ABSTRACT
Background: Identification is the act of establishing the identity of an individual. This is a dynamic process and human remains in form of bones can serve as an excellent tool for establishing the sexual identity of the deceased, along with other methods such as DNA, fingerprints, blood group identification etc. Metric analysis of various bones can serve as a viable alternative in cases when morphological analysis is not possible due to damage to the skeletal remains or as an additive analytical tool to establish a positive identity.Methods: Metric analysis of various parameters of randomly selected 100 pairs of human talus bones (50 male and 50 female) as a means of establishing sexual identity from skeletal remains obtained from unidentified and unclaimed dead bodies brought for autopsy.Results: In the present study we found that the values of all the various dimensions measured were higher among the male subjects as compared to that in female samples as was expected. On further analysis, this difference was found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). For the right sided and left sided talus bone, the probable accuracy for various parameters ranged between 83.3% to 100% each, thus indicating strong correlation between sex of the subject and various measurements.Conclusions: The tarsal and their dimensions are highly sexually dimorphic and are useful in determining sex in individuals of this region.
ABSTRACT
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become a ubiquitous cause of morbidity and a leading contributor to mortality in most countries. It has emerged as a major health burden worldwide with atherosclerosis being the major cause.Methods: 150 random cases of different age groups brought for postmortem examination in the Department of Forensic Medicine PGIMS, Rohtak. Heart was removed and examined after obtaining the consent of next of the kin of the deceased. Gross macroscopic changes were noted and microscopic changes examination was done and reported by preparation of slides in collaboration with Department of Pathology of the Institute.Results: The study group comprised of mostly males (70%) with mean age of 36.90±13.88 years. Almost half of them were in their third and fourth decade of life. 83 cases were found to have atherosclerosis and 25 of them belonged to the age group 40 to 49 years. 82 % of these cases were of male gender. Histopathological grading carried out displayed that Grade III lesions were maximum (27.5%) followed by grade IV lesions (19.0%) and in no section grade VIII lesions were seen.Conclusion: Atherosclerosis has emerged as a new epidemic affecting at a relatively younger age. This study would help in planning of preventive measures directed at the right population. Clinicians could take measures at an early stage to prevent the progression of the disease and will help forensic pathologists in dealing with opinion regarding cause of death.