Study on Medico Legal Case pattern at Tertiary Care Hospital Hyderabad Telangana.

Abstract

Medico-legal cases (MLCs) involve incidents of injury or illness that require law enforcement investigation, often due to suspected criminal activities. This study aims to analyze the types and patterns of MLCs reported at a tertiary care hospital in Hyderabad, Telangana, to gain insights into injury trends and inform preventive strategies.

A retrospective, observational study was conducted at Malla Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, analyzing MLCs reported between January 1, 2021, and June 30, 2021. Data were extracted from medico-legal records, including demographic information, types of injuries (e.g., assaults, RTAs, burns), and the manner of injury (accidental, suicidal, or homicidal). Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel.

A total of 2111 MLCs were reported, with 1471 (70%) male and 640 (30%) female patients. The age group 21-30 years found the highest frequency of cases (31.4%). The majority (78.25%) of cases were from urban areas. RTA accounted for the highest proportion of cases (44.19%) followed by assaults (16.76%) and poisoning (7.01%). Other cases such as falls from height, industrial accidents, and burns, were less common. RTAs were the most frequent type of MLC, indicating the need for enhanced road safety measures. Assaults and poisoning were also significant, underscoring the need for improved mental health support and violence prevention strategies. The findings suggest the need for targeted interventions to reduce the burden of MLCs in the region.