Abstract

Background: Exponential increase in road traffic accident cases are a major cause of concern all over the world .The fatality of accident cases depends on various factors and alcohol consumption can also be associated to increase in incidence of road traffic accidents. Materials and Methods: An autopsy based study on victims of road traffic accidents was carried out in the department of Forensic Medicine, M.K.C.G Medical College, Berhampur, Odisha. The vitreous samples were tested qualitatively for presence of alcohol by potassium dichromate test. The stomach contents and the blood and urine sample sent to RFSL for chemical analysis. Result: A total number of 918 autopsies were done during the study period and 250 cases (27.23%) were due to road traffic accidents. 86% were males and belonged to 31­40 years (23.6%). Pedestrians comprised the 51.6% of the victims. 42 % of the victims sustained fatal head injuries (42%) followed by 36.8% of cases sustaining multiple injuries.20% tested positive for qualitative estimation of vitreous alcohol. Out of 21 victims of drivers of 2/3 wheelers 15 71.43% tested positive for alcohol. Out of 50 vitreous positive cases, alcohol was detected in in blood, urine and stomach samples in 60%, 40% and 20% cases respectively. Vitreous alcohol was positive even after 12 hours. Conclusion: A significant number of victims of road traffic accidents showed positive detection of alcohol in their vitreous sample proves alcohol as one of the important factor in incidence of accidents. The vitreous sample was a better sample than blood, urine and viscera in qualitative detection of alcohol.

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