FATAL ASPHYXIA: IDENTIFYING PATTERNS AT THE MORTUARY OF SHEIKH ZAYED MEDICAL COLLEGE, RAHIM YAR KHAN
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Keywords
Asphyxia, Drowning, Hanging, Forensic, Strangulation
Abstract
Background: A considerable proportion of autopsies pertain to fatalities stemming from violence ended up in asphyxia.
Objective: To identify the pattern of asphyxial deaths among medicolegal autopsies at Sheikh Zayed Medical college, Rahim Yar khan.
Study Design: Retrospective descriptive study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Sheikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan from 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2023.
Methodology: Twenty-six autopsies were identified as asphyxial cases out of total 226 and cases of asphyxial deaths in both genders and of all age groups were selected from medicolegal autopsies, which had complete data of autopsy and police record.
Results: There were 4 cases (15.38%) in the 1-20 years category, 18 cases (69.23 %) in the 21 to 40 years category, and 4 cases (15.38%) in below 20 and above 60 year’s category. In urban areas, there were 14 cases (53.8%), and12 cases (46.16%) were in rural. Hanging involves 14 (53.85%), drowning 6 (23.07%), strangulation accounted for 4 (16.6%) and suffocation 2 (7.69%). Among females, drowning was 7.69%, hanging 23.07%, strangulation 15.38% and suffocation was 7.69%.
Conclusion: Males and young adults having age range from 21 to 40 years are at a greater risk of becoming victims of fatal asphyxial incidents. Hanging emerged as the predominant mechanism of fatal asphyxia in medicolegal autopsies in this region, with drowning and strangulation both accounting for a significant portion of asphyxial fatalities.
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Ummara Munir
Associate Professor Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Sheikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan
Qurrat-ul-Ain Kamran
Assistant Professor Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Sheikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan.
Hafiza Naima Anwar
Assistant Professor Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Shahida Islam Medical & Dental College, Lodhran
Hira Munir
Demonstrator Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur
Nasim Irshad
Assistant Professor/Lt Col & HOD Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Rawalpindi, Army Medical College
Mashooq Ali
Associate Professor/Major Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi