Jayanthi Yadav

4. Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in Pregnancy

Sudden unexpected death in many instances comes with stimulating or interesting findings, often in contrast to the history provided. Two cases of sudden death in pregnant females with central venous thrombosis are described, because of their rarity. The incidence, etiological factors, predisposing conditions and the ethical and legal questions arising from such deaths are discussed.

An unusual case of impalement injury.

Impalement injuries result when a hard elongated object penetrates the body cavity or any body part and remains in place. A rare and unusual case of impalement by a bamboo stick in the thoracic cavity through the oropharynx is described. Injury resulted when a man tried to pole-vault with a bamboo stick, which slipped and entered his mouth. Impalement injury through the natural orifice of the oropharynx is discussed, along with the mechanism of the trauma and subsequent death.

Sexual Dimorphism of Hyoid Bone-A Study of Adult Population in Bhopal Region of Central India

Identification of sex from unknown skeletal remains is a challenging issue in forensic casework. Sex determination from long bones, skull and pelvis is well studied and documented. The hyoid bone, however, has remained the least noticed bone for sex determination. In the present study, 100 adult hyoid bones-72 male and 28 female, removed from corpses [after written, informed consent from the relatives] and buried in soil, were examined using discriminant function analysis (IBM SPSS20). Five discriminant functions were tested and obtained. Discriminant Function = 1.738 thl + (−0.542) thw + 1.278 mlb +1.240 disgrcor-11.969. Cut off score was-0.410, 84% accurately classified into their groups. Cross-validated results showed correct classification in 83% of the cases.

Cause of Death (Including Open, Exposed Injuries) and Clothing Status of Corpse vis-a-vis Decomposition of Human Bodies

Introduction: Decomposition Changes in the corpse is the final stage of degradation of the body. These changes sets in after disappearance of rigor mortis where by complex organic structures are broken down into simpler variants by the action of anaerobic bacterial flora and autolytic digestive action of enzymes outpoured during cellular death. Concealment of crime by hiding the bodies is a common practice. Often these bodies are found in various stages of decomposition at the time of recovery. Injuries (including open wounds) over body surface attract insects and provide warm and suitable micro-environmental conditions for eggs laying, in addition to natural and cozy body orifices. Aim: The objective of the present study is to correlate the cause of death (including open wounds) with respect to decomposition of human bodies, to study the distribution pattern of injuries over body and to find effect of clothing status on the overall decomposition process. Material and Methods: The present study was carried out during 2009-2012 and involved 100 human corpses in various stages of decomposition. All necessary and vital information was assembled from police papers regarding location of body, crime scene, last seen alive etc. History narrated by relatives was correlated with the condition of the body and police history. Cases were classified according to their status of decomposition, clothing status of the corpse was identified as partial, complete and naked. Injuries present were recorded according to their size and location. Observations and Results: Out of the total 100 cases studied, 6 cases were in stage 1, 31 in stage 2, 34 in stage 3, 25 in stage 4 and 4 cases were in stage 5. 55 cases were fully clothed, 28 cases partially clothed while 17 cases were naked. In 25% cases injuries were case of death. In 10% cases pathology and infection was cause of death. In 44% cases head (including face) & neck was the commonest site of injury. 60% cases of injuries were recorded in month of April to September. 82% of bodies found naked were recovered in advanced stages of decay. Conclusion: The present study highlights that while injuries are a definitive additive parameter to the process of decomposition, other cause of death also influence rate of decomposition of human corpses. Injuries, particularly in combination with other suited conditions over various body parts ideally allow for the growth of various predators and work cumulatively in ultimate demolition of the body. Exposed corpses were found especially susceptible to alterations in any given conditions.

Carotid sheath haematoma: A case report

Carotid sheath haematoma is a rare finding, sometimes the only injury found in cases of manual strangulation without any associated external or internal injury to the neck. One such rare case is reported in an 8 year old female victim where presence of carotid sheath haematoma not only helped to ascertain the cause of death but also helped in the reconstruction of mechanism of infliction of force on the neck.