Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology

Forensic odontology is an investigative aspect of dentistry that analyzes dental evidence for human identification. Forensic odontology plays an important role in establishing sex, age, and race of victims. Many times, determination of sex / gender using skeletal remains presents a great problem to forensic experts, especially when only fragments of body are recovered. Forensic odontologist can assist other experts to determine sex of the remains by using teeth and skull traits. Various features of teeth, like morphology, crown size, root length etc are, characteristics differentiating male and female sexes. There are also differences in skull pattern and skull traits of two sexes. These help a forensic odontologis to identify the sex of the remains.

Key words: Forensic odontology; Sex determination; Canine dimorphism;, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR); Amelogenin.

Teeth are highly mineralized appendages found in the entrance of the alimentary canal of both invertebrates and vertebrates. They are associated mainly with prehension and processing of food, but they also frequently serve other functions, such as defense, display of dominance and phonetic articulation in humans. Inspection of teeth and jaws has also been used for centuries to identify humans and is an important aspect of forensic odontology. This review article throws a light on those properties of teeth which make then useful as a forensic tool.

Key words: Teeth; Forensic; Forensic Odontology; Dentists; Dental records.

A 27 year old female was admitted in Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni, in shock condition with history of full term normal delivery. The delivery was conducted in a private hospital, but due to postpartum hemorrhage the patient was shifted to PRH, Loni. The patient died immediately after admission and relatives of the patient filed a complaint against the private hospital which had conducted the delivery. Postmortem was conducted which showed bleeding from genitalia and uterus with 7cm circumference mass of retained placenta at posterolateral region. The clinical and autopsy findings revealed mismanagement after delivery leading to death of the patient, and the doctor who conducted the delivery was held responsible for the death.

Key words: Placenta; Delivery; Postpartum hemorrhage; Negligence.

Sudden natural un-witnessed death of a previously apparently healthy person raises issues related to the manner of death. This issue can be appropriately answered with the expertise of a forensic pathologist, who has the means to help in these circumstances through his knowledge which is supplemented by the investigation of the police officer. Here, a case of sudden natural death of an apparently healthy individual construed to be unnatural by the kin of the deceased is highlighted.

Keywords : Death; Forensic pathologist.

This study was conducted in Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni, Tah-Rahata, Dist.-Ahemadnagar (Maharashtra) during January 2010 to December 2010. A large number of cases occur in this area because of agriculture and agriculture-related occupation. This study was aimed to know the ocular changes in snake bite. Patients admitted in intensive care unit (ICU) due to snake bite were considered for the study. Detailed ocular examination of these patients was carried out by torch, ophthalmoscope and other ophthalmic instruments. For this study, a total 78 patients were examined. Out of 78, cases 38 (48.78%) cases were having bilateral ptosis. Out of 38 cases of bilateral ptosis, 13 (34.21%) were of Krait, 15 (39.47%) cases were of Cobra. In 10 (26.35%) cases of ptosis, type of snake could not be identified. In 30 (38.46%) cases visual acuity was reduced.

Key words: Snake bite; Ocular manifestation; Western Maharashtra.

Birth weight is one of the simplest measurements that can be made with reasonable accuracy under different conditions. It is a reliable indicator of foetal well- being and maturity. In the present study, the average birth weight in Marathwada region, the incidence of low birth weight, the foeto-placental ratio in normal and in low birth weight cases was studied in 296 newborns and placentae. It was observed that the foeto-placental ratio in low birth weight cases is statistically significantly low (6.72) as compared with the normal (7.08). The significantly low foeto placental ratio in low birth weight cases indicates that though there is decrease in both birth weight and placental weight, the decrease in birth weight is more as compared with the decrease in placental weight.

Key words: Low birthweight; Foeto-placental ratio; Marathwada region.

Background: Informed consent is a two-way communication process by which the patients/parents/guardians are provided the relevant and necessary information regarding the diagnosis and treatment. In the present study an attempt was made to find out the process (How, Who, Where & When) of obtaining informed consent in Obstetrical & Gynaecological surgeries. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at SVMCH & RC, Ariyur, Puducherry. Randomly, 132 post-operative cases were interviewed by a pre-designed, pre-tested and structured questionnaire from 1st October 2011 to 31st December 2011. Results: In 21.2% of cases consent was not given by the patient and in majority (72.7%) of cases consent was taken by the nurse. In 75.8% of cases consent was taken on previous day or prior to it, consent was taken in ward in 92.5% of cases and duration of explanation was from more than five to fifteen minutes in 65.2% of cases. In 48.5% of cases nurses witnessed the consent process, but in 24.2% of cases consent was not taken in patients’ own language. All the components of informed consent were explained to the patients in majority of cases.

Conclusion: The process of obtaining informed consent still has to be improved.

Background: Over the years, medical professionals who once enjoyed the immunity from litigations and accountability in the court of law have found themselves in the crosshairs of the judicial system. The doctors have become service providers and their patients consumers. Medical Council of India, the statutory body governing the medical profession in India, has laid down certain guidelines for the medical professionals to follow. This study endeavored to assess the level of awareness of various ethical and legal issues and code of conduct amongst medical professionals (including general practitioners to various specialists) Material and Method: The study was conducted in the geographical region of Indore city for a period of one month from 1 Nov 2009- 30 Nov 2009. A total of 75 physicians, including general practitioners, specialists of various specialties practicing in Indore were selected using Radiant Medical Directory and were given a standardized questionnaire to answer. Results: 52.91% subjects answered correctly in the range of 65-80%, whereas 33.82% answered 45-60% answers correctly. A need was felt to enhance the awareness of finer aspects of medicolegal issues.

Key Words: Ethics; Medical Council of India; Code of Conduct; Medico-legal.