulmonary and cerebral edema. This case illustrates the challenges in postmortem evaluation of narcotic fatalities and the need to consider factors such as ante-mortem history, thorough post mortem examination, toxicology results and photography in forensic diagnosis. This case is unique in the sense that cause of death was intoxication caused by leakage of heroin from damaged packages detected at autopsy and demonstrates that body packing is an existing problem in India., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.)

Like any other disease, accidents too are caused by interaction between agent, host, and environment. Human factors include age, (accidents most common between 10 and 24 years), sex, education, medical conditions (heart attack, impaired vision), fatigue, influence of alcohol and other drugs, lack of bodily protection (like helmets, seat belts) and psychosocial factors like lack of experience, impulsiveness, aggressiveness, defective judgment and delay in decisions. Drunken driving is an important risk factor in causing accidents. This study was focused on the status of alcohol consumption in relation with roadside accidents in northern India in the region of Amritsar. The present study was carried out in 100 cases alleged to have died of roadside accident and brought to the mortuary attached to the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Government Medical College, Amritsar for autopsy examination. Blood samples were collected from the femoral vein and were tested for the presence of alcohol with steam distillation and titration method using potassium dichromate and sulfuric acid. In the present study, 23% of the fatal driver/pedestrian victims of roadside accidents were found to have consumed alcohol before accident. Most of the victims of road accident were from the age group 21-30 and 31-40 years. Most of the accidents occurred on straight roads instead of bends or intersections, more during daytime and weekends. 57% of the blood alcohol positives were between 100 mg% and 149 mg%. Majority of the victims of roadside accidents were motorcyclists and the striking vehicles were trucks and buses causing head & neck injuries in most of the victims. Death occurred within a few minutes in most of the cases., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.)

Cardiac tamponade is life-threatening, slow or rapid compression of the heart due to the pericardial accumulation of fluid, pus, blood, clots or gas, as a result of effusion, trauma or rupture of the heart. Penetrating injuries of the chest are most commonly the result of stab wounds and are often associated with a range of potentially life-threatening injuries. It must be treated by pericardial drainage as soon as possible. Sometimes the injury resulting in life-threatening conditions may be so small that it could be missed in the first instance. We present a case report in which the deceased was stabbed by Bodkin at road side. As the wound was so minute, it was not appreciated and time was lost in getting treatment, resulting in loss of a precious life.

The cause and manner of death in submersion cases are a routine challenge for forensic pathologists as they present considerable diagnostic difficulties. The present study was undertaken with a view to determine the characteristic pattern in bodies retrieved from water. From a total of 6779 medicolegal deaths reported at an Apex Medical Centre, Yeotmal, a rural district of Maharashtra over a 10-year study period, only 110 cases (1.6%) were decomposed and 243 cases (3.6%) were non-decomposed bodies retrieved from water with a rate of 0.6 decomposed body as compared with 1.4 non-decomposed bodies per 100,000 population per year. However, out of total 353 bodies retrieved from water, 31.2% were decomposed and 68.8% non-decomposed. Male predominance was seen in both groups with peak at 31-40 years. The cause and manner of death were ascertained as 89.9% and 82.7%, respectively, in decomposed bodies as compared with 100% and 96.3%, respectively, in non-decomposed bodies. Drowning was the commonest cause of death in both groups with suicide as the commonest manner of death in decomposed bodies in contrast to accidental in non-decomposed bodies. Excessive amount of pleural fluid, aquatic animal activity and mud/vegetation in lower respiratory tract was more commonly encountered in decomposed bodies. However, fine white froth was not seen in any of the cases in contrast to 81% non-decomposed bodies. Bodies were commonly recovered from wells in both groups. Most of the bodies were retrieved in the rainy season followed by summer and winter seasons in both groups.

