Aspartic Acid Racemization with Correlation to Age: AForensic Perspective.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate age through aspartic acid racemization of human dentin for forensic analysis, and to calculate the margin of error between chronological age and estimated age by racemization method. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparative study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Dental Outpatients' Department, Ziauddin Hospital, Karachi, from 2011 to 2014. METHODOLOGY: Patients from dental orthodontics department were selected. Verbal expressed consent was taken from the participants. Preliminary data was entered in a specially designed performa having name, chronological age, gender, socio-economic status. Land D ratio of aspartic acid were quantified in dentin for each tooth by High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography technique. Results of 100 samples with known age were used during study to estimate co-efficient of racemization. Regression equation was derived by plotting 85 samples of known age and KR as independent and dependent variables and least square equation was derived - Age = -4.391 +347.396 (co-efficient of racemization). RESULTS: The estimated co-efficient of determination was 0.74, meaning thereby that the regression equation was 74% correct for estimating age. The calculated correlation between chronological age and co-efficient of racemization was 0.834, which is interpreted as a very strong and positive correlation. The co-efficient of racemization increased with the age. The mean chronological age (38.44 ±13.22) years were statistically similar to the mean calibrated age (37.52 ±12.36) years. The median of actual and calibrated age was found to be 3.4 with inter-quantile value of 13. No statistically significant difference was observed among gender (p=0.837), or socioeconomic status (p=0.35). CONCLUSION: Racemization of human dentin could be used as one of the reliable method for estimating age. HPLC is a reliable technique to estimate the co-efficient of racemization because it is highly reproducible, cost-effective and convenient. However, the procedure should be optimized and standardized within all laboratories for quality assurance.

Physical trauma--a leading cause of medico legal cases at DHQ Hospital Abbottabad.

BACKGROUND: Trauma is one of leading cause of suffering to mankind. No study has yet been done to see the incidence, pattern of injury, outcome and declaration according to Qisas and Diyat in the city of Abbottabad. The objectives of the study were to determine the frequency of age and sex with type of lesion and causative weapon after trauma in a medico-legal clinic and to find the impact on the commonest target organs in the study area. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at District Headquarter Hospital, Abbottabad between 1st January 2004 and 31st December 2004. Cases presenting for medico legal examination in Medico-legal Department of DHQ Hospital Abbottabad. Patients were selected on basis of purposive sampling technique. Physical trauma group was sub-divided into firearms, sharp, blunt and road traffic accident. This group was further classified according to age, sex, area of body involved, type of weapon, seasonal prevalence, and whether injuries were declared according to Qisas and Diyat ordinance. RESULTS: A total of 759 cases of physical trauma reported for medico-legal examination. Out of 759 cases of physical trauma, 3.4% cases of firearm weapon, 7.9% cases of sharp weapon, 16.2% of road traffic accidents, and 72.5% of blunt weapon presented in the medico-legal clinic. Male preponderance with 97% was noted. Two-third of victims were between 10 and 39 years of age. The months of May-July and October-December showed slightly elevated number of cases. The head and neck was the most commonly involved area. No case was certified according to Qisas and Diyat Ordinance. CONCLUSION: Physical trauma constitutes the leading cause to the mankind which makes about 91.6% of cases. Males between 10 to 39 years of age are most likely to be victims. The face and head is the most affected area.

Medico-legal assessment of sexual assault victims in Lahore.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was the medico-legal assessment of sexual assault victims in Lahore, and to know the characteristics of the assailants in these cases. METHODS: This study included all 123 female cases of alleged sexual assault that presented for medical examination at the office of the surgeon medico-legal Punjab at Lahore during 2002. RESULTS: Around 64% of the victims were between 10-19 years of age, 76% presented for medical examination after a delay of more than 72 hours. The assailant was known to the victim in 57% cases. Two or more assailants were involved in 30% cases. The victims had changed clothes and washed their bodies before the medical examination in 83% cases. Physical evidence of violence on the body was present in only 15% of the victims and evidence of recent injury to the genital tract was present in 18% individuals. However a positive semen analysis was reported in 98.35% of the samples. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual assault was more common in younger females. Late presentation for examination was due to the embarrassment of being exposed. A positive semen analysis was the definite factor for confirmation of the assault.

