Jagadish Rao Padubidri

“Atypical Suicidal” cut throat injury – A case report

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the world. The incidence and pattern of suicide vary from country to country. Cultural, religious and social value plays a vital role. Hanging, poisoning, drowning are the common methods of committing suicide. Suicide by incising ones own throat without hesitation marks remains a rare, and only few cases have been reported in the forensic literature. We present here an unusual and rare case of self-inflicted cut throat injury of a 45-year old ex-military man without tentative cuts over the neck, which has resulted from a curved sharp weapon.

Deaths among women of reproductive age: A forensic autopsy study

Unnatural deaths in women of reproductive age (range 12-49 years) have a serious psychological and social impact on the family and community. Deaths among women of reproductive age reported as medico-legal cases were investigated to see the trend in terms of cause and manner of death. The study group consisted of a series of 328 consecutive forensic autopsies on women in the reproductive age group, performed between 2009 and 2011 at the Government Wenlock District Hospital, Mangalore, India by qualified specialist forensic medicine experts. Unnatural deaths formed 93.6% of the cohort. The top three causes of death included burns, poisoning and hanging forming 69.5% of the cases. The manner of death was suicide in 45.4% cases, accident in 43.6% cases and homicide in 4.6% cases. The circumstances of death were related to alleged medical negligence in 2.4% cases. Death in 4% cases was natural mannered with a disease being the cause of death. Three-fourths of the victims were married. Married women formed 63.1% of the suicidal victims. Homicidal deaths were not reported among unmarried women. The preponderant method of suicide was by poisoning at 42.3% (63 cases), followed by hanging (34.9%), burns (11.4%) and drowning (9.4%). These four methods comprised 98% of the total suicidal deaths in this study cohort. Accidental deaths were predominantly caused by burns (62.2%) and road traffic accident (23.1%). Two-thirds of the homicidal deaths were due to assault caused by blunt-force trauma, ligature strangulation and sharp-force trauma. One-third of the homicidal victims died due to burns. With a clear understanding of the cause and manner of death, it may be possible to predict, and hopefully prevent, future cases of unnatural deaths in women of reproductive age who form a very important group of society.

The Mangalore Aircrash of 22 May 2010: Practical Problems Related to Identification of the Dead in a Populous Developing Country

It was a sad and emotional moment for the citizens of Mangalore, India when the “Dubai to Mangalore” Air India Express Boeing 737-800 flight IX-812 crashed at the Mangalore International Airport on 22 May 2010, killing 158 people on board. Identification of the victims was difficult as most of the bodies were charred beyond easy recognition. The practical problems faced by the legal authorities in identifying the charred victims in a populous and developing country like India are discussed in this paper.

Sudden unexpected death due to strangulated inguinal hernia

Sudden unwitnessed, unexpected deaths when the bodies are found in public places require a complete and meticulous medicolegal autopsy to ascertain the cause and manner of death to avoid further unnecessary investigations by the legal authorities. Such deaths attributed to gastrointestinal causes at autopsy are relatively uncommon. We report a case of sudden unexpected death due to strangulated inguinal hernia in a 60-year-old man. The body was discovered in a public area near a place of worship. The present case illustrates a potentially preventable sudden unexpected death due to a surgically correctable gastrointestinal condition. In the present case, the individual feared being hospitalised for treatment of his scrotal swelling with potential surgery and the eventual loss of daily income. In our opinion, such apprehensions may have delayed the potentially life-saving hospital surgical intervention in the individual.

Impact factor impacting our scientific research – Probable solutions

* Corresponding author. Department of Fore Karnataka 576104, India. Tel.: þ91 990040508 E-mail address: ppjrao@gmail.com (J.R. P Peer review under responsibility of Chan http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2016.06.005 2319-4170/© 2016 Chang Gung University. P license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses 11th article in the same journal he cities all his old ten references, though he takes either one word or one sentence

Radiological Development of Mandibular third Molar as An Indicator of Chronological Age itn south Indian Population

Background: Forensic age estimation and its medicolegal implications are gaining lot of importance mainly to determine the age of undocumented youths and to differentiate juvenile from adults. Radiographic evaluation of third molars in terms of its stages of development, its position and extent of mineralization provides an important tool for age estimation, especially in middle teens and early twenties. Hence, this study was designed to assess the reliability of lower third molar development as an indicator for chronological age estimation in young adults of South Indian Population. Material and methods: The study sample comprised of OPG’s (orthopantamographs) of 188 subjects from a restricted geographic area and known chronological age and gender. Radiographs were evaluated using Demerjian’s method to assess the various stages of mandibular right and left third molar development. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Regression analysis was performed to obtain formula for dental age calculation. Results: Study revealed strong correlation between Demirjians third molar developmental stages and chronological age. Our study also showed that accuracy of age estimation is enhanced when bilateral third molar is evaluated and used for age estimation. The probability of an individual being adult at developmental stage G is still remains uncertain, however at developmental stage H it is almost assured. Conclusion: Several research groups have evaluated the reliability of third molars in age estimation but consensus on the usefulness of these teeth in forensic view has not been reached. The present study has discussed the utility of 3rd molar calcification stage in differentiating between juvenile and adolescent. Demirjian’s stage H can be used as cut off point for determining the majority/minority status of the individual.

