Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology

Suicide is an act of self-inflicted, self-intentioned taking of one’s life. The term “complex suicide” refers to suicides in which more than one method is employed to commit suicide. A dead body of a 34 year old female was brought to mortuary of Government Medical College Hospital Miraj for postmortem examination. She was married since 10 yrs. Ligature mark was present around neck with knot impression at left sub-mandibular area. Presence of multiple injuries raises suspicion of foul play. Therefore, differentiation has to be made whether the given case is suicide or homicide. Careful postmortem examination and thorough investigation of scene of crime is necessary to arrive at a proper conclusion.

Keywords: Death; Suicide; Self-harm; Forensic; Ligature  

Keywords: Stab Wound; Chest Injury; Homicide. 

Keywords: Mens Rea; MLC; 174 Cr. P. C; Criminal Law. 

The recent plane crash by a German-wings co-pilot has shocked the whole world. Moreover the revelation by the doctors about his health condition, questions the fundamental basis of confidentiality clause in the Medical ethics. The rash act of the pilot resulted in loss of many lives. There had been many debates on this issue of owing of duty to warn. This is an attempt by the authors to rationally study the legal culpability of the doctors by reviewing the literature and substantiate the boundaries between the medical confidentiality and privileged communication.

Keywords: Professional Secrecy; Privileged Communication; Legal Culpability. 

 Objective:  The present study aims to highlight the distribution of cervico-thoraco-abdominal injuries sustained to the victims of blunt force trauma. Material & Methods: This is an autopsy-based observation of cervico-thoraco-abdominal injuries to victims during the period of May 2014 to May 2015 at central morgue SCB Medical College Cuttack. All the deaths from cervico-thoraco-abdominal injuries were included in the study. The autopsy case files and information furnished by the police in inquest were studied in detail. Results:  Among the 246 cervico-thoraco-abdominal injury related deaths, the thoracic injury accounted for most. Male predominance was observed and the age group most vulnerable were 21 to 40 years. Lungs and Solid organs of the abdomen were most commonly involved organ in thoracic and abdominal region respectively. Many of the victims are hospitalized and treated. Accidental manner predominant, followed by rare homicidal cases. No cases of suicidal manner were reported. Many of such cases remain undiagnosed during hospital stay due to inadequate initial assessment and management. Conclusion:  This study not only help in the pattern of injury sustained but also help in its prevention.