Citation

Guntheti BK, Singh UP. J. Ind. Acad. Forensic Med. 2016; 38(4): 460-464.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine)

DOI

10.5958/0974-0848.2016.00115.9

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A total of 112 unnatural female deaths were studied for one year during 2015-2016 at the Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Mamata Medical College, attached with MGH, Khammam. The most common age group affected was 21-30 years. Most of the victims were married, 75% of them died within the first 3 years of marriage. Hindu brides[87.5%] rural, illiterate [72.3%]and of low socioeconomic group [58%] were the most common victims. Most of the victims were housewives,79[70.5%] and living in nuclear families [82.1%].Maximum cases were encountered in summer and in day time. As regards the pattern of unnatural deaths, suicides accounted for 86[76.8%] cases, followed by accidental - 14[12.5%]and homicidal 12[10.7%].Unnatural female deaths encountered in our study were RTAs, poisoning, hanging, burns, snake bite and drowning. Poisoning was the most common method of suicidal death followed by hanging and burns. Suicidal deaths were mainly precipitated by dowry demand, chronic diseases, and psychiatric illnesses. Homicidal deaths were due to dowry, disputes, extra marital relationships, revenge, and jealousy. 35% of total deaths were alleged dowry deaths. The main objective of this study was to find out the various socio -cultural causesof unnatural female deaths and their preventive measures.

Language: en

Keywords

Female; Accident; Suicide; Hanging; Death; Poisoning; Unnatural