Dead body management amidst global pandemic of Covid-19.

Covid-19 has reached almost all the nations in the world. More and more people are dying from it and in some countries, even the army has been called upon to help dispose of the dead as there is a shortage of coffins, and undertakers are overwhelmed. Therefore, it is essential to have measures in place to contain the spread of infection while handling dead bodies. In view of this, different guidelines and protocols have been proposed bearing in mind the limited information we have about the virus. This review article sets them out for better reference.

Severing of skull cap: A rare trauma attributed to transportation of bulldozer.

Bulldozer fatalities are usually due to accidental crushing of the body at the workplace. However, severance of the skull cap simulating a chopping injury to head is rare in the literature. Medico-legal investigation may be posed with different challenges when carrying out an autopsy of a victim with this devastating head injury. The police will seek an opinion about the type of weapon responsible for the injuries, the nature of injuries produced and manner of death. In the present case, the victim was hit at dusk by a protruding part of the bulldozer blade as he crossed in front of a bulldozer that was approaching his tractor from the opposite side of the road. His skull cap was severed and he died instantly. This report considers the circumstances of his death, its mechanisms and strategies for preventing such deaths.

Sudden Cardiac Death of a Body Packer Due to Cocaine Cardiotoxicity.

This article presents a case of sudden cardiac death due to the effects of cocaine concealed in the body of a male drug smuggler in his 40s, a so-called body packer. A total of 57 body packets filled with cocaine powder were discovered in his body cavities. The detailed autopsy examination, including histopathology and toxicology findings, is discussed with the aim of describing the mechanism of cocaine intoxication in the body packer and an analysis of cocaine-induced cardiotoxicity and sudden death.

An Unusual Method of Suicidal Ligature Strangulation.

This article reports a case of suicidal strangulation by ligature of a 51-year-old woman with a psychiatric disorder. She had been suffering from depression with a history of previous suicidal attempt. The deceased accomplished self-strangulation using two ligatures, with one placed above the other and consisting of a satin fabric and a shoelace. The underlying shoelace ligature was fastened by a secure fixed square knot at the back of the neck. The overlying fabric piece was tied with a half-knot under the chin and was tightened around the neck manually. A detailed investigation and autopsy examination strongly suggests suicide. The case is of interest due to its rarity and uncommon method of execution.

Elder homicide by unique combination of different mechanisms of asphyxia.

Elder homicide is a fatal outcome of elder abuse and neglect. Multifactorial homicidal asphyxia in an elderly man by combination of three different mechanisms is an uncommon incident. This following case demonstrates a very unusual murder of 74-year-old man in his own residence. Crime scene visit and postmortem examination revealed that the victim was killed by combined effect of ligature strangulation, traumatic asphyxia and smothering by plastic bag.