A case of self-strangulation with a rare kind of ligature material is reported and discussed. The merit of the case lies in the 'self-retaining' nature of the ligature material deployed. The case subject was a 50 year old man found dead in an open field with a unique ligature material of 'plastic lock tie' in-situ at neck. Forensic autopsy revealed ligature mark above the level of thyroid cartilage, evidence of bleeding through mouth and nostrils along with generalized features of congestion. Toxicological analysis of blood and viscera detected organophosphorus poison in stomach contents. Cause of death was opined as mechanical asphyxia due to compression of neck by self-strangulation. The importance of a scrupulous forensic autopsy supplemented by ancillary investigations and circumstantial evidences are highlighted. The relevance of the visit of autopsy surgeon to the scene of occurrence is emphasized., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.)

Death due to strangulation is generally considered homicidal unless proved otherwise. Here a case of accidental strangulation by a faulty machine is presented and discussed where the deceased was strangled by a heated rubber belt of a rice mill machine. The ligature mark was an assortment of abrasion and dermo-epidermal burns. The term "thermal ligature strangulation" is proposed for such an occurrence.

With gradual fall in autopsy all over the world in recent years, the present study aimed to assess the accuracy of clinical diagnosis and efficacy of needle autopsy from the emergency department. Fifty deceased patients, who died in the emergency department during a period of 1 year, were subjected to needle autopsy of the major viscera, using spring-loaded automated biopsy gun, and the findings were correlated with clinical diagnosis. The deceased patients were in the age range of 12 to 80 years (mean [SD], 50.48 [18.41] years). The tissues yielded from various organs were as follows: lungs, 90%; liver, 82%; kidney, 48%; heart, 28%; spleen, 22%; and pancreas, 18%. Before death, 86 clinical diagnoses were recorded, of which 21 (24%) (eg, metabolic encephalopathy, cardiac arrhythmia, diabetic ketoacidosis) were impossible to verify on needle autopsy. A total of 48 new diagnoses, missed by physicians, were revealed by needle autopsy. The most frequently missed diagnoses were liver fatty change (19 patients) and pneumonitis (11 patients). Other frequently missed diagnoses were chronic hepatitis (3 patients) and cancer (2 patients: 1 lung squamous cell carcinoma and 1 lung adenocarcinoma). Major diagnostic errors (Goldman classes I and II) were noted in 16 (32%) of 50 cases. Needle autopsy can be a better alternative in the absence of conventional autopsy.

Homelessness is a social as well as legal stigma on a Country's development index. In addition homeless people are exposed to increased incidence of diseases and accidents. Mangalore city, a bustling city located in Southern costal region of India, has seen tremendous growth in the past few years; with this the problem of migrants and homeless has also increased. This has invited a spectrum of problems relating to law and order including frequent incidences of unclaimed dead bodies, both due to natural and unnatural causes. This autopsy based study tries to highlight the situation of picture of homeless deaths in Mangalore and the problems faced by the Law enforcing authorities., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Studies on the ageing of bruises have been reported on Caucasians or individuals of fair ethnicity. This study focuses on bruise changes in dark-skinned individuals using tristimulus colorimetry for forensic analysis in such individuals., Methods: Eighteen subjects of South Indian or Sri-Lankan ethnicity were recruited. Subjects were bruised using a vacuum pump and then daily colour measurements were taken of the bruise using a tristimulus colorimeter. The L*a*b* readings were recorded of a control area and of the bruise until it disappeared. Two Caucasians were used for comparison., Results: This study showed that, using colorimetry, bruises on dark-skinned individuals can be measured and analysed even if the bruises are unclear visually. As the bruise is beneath the skin, the colour difference ΔL*, Δa* and Δb* were calculated. All values showed a trend, indicating that the L*a*b* measuring technique is a reliable method to analyse bruises on dark-skinned individuals. Comparisons of Asian subjects and Caucasian subjects were performed. The largest difference was seen in the b* value. Statistical analysis showed that ΔL* colour difference was the most consistent (95% CI -4.05 to -2.49) showing a significant difference between days 1-4 and 5-8., Conclusion: Objective assessment of bruises on dark-skinned individuals using the L*a*b* method of measuring gave reproducible results. Furthermore, the study showed that the yellowing of a bruise cannot be seen or measured with a tristimulus colorimeter on dark-skinned individuals due to the pigmentation of the skin. With further studies and more subjects, the age of bruises could potentially be assessed for use in forensic analysis.

