Asphyxial Deaths at industrial town-Jamshedpur, Jharkhand A Retrospective study

“Death” the word itself is enough to frighten a person, still worse, death by any act of violence is by far the most distressing of scenario, a person has to face. As Adelson in 1961 has a very aptly stated-“There is one way to be born, but there are many way to die”. Among them asphyxial death (like Hanging, Strangulation, Smothering, Traumatic asphyxia, Drowning and exposure of gas leading to asphyxia etc.) forms one of the modes of death which may be suicidal, Homicidal or accidental in nature. A retrospective study of autopsies conducted between years 2012-2016 at Dept. of F.M.T, MGMMC, JSR is an attempt to know the incidence of asphyxial deaths at industrial town Jamshedpur, JSR. During this period there were 7144 dead bodies are brought for autopsy examination; out of which 1422 deaths were of asphyxial deaths. The incidences of asphyxial deaths were more in males than in females in the ratio of 1.96:1. In this study we found that among asphyxial deaths hanging were more 1007 (70.81%) followed by drowning 330 (23.20%), Traumatic asphyxia 44 (3.09%), strangulation 35 (2.46%), smothering and asphyxia due to exposure of gas are 3 each (0.21%) respectively. These cases were studied to know age and sex distribution of the victims. Among 1422 cases of asphyxial deaths 100 (7.03%) dead body were brought unknown; having cause of death drowning 70 (70%), followed by hanging 25 (25%), Strangulation 4 (4%) and Traumatic asphyxia 1 (1%) respectively. On the basis of observation and retrospective studies of post mortem reports and its analysis suicidal is the commonest mode 1007 (70.81%) followed by accidental 377 (26.51%) and Homicidal 38 (2.67%) respectively. But these are our opinion and it may vary; so it's having no any reference value for medico legal purpose.