Citation

Vijay Balaji R, Janani S. J. Punj. Acad. Forensic Med. Toxicol. 2022; 22(2): 117-120.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Publisher R. K. Gorea)

DOI

10.5958/0974-083X.2022.00065.6

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: 'Old age' and 'elderly' are terms that cannot be defined precisely as they do not have the same meaning globally. As per the 'National Policy on Older Persons' of the Government of India, 'senior citizen' or 'elderly' is a person who is of age 60 years or above. Paucity of resources has resulted in limited information available for this age group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, attempts have been made to estimate the prevalence of medico-legal autopsies in elderly population which was performed in the Department of Forensic Medicine at Stanley Medical College Hospital, Chennai. Post-mortem records of individuals of age 60 and above, were studied after obtaining permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee.

RESULTS: Hanging was the common method of suicide. We have reported one case of suicidal electrocution in the present study. 23% of individuals remained unidentified till the time of autopsy. 87% of the unknown individuals were male. Almost half (48%) of the cases in the present study, died due to natural causes but ended up being autopsied in the medico-legal mortuary of the hospital.

CONCLUSION: Due care and attention to the elderly in their dependant years can bring down the number of redundant medico-legal deaths and also results in proper and dignified disposal of the dead, to which everyone is entitled. © 2022, Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Elderly; Medico-Legal Autopsy; Old Age