Title: Histopathological Study of Medicolegal Autopsy Specimens

Authors: S A K Adil, Nataraju G, Anjali P V

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i10.12

Abstract

Background: Autopsy is an important tool in medicolegal cases to identify the cause and manner of death. Medicolegal cases such as sudden death, road traffic accident and assault involve organs which are prone to infections, inflammations, occupational and neoplastic diseases. Hence, these organs may show incidental findings. Histopathological examination is essential for evaluation of specimens and to correlate the cause of death. This study is done to analyze the incidental histopathological lesions in medicolegal autopssy specimens.

Method: In our study, conducted over a period of 6 months, histopathological examination of 50 medicolegal cases was done. Age and sex distribution, causes of death, organs received and histopathological findings were evaluated.

Results: Out of the 50 cases studied, majority of the patients were in 21-30 years age group. There were 34 males and 16 females. Most frequent cause of death mentioned was sudden death (30%). Most frequent organs received in study was Heart (29.2%) followed by Lung (13.3%) and Skin (12.3%). Atherosclerosis and Fatty liver were present in 18 and 3 cases respectively.

Conclusion: Histopathological examination can be considered as a useful modality in medicolegal autopsy cases. The most common organs received were Heart and Lungs. The most common incidental findings noted were Atherosclerosis and Fatty Liver.

Keywords: Histopathology, Medicolegal autopsy, Atherosclerosis.

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Corresponding Author

Anjali P V

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