Journal of Clinical Forensic Sciences

Background: Diatom analysis is a significant forensic method for identifying antemortem drowning because it detects siliceous microalgae in internal tissues and ambient materials. While natural bodies of water have been widely researched, manufactured stagnant water tanks, which are widespread in cities, have received less attention. These tanks, which are frequently separated from active water supply systems, provide distinct biofilm-rich microhabitats that may support a wide range of diatom assemblages. Aim: This study looks at the forensic possibilities of such surroundings utilising hydrochloric acid (37%) digestion to isolate diatoms. Method: Microscopic investigation of samples from 48 stagnant water tanks in New Town, Kolkata revealed a wide range of diatom species. Results: Dominant genera included Achnanthidium minutissimum, Cymbella tumida, and Gomphonema sierrianum, with site-specific occurrences of Surirella, Coscinodiscus, and Cymbella auxospore. The existence of both motile and non-motile groups (monoraphids, biraphids, and centric forms) suggests ecological resilience and biofilm-mediated survival. Spatial variation in species distribution was found throughout cardinal zones, indicating microclimatic and structural impacts. The acid digestion approach protected frustule integrity while also enabling semiquantitative profiling suited for forensic comparison. Conclusions: Stagnant water tanks provide biologically diverse and forensically relevant microhabitats for diatom analysis. Their incorporation in forensic methods improves drowning site localisation, particularly in metropolitan areas without natural water bodies. The result encourages further comparative research in isolated areas and suggests AI-assisted D-mapping as a scalable technique for automated diatom identification and geolocation. Standardised sampling and multidisciplinary collaboration are required to operationalise diatom evidence in medico-legal investigations.

Road accidents pose a significant challenge in both developed and developing nations, aggravated by rapid population growth and economic expansion. India, particularly, deals with a surge in vehicle registrations, directly correlating with an alarming increase in road traffic accidents (RTAs). This paper delves into an analysis of the multifaceted causes contributing to RTAs in Haryana, shedding light on potential strategies for mitigation. Drawing insights from 100 RTA cases between 2022 and 2023, the study assesses the impact of these accidents on Haryana’s populace. By fostering awareness, the research aims to furnish governmental efforts with actionable insights towards curbing traffic accidents. The findings underscore the overarching factors fuelling RTAs, encompassing fatalities and injuries resultant from these occurrences.

Identification of unknown dead bodies is one of the most complex and timeconsuming challenges faced by forensic medicine and law-enforcement authorities in India. Rapid urbanization, mass disasters, migration, and poor maintenance of biometric records often delay or prevent positive identification, leading to serious humanitarian, legal, and administrative consequences. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has recently emerged as a transformative tool capable of enhancing the accuracy, speed, and reliability of human identification through automated facial recognition, fingerprint matching, dental imaging, skeletal analysis, and DNA data interpretation. This review explores the growing need and practical scope of AI-driven technologies in the identification of unknown human remains in India. It traces existing conventional methods, highlights their limitations, and discusses how AI can be integrated into national forensic systems such as the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) and the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS). The article further examines ethical, legal, and privacy implications under Indian laws and provides policy recommendations for implementation. The review concludes that AI-based identification, when integrated with standard forensic protocols and supported by robust data governance, can significantly strengthen India’s medico-legal framework and ensure faster delivery of justice.

Covid-19 far reaching, which was caused by the novel SARS CoV-2, has had an influence so significant and wide that it is touching around the world prosperity. In spite of the fact that it is considered a respiratory infection truly, discoveries from most current considers appear signs proposing that the living being attacks and dispenses wounds on other organ frameworks such as a neural framework.. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain how such pathological neural changes could be related or linked to infections by SARS CoV-2 virus. These include possible neuroinvasion by the virus presumed to be through olfactory pathway since the resulting neurological symptoms are anosmia and ageusia. It induces hyperinflammation, the so-called cytokine storm, as part neuroinflammatory changes with sequel development concerning neurologically relevant complications. Neurological manifestations are variable and include: mild to moderate cognitive impairment, and headache; in more severe cases, encephalopathies, stroke, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. The so-called long COVID as as often as possible as conceivable sets neurological signs with fundamental potential disappointments from these in quality of life.

Road accidents pose a significant challenge in both developed and developing Artificial penile nodules are inert objects inserted beneath the skin of the penis like plastic beads made from toothbrushes, silicon, metal pellets, glass, ivory, precious metals, marbles or pearls1 due to the belief that it will enhance sexual performance and pleasure of female or male sexual partners during intercourse. In this article, one such case with artificial penile nodule made is being presented. The deceased was having a cylindrical shaped small foreign body implanted underneath the dorsal aspect of the penile skin which was presented for Postmortem examination in Mortuary as alleged case of death due to Bullet Injuries by the Investigating Police officer but on external Postmortem examination mismatch between no. Of Entry wounds and Exit wounds contrary to the presence of one Bullet inside Penile shaft created confusion to the Autopsy surgeons as Radiological examination also proved to be inconclusive. Subsequent on dissection, Internal examination Author’ revealed the object to be an artificial penile nodule, a rarely encountered form of body modification during Medico-legal examinations, Hence this case report.