Pattern of cause of death and injuries in unknown dead bodies

Aims and Objectives: To establish the identify and to study the pattern of injuries and cause of deaths in these cases

Study Design: Retrospective Study

Setting: Autopsy unit of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department Faisalabad Medical University Faisalabad, Pakistan

Duration of Study: 3 years from 1-1-2013 to 31-12-2015

Sample Size: 134 cases

Sampling Technique: Convenient Sampling

Data Collection Procedure: Unknown dead bodies brought in autopsy unit of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology department of Faisalabad Medical University Faisalabad during the period of three years 2013 to 2015. Data regarding these cases was compiled from the postmortem reports, Police papers and limiting counseling with different Investigating officers and Forensic Experts

Results: The number of cases were 134/1007 cases out of which 80% male 20% were female and most vulnerable age group is 21-50 years and maximum cases were reported in summer session. In maximum cases, death was due to vehicular injuries 23 [17.1%], gunshot deaths were 18[13.4%] and by blunt means, 10 cases [7.46%] 18 cases [13.4%] were by poisoning and 2 cases [1.4%] where due to Ischemic heart disease while in 23 cases [17.1%] were declared undetermined [negative autopsy]

Conclusion: The identification and cause of death can be find out by keen attention and interest of Forensic Experts and investigating officer along with the help of DNA and finger printing techniques

Empirical analysis of deaths due to sharp weapons in faisalabad

Violence is a product of aggressive behavior which leads to a large number of unnatural deaths. A significant number of deaths have been reported due to attacks with sharp weapons as it is one of the most violent and disgusting methods of revenge. This study empirically evaluates the sharp weapon deaths in Faisalabad from different perspectives

Objective: To analyze the deaths by sharp weapons in Faisalabad city regarding incidence, the most vulnerable age groups, gender prevalence, manner of death and parts of body mostly involved

Study Design: Retrospective, non-interventional descriptive study having cross sectional and longitudinal data

Settings: Department of Forensic Medicine, Faisalabad Medical University/Allied Hospital

Duration of Study: 5 years from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2016

Methodology: This study covered all 96 cases of sharp weapon deaths from a total of 1,692 autopsies conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Faisalabad Medical University. Frequency distribution, descriptive analysis was performed to compute the findings

Results: Frequency of deaths from sharp weapons decreased in the study period. It was the highest in the age group 20-29 [32.29%] in Faisalabad. The ratio of male to female victims was 2:1. All deaths were homicidal in nature. Majority of the attacks were on the neck followed by the abdomen and chest respectively

Conclusion: It was concluded that deaths due to sharp weapon attack on the neck, abdomen and chest were high in the young in Faisalabad. Establishment of more trauma centers may be helpful in reducing the deaths due to sharp edged weapons

Profile of asphyxial deaths in Faisalabad: a 10-year study

Objective: To determine the frequency of violent asphyxial deaths in Faisalabad over a span of a decade; and assessing the age and gender vulnerability. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad, from January 2007 to December 2016

Methodology: Cases identified as violent asphyxial deaths according to police inquests and findings of the medico-legal examiners were computed. Age, gender, and cause of asphyxia recorded in predesigned proformas and analysed by SPSS version 12.0

Results: Asphyxial deaths accounted for 7.66% [259 / 3,381] of the medico-legal deaths during the 10-year span. Majority [28.57%] victims belonged to the 20-29 year age group, followed by the 10-19 year age group [20.07%]. Male victims [56%] outnumbered the females [44%] by ratio of 1.3:1. Ligature strangulation was the cause of asphyxia in majority of the victims [40.93%], followed by hanging [28.96%]

Conclusion: Young population between 20-29 years were the predominant victims of violent asphyxial deaths. Homicide due to ligature strangulation was the commonest form of violent asphyxial deaths