AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF VIOLENT ASPHYXIAL DEATHS AND ITS MEDICO LEGAL ASPECT WITH ANCIENT AND MODERN PROSPECT

Abstract

Violent asphyxial death is a common incident in forensic practices and it forms one of the modes of death which may be suicidal, homicidal or accidental in nature. In such deaths, a detailed and meticulous autopsy plays a major role to solve the case. An observational study was conducted at Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC),Nagpur. In the study, total 35 cases of violent asphyxial deaths were observed. Autopsy findings were studied according to both ancient and modern aspect. Violent Asphyxial Deaths can be viewed as Kanthapeedan (Hanging & Strangulation), Dhoomopahat (Suffocation) and Udakahat (Drowning) in ancient literature. In the study, most of the findings mentioned by ancient science were found to be early and late signs of death. Very few signs were specific of asphyxial death. Also Drowning and Hanging were found to be most commonly occurring among violent asphyxial deaths, 11-30 years was the vulnerable age group and males outnumbered females. The most frequent form of asphyxial death is drowning (45.71%), followed by hanging (34.28%), suffocation (11.43%) and strangulation (8.57%). Hanging is often suicidal in nature, Drowning is mostly accidental and suicidal, Strangulation is almost homicidal and Suffocation is mostly accidental. Suicide was found to be the manner of death in the majority of the cases. Thus present article comprises of a prospective observational study of violent asphyxial deaths with ancient and modern prospect.