Analysis of homicidal deaths in Peshawar, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Homicide is one ofthe oldest crimes in human civilization. For every person who dies as a result of homicide, many more are injured. A study of the patterns of homicide in a society is one of the first steps in developing strategies to prevent it. This study was conducted at the department of Forensic Medicine Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, to know the patterns of homicide, taking it as the first step in the prevention of this crime. METHODS: This study includes 520 cases of homicide out of the total of 662 medico-legal autopsies conducted at Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, during the year 2002. The cases have been labeled as homicide on the basis of autopsy and police inquest. RESULTS: The homicide rate for Peshawar during the period under study was 22.9/100,000. Males constituted 86.15% ofthe victims. 32% of the victims were in their third decade of life. Firearms were the causative agent in 86% of the cases. Chest was the primarily targeted area of the body. The highest number of homicides occurred in the month of November. CONCLUSIONS: The homicide rate is alarmingly high in Peshawar as is the use of firearms. This is something that should be seriously looked at by the policy makers.

Homicide in Abbottabad.

BACKGROUND: Homicide is one of the oldest crimes in human history. Although a large number of dimensions have been added to this crime, the age-old factors like revenge, rage, jealousy and honour persist even today. This study was conducted jointly at the attached hospitals of Women Medical College and Ayub Medical College. Abbottabad to know the various dimensions of the victims of homicide. METHODS: The present study encompasses all 40 cases of homicide, which presented for autopsy at DHQ hospital and Ayub Medical Complex Abbottabad during the year 2002. The manner of death was categorized as homicide on the basis of police inquest and the autopsy findings. RESULTS: The homicide rate in Abbottabad was found to be 4.22/100,000 per year. Males were the primary targets usually in their prime of youth with 40% victims between 20-29 years. Firearms formed the major weapon of offence. Most victims died before reaching the hospital. Deaths were more common during the daytime and in summer months. CONCLUSION: Homicide rate is on the lower side in Abbottabad amongst places where firearm possession is not strictly controlled, but can be further reduced. Limiting firearm possession alone can go a long way in this goal.

Unnatural female deaths in Peshawar.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to know the extent of violent deaths among females in Peshawar, the most vulnerable age group, weapons of infliction and the mode of death. DESIGN: Non interventional (descriptive) type study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: This study was conducted from 1st January, 2001 to 31st December, 2001 in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Out of 679 deaths, presented for autopsy at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar 89 were females. These were grouped according to age, mode of death and weapons of infliction. RESULTS: Females formed 13% of all the autopsies done in Peshawar. The age group most commonly involved was 21-40 years (50.56%). Firearms were the predominant weapons of infliction (70.78%) and the intent was mostly homicidal (77.52%). CONCLUSION: Fatal violence against women is uncommon in Peshawar. Suicide is rare. Young women are mostly killed by firearms.

Epidemiology of suicide in Faisalabad.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is one of the ten leading causes of death in the world, accounting for more than 400,000 deaths annually. The incidence and pattern of suicide vary from country to country. Cultural, religious and social values play some role in this regard. Very few studies about the epidemiology of suicide have been conducted in Pakistan. We conducted this study on the patterns of suicide in autopsies conducted at Faisalabad from 1998 to 2001, to know the incidence of suicide, which subgroups of the population were most vulnerable to such deaths and the methods being used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study includes 95 cases of suicidal deaths of both sexes belonging to different age groups autopsied at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad. Cases were selected on the basis of information from the scene of crime, police inquest, autopsy findings and interview with the acquaintances of the victim. Findings were tabulated and analyzed. RESULTS: The study revealed that suicide rate was 1.12/100,000, with male preponderance. The peak incidence was in 20-29 years in males and 10-19 years in females. Hanging was the most common method. A seasonal surge in spring was noted. CONCLUSION: Suicide in Faisalabad is much lower compared to western countries. Suicides occur at a younger age in Faisalabad compared to western countries.