Asphyxial deaths: a four year retrospective study in Peshawar

ABSTRACT

The study provides epidemiological analysis of autopsy record on asphyxial deaths and different methods used to carry it out. It was a retrospective [descriptive] study done at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Khyber Medical College Peshawar. Analysis of autopsy record was done and cases of asphyxial deaths and the cause of asphyxia was noted. The data covers a period from January 2009 to June 2012. A total of 3,265 [males n=2839, Females n= 426] cases were presented for autopsy to Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department of Khyber medical college Peshawar and 130 deaths were due to asphyxia compared with 2370 deaths due to firearm. Homicide was the most common manner of death. 89 cases were males and 41 were females. Approximate ages of the autopsies conducted were 0-19 years n= [18.2%], 20-40 years n= [64.5%], 41-60 years n= [13%] and 61 or above n=4 [3.0%]. Strangulation was found to be the most common method used. Asphyxial deaths are not as common as firearm deaths in Peshawar. Homicide is the most common method of death. The findings may be helpful for the security agencies in investigation of asphyxial deaths