An Autopsy Based Retrospective Analytical Study about Demographic Profile of Decomposed Bodies at Raigarh (C.G.) Region

Oct 3, 2026

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Medico-legal autopsy of decomposed bodies is described as a demanding task requiring reliable data for PMI, type of injury, and cause of death to support administration of justice. A retrospective analytical study surveyed cases autopsized in the KGH mortuary at Raigarh to evaluate feasibility of overcoming obstacles in determining injuries, cause of death, and postmortem changes. Seventy-eight decomposed bodies from Jan 2015 to Jul 2018 were analyzed, including age, sex, seasonal incidence, decomposition stage, and COD determination.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Review of Literatures

Materials & Methods

Observations and results

Original Article Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology Volume 11 Number 4, October-December 2018 DOI: [http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijfmp.0974.3383.11418.2](http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijfmp.0974.3383.11418.2) An Autopsy Based Retrospective Analytical Study about Demographic Profile of Decomposed Bodies at Raigarh (C.G.) Region Rajesh Ban Goswami1, A. Dutta2 Abstract Introduction: Medico-legal autopsy of decomposed bodies are the most hectic task for an autopsy surgeon since he/she is liable to provide data for fixation of P.M.I, Type of injury, C.O.D, etc. These datas are crucial for the purpose of administration of justice. Once upon a time autopsy of decomposed bodies were known as most unrewarding one, but due to improvement in scientific techniques, such situation had been partially overcome. An attempt has been made in survey form of cases autopsized in K.G.H. mortuary at Raigarh to examine the feasibility to overcome the effect of above obstacles in recent situation. Aims & Objectives: In order to assess whether it is easy to find out injuries, cause of death, pattern of changes after death etc. in decomposed bodies and to assess the extent of certainty, three years and seven months study had been conducted. Further it is also aimed at to study the age, sex and season wise incidents of cases, cause of death etc. Materials & Methods: 78 decomposed bodies were autopsized out of total 1763 autopsy cases during the period from Jan 2015 to July 2018 in KGH mortuary at Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. Observations and results: Main points of discussion confined to (i) Season, (ii) Identity, (iii) Age group,(iv) Sex,(v) C.O.D. Maximum cases (48.72%) were found in summer. In total autopsized cases male predominance (80.76%) was found with M:F= 4.2:1 . Maximum number of deceased persons were found in adult age group (21-60) [71.79%] and maximum cases were found in advanced stage of decomposition (39.74%) . The C.O.D was determined in 70.51% of cases. Keywords: Decomposition; Autopsy; Mortuary; Identity; C.O.D. Introduction Decomposition is the process of conversion of complex organic tissues into simpler inorganic molecules [1]. It involves two processes putrefaction and autolysis [2] . Putrefaction is the process of gradual dissolution of the tissues into gases, liquidsand salts. This process of transformation is caused mainly by proteolytic and other enzymes produced by certain group of pathogenic and non- Authors Affiliation: 1Assistant Professor & Head 2Demonstrator, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Late Shri Lakhi Ram Agrawal Memorial Government Medical College, Raigarh, Chhattisgarh 496001, India. Corresponding Author: Rajesh Ban Goswami, Assistant Professor & Head, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Late Shri Lakhi Ram Agrawal Memorial Government Medical College, Raigarh, Chhattisgarh 496001, India. [E-mail: grajeshban@gmail.com](E-mail: grajeshban@gmail.com) Received on 19.11.2018, Accepted on 26.11.2018 © 2017 Red Flower Publication Pvt. Ltd. pathogenic strains of bacteria [3] . The physiochemical changes occurring in the dead body can be demonstrated by 4 D’s i. e . Discoloration, Distension, Degradation and Dissolution. Autolysisis the breakdown of cells and organs through anaseptic chemical process caused by intracellular enzymes. Earliest sign of decomposition in human body is greenish discoloration of Rt. Iliac fossa, while earliest internal change is discoloration of under surface of liver . Cl. Welchii is the main causative organism, due to excretion of lecithinase, a proteolytic enzyme causes decomposition . According to environmental conditions decomposition usually starts in corpse within 36– 48 hrs. It is impossible to deduce any general rule for the rate of putrefaction of a dead body because of the number and variability of the factors which influence its development. The factors modifying decomposition are (1) Presence or absence of clothing, (2) Wheth

FAQs

What is the purpose of medico-legal autopsy in decomposed bodies?

It is used to provide data for fixation of PMI, type of injury, and cause of death, which are crucial for administering justice.

How many decomposed bodies were autopsized and over what time period?

Seventy-eight decomposed bodies were autopsized from a total of 1763 autopsy cases between Jan 2015 and July 2018 in the KGH mortuary at Raigarh, Chhattisgarh.

What were the main observations regarding season, sex, and decomposition stage?

Maximum cases (48.72%) occurred in summer; male predominance was found (80.76%, M:F=4.2:1). Adult age group (21–60) showed the highest share (71.79%), and advanced stage of decomposition was most common (39.74%).

In what proportion of cases was cause of death determined?

The COD was determined in 70.51% of cases.

Oct 3, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo