jiafm, 2010-32(2) april-june. - forensic medicine

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ISSN 0971-0973 J Indian Acad Forensic Med, 32(2)Original research paperProfile of Medicolegal Cases at Adesh Institute of Medical Sciencesand Research, Bathinda, Punjab*Vishal Garg, **Dr S.K. VermaAbstract:Drawing public attention and awareness towards traumatic casualties is important to prevent unnaturaldeaths, this possibly could reduce incidence of such cases. A two years retrospective study from April 1, 2007 toMarch 31, 2009, to analyze causative agents, manner of cases and their outcome was carried out in the Department ofForensic Medicine, Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Bathinda, a rural area of Punjab. This studywas conducted to understand the magnitude and pattern of medico-legal cases in this region.The study revealed that road traffic accidents (59.4%) constituted the majority of the medico-legal casesout of total 784, followed by poisoning and fall from height (12.1% and 9.4% respectively). Male preponderancewas quite evident (5:1). People between the age group of 21 – 30 years (33.8%) were most prone to such casualties.The peak time of the incidences was during 1601 to 2000 hours (33.5%) and the maximum cases admitted in themonth of September (11.7%).Key words: Medico-Legal Case, Injury, Road Traffic Accidents, Fall from Height, PoisoningIntroduction:A medico-legal case is a case of injury orillness where the attending doctor, after elicitinghistory and examining the patient, thinks that someinvestigation by law enforcement agencies isessential to establish and fix responsibility for thecase in accordance with the law of the land [1]. Injuryis defined under section 44 IPC as “any harmwhatever illegally caused to any person, in body,mind, reputation or property” [2].In spite of recent advancement oftechnology in the field of medical sciences, death anddeformities due to all causes, are yet to be controlledsuccessfully; rather incidences of road trafficaccidents has been increasing at an alarming ratethroughout the world [3]. By the year 2020 it isestimated that in countries like India, mortality frominjury will be more than those from communicablediseases. Despite this documentation, injuries are stillnot well recognized as major public health problem inthis country [4].The present study is an attempt to addressthis deficit in this zone by providing epidemiologicalprofile of medico-legal cases.Corresponding Author:*Assistant Professor,Deptt. of Forensic Medicine,AIMSR, Bathinda, Punjab.Email: drvishalg@yahoo.co.in**ProfessorSince accidental causes form major part ofthis study, more attention has been given to theirevaluation and prevention.Method:The study was retrospective analysis fromApr 1 st , 2007 to Mar 31 st , 2009 of all medico-legalcases admitted in the emergency department ofAIMSR, Bathinda. The institute is situated in therural area of Punjab along the side of nationalhighway (NH-64). Information regarding gender, age,demography, mode, time of occurrence, stay inhospital and patient outcome was confirmed from thehospital records, victim‟s attendants and police. Thecollected data were analyzed, observations discussedand compared with other studies.Objectives:1. To analyze causative agents, manner of cases andtheir outcome.2. To draw public attention and awareness towardstraumatic casualties.3. To suggest preventive measures, this possiblycould reduce incidence of these cases.Observations and Results:Table 1 – Gender Wise Distribution2007-082008-09 Total %ageMale 349 303 652 83.2Female 80 52 132 16.8Total 429 355 784 100Table-1 shows percentage of male victims (83.2%)was more than the females (16.8%), in the ratio of 5:1150
J Indian Acad Forensic Med, 32(2) ISSN 0971-0973Table 2 – Age Wise DistributionAge 2007- 2008-(Years) 08 09Total %age0-10 26 19 45 05.711-20 68 63 131 16.721-30 154 111 265 33.831-40 61 67 128 16.341-50 58 51 109 13.951-60 28 24 52 06.6>60 34 20 54 06.9Total 429 355 784 100.0Table-2 shows that victims of age group 21-30 yearsform the majority of cases (33.8%) followed by 11-20 years and 31-40 years 16.7% and 16.3%respectively.Table 3 – Rural/Urban Wise Distribution2007 -082008-09 Total %ageRural 271 216 487 62.1Urban 158 139 297 37.9Total 429 355 784 100.0Table-3 shows that rural victims (62.1%) are morethan the urban which comprised 37.9% of the totalcases.Fig 1 – Mode of Injury (%Age)Fig 2 shows the maximum incidence of accidentalinjuries (84.3%).Fig 3 – Month Wise DistributionFig-3 shows that maximum cases admitted were inthe month of September (11.7%) followed by monthsof August (10.5%) and November (10.3%).Fig 4 – Time of Injury SustainedFig-4 shows that majority of the injuries occurbetween 1601 to 2000 hours (33.5%) followed by1201 to 1600 hours (20.9%) and 2001 to 2400 hours(19.4%) and in 0.6% cases the time of incidencecould not be determined.Fig 5 – Stay in HospitalFig-1 shows the distribution of cases according totheir mode of injuries. Road traffic accidents form themajor part of the study (59.4%) followed bypoisoning (12.1%) and fall from height (9.4%).Others (0.5%) include one case of accidentalfirearm injury and three cases of pedestrians hit byanimals.Fig 2 – Manner of CasesFig-5 shows that maximum cases weredischarged/referred/LAMA/died within 24 hours(25.4%) followed by 2 nd day (19.4%) and during 2 ndweek.(15.9%).151
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