Abstract

Aim: To examine the frequency of intracranial hemorrhages in medicolegal death cases.

Study Design: Cross-sectional

Place and duration of study: Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology and Department of Radiology, Khawaja Muhammad Safdar Medical College Sialkot from 1st January 2019 to 30th June 2020.

Methodology: Total one hundred and ten patients were enrolled which include, dead bodies directly landing in dead house for postmortem or after death in wards for autopsy. Patient’s complete demographics were recorded. Histopathology performed by tissue specimens of patients in which it is required. Blood sample was taken for alcohol and toxicological analysis. Cases were examined by using X-rays, CT Scans and MRI (where needed) complete autopsies were carried out. The decomposed bodies were excluded.

Results: Mean age of patients was 33.18±16.68 with BMI 23.52±17.65. Intracranial lesions accounted for 12.68% of the total deaths. Mostly patients aged >23-35 were mainly affected by intracranial lesions. Percentage of traumatic (road traffic accidents) cases were greater than non-traumatic (cerebro-vascular accidents). Ratio of males was excess than that of females. Intracranial lesions separate were seen in 29(26.36%) patients. Subarachnoid hemorrhages were the commonest intracranial lesions. Pneumonia represents the commonest complication in delayed death.

Conclusion: Intracranial cause of death was minimum in number but they showed majority of sharing injuries in other anatomical sites.

Keywords: Medico legal deaths, Intracranial lesions, Forensic