Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology

 Sudden death of an elite young during recreational sports activity is a devastating event for both the family and community. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is one of the leading causes of death in such cases. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a primary disease of the myocardium in which the portion of the myocardium is hypertrophied without any obvious cause. It is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. The obstructive variant of HCM is most commonly involved in sports related sudden death. A 13 year old healthy adolescent without any family history brought dead to the emergency. Autopsy revealed an enlarged heart with asymmetrical left ventricular hypertrophy. Microscopy of left ventricular free wall showed hyperplastic muscle bundle and wavy muscle fibers. Sections of the interventricular septum showed extensive myocytic hypertrophy, myocytic fiber disarray and enlarged nucleus. No evidence of acute ischemic changes. The present report highlights a rare condition which is rarely reported by a forensic pathologist, which confirms that HCM is one of the types of cardiomyopathy causing sudden death during recreational physical activity in an elite young individual. Recommend standard autopsy guidelines and screening for first degree family members with necessary treatment/lifestyle modifications and further study on screening and genetics related to HCM.

 Gagging is a form of asphyxia which results from forcing a gag such as rolled up cloth, paper or any other materialetc. deep into the mouth or oropharynx. As such asphyxia by gagging is rare in occurrence and usually seen in infants and children as homicidal act or in adults suffering from psychiatric disorder as suicidal form of gagging. As young ones and elder people are easily overpowered due to least resistance offered by them, the homicidal gagging is more common in this age group.We report a case of gagging in 16 year school girl which was found in mud below bridge over river and gagging by mud for preventing shouting for help during alleged history of sexual assault during struggle of deceased from accused. During autopsy, mud was observed in buccal cavity, nasopharynx and oropharynx with evidence of multiple surface injuries on body.

 The magnitude of the spinal injury problem is unknown. There have been a number of clinical reports that focused on the classification and descriptions of cervical spine fractures and dislocations with some providing hypotheses on the mechanism of injury. In the present article we have discussed a case where the person was driving the four-wheeler and struck by the other vehicle and died on the spot. C1-C2 cervical spine fracture dislocation with ring fracture noted at the base of the skull. The mechanism of injury is due to combined effects of whiplash and indirect blow to the skull. 

Keywords: Sudden Death; Dilated Cardiomyopathy; Cardiac Cirrhosis. 

Keywords: WBC; Morphological Changes; Post Mortem Interval.