Citation

Naveen Kumar T, Jagannatha SR, Ananda K. Indian J. Forensic Med. Toxicol. 2012; 6(1): 45-47.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, All-India Institute of Medical Sciences. Deptartment of Forensic Medicine)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

A retrospective study of dowry deaths was conducted at Department of Forensic Medicine, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore over a period of five years (January 2005-December 2009).Out of the total 2145 autopsies conducted in the mentioned period, 121 cases (5.6%) were reported to be dowry deaths. The multiple factors leading to dowry deaths were examined. It was observed that the majority of the affected women (58.7%) were in the age group of 18-25years. Death occurred mostly within 1-2years of marriage (30.6%), followed by (22.3%) within 2-3years of marriage. Majority of the victims were matriculates (62%) followed by graduates (20.7%).Most cases, that of (60.3%) cases belonged to lower middle class and (22.3%) cases belonged in lower class. The commonest method employed was hanging seen in (66.9%) cases followed by poisoning in (18.2%) cases and burns in (9.9%) cases. It was observed that majority of the death occurred were suicidal (85.1%) in nature followed by (11.6%) accidental and (3.3%) homicidal deaths.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; Women; homicide; suicide; burn; Violence; female; accident; India; incidence; autopsy; Marriage; cause of death; mortality; hanging; intoxication; article; major clinical study; retrospective study; marriage; social status; Dowry death; educational status; partner violence