Sajeev Slater

Abstract

Background: Road traffic accidents have become a major public health issue causing fatality and disabilities affecting and impacting the socio-economic development, an examination of the profiles of two-wheeler road traffic accidental injuries and a detailed forensic analysis is needed to reduce fatality and life altering disabilities. Materials and Methods: In our present study done during a study period of 5 years from 2015 to 2019 the total number of autopsies reported to the mortuary was 930 cases, of which 233 deaths were due to two wheeler accidents. Male victims predominated (217) amounting to 93.1% when compared with female victims in a ratio of 13.5 : 1 and 70.0% (163) of the victims were from rural areas. Results: The cause of death in majority of cases was head injury in 157 (67.4%) cases. Fatal injuries were confined to a single region in 168 (72.1%) cases and to multiple regions in 65 (27.9%) cases. Skull fractures were noted in 148 cases with 70 cases of fissure fracture on calvaria alone and 30 cases of comminuted fracture. Haemorrhages were predominantly of subdural type in 160 cases, and subarachnoid type in 152 cases. About, 56.7% victims died in collision with 4 wheelers, 13.3% in collision with two wheelers, 15.0% due to collision with pedestrian, 2.1% victims died due to collision with 3 wheelers. Conclusion: Driver clothes with fluorescent marks, day-time running lights for two wheelers and helmets in white or mild colors are suggested for easy noticability and to prevent collisions.   Keywords: Two wheeler deaths, Head injury, Autopsy cases, Road traffic accidents.

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Abstract

Background: Homicide is defined as the intentional act of taking another person’s life. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital and Medical College at Pondicherry between 2004 to 2019. It included all homicide deaths with weapon autopsied in the department of Forensic Medicine. A total of 74 cases of homicide was identified and studied. The male : female ratio was 4:1. Commonest age group was 21- 30 years of age. 78% of cases had fatal injuries in more than one anatomical region and head was the most targeted region. More than one type of injuries was present in 65% of cases. Results: In this study male victim had mostly sharp force weapon induced injuries and female victims had blunt force weapon induced injuries. It was also found that in age groups less than 10 years and more than 60 years blunt force weapon induced injuries predominated, whereas in other young adult age groups sharp force weapon induced injuries were predominately seen.   Keywords: Homicidal cases, Type of injuries, Anatomical region, Weapon of choice.

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