Citation

Ali S, Shaheen A, Naz R, Mughal MI, Zarif P. Medical forum monthly 2012; 23(9): 40-44.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This is the first time study to find out the cause and manner of death through medico-legal autopsies in a small district comprising municipal boundaries and rural setup (District Kasur) and comparing it with urban studies conducted by the Forensic Medicine Departments of various medical colleges. This study is also aimed to assess the criminal behavior in this segment of society. Study Design: Observational Study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at District Head Quarter Hospital Kasur from 2008 to 2010.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out on 451 medico legal autopsies performed at District Head Quarter Hospital Kasur. The findings were extracted from autopsy reports, chemical examiner reports, relevant hospital record and police documents. The cases were examined for various characteristics like cause and manner of death, age and sex of victim and condition of body at the time of autopsy.

RESULTS: The results revealed that homicide was the most common manner (82.26%) among unnatural deaths and males became three times more victims than females. The most vulnerable age group in unnatural deaths were from 15 to 45 years (77.39%). In 44.12% cases firearm is the weapon responsible for death. Regarding condition of body at autopsy, 364 (80.71%) bodies were in fresh condition.

CONCLUSIONS & Recommendations: Medico legal autopsy rate reflects the incidence of crime & criminal behavior ofthat segment of society. Compared with more civilized societies the crime incidence in our society is very high. In order to control it, we need to change the behavior of society through improvement in literacy rate, socioeconomic status and law & order situation. In order to improve the quality of medico-legal reporting there is need to strengthen the expertise in forensic medicine both at urban and rural level.

Language: en

Keywords

human; homicide; suicide; burn; drowning; accident; asphyxia; autopsy; cause of death; forensic medicine; intoxication; hospital; firearm; article; sex ratio; medicolegal aspect; social problem; criminal behavior; groups by age; blunt trauma; electrocution; stillbirth; Autopsis; Crime & criminal behaviour; Un-natural death