Road traffic accidents fatality and disability in D.I. Khan N.W.F.P

Road traffic accidents are important cause of death and disability in the world. More than 3000 people die on road everyday and 10 million are disabled or injured every year. The present study is an attempt to visualize the menace in D.I. Khan. The study is based upon the data of autopsies and medico legal cases examined at DHQ Hospital, D.I. Khan and Forensic Medicine Department of Gomal Medical College, D.I. Khan during year 2007 and 2008. The data was analysed for assessment of traffic accident victims. During period of study 341 cases of unnatural deaths were subjected to autopsy examination. Out of these 59 cases [22.7%] were of accidental deaths and all were male. A total of 225 injuries were recorded. The head and face sustained the highest number of injuries [42.6%] followed by the lower extremities [21.8%]. The total no. of Medico legal cases was 2153 and out of which 495 [23%] were injured due to accidents. Majority were males [99.4]. A total of 1208 injuries were found in various body areas. The maximum number of injuries [39.4%] was on head and face and next were lower extremities sustaining 28.4% injuries. The situation is alarming one and it requires immediate measures to be taken for ensuring safe traveling. Accidental death and disability can be minimized by improving roads condition, making separate pathways for cyclists and motor cyclists and adopting precautionary measures during driving

Frequency of negative autopsy and their demographic evaluation at Khyber medical college, Peshawar

This study was planned to see the frequency of negative autopsy against the total autopsies performed during the period. This descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar and was based upon autopsy data of 10 years with effect from January 1997 to December 2006. In this study fresh or minimally decomposed bodies with no external or internal injury were included. In cases where gross examinations, microscopic examination, toxicological analysis failed to detect the cause of death were labeled as negative autopsies. In a total of 7082 autopsies, 103 [1.45%] autopsies were found to be negative. Out of these negative autopsies, 89 [86.40%] were males and 14 [13.60%] were females. The age of deceased ranged from 6-75 years with mean age of 43.81 +/- 16.95 years. Majority i.e. 17 [16.5%] were in the age range of 31-35 years, followed by 15 [14.5%] in the age range of 51-55 years. Ten [9.7%] were in the age range of 46-50 years and 21-25 years each. Among these negative autopsies, 66 [64.1%] were from urban and 37 [35.9%] were from rural areas of district Peshawar. Majority of negative autopsies were of young male persons from urban areas. Negative autopsies need further studies to look for possible reasons like inadequate training of doctors performing the autopsy or limited resources like availability of histopathalogical or analytical services etc

Analysis of homicidal deaths in Peshawar, Pakistan

Homicide is one of the oldest crimes in human civilization. For every person who dies as a result of homicide, many more are injured. A study of the patterns of homicide in a society is one of the first steps in developing strategies to prevent it. This study was conducted at the department of Forensic Medicine Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, to know the patterns of homicide, taking it as the first step in the prevention of this crime. This study includes 520 cases of homicide out of the total of 662 medico-legal autopsies conducted at Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, during the year 2002. The cases have been labeled as homicide on the basis of autopsy and police inquest. The homicide rate for Peshawar during the period under study was 22.9/100,000. Males constituted 86.15% of the victims. 32% of the victims were in their third decade of life. Firearms were the causative agent in 86% of the cases. Chest was the primarily targeted area of the body. The highest number of homicides occurred in the month of November. The homicide rate is alarmingly high in Peshawar as is the use of firearms. This is something that should be seriously looked at by the policy makers

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