Analysis of medico legal autopsies at Faisalabad

To collect and publish scientific information regarding different variables of MEDICO LEGAL autopsy to be used by health and law enforcement agencies for future planning. Data source: Cases autopsied at the department of forensic medicine, Punjab medical college, Faisalabad. Non-interventional descriptive Setting Department of forensic medicine, Punjab medical college, Faisalabad. Period: July 2001 to June 2002. Material and method: Study includes 236 cases of MEDICO LEGAL autopsy including both sexes. After legal formalities and examination of the clothes, a detailed external and internal examination of the dead body was conducted. Specimens were sent for further examinations where necessary. Findings were tabulated and analyzed. Majority of the victims [52.5%] was between the age of 20-39 years. Male cases outnumbered the female cases. Firearm was the most common causative agent in MEDICO LEGAL deaths. Homicide was the dominant manner of death. Maximum number of injuries was inflicted on the chest. A peak in MEDICO LEGAL deaths was noted in extreme summer. Homicide as a dominant manner in MEDICO LEGAL deaths and firearm being the commonest weapon of offence are eye openers. Strict legislation regarding holding of firearm weapons and justice without delay are the major steps which can help in improving the situation

Suicidal deaths; Assessment in Peshawar

To find out the incidence of suicide, the gender and age groups involved, the methods used for committing the act and to note seasonal trends if any. Data source: Cases brought for autopsy at the department of forensic medicine, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar. Non- interventional descriptive. Department of forensic medicine, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar. Period: January 1991 to December 2000. Materials and All 39 cases of deaths labeled as suicide on the basis of autopsy findings, police inquest and interview with relatives of the victim were selected from the autopsies. The cases were grouped on the basis of age, sex, method of suicide used, region of the body involved and the seasonal distribution of the cases. The rate of suicide in Peshawar is 0.21 per 100,000 per year. Males were the predominant victims with a male to female ratio of 2.9:1. The age most prone to suicide was 20-29 years followed by 10-19 years. The primary method used for suicide in both sexes was by firearm followed by hanging. The head was the region of the body used for suicide in 59.37% of firearm victims followed by the chest and the abdomen. Two peaks were noted in the months of September and March. The incidence of suicide in Peshawar is amongst the lowest in the world

Unnatural female deaths Peshawar

The aim of the study was to know the extent of violent deaths among females in Peshawar, the most vulnerable age group, weapons of infliction and the mode of death. Design: Non interventional [descriptive] type study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted from 1st January, 2001 to 31st December, 2001 in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar. Subjects and Out of 679 deaths, presented for autopsy at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar 89 were females. These were grouped according to age, mode of death and weapons of infliction. Females formed 13% of all the autopsies done in Peshawar. The age group most commonly involved was 21-40 years [50.56%]. Firearms were the predominant weapons of infliction [70.78%] and the intent was mostly homicidal [77.52%]. Fatal violence against women is uncommon in Peshawar. Suicide is rare. Young women are mostly killed by firearms

Five years audit for presence of toxic agents / Drug of abuse at autopsy

To know the frequency of fatal poisoning in Peshawar regarding the toxic agents mostly involved and yearwise percentage. To know the age group and the gender that is most vulnerable to fatal poisoning. Design: Non-interventional [descriptive] type. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted over a period of five years [1997'2001] at Forensic Medicine Department, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar. Methodology: The study included 3508 autopsies conducted at Khyber Medical College, Peshawar. Out of these, 52 cases were those caused by fatal poisoning. These were analyzed according to age, gender and the toxic agent involved. t-test was applied as the test of significance. Poisoning was the cause of death in 1.48% of the total autopsies conducted during the five years. Males were more involved than the females, 90.38%. Suicidal poisoning was present in 17.30% of the total cases and accidental poisoning was found in 80.72% cases, while homicidal cases were 1.29% only. Diacetylmorphine [heroin] was the most commonly involved agent, 65.38%, of the total cases. The incidence of poisoning was more during the third and fourth decades of life. Diacetylmorphine [heroin] was the main causative agent involved in young males due to accidental over- dosage. Accidental and suicidal deaths should not be considered as inevitable. More elaborative studies are required in this area of recent research to adopt appropriate and adequate measures to save precious lives