DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF EXHUMATIONS- A FOUR-YEAR STUDY IN A MEDICAL COLLEGE IN NORTH TAMILNADU- INDIA
Journal Title: Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences - Year 2018, Vol 7, Issue 23
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exhumation is the process of digging out a buried body for post-mortem examination. It is a legitimate process, investigated by a Magistrate’s inquest and done in the presence of the Revenue officials, Police and Forensic specialist. Exhumation is done for a number of reasons such as establishment of identity, to know the cause of death, manner of death, to remove suspicions surrounding death and for medical insurance problems. The number of exhumations is on the rise, since there is increased awareness of people’s rights among the public. When compared to conventional autopsy which is taken up soon after the death, exhumation usually done after a period of time poses many difficulties. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study was a descriptive study aimed at analysing the exhumations with regard to age, sex, marital status, religion, place of burial, time interval between burial and post-mortem, reason for exhumation, distance travelled between the post-mortem centre and site of exhumation, post mortem changes noted and cause of death. RESULTS A total of 3100 autopsies were done in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Government Villupuram Medical College, North Tamilnadu in the period of 4 years (2012 - 2015). There were a total of 19 exhumations and amongst them were 12 males (63.16%) and 7 females (36.84%). Their age ranged from 13 years to 70 years. Most of them were Hindus and married. Time interval between burial and exhumation was between 1 and 3 months in most of the cases and the longest time interval was 1 year, 5 months and 19 days in 1 case. According to the present study, the cause of death on exhumation could be clearly determined in 8 cases (42.10%). In other 11 cases (57.89%), no definite opinion was possible. Putrefaction, mummification, adipocere formation and skeletonization (Incomplete) were noticed. Different types of decomposition were noticed in the same body. CONCLUSION In India the burial practices like the place, the depth and the manner of wrapping the body, the religious practices, the season of the year and the post-mortem interval play a major role in the possible outcome at exhumation
Authors and Affiliations
Devasahayam Gitanjali
Keywords
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- EP ID EP439338
- DOI 10.14260/jemds/2018/623
- Views 96
- Downloads 0
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