Citation

Sonawane SS, Nanandkar SD. Indian J. Forensic Med. Toxicol. 2012; 6(2): 159-162.

Copyright

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

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The study comprises of total 108 autopsies of custodial deaths which are referred for post mortem examination by magistrate from various police custodies and prisons in Mumbai region. The study is carried out over period of two year from July 2005 to July 2007. Autopsies were conducted as per NHRC guidelines. The study was mainly aimed to evaluate various factors in relation to custodial deaths like to assess mean age at death, drug addictions in deceased, type of custody and the evidence of injuries, relation of age (in year) with type of offence committed, the common manner and cause of deaths in police and judicial custody. It was observed that of total 108 deaths 16 (14.81%) were in police custody and 92 (85.19%) were in judicial custody. 74% deaths were in age group ranging from 18 years to 45 years; with mean age at death was 34l yrs.75% of deceased were addicted. Alcoholism and smoking was common addiction observed. Maximum number of deceased (59%) was from age group of 26 to 45. Offences more frequently was homicide (31.5%) followed by NDPS related (15.75%). 70.4% of deaths were occurred either before or within 24 hr of admission in hospital. Evidence of injuries is seen in 56% cases in police custody. 93.5% of deaths in judicial custody were from natural causes and tuberculosis is common cause of death (50.5%). 81.2% of deaths in police custody were unnatural and common cause was suicide by hanging.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; age; homicide; suicide; female; male; injury; India; autopsy; alcoholism; police; cause of death; jurisprudence; death; article; major clinical study; smoking; hospital admission; medicolegal aspect; custody; practice guideline; tuberculosis; prisoner; drug dependence; Unnatural death; Drug addiction; And offences committed; custodial death; Custodial deaths; Judicial custody; Natural deaths; NHRC; Police custody