Profile of Medico-legal cases Autopsied at S.S.I.M.S & R.C, Davangere : A Retrospective study

Abstract

Autopsy means post mortem examination of a dead body. In all unnatural and suspicious cases, the Medico-legal autopsy is mandatory.  Conducting the Medico-legal autopsy is an integral part of the department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology to aid in the  administration of justice. Study of profile of Medico-legal autopsies may help us to understand the magnitude of the medico-legal deaths  occurring at that particular region and also to know the prevalence of age, sex and the distribution of cases. This retrospective study has  been conducted in the department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, S.S.I.M.S & R.C, Davangere from January 2015 to December  2020 comprising of 1004 autopsied cases. Out of 1004 cases 71.5% were males. Road traffic accident with 528 cases being the most  prevalent type of death followed by burns and poisoning. 21-30 years age group is the most affected population. Rural residents are more  compared to urban.