Demographic profile of autopsy in Indore region - One year prospective study

The term ‘Autopsy' originates from ancient ‘Autopsia' which is derived from ‘Autos' i.e. ‘Oneself' and ‘Opsis' i.e. ‘to see for oneself'. Medico-legal postmortem examinations are performed as mandatory legal procedures for establishing the cause of death for people dying in circumstances where multiple causes of death could be ascribed. 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 2197 cases of death, brought to the mortuary of the hospital for medico-legal postmortem examination. The main objectives of the study were: to ascertain the various aspects of unnatural deaths, to analyze the probable reasons for the same & to find remedial measures to bring down the incidence. During the study period 2197 cases were analyzed in which 609 (27.8%) were females and 1588 (72.2%) were males. Major causes of death comprises trauma 818 (37.2%) burn 277 (12.6%) poisoning 238 (10.8%) asphyxia 237 (10.7%) and multiple pathology 146 (6.6%). Opinion about the cause of death was reserved in 310 (14.1%). This study was conducted to determine and evaluate the socio-demographic profile of different types of cases and to assess the nature and cause of their death.