A Post-Mortem Medicolegal Study of Violent Asphyxial Deaths - An Autopsy Based Study

ABSTRACT

Background: The study was conducted in the mortuary of Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital, Jahangir Puri, North-West district, Delhi to determine the frequency and epidemiology of violent asphyxial deaths in that region, in relation to age and gender variation. Duration of study Autopsies conducted during January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013. Methods: Out of 2479(two thousand four hundred seventy nine) medico legal deaths autopsied at B.J.R.M. Hospital Delhi, during the study period, details were collected for those medico legal deaths identified to be due to violent asphyxial deaths. Results: 219 out of 2479 medico legal deaths were identified to be violent asphyxial deaths, making incidence rate 8.83%. There were 149(68.03%) males and 70(31.97%) females. Male predominance was seen in all asphyxial deaths except manual strangulation and smothering. Hanging and drowning were leading causes of violent asphyxial deaths. Conclusions: This study concludes that immuno-toxicity by cypermethrin insecticide is not similar in male and female subjects.