Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology

No Abstract

Background: In India substance abuse is a common habit prevalent in both urban and rural areas. Cigarette and bidi smoking, tobacco chewing, has extensive effects on respiratory function and is clearly implicated in the etiology of a number of respiratory diseases. Objectives: 1) to study and compare the pulmonary function tests among smokers and non-smokers in a rural area. 2) To study the role of possible associated factors and relation to type, quantity and duration of common substances abused on the pulmonary function tests. Setting: Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni, District Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. Study design: Cross sectional study. Materials & Methods: The pulmonary function tests were assessed on computerized spirometer in 200 male subjects, having habit of substance abuse, in Loni village of Ahmednagar district in Western Maharashtra. Statistical analysis: SPSS Statistical Software version 16.0. Results & Conclusion: Almost all the pulmonary function parameters were significantly reduced in smokers as compared to other substances of abuse liability and obstructive pulmonary impairment was commonest. By spirometry a spectrum of pulmonary disorders may be detected at an early stage and subsequent morbidity can be minimized.

Key words: Substance abuse, Spirometry, Pulmonary functions, Rural area

Emergency Medicine always has varieties of cases. And it challenges the skills of treating physicians in day-to-day practice. Every suspicious case reflects with medicolegal presentation. In this article, author presenting an interesting rare case of multiple suicidal attempts during the course of pregnancy. A married pregnant 20 years old woman first; she attempted hanging by tying coconut rope to the ceiling followed by consuming Kerosene. She was admitted in the hospital with the history of Poisoning. On examination and personal history she revealed the facts. The case was further complicated due to pregnancy. On her admission she was five months pregnant. She was provided medical, obstetrical and psychiatric consultations. After discharge she was followed for the outcome delivery. She delivered a full term normal male baby. Neither she nor her relatives revealed the reason of her suicidal attempts. The case is discussed with the appropriate case histories.

Key Words: Suicidal attempt, hanging, kerosene poisoning, pregnancy.  

Background: - The deaths due to asphyxia are so wide & varied that they are challenging the postmortem surgeon on many occasions, therefore careful study & a meticulous examination of every case is mandatory to bring the wide variety of observations in death by asphyxia. Aim: To evaluate the incidence and pattern of violent asphyxial deaths in a rural area where majority of the population are farmers and sugar factory workers. Methodology: The data on socioeconomic status, type of asphyxia, manner of death, etc were collected retrospectively from the department of forensic medicine of Rural Medical College, Loni, Tal- Rahata Dist Ahmednagar Maharashtra for a period of 5 yrs. The information recorded from hospital case records, P.M. reports, police inquest reports and history from relatives. Results: Total 917 autopsies were conducted during this period among 68 cases were of violent asphyxial deaths. The males were preponderant (73.53%). Majority of cases were of drowning (73.53%) followed by hanging (20.59%), strangulation (2.94%) & traumatic asphyxial (2.94 %). Majority of cases were suicidal in nature.

Key words: violent ashyxial deaths, hanging, strangulation, drowning, suffocation

Background: - The myocardial bridges are the myocardium overlying coronary arteries. The coronary arteries may dip into the myocardium for varying lengths and then reappears on the heart’s surface. Aims: The present study is aimed at studying the presence of myocardial bridges over coronary arteries and their branches by dissection method. Material and Methods: - A total of 50 adult hearts procured from dead bodies from the Mortuary of the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, CSM Medical University, Lucknow were included in this study irrespective of sex. The hearts were meticulously dissected along both the coronary arteries and the presence and location of myocardial bridges was noted along with the part of the artery and/or its branch it was crossing. Results: - The overall prevalence of myocardial bridging was found to be 42%. They were mostly seen over the left anterior descending coronary artery. In maximum cases, they were seen over the middle 3rd of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The reported incidence of myocardial bridges varies 5-58%. Conclusion: - They may be associated with a wide range of clinical problems, including acute coronary syndromes and arrhythmias. The contraction of the myocardial bridge may result in vessel compression and myocardial ischaemia.

Key words: Myocardial bridges, heart, post mortem 

Sexual dimorphism of bones has been extensively studied in different regions by numerous authors. It is established that, the regional variations exists in the statistical values of the parameters. The present study is done to find out the standard statistical values for the sex determination with humerus. In the present study, the length, epicondylar width, mid-shaft circumference and vertical diameter of the head have been measured in 212 adult humeri of known sex (142 males and 70 females) from the Marathwada region of Maharashtra state. Index (I) was calculated and data was generated for each parameter. The data was also analysed by multivariate analysis method. The mean values of the parameters differed from those of previous studies for other regions. In the present study, the length of the humerus was found to be the most significant parameter for the sex determination. From the data, 42.26% right and 38.66% left male humeri could be sexed correctly and in case of female 25.71% right and 31.42% left humeri could be sexed correctly. Also, by using multivariate technique, the percentage of the humeri that could be sexed correctly markedly increased. 97% right and 96.5% left male humeri could be sexed correctly while 97.5% right and 91% left female humeri could be sexed correctly.

Key words: Sexual dimorphism, humerus, marathwada region, demarking points, multivariate analysis.