Pattern of unnatural death in a city mortuary: a 10-year retrospective study

This paper investigates the pattern of autopsy findings in the Forensic Medicine Department of Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. We examined 2534 autopsy reports that were carried out over a period of 10 years from January 1, 1988 to December 31, 1997. Findings have been presented in the aggregate as well as by gender and the manner of death. The manner of death is categorized into four groups: homicide, suicide, accident and natural. We have also included negative autopsies and undecided cases as separate categories. In our study period, 73% of the cases were male. Total growth of autopsy rates in male and female were 7 and 5%, respectively. In terms of incidence most autopsy cases related to accidents (37%), followed by homicide (21%) and suicide (18%). There were numerous problems with chemical reports that led to undue delay in disbursement of justice. In many cases autopsy findings remained undecided because the manner of death could not be determined due to lack of coordination between the forensic doctors and the legal authorities. Undecided and negative autopsy cases were increasing at a very high rate.