An Evaluation of Profile of Medico-Legal Autopsy Cases Reported at Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology inA Government Medical College of Garhwal Region, Uttarakhand: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: The profile of medico-legal autopsy cases is crucial to determining the mortality rates in a specific
location owing to new causes and also aids in addressing the demographic demands in accordance with those
rates.
Materials and Methods: The present study is a retrospective study of autopsies performed at Department of
Forensic Medicine & Toxicology,VCSGGIMS & R, Srikot, Srinagar, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, from 1st January
2020 to 31st December 2021. During this period a total of 156 autopsy cases were conducted. Relevant information
and subjective data like age, sex, marital status & manner of death have been collected from medico legal autopsy
register.
Results: Out of 156 cases analysed, maximum number of autopsies were in the age group of 21-30 years with 41
cases (26.28%) andmajority of were males 119(76.2%). Accidents accounted (58.3%),suicide (24.3%) and sudden
death (17.3%) cases. Maximum number of deaths were due to road traffic accidents with 82 cases (52.5%) followed
by natural death with 27 cases (17.3%).
Conclusion: In our study we found that majority of cases were in 3rd and 4th decade of life, majority cases were
males as compared to females, and Hindus being majority in number formed bulk of cases.