Study of Medicolegal Aspects of Unknown Cases in P.M.C.H., Patna

ABSTRACT

Introduction: When people die and their bodies are found withno identifying documentation, it is very difficult for the police toestablish their identities. These bodies are labelled as‘unknown/unidentified dead bodies’ (UIDB). The body ispreserved in the mortuary for 72 hours, from the time it isreceived in the mortuary. If no one claims the body after 72hours the police are legally authorized to dispose of the body.The aim of study is to find incidence of unnatural deaths inrelation to the age, sex, pattern of injuries and other parameterof the unknown victims and to ascertain the root cause of alltypes of deaths.Materials and Methods: This prospective study wasconducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine andToxicology, Patna Medical College, Patna, Bihar, Indiabetween August 2012 to September 2014. All the medico legalautopsies of unknown/unidentified bodies during this periodwere included in the study. Information regarding unclaimedbodies with regard to age, sex, cause of death and manner ofdeath was sourced from the autopsy reports and the inquestpapers of the investigating officers.Results: Out of total of 5103 autopsies done 401(7.85%) wereunknown/unidentified dead persons. 342 cases (85.28%) wereof male. Incidence of unknown/unidentified death was mainly inmiddle age group (30-50yrs) (42.64%). 225 (56.10%) deathswere due to accident/injury. Major cause of death due toinjuries were polytrauma. Highest cases were seen in winterseason and lowest in Autumn. 279 cases were untreated and122 hospitalized or treated cases in total unknown cases.Conclusion: Most of the literature available were on theindividual body identification or identification of victims of massdisasters. Unknown bodies comprised 7.85% of the totalautopsy load of the department. The age group 21-40 yearswas responsible for 44.85% of total cases. Accident is animportant cause of morbidity and mortality in the study area.Males are the most affected population; the common agegroup affected is 21–40 years. However, more studies arerecommended to find the actual cause of accidents andprevalence of homelessness and its health-related effects onmorbidity and mortality, which will help in providing health carefacilities to the needy.