Spectrum of firearm fatalities in Larkana region

Objective: To determine frequency of firearm fatalities in Larkana region

Study Design: Descriptive study

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at causality and department of forensic medicine and toxicology Chandka Medical College @ SMBBMU Larkana from 1[st] June 2013 to 31[st] May 2015

Materials and Methods: Out of 1870 dead bodies brought for autopsy at causality Chandka Medical College Hospital Larkana and those 357 [19%] cases were selected in whom death occurred due to firearm as mentioned in police inquest report and autopsy record conducted, with the permission of authorities data was collected and analyzed and cause of death was determined by external and internal examination of body

Results: Autopsy record shows that among 357 cases males with 309 [87%] were dominated on females with 48 [13%] with Male/Female ratio of 6:1. The victim ages range from 11 years to 70 years and with location of injuries as 127 [35.57%] on Chest, 92 [25.77%] on Head and Neck, 59 [16.52%] on Abdomen, 38 [10.64%] on Head and Chest, chest and abdomen 31 [8.68%] and 10 [2.82%] on limbs and other parts, with manner of homicide in majority [78.15%] of cases

Conclusion: The majority of victims were young males belonging to rural areas with rifled firearm injuries on Chest, and Head and Neck as a cause of death

Cause of death in exhumed bodies: an experience in upper Sindh, Pakistan

Exhumation is conducted around the globe when foul play is suspected. In developed world and in some developing countries this procedure is also carried out for identification purposes as well as in insurance claims, and some other civil suits. To determine the cause of death in exhumed bodies. Prospective, descriptive. The Study was conducted in the department of Forensic Medicine, Chandka Medical College, Larkana [CMCL] from Jan:2001 to Dec:2010. A total of 125 bodies were exhumed in various districts of upper Sindh by exhumation board, constituted by Director General Health Services Hyderabad. At the site of graveyard, bodies were digged out. After identification of deceased by near relatives, the bodies were thoroughly examined, viscerae taken for histopathological and chemical analysis, and cause of death determined by consensus in almost all cases. The most common cause of death was firearm injuries 37 [29.6%], followed by blunt trauma 15 [12%], sharp weapon injuries 09 [7.2%], drowning 09 [7.2%], poisoning 07 [5.6%] strangulation 06 [4.8%], infanticide 06 [4.8%]. In about 1/3 of cases cause of death could not be decided due to advanced stage of decomposition. Majority of victims were young males and firearm injury was the commonest cause of death

Exhumation -a key to provide justice to victims of homicide: situation in Larkana and Sukkur divisions

Foul play in cases of hurt and homicide is an established fact. People on basis of enmity falsely charge their enemies; this practice is carried out globally. The purpose of present study was to know the situation in the study area and also to know the risk factors which make hindrance in providing justice in exhumed cases. The present study was conducted over a period of 3 and half years from Jul 2006 to Dec 2009. During the said period total 21 exhumations were carried out in Sukkur and Larkana Divisions by the team of Chandka Medical College, Larkana. Cases were studied in Forensic Medicine Department of Chandka Medical College, Larkana. Out of 21 cases, only 9 cases were positive [autopsy]. In rest of 12 cases, autopsy reports remained undetermined due to advanced decomposition/putrefaction of corpses. During the study period, total 21 exhumations [autopsies] were carried out in different districts of Larkana and Sukkur divisions. There were 17 male cases and 4 female cases. Cases were divided in to 4 groups on age basis. Group-1 from 0-5 years, Group-2 from 16-30 years, Group-3 from 31-45 years, Group-4 from 46-65 years. The maximum number of cases fall in group-2 which are 15 [71.42%] and minimum in group-1 which is 1 [4.76%]. Out of 21 cases, only in 9 cases cause of death was ascertained and majority of these were firearm injuries [5, 55.55%], two [22.22%] cases of drowning, one [11.11%] strangulation and one blunt trauma. The success rate remained 42.85%. Nineteen cases were of primary autopsy [First time] on exhumation and 2 cases were secondary [re-examination]. The success rate in challenge cases depends mostly on the duration of exhumation and soil of cemetery. If a foul play is suspected then there should be no unnecessary delay in conduction of exhumation. If exhumation is carried out within days after burial, 90% results can be achieved

Hyoid fractures and strangulation

Thirty four [34] medicolegal autopsies on strangulation deaths were conducted during 7 years period [1993 to 2000] in the department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Chandka Medical College, Larkana. The prevalence of fracture of Hyoid bone in strangled cases was found 14.7%. This percentage was lower than most of the reported studies except one study carried out in USA where the incidence was found in 11.8% cases. The fracture of hyoid bone was noted very high in mannual strangulation [50%] and was more common in the age groups above 40 years

Age of fusion for epiphysis elbow and wrist in normal children

The age of fusion of the epiphysis at elbow and wrist has been studied radio logically at department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Chandka Medical College, Larkana, during 1999-2000. One hundred eighty normal children [75 females and 105 males] of average middle class aged 12 to 19 years were examined. The females were 1 to 2 years advanced as compared to the males in their fusion time. All the epiphysis at elbow [excluding medical epicondyle] showed complete fusion at the age of 15 years in females and 17 years in males, while fusion time at wrist was found 17 years in females and 19 years in males. It was found that the time of fusion in present study was 1-3 years earlier than English but was nearly correlating to Australian or even 1-2 years late to Indian and Bengali children