Spectrum of unnatural deaths in Hyderabad: an autopsy based study

ABSTRACT

To determine the spectrum of unnatural deaths, focusing on gender vulnerability, manners of death, inhabitant, weaponry and seasonal prevalence for criminal episodes. Prospective study. Medicolegal Section of Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad from January 2006 to December 2008. Six hundred and ninety seven cases of unnatural deaths referred by police for autopsy were included. Those who died in hospital due to natural causes or complications of surgery were excluded. The variables considered were gender, manners of death, weaponry, inhabitant and seasonal variations in criminal deaths. Findings were expressed in numbers and percentages. Out of total 697 medicolegal autopsies conducted males were [595] 85.4% and females [102] 14.6%. Accidental deaths [471] 67.58% outnumbered homicidal [219] 31.42% and suicidal [7] 01% manners of death. Weaponry for assault preferred was firearms followed by hard blunt weapons. Pen-urban inhabitant victims of unnatural deaths were [314] 45% followed by those belonging to rural areas [209] 30% and urban dwellers [174] 25%. Unnatural deaths occurred more in summer than in winter season. Majority of the victims of unnatural deaths were males dying due to accidental manner of deaths. Peri-urban victims out numbered the rural and urban dwellers. The fatalities were found in summer season more than in winter