Citation

Singh A, Harish D, Kumar A. J. Punj. Acad. Forensic Med. Toxicol. 2013; 13(2): 74-79.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Publisher R. K. Gorea)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

A 10 years' autopsy study (2003-2012) of deaths due to poisoning was carried out in the department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, GMCH Chandigarh. The objective of the study was to ascertain the various aspects of deaths due to poisoning and to suggest some remedial measures to decrease the incidence of poisoning cases. A total of 5189 cases were subjected to medico-legal autopsy in the department during the period of study, of which 1145 cases (22%) were of deaths due to poisoning. The most common age group involved, both in males and females, was the 21 - 25 yrs group, accounting for 235 (28%) cases, and 99 (32.2%) cases, respectively. Least number of cases, in both sexes, was the age group of >60 years. Male: female ratio was 2.7: 1. Among the male victims, married outnumbered unmarried in the rural population, while in the urban population, reverse was observed. Among the females, married outnumbered unmarried in both rural and urban population. Aluminium phosphide (ALP) (54%) was found to be the Poison of choice for suicides and suicide was the most common (92%) manner of poisoning. Based on the conclusions of the study various suggestions have been put forward to decrease the incidence of poisoning. © 2013 JPAFMAT. All rights reserved.

Language: en