Atherosclerotic changes in aorta and coronary arteries at autopsy in North Indian population

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.

A drop of saliva de-codes the mystery of hanging body.

A Forensic Expert sometimes asked to provide his opinion from the documents alone, particularly when the allegations were raised on the investigations, and the postmortem. Spot examinations were carried out by other doctor(s) and Forensic Scientists respectively. In the instant case there were allegations made on the fellow sports student, coach, and the investigating agencies all in connivance to pronounce the death as of suicidal hanging instead of murder. It is well known that the criminals first kill the person and then hang him to simulate it as hanging. Whenever, alcohol is detected in the blood than it creates a lot of doubts, which result into allegations from the relatives. Beside the examination of clothes, the injuries like ligature mark, their shape, size and location etc., thorough reviewing of documents & photographs plays a pivotal role in reconstructing the scene of crime. This has an importance in forming a conclusive opinion as to the cause and manner of death. In this paper, opinion regarding cause and manner of death to be of ante-mortem hanging was ascertained on reviewing the post-mortem report, photographs showing dribbling of saliva and Forensic Science Laboratory reports.