Citation

Singh J, Kumar P, Sharma S. Indian J. Forensic Med. Toxicol. 2018; 12(3): 82-85.

Copyright

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

DOI

10.5958/0973-9130.2018.00136.6

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Asphyxial deaths are a common incidence in forensic practice, and determination of the manner of death whether it is accidental, suicidal, homicidal, or natural is of utmost significance. In such deaths, a detailed and meticulous autopsy plays a major role to solve the questions that arise, while the scene investigation and collection of samples have their own significance, though considered erroneously marginal in our country. Various epidemiological and demographical parameters of asphyxial deaths as recorded by the authors are described in the present study. Increasing deaths due to asphyxia are one of the most important causes in violent deaths. The changing demographics along with the increased incidence among certain age groups as well as the variations as observed in terms of various durations of time are depicted here. The authors would also like to stress on the differentiation as was noted in mode of death along with the intention of the perpetrator ie homicidal, suicidal or accidental. The authors also concluded that certain steps can be taken as to avoid fatalities however they are more of a preventive than a curative plan. © 2018, Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; Homicide; homicide; suicide; Suicide; Death; drowning; female; male; Asphyxia; asphyxia; incidence; autopsy; hanging; occupation; strangulation; retrospective study; accidental death; Article