Rajneesh Kumar Pandey

Abstract

Various features in an unknown body aid in establishing identity of the deceased, which is a challenging task for forensic experts at autopsy, of which age estimation is an integral part. Various methods are used to estimate age at death, such as, in the sub-adult group; appearance and fusion of primary and secondary ossification centers, epiphyseal union, and tooth eruption, which have long been studied and proved useful. In adults; pubic symphysis, auricular surface of hip bone, sternal ends of rib, cranial suture closure, secondary dental changes and histological methods have been mentioned in various studies. Estimation of age becomes difficult as the age advances, particularly after the age of 20?25 years. One such index in age estimation beyond 25 years is the closure of the cranial sutures both ectocranially and endocranially. Hence this study is undertaken to find out the age of cranial suture closure in females and its reliability in estimating age. Keywords: Cranial suture closure, Endocranial, Ectocranial.

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Abstract

Introduction: To understand the different aspects of average rate of cooling (ARC) in detail, is very important for understanding algor mortis in order to determine time since death in early post-mortem interval, as the classic triad of so-called thanatochronological data is constituted by algor mortis, rigor mortis and livor mortis. This paper is a humble trial to show some light and to detect any relation between average rate cooling of cadaver to cause and manner of death,  and hospitalisation in tropical climate of central India. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal. 173 cadavers were selected randomly which were brought for autopsy. After collecting routine data like age, gender, height, weight etc. following data were also collected – ambient room temperature, rectal temperature, cause of death, manner of death,  and hospitalisation. Data were analysed using SPSS software. Conclusion: The study found that cause of death, manner of death or hospitalisation has no effect on rate of cooling (p > 0.05). Keywords: Algor mortis, Average rate of cooling, Cause of death, Manner of death, Hospitalised/non-hospitalised, Cadaver.

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