Sudden death due to massive hemoptysis secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis--a case report

Forensic pathologists deal not only with criminal, accidental and suicidal deaths, but also with a wide range of deaths from natural causes. Natural deaths at times can be sudden, unexpected and unattended by the relatives or friends or eye witnesses. In such cases, even though there is no criminal element in their causation, the case has to be investigated and medico-legal autopsy has to be conducted to know the exact cause of death, thus putting an end to the allegations raised. A 55-year-old male was found dead lying in his room in a pool of blood without any obvious injuries under suspicious circumstances with disturbed furniture in his room. The case was investigated due to suspicious circumstances of his death and absence of history of significant medical illness. The autopsy revealed the death was due to asphyxiation as a result of massive hemoptysis secondary to fibro-cavitatory tuberculosis.