Exhumation; a tool to establish cause of death

Exhumation is disinterment of the dead body that has already been buried. From January 2004 to December 2005, Thirty-Five cases were exhumed and subsequently autopsied in the rural and urban areas of Sindh by the Standing Medical Board of District Hyderabad for establishing the cause of death. The results revealed that out of the total thirty-five cases, [60%] twenty-one were subjected to autopsy examination first time on exhumation [Primary] whereas the remaining [40%] fourteen were re-examination cases [Secondary]. The cause of death was established in [66%] fourteen of the primary examination cases and [24%] five of the secondary examination cases. Male/ Female ratio was 2:51:1 and the maximum number [62.8%] were in between 21-40 years of age. Rural population [77%] is more frequently involved than urban population [23%]

Psychological autopsy study of suicide pattern and its relationship to depressive illness

Suicide with respect to the high risk individuals is emerging as an important entity in our society requiring research and evaluation. The following study was conducted at CMC Hospital Larkana by doing a psychological autopsy, to see the pattern of suicide and its relation to depressive illness. A total of 52 suicide cases were reported by police authorities for autopsy examination during the months of November 2002 to October 2004. The autopsy records of these cases were consulted along with the police inquest reports. The relatives were traced with the help of police records and interviews were held using a structured interview form with at least two informants including a near relative or a friend. The results demonstrate that the act of suicide is more prevalent in males than in females. The high risk age group is 30 - 39 yrs. Firearms and Hanging is the most commonly employed mean. Most of the victims were married. Only 4 were widow / widowers. The trimester from August to October occasioned for abou t 53.8% cases. 71% of the victims were assessed to be suffering from major depressive illness. Recognition of high risk individuals and their treatment at a psychiatric hospital may save precious lives. The study also calls to repeal the law concerning suicide

Medical and socioeconomic aspects of road traffic accidents

Road traffic accidents leave medical and social repercussions on families and individuals involved. Moreover, it is saddening that the most vulnerable are from the youth and middle age groups. This deprives the society of much needed and precious human resources. Hence, the mean which was originally designed to serve mankind has become a means of destruction, cause of disability and sometimes death. The medical profession has to assume a key role not only in the management of the injured, but also in the prevention of accidents and road safety measures. In order to reduce the incidence of road accidents it is important to establish an efficient organizational set-up, highlight the role of mass-transit, periodic checkup of the vehicle for its road worthiness and education of masses with the hope that they will adhere to the rules while on road