Spectrum ofUnnatural Deaths in Hyderabad: An Autopsy Based Study

Abstract

Objective:

To determine the spectrum of unnatural deaths, focusing on gender vulnerability, manners of death, inhabitant,weaponry and seasonal prevalence for criminal episodes.

Study Design:

Prospective study.

Duration and setting:

Medicolegal Section of Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad from January 2006 to December2008.

Methods:

Six hundred and ninety seven cases of unnatural deaths referred by police for autopsy were included. Thosewho died in hospital due to natural causes or complications of surgery were excluded. The variables considered weregender, manners of death, weaponry, inhabitant and seasonal variations in criminal deaths. Findings were expressedin numbers and percentages.

Results:

Out of total 697 medicolegal autopsies conducted males were (595) 85.4% and females (102) 14.6%. Accidentaldeaths (471) 67.58% outnumbered homicidal (219) 31.42% and suicidal (7) 01% manners of death. Weaponry forassault preferred was firearms followed by hard blunt weapons. Peri-urban inhabitant victims of unnatural deaths were(314) 45% followed by those belonging to rural areas (209) 30% and urban dwellers (174) 25%. Unnatural deathsoccurred more in summer than in winter season.

Conclusion:

Majority of the victims of unnatural deaths were males dying due to accidental manner of deaths. Periurbanvictims out numbered the rural and urban dwellers. The fatalities were found in summer season more than inwinter.