Injury to the male external genitalia and rupture of the diaphragm, are two very uncommon autopsy findings. To the best of our knowledge such a combination of injuries has not been reported in one particular case of autopsy in an English scientific literature. Degloving of the male external genitalia & rupture of the diaphragm may result from motor vehicle accidents, industrial accidents, gunshot & stab injuries. A rare case of traumatic degloving injury of the male external genitalia associated with rupture of the diaphragm & intermingling of thoracic & abdominal viscera is presented here., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.)

Rotenone is a pesticide and a piscicide derived from the derris root. The mechanism for the cytotoxicity is at mitochondrial level affecting cellular respiration. A suicide by rotenone poisoning in an adult is described. An innovative laboratory methodology was developed for the principal requirement of the Coroner to determine a positive or negative result to assist in the investigation of the death. The antemortem concentrations detected were 4.05 ng/ml [0.00405 ppm] in the blood and 0.55 ng/ml [0.00055 ppm] in the serum. Toxicity in human is rare and therefore the interpretation of the toxicology results is complicated by the unavailability of a data bank. The cause of death was attributed to rotenone toxicity based on the circumstantial evidence and expert pathological opinion on a balance of probability acceptable under the Coroners Act 1988 and Coroners Rules 1984 in England and Wales. The forensic clinicopathology of rotenone toxicity is discussed., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.)

Homicide by hanging is an extremely rare incident [1]. Very few cases have been reported in which a person is rendered senseless and then hanged to simulate suicidal death; though there are a lot of cases in wherein a homicide victim has been hung later. We report a case of homicidal hanging of a young Sikh individual found hanging in a well. It became evident from the results of forensic autopsy that the victim had first been given alcohol mixed with pesticides and then hanged by his turban from a well. The rare combination of lynching (homicidal hanging) and use of organo-phosporous pesticide poisoning as a means of homicide are discussed in this paper., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Human-wild elephant conflicts are frequently reported from various parts of the country. Encroaching of animal habitat by human civilization is a primary reason for this. The present study comprises of fourteen autopsy cases conducted at the department of Forensic Medicine, B.S Medical College, Bankura, West Bengal, India over a period of three years. The study attempts to find out the nature of injuries caused by wild elephant attack and the common factors contributing to human-wild elephant conflict so that vulnerable population can be cautioned to avoid conflicts. A distinct seasonal as well as diurnal variation of attack incidences was noted. Attacks were sudden and unprovoked. Killer elephants were wild tuskers in all the cases. Victims were from the low socioeconomic group and the cause of death was due to trampling on the vital organs like chest and head., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.)

One of the classic mistakes in forensic pathology is to regard the autopsy of decomposed body as unrewarding. The present study was undertaken with a view to debunk this myth and to determine the characteristic pattern in decomposed bodies brought for medicolegal autopsy. From a total of 4997 medicolegal deaths reported at an Apex Medical Centre, Yeotmal, a rural district of Maharashtra over seven year study period, only 180 cases were decomposed, representing 3.6% of the total medicolegal autopsies with the rate of 1.5 decomposed body/100,000 population per year. Male (79.4%) predominance was seen in decomposed bodies with male female ratio of 3.9:1. Most of the victims were between the ages of 31 and 60 years with peak at 31-40 years (26.7%) followed by 41-50 years (19.4%). Older age above 60 years was found in 8.6% cases. Married (64.4%) outnumbered unmarried ones in decomposition. Most of the decomposed bodies were complete (83.9%) and identified (75%). But when the body was incomplete/mutilated or skeletonised then 57.7% of the deceased remains unidentified. The cause and manner of death was ascertained in 85.6% and 81.1% cases respectively. Drowning (35.6%) was the commonest cause of death in decomposed bodies with suicide (52.8%) as the commonest manner of death. Decomposed bodies were commonly recovered from open places (43.9%), followed by water sources (43.3%) and enclosed place (12.2%). Most of the decomposed bodies were retrieved from well (49 cases) followed by barren land (27 cases) and forest (17 cases). 83.8% of the decomposed bodies were recovered before 72 h and only in 16.2% cases the time since death was more than 72 h, mostly recovered from barren land, forest and river. Most of the decomposed bodies were found in summer season (42.8%) with peak in the month of May. Despite technical difficulties in handling the body and artefactual alteration of the tissue, the decomposed body may still reveal cause and manner of death in significant number of cases., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.)

Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in second trimester of pregnancy is a very rare but lethal condition which demands prompt diagnosis and management for the survival of both mother and fetus. A 21-year old primigravida woman was presented at 29 weeks of pregnancy with acute abdominal pain and hypovolumic shock. In a District Hospital patient was managed conservatively and referred but was brought dead at tertiary level hospital. On autopsy gross hemoperitoneum was found without any injury and uterine artery found ruptured against the suspicion of brutal beating by the relatives of husband., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.)

Dismembered/severed human remains are frequently found in cases of mass disasters and criminal mutilation. Sex estimation from foot dimensions, therefore, has a vital role in establishing personal identity. There is a paucity of literature on this issue from various Indian populations. The "Rajbanshi" is one such indigenous population located in the state of West Bengal, India. The present study attempts to estimate sex from foot length, foot breadth, and foot index among 350 living adult Rajbanshi (175 men and 175 women) individuals (age range: 18-50 years). The study concludes that foot dimensions show significant sex differences. Both sectioning point and regression analyses can be used to estimate sex from foot dimensions. However, multiple regression models appear to have the maximum accuracy in sex differentiation. Although statistically significant sex differences are evident for foot index, its practical utility appears to be limited because of considerable overlap., (© 2010 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.)

Tuberculosis is one of the most common infectious diseases in India. Deaths due to its complications are rare but reported. Sudden deaths due to tuberculosis constitute a major public health problem in the developing countries. These cases pose a danger to the community both during life as well as after death. Three cases of sudden death due to tuberculosis are discussed., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.)

In a case of firearm fatality, the autopsy surgeon is required to opine as to the range of fire in addition to the cause of death which will help in reconstruction of the events. Problems may arise in estimating the range of fire based on wound ballistics when there is an alteration or modification in the internal ballistics. We encountered such a case in the department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, which is discussed., (Copyright (c) 2010. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Attacks on humans by domestic animals causing fatal injuries are not uncommon in rural areas of India. But injuries due to buffalo gore are rarely observed in villages and are different from other casualties like stab injuries, road fatalities, etc. As the victims of buffalo attack are usually recovered from the fields or forest, the investigating officer could be mislead as to the nature of infliction of fatal injuries to a possible homicide. The injuries caused by the horns of buffaloes are of various shapes, sizes and directions. They are violent and goring in nature. The wound sustained may be contusions, lacerations, criss-cross wounds, penetration of body cavities, and sometimes fractures. In the absence of any eye witness, it becomes very difficult to believe the unsuspecting domestic water buffalo as attacker. This case is reported for its rarity, for the awareness of the possible injuries in such unnatural deaths, and factors predisposing to a buffalo attack., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.)

Forensic diatomology plays an important role in solving mysteries of drowning cases. The diatomology contributes significantly not only in determining the mode of death but also in determining the site of drowning. Presence of sufficient number of diatoms in vital distant body organs can establish ante-mortem drowning up to a certain extent. Question about the exact site of drowning is mostly raised particularly when circumstantial evidences are not clear about the drowning site or drowning site itself is not there. Distribution of diatoms in any water body, and their correlation with the diatom species recovered from the drowned body can be a method of choice to resolve the questions related to drowning site. Analysis was undertaken in order to record the significant variation in diatom diversity in the 10 (selected) different types of water bodies in Punjab (India) during different seasons (summer, autumn, winter and spring). This comparative study was conducted for two years. The data so obtained has been utilized to generate Diatomological Maps, which can be helpful in diagnosing the suspected drowning cases occurring in a particular area and characterization of different water bodies., (2009 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.)