Nageshkumar G. Rao

Mandibular canine index — A clue for establishing sex identity

A preliminary study for establishing sex identity by Mandibular Canine Index is described. Seven hundred and sixty six individuals from a South Indian population of either sex, ranging in age from 15 to 21 years, with fully errupted, healthy and non-worn mandibular permanent canines were studied. The data collected was analysed statistically. Accurancy of sex determination identity was found to be 84.3% in the male and 87.5% in the female. The method is simple and inexpensive to conduct and therefore can be applied in Forensic Odontology, as a method for establishing sex identity.

Sex differences from fingerprint ridge density in the Indian population

Determination of individuality is one of the prime concerns in forensic investigation. The study of fingerprints is widely used in providing a clue regarding identity. The present study was undertaken to study the sex differences in fingerprint ridge density in the Indian population. The study done on 100 males and 100 females revealed that significant sex differences occur in the fingerprint ridge density. The present study shows a statistically significant difference in fingerprint ridge densities of male and female fingerprints in people of Indian origin. A mean fingerprint ridge density of 12 ridges/25 mm(2) or less is found to be more likely to be of males and a mean ridge count of more the 12 ridges/25 mm(2) is more likely to be of female origin.

Costal cartilage calcification pattern — A clue for establishing sex identity

Radiological study of costal cartilage calcification patterns in establishing the sex identity is conducted in Southern Indians. Three major patterns of calcification capable of establishing sex identity were noticed. Calcification was not observed below the ages of sixteen years in the female and twenty years in the male. This, though seriously limits the applicability of the method to age groups of sixteen and twenty years and above in the female and male sexes respectively, the ease, rapidity and relative inexpensiveness of the procedure in both living as well as dead and decomposed, requiring little expertise, recommends its use especially where a forensic expert is readily not available.

Cadaveric fungi: Not yet an established forensic tool

Forensic mycology is a broad field where fungal science and the judicial system interact. The application of field mycology in the location of scenes of crime concealed in forest ecosystems, and as a potential tool to assist in the estimation of post-burial interval in forensic investigations involving clandestine grave sites, has been suggested by Carter and Tibbett. They reported that fungi provide visible markers of the sites of cadaver decomposition and follow repeated patters of successional change as apparent decomposition proceeds. Indeed there is a growing interest in suggesting the potential forensic use of fungi detected on human cadavers too. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time Ishii et al. described in detail the taxonomical determination of species of fungi detected on human cadavers, and the forensic implications of cadaveric fungi have already been questioned. In a recent article entitled ‘‘Fungi can be a useful tool’’, Hitosugi et al. presented a medicolegal autopsy case in which fungi detected on a human cadaver contributed in estimating postmortem interval. To be accepted by the practicing forensic fraternity, however, the scientific basis for the same has not been satisfactorily explained by Hitosugi et al. Therefore, the use of cadaveric fungi as a forensic tool in estimating time since death at autopsy as reported in the aforementioned case may not be applicable without any appropriate reasoning. In the absence of data about the rate of growth of fungi on human cadavers or other cadavers, and the factors influencing their growth on cadavers, it is not scientific to note that cadaveric fungal evidence indicated that the deceased had been dead for about 10 days. The authors probably estimated time since death as 10 days based on changes in the body after death and corroborative police information, and not on cadaveric fungal evidence. We emphasize that additional practical forensic case series analyzing the fungal growth on human cadavers at different climatic conditions, and experimental studies should be reported to broaden our knowledge of their biology and behaviour in forensic cases, and to encourage a high level of competency in the field of forensic mycology before it is put into forensic practice. However, the use of human cadav-

Male external genitalia injury caused by ‘elephant stampede’

We report an unusual and rare cause of male external genitalia injury, caused by an elephant stampede. The incident occurred when the unfortunate victim was attending a �call of nature� early one morning in the coffee plantation estate adjacent to his residence in Coorg District of Karnataka State, India. The patient sustained injuries to the left chest and left thigh, as well as a degloving scrotal injury on the right side. Language: en

Suicide by combined insulin and glipizide overdose in a non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus physician: a case report.

A case of self-injected insulin intoxication with an oral hypoglycaemic agent glipizide overdose in a type-II/non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) individual, a physician by profession, is presented with a review of the literature. The case demonstrates the need for thorough scene investigation, perusal of clinical details and complete autopsy to certify the death caused by combined insulin and glipizide overdose, and the manner of death. A meticulous search in the English literature reveals that hardly any fatal cases of combined insulin and glipizide overdose have been reported, with almost no cases from India, thus making this case report relevant and unique.

Atypical wound of entry and unusual presentation in a fatal stab injury

Stab wounds encountered in medico-legal autopsies are usually caused by sharp pointed weapons. Peculiarities of the wound of entry in stab wounds, for example due to the hilt of the weapon, movement of the weapon and sometimes by the hand of the assailant holding the weapon are often described in literature. We report an unusual presentation in a fatal stab injury wherein a single atypical external wound was associated with multiple internal injuries to the organs. The exact cause of such peculiarities can never be accurately determined, rather that can be speculated upon at the time of the autopsy and recorded for the purpose of academic interest.