Citation

Ramesh C, Viswakanth B. Indian J. Forensic Med. Toxicol. 2018; 12(3): 320-323.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, All-India Institute of Medical Sciences. Deptartment of Forensic Medicine)

DOI

10.5958/0973-9130.2018.00180.9

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Fall from height pose a substantial public health jeopardy globally, and are one among the important leading causes of death due to injuries. Deaths due to fall from height are common in the State of Karnataka and continue to increase due to multiple reasons but predominantly due to rapid urbanization with multistoried set ups. In order to assess the magnitude of this ongoing problem, a three year prospective autopsy study among deaths due to fall from height was carried on with regard to its demographic profile, manner, physics and pattern of injuries at KIMS hospital Bangalore.

RESULTS: Most of the victims were males (86%) and majority of the decedents belonged to 21-30 year age group. Among them, building constructor workers (41%) formed the highest number of victims. The most frequent height of fall causing death was found to be falls from heights ranging between 40-50 meters. The most common manner of death was found to be Accidental (55%) in nature. Lastly all cases showed severe visceral and skeletal injuries either independently or in combination. © 2018, Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; adult; human; homicide; suicide; Autopsy; child; female; infant; male; newborn; autopsy; head injury; death; major clinical study; Fall; falling; blunt trauma; brain injury; Head injury; prospective study; liver injury; skull fracture; Article; pelvis fracture; lung injury; rib fracture; Height; spleen injury; limb fracture; Blunt injury; Skeletal injuries; Visceral injuries