Pattern of Injuries Due to Road Traffic Accidents Involving Motorized Two Wheeler Vehicles in Mangalore based on Autopsy Reports

Introduction: Motorized two wheeler accidents have become increasingly common, especially in developing countries like India. The main focus of this study was on motorized two wheeler accidents and the pattern of injuries caused due to it. Methodology: STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of autopsy reports of Road Traffic Accidents involving motorized two wheeler vehicles. STUDY SETTING: Study was carried out in Forensic Department of Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore. SAMPLE SIZE: 172 autopsy reports of motorized two wheeler accidents during 2015-2016. Results: A total of 172 autopsy reports were studied, majority of the victims were males. 82.65% of the accidents took place due to over speeding and negligence. City roads and junctions were most common site of such accidents. There were a total of 630 external injuries, 56.5% of which were abrasions. Complications of head injury accounted for 77.9% of cause of death in such cases. Linear fractures were most common type of fractures seen in the skull. Conclusion: Obeying the traffic rules, riding safely by wearing helmet and avoiding over speeding and negligence and taking necessary safety precautions such as wear safety gears while using two wheelers, can help in reducing such accidents to a great extent.

Morphology of lip print patterns among Indian and Malaysian population- a tool for racial and gender identification

Introduction: Lip prints are like finger prints; Unique and never same in two different individuals. Lip prints are distinctive and do not change during the life of the person. Cheiloscopy can be of special interest in cases where there are no finger prints available and as a necroidentification technique Aims: To identify different types of lip print patterns in North Indian, South Indian and Malaysian populations. To assess gender based on lip print patterns among Indian (North and South) and Malaysian population. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 128 subjects - 102 were Indians and 26 were Malaysians. Lip prints were analyzed based on Tsuchihashi’s classification. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 for Pearson’s Chi- Square tests and p-value. Results: Lip print pattern findings were found to have accordance with few other researches done in similar population setting. Among Indian subjects - Type 2 and Type 4 patterns are predominant. Among Malaysian population - Type 2 and 1’ are predominant. In Indian and Malaysian male population - Type 2 and Type 4 are predominant. In Indian and Malaysian Female population - Type 2 and Type 1 are predominant. Conclusion: In the study, different types of lip print patterns in North Indian, South Indian and Malaysian population with respect to ethnicity and gender were studied. Further research on this topic, with a larger sample, would help to increase the accuracy of this study, strengthen the research field of Cheiloscopy and make this study fruitful.

A cross sectional study on pattern of organs fatally damaged in road traffic accidents in Mangalore during the year 2015: Autopsy-based study

Introduction: The statistical profile speculates worldwide forecast of 5.1 million deaths in the year 2000 which accounted for 10% of deaths due to all causes. Amongst these, a quarter of injuries related deaths happened in the South-East Asian regions.[1] Road traffic accidents are known to cause human loss as well as socioeconomic burden to the society at large. The cause and effect relations in road traffic accidents need meticulous care to sort out offending factors and deliver proper solutions. Research Questions Objectives: 1) To assess the pattern of organs fatally damaged during road traffic accidents in Mangalore during the year 2015 2) To identify socio demographic pattern of those exposed to fatal injuries. 3) To forward practicable recommendation for policy makers and service providers. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional autopsy-based retrospective study. Study Setting: The study was performed in Department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore. Participants: 191 Victims of road traffic accidents in Mangalore in 2015 Results: Share of road traffic accident among the post mortem done in the year 2015 was 21%. Male victims constitute 86% and female 14%. Age group of 21 to 30 exposed to RTA accounts for 22% followed by age group of 41 to 50 accounting for 20%. Among vehicular share of inflicting road traffic accidents, motorized two wheelers constitute 45% followed by 4-wheeler and truck 43%. Among victims exposed to road traffic accident, non-pedestrian accounts to 59% and pedestrian 41%.Death on arrival and/or after hospitalization accounts for 88%. Opinion deduced out of all the cases cranio cerebral injury accounted for 70% of cause of death in road traffic accident.

Profile of Sudden Deaths Due to Lung Pathologies

Introduction: Sudden unexpected death due to respiratory disease contributes to 15 – 23% of all sudden death cases. Tuberculosis (TB) is a major respiratory cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and its prevalence is high in the Indian subcontinent, and cases may not be diagnosed until after an autopsy is performed. Aim of this study: The aim of this autopsy based retrospective study was to identify common causes of sudden death due to lung pathologies, to study the prevalence of mycobacterium tuberculosis in autopsied lungs and to identify cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis. Material and Method: Confirmed cases of sudden deaths due to lung pathologies based on gross and histopathological examination from 2014- 16 were included in the study. Results: Out of 210 cases of sudden unexpected deaths. 23.81% were due to lung pathologies, of which 25 (50%) of cases were due to pulmonary tuberculosis. 20% were found to be positive for acid fast bacilli (AFB) by Ziehl- Neelsen stain, 28% of cases were due to pneumonia, 6% of cases were due to pulmonary thromboembolism and 4% cases were due to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusion: The risk of exposure to unrecognized active pulmonary tuberculosis cases is very high in this particular region of South India, so adequate precautions should be taken for the autopsy surgeons, lab technicians, mortuary workers and investigating officers while handling unknown cases of sudden deaths.