Autopsy based profile of death in burn cases- One year prospective study

Fire, since ancient times have kept amusing mankind in various ways. Perhaps it is one of the greatest inventions in the history of all times. It has helped humans to evolve but if mishandled can lead to serious consequences. It is commonly encountered as medical emergencies in any hospital in India. It has continuously effected population resulting in form of prolonged morbidity, disability and even as death of the individual ultimately leading to loss to individual's family, society and to the state. The present prospective study was carried out in the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, M.G.M. Medical College & M.Y. Hospital, Indore during the period from 1st August 2017 to 31st July 2018 which includes a total of 277 cases of death due to burn injuries, brought to the mortuary of the hospital for medico-legal postmortem examination. During the study period burn in female victims was more evident with accounting 178 (64.3%) cases as compared to males 99 (35.7%). 31-40 years age group in males i.e. 24 (8.6%) was most effected and minimum in the age group of 0-10 years i.e. 5 (1.8%) whereas in females maximum incidence was noted in the age group of 21-30 years i.e. 80 (28.8%) and minimum 5 cases were reported in age group of above 61 years. The minimum age to suffer burns was 1 year which was a male child and maximum age was 80 years which was a male patient. Various other demographic aspects of deaths due to burns were included as objective in the study and ultimately provided some remedial measures in order to cope up with current scenario.