RESUMO
Objectives: To find out the hyoid bone fractures in various modalities of compression to the neck i.e. Neck strangulation, Hanging, Garroting and Throttling and to study the socio-demographic characteristics of those victims brought for autopsy
Study Design: Cross Sectional Study [Descriptive]
Setting and Duration: This study was conducted in Autopsy Section of DHQ Hospital Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan for a period of five years from January, 2013 to December, 2017
Methodology: Total 87 medico legal autopsies were labeled as the cases of neck compression and police papers depicted history of strangulation at the level of neck. After careful observation of all related findings of ligature strangulation, throttling and hanging; the hyoid bone was examined in each case
Results: Mean age of the victims was 24.16 +/- 15.23. Out of 87 cases, 53[60.9%] were male and 34[39.1%] female. According to the police inquest, 52[59.8%] victims belonged to lower socio- economic status while urban area predominance appreciated in 61[70.1%] cases. Modalities of the neck strangulation included 62[71.26%] cases of hanging, 9[10.34%] cases of garroting and 16[18.40%] cases of throttling. Hyoid bone was found fractured in 18[20.7%] cases and out of those, throttling was the most common cause of hyoid bone fracture in 12[75.0%] victims of neck compression. Occupational data revealed 13[72.2%] victims belonged to lower socio-economic status, 3[16.6%] from average socio-economic background while 2[11.1%] belonged to the better economic group. As regards residential status; 10[55.6%] victims were inhabitants of rural areas while 8[44.4%] belonged to the urban setup
Conclusion: Fracture of the hyoid bone is rare and attention should be paid towards cases of throttling instead of hanging to find out these lesions during autopsy. Examining doctors overemphasize the importance of hyoid bone and ignore the soft tissue injuries of neck due to faulty dissection techniques. Being a task of immense importance, the autopsy techniques should be improved by arranging practical training under supervision of the experts of Forensic Medicine Department at the regional Medical Colleges
RESUMO
Objectives: This study was conducted to analyze the trends in suicidal pattern with regard to socio-demographic profile and methods of suicides evolved over the past decade to develop and target future prevention efforts
Study Design: Retrospective study
Settings: This study was carried out at the Autopsy Section of Forensic Medicine Department, Quaid e Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
Duration: Ten years i.e. 1st January 2008 to 31st December 2017
Methodology: To observe changes in trends, the study was divided in to two groups. One group covered autopsies from 1st January 2008 to 31st December 2012 [32 in nos.], while the other covered the period from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2017[34 in nos.] The study comprised of the cases in which police papers revealed the history of suicidal death and socio-demographic profile of the deceased was noted. After thorough autopsy examination, appropriate sampling was done [where needed], method of suicidal death was framed after perusal of the autopsy findings and reports from Punjab Forensic Science Agency Lahore
Results: Mean age of the cases was 32.50+/-10.54 years [2008-2012] and 29.62+/-12.99 [2013-2017]. 21 [65.6 percent] males and 11[34.4 percent] females during 2008-2012 were studied while 12 [35.3 percent] females and 22 [64.7 percent] males were examined during 2013-2017 period. Stratification with regard to age group, socio-economic status, settlement area and method of suicide was carried out
Conclusion: In conclusion, present study identified various changes in socio-demographic profile and methods of suicide. Keeping these changes into consideration, future planning to apply restrictions to this menace should be sought