Retrospective analysis of pattern of injuries and cause of death in unclaimed dead bodies brought to Mortuary of Private Medical Institute

Authors

  • Mohammad Abdurrahman Khan Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Barabanki.
  • Manisha Verma Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow
  • Anoop Kumar Verma Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow
  • Sangeeta Kumari Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow
  • Mousami Singh Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/y5s6ax04

Keywords:

Unclaimed bodies; Pattern; Distribution; Autopsy; Identification

Abstract

Introduction: Establishment of identity is required both in living and dead bodies and in both 
civil and criminal cases. Unclaimed body is defined as dead person who had no next of kin or no 
relative or no authorized representative willing to make final disposition of the remains.
Aims and objective: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern and distribution of injuries 
and to find out the cause of the death in unclaimed bodies.
Material and methods: In this retrospective study all the autopsies of unclaimed body from 
September 2018 to August 2022 were included.
Results: A total 75 unclaimed body were brought to mortuary for autopsy. Out of 75 cases, 65 (87%) 
were male and 10 (13 %) were female. Majority of unclaimed bodies in this study belonged to age 
group 40-50. Contusion on the body was most common type of external injury. Lower limb was most 
common body part for external injuries. Skull was most common site for fracture. Temporal and 
temporoparietal were most common cranial bone fractured. Mandible was most common facial bone 
fractured. Liver laceration was most common internal organ injured in unclaimed bodies. 
Subarachnoid haemorrhage was most common intracranial haemorrhage. Most common cause of death in 
the present study was haemorrhage and shock due to antemortem injury.
Conclusions: Identification of unclaimed dead body need to be increased by police workforce. Bodies 
which are unclaimed should be brought to mortuary just after prompt investigation so that autopsy 
should be started before decomposition which may interfere with autopsy finding and even in 
identification of the unclaimed body. Colour photography, DNA sampling, finger printing and 
maintaining dental records should be done for every unclaimed
body.

Author Biographies

  • Mohammad Abdurrahman Khan, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Barabanki.

    Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Hind Institute of Medical
    Sciences, Barabanki.

  • Manisha Verma, Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow

    Senior Resident, Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow

  • Anoop Kumar Verma, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow

    Professor and Head, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow

  • Sangeeta Kumari, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow

    Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow

  • Mousami Singh, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow.

    Additional Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow.

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Published

2024-04-27

How to Cite

Retrospective analysis of pattern of injuries and cause of death in unclaimed dead bodies brought to Mortuary of Private Medical Institute. (2024). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 18(2), 83-91. https://doi.org/10.37506/y5s6ax04