ABSTRACT
Sex determination is utmos important for forensic experts and Anthropological studies. Aim: The aim of this study is to compare cranial morphology between male and female skull using IOA Index. Methods: A total of 100 adult dry skull (50male and 50 female) were used for study using a digital Vernier calliper. Results: The male parameters were significantly higher then female parameters with no significance difference in Right and Left side of male and female. Conclusion: The skull is most commonly site for sexual dimorphisms in human Skeleton and IOA Index can be additive value gender differentiation.
ABSTRACT
Identification or identity helps us to determine the individuality of person, living or dead. Establishing the identity is of immense importance in forensic medicine. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between finger print, gender, and blood group. Methods: A total of 100 subjects participated in the study (M=F) in the age range of 18 to 25 years. The sample was collected by simple random sampling. The finger print was analyzed by using powerful magnifying hand lens, ink pad and white chart paper. Results: The prevalence of blood groups as observed in our study for A, B, AB and O groups were 25, 33, 39, 3 for males and 23, 35, 39, 3 for females respectively. The prevalence of thumbprint amongst the gender was highest for Loops and least for arches. Conclusion: Our study reiterates that if fingerprint patterns and blood groups are studied with a larger sample size and with a multi-centric study, it may help in prediction of blood groups based on fingerprint pattern available.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: When people die and their bodies are found withno identifying documentation, it is very difficult for the police toestablish their identities. These bodies are labelled as‘unknown/unidentified dead bodies’ (UIDB). The body ispreserved in the mortuary for 72 hours, from the time it isreceived in the mortuary. If no one claims the body after 72hours the police are legally authorized to dispose of the body.The aim of study is to find incidence of unnatural deaths inrelation to the age, sex, pattern of injuries and other parameterof the unknown victims and to ascertain the root cause of alltypes of deaths.Materials and Methods: This prospective study wasconducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine andToxicology, Patna Medical College, Patna, Bihar, Indiabetween August 2012 to September 2014. All the medico legalautopsies of unknown/unidentified bodies during this periodwere included in the study. Information regarding unclaimedbodies with regard to age, sex, cause of death and manner ofdeath was sourced from the autopsy reports and the inquestpapers of the investigating officers.Results: Out of total of 5103 autopsies done 401(7.85%) wereunknown/unidentified dead persons. 342 cases (85.28%) wereof male. Incidence of unknown/unidentified death was mainly inmiddle age group (30-50yrs) (42.64%). 225 (56.10%) deathswere due to accident/injury. Major cause of death due toinjuries were polytrauma. Highest cases were seen in winterseason and lowest in Autumn. 279 cases were untreated and122 hospitalized or treated cases in total unknown cases.Conclusion: Most of the literature available were on theindividual body identification or identification of victims of massdisasters. Unknown bodies comprised 7.85% of the totalautopsy load of the department. The age group 21-40 yearswas responsible for 44.85% of total cases. Accident is animportant cause of morbidity and mortality in the study area.Males are the most affected population; the common agegroup affected is 21–40 years. However, more studies arerecommended to find the actual cause of accidents andprevalence of homelessness and its health-related effects onmorbidity and mortality, which will help in providing health carefacilities to the needy.
ABSTRACT
Context: Children undergoing MRI often require sedation to avoid motion artifacts and anxiety attacks. Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective α2 adrenoceptor agonist that has sedative and analgesic effects. Aim: This study was conducted to determine whether intranasal Dexmedetomidine 2 µg/kg offered effective sedation in children posted for diagnostic MRI studies. Methods: This prospective pilot study was conducted on 30 ASAI/II patients aged upto 12 years posted for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies. In this study all patients were administered with intranasal dexmedetomidine 2 µg/kg in the presence of parents, 30 minutes before scheduled MRI scan. The time of administration and reaction of children were noted. Children were observed in holding area with standard monitors applied. The degree of sedation was assessed at 15 and 30 minutes by using University of Michigan Sedation Scale (UMSS). Recovery time and recovery score were noted according to Modified Aldrete recovery score and quality of MRI is also observed. Statistical analysis:The data was entered in MS EXCELspreadsheet and analysis was represented as mean plus standard deviation. Results: Mean sedation scores after 15 minutes and after 30 minutes were 1.20±1.8 and 2.80±0.7 respectively. Mean discharge time according to modified Aldrete score was 82.42±32.68 minutes. There were no adverse events. No sneezing or coughing episodes were observed during drug administration. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine is a useful agent for sedation of children undergoing MRI studies.
ABSTRACT
The importance of drug labels can not be overlooked. Many a times drug labels are missing which may lead to toxicological effects catastrophic accident and medico -legal implication. The objective of the present study was to learn and highlight the problems faced by the medical practitioner, pharmacist and the patients as regards to drug label it’s, medico- legal problems and suggest remedial measures. 55 medical practitioner of Government Medical College, Haldwani and 40 pharmacist of Haldwani town were surveyed through a questionnaire. The 90% of medical practitioners and 80% of pharmacist had faced problem with label related errors. None had been charged for malpraxis and negligence. Remedial measures suggested were barcoding (96%, 60%) colour coding, prefilled syringes (90%, 30%), increasing font sizes and more awareness about medico-legal liability, ethical issue and punishment. Drug label errors are an important cause of patient morbidity, mortality and medico-legal liabilities of medical practitioners. Improved and correct labeling understanding medico-legal importance and communication is the key element in minimising errors. Bar code generated labels, embossing, waterproof labels, improving quality of stickers, increasing font sizes, overcoming language barriers and sense of responsibility will readdress these deficiencies in services.