Original research paper an autopsy study of socio-etiological aspects in dowry death cases.

Violence affects lives of millions of woman worldwide, in all societies, one of the most heinous and shocking forms among them is DOWRY DEATH, is one among the various reasons for suicidal (i.e. abetted suicide) and homicidal deaths of women in India, other being marital infidelity, sexual jealousy etc. This study done at Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Hospital, Bangalore South, was conducted during the period July 2006 to January 2008, aims and objectives were to know the magnitude, socio etiologic profile and methods used for committing suicide/homicide, and various other factors affecting the alarming rise in incidence of dowry death and also to lend valuable suggestion to concerned authorities to prevent this heinous social evil of our society. Most of the victims were aged between 18 to 25 years of age, maximum of the victims died within three years of married life, most commonly between 1 to 2 years of married life. Hanging is the most common method used for dowry deaths.

Original research paper study of unnatural deaths in females a medicolegal study at rural medical college, Loni.

The present study was undertaken in the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Rural Medical College, Loni, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. Aims and objectives to study the incidences of unnatural deaths in females with special reference to “DOWRY DEATHS” in which cases medico legal autopsies was conducted. Data of total 310 cases were collected for this study purpose from police panchnama, post mortem reports and through interrogation of the parents, relatives, friends, neighbors accompanying dead body. Majority of the female deaths were in the age group 26 to 30 years (24.56%) followed by age group 21 to 25 years (21.93%). In majority of the victims burns (50%) was the common cause of death followed by poisoning (17.1%) and vehicular accidents (16.45%). Majority of the married female victims (44.19%) died within seven years of marriage.

Medico-legal autopsy by panel of Doctors present scenario.

Medico-legal autopsy to ascertain the cause of death or other factors concerning death in unnatural or suspicious cases is in general conducted by one autopsy surgeon. But situations do arise when services of more than one doctor in the form of panel are taken for conducting autopsies. Except administrative orders for panel formation for autopsy in dowry related or custodial deaths, there are no clearly defined guidelines for constitution of the panel of autopsy surgeons in a large number of cases. Keeping in view the scientific, administrative, medical, legal and academic aspects of such autopsies, there is an urgent need to formulate certain guidelines for constituting such panels for disbursement of justice in a better way in public interest and to counter the probability of harassment and exploitation of the autopsy surgeons later on.