Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology

Clinical Forensic Medicine is the application of forensic medical techniques to living. To address the un-met forensic needs of victims who are survivors of violent crimes and trauma there is urgent need of examination of victims of violence by a specially trained person in  medico-legal matters i.e. clinical forensic physicians. In this program, the clinical forensic physicians will evaluate adult and pediatric victims of blunt and penetrating trauma, sexual and physical abuse and collect evidentiary material when indicated. In this paper the importance of clinical forensic medicine program and recommendations given by the “Survey Committee Report on Medico-Legal Practices in India 1964” regarding its implementation are presented.

Keywords: Clinical forensic medicine; Victims of violence; Forensic physicians; Survey committee report.

Background: Traumatic acute subdural haematoma (ASDH) remains one of the most fatal of all head injuries. Its fatality is governed by various factors. Materials and Method: Study of 101 cases of head injuries having a subdural hematoma with a definite history of trauma were carried during Sept 2011 to Aug 2013 in central morgue, SCB Medical College, Cuttack. Criteria examined were age, sex, volume, site, size, extension, form and character of ASDH. Results: The volume of fatal ASDH ranged from 15- 220 ml, having a male preponderance, with a highest peak of mean volume of 104.83 ml observed in between 71- 80 years of age. It is mostly attributed to road traffic accident (RTA) (86.87%), involving mostly frontal areas, usually fluid, blood in form, diffuse and frequently associated with subarachnoid haemorrhage (24.75%). Conclusion: Subdural haemorrhage has been always of a major significance in the absence of injury to the skull and brain. The haemorrhage in its form, location and amount is a determinant factor for the fatality. By post mortem evaluation of such haemorrhage in detail throws vital clues and information to the physician and surgeons to prevent such catastrophe in future patients.

Keywords: Acute subdural haematoma; RTA; Traumatic head injury.

Background: Blood donors are deferred from donating blood for several reasons, either permanently or temporarily. Anemia is a major cause for temporary deferral among donors. The aim of our study was to find the incidence of deferred donors due to anemia and to analyse the most common blood group deferred due to it. Materials & Methods: A retrospective study was done from January 2012-June 2012, in order to study the rate of deferral due to anemia in Father Muller Medical College Hospital Blood Bank. Data was collected by reviewing the deferred donor records over the six months period. It was analyzed by frequency and percentage. Result: Out of 3354 donors over six months period, 559 were deferred (203 females, 356 males). Of these 144 were deferred due to anemia (137 females, 7 males). The most common cause of deferral in women was due to anemia, accounting for about 67.48% of deferral in females which is in accordance with the literature available. It was seen that donors with A+ ve blood group were mostly deferred. Conclusion: Donor deferral can be reduced by creating awareness, health education and also by administration of Iron –Folic acid supplementation.

Keywords: Anemia; Donor deferral; Blood donor.

Background: Men’s violence against women touches half the world’s population. Rape is an act of power anger and dominance over another. Sex is a weapon to gain control. The aim of the study was to analyze the type and pattern of genital and extra genital injuries following sexual assault of women in relation to various modifying factors to corroborate the alleged crime. Materials & Method: All the rape victims that came for medical examination to our department formed the cohort of the study. Apart from medical examination, information was obtained by interviewing the victims, accompanying persons and records submitted by the investigating officers. Results: The study revealed general bodily injuries in 11.3% of victims whereas recent genital injuries were present in 13.2% victims. Majority of the victims were of age group 14-15 years and 18-19 years 35.8% each. Most victims were without prior sexual experience (85%). About 13% victims were parous. The incidence occurred mostly indoors 75%. In most cases there were single accused (96%) whereas in 4% cases there were multiple accused. The vaginal smear revealed spermatozoa in 19% of cases. About 30% of the women were examined within 72 hours of the crime.
Keywords: Rape; Injuries; Victims; Accused.