Abstract

Background: Unnatural deaths are the leading killer of today’s young generation, as the patterns have changed from infections towards social etiologies during the last decades. The unnatural deaths may be due to unintentional or intentional injuries. The present study was conducted to assess the type of unnatural deaths among young adults.

Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted in the department of forensic sciences. It included 84 cases of unnatural deaths. General information such as gender, age, methods and causes of deaths were assessed.

Results: Males were 38 and females were 46. The difference was non- significant (P-0.1). Age group 13-15 years had 12 males, 7 females, age group 16-18 years had 18 males and 26 females, age group 19-21 years had 8 males and 13 females. The difference was significant (P-0.05). The methods of suicides were hanging (12), burn (20), poisoning (42) and jumping from height (10). The difference was significant (P<0.05). The reasons for suicides were failure in examination (16), love affairs (22), mental illness (12), family problem (20) and dowry (14). The difference was non- significant (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Unnatural deaths are quite common in youngsters. The most common methods of suicides were hanging, burn, poisoning and jumping from height. Reasons for suicides were failure in examination, love affairs, mental illness, family problem and dowry.

Keywords: Forensic, Love, Unnatural deaths.