Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine

Biological sex determination is challenging in forensic sciences, especially if the traditional dental measures are not present due to loss of teeth or damage. Intercanine and intermolar measurements have been widely used, but are limited in such a context. This cross-sectional study was aimed at evaluating the validity of intra-incisor-canine width as a sex identifying instrument, as well as to test its reliability in association with intercanine and intermolar width. Sixty adults (30 men, 30 women; mean age 21.5 ± 2.1 years) with Angle Class I occlusion were included in the sample. Maxillary dental impressions and bite marks were obtained. Traditional intercanine and intermolar widths, along with those of the new bilateral incisor-to-canine distances, were measured using standard odontometric measures. Statistical tests involving Student’s t-tests, Pearson correlations, and logistic regression were used. There was significant sexual dimorphism in intermolar width, both in dental casts (p = .009). Maxillary incisors to canines showed a significant difference between sexes bilaterally in dental casts and in bite marks (p < .001). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the odds of being male increased by 2.67 times (95% CI: 1.41–5.05) for every 1 mm increase in incisor-to-canine width, with a classification accuracy of 91.7% for sex determination. The incisor-to-canine width of the maxillary arch can be an adjunctive method to sex identification in forensic dentistry when the traditional dental parametric measurements are not available.

The manner of death is traditionally defined in the literature as the way in which an injury or disease occurred and produced a fatal physiological derangement in the body. However, in real-world practice, determining the manner of death is seldom straightforward or algorithmic. Autopsy surgeons often face significant challenges, especially when postmortem findings can simulate multiple possible causes of death, leading to considerable divergence from the theoretical framework. This dilemma becomes even more pronounced in cases where the body has been subjected to fire, further obscuring the interpretative process. We have discussed here the findings of postmortem examination of three cases in which the manner of death was investigated thoroughly by the authors. The manner of death, as determined through a logical and scientific autopsy, was found to be contrary to that considered by the investigating authorities. The significance of crime scene investigation and findings of thorough postmortem examination enabled the autopsy surgeons to comment on the possibility of the manner of death.

Sex determination and age estimation using bones have always been some of the core fundamentals in forensic medicine. This study was performed at a tertiary care military medical center in Uttar Pradesh, India, which included 100 subjects and measured the inter-lateral pterygoid plate distance from the base of the skull, the mandibular inter-condylar distance, the inter-gonial distance, and the ratio between the inter-condylar and inter-gonial distance. The data was then evaluated against the population’s gender to demonstrate any significant associations within the data. The results showed that all the parameters measured were higher in males as compared to females, except for the condylar-gonial ratio, which showed higher values in females. The results also showed that the inter-gonial distance (mm), condylar-gonial ratio, and inter-lateral pterygoid plate distance (mm) performed a more important role as an indicator of gender demarcation with respect to increasing age. Normalized inter-condylar distance (male: 117.8190 ± 6.756 mm; and female: 117.818 ± 6.644 mm) did not show a significant difference (level of significance α = 0.05) of mean with respect to male (n = 59) and female (n = 41) groups. Inter-gonial distance (mm) (male: 97.619 ± 6.8810 mm; and female: 89.173 ± 5.640 mm); inter-condylar-gonial distance ratio (male: 1.235 ± 0.077; and female: 1.273 ± 0.077) and inter-lateral pterygoid plate distance (mm) (male: 57.729 ± 5.852 mm; and female: 55.422 ± 3.934 mm) showed significant difference (α = 0.05) of mean with respect to the gender group. Our study postulates that the bony landmarks on the skull and mandible can exhibit sexual dimorphism and age-related changes, which can be used to identify genders with ethnic and regional variations. The application of these metrical parameters along with morphological features could be a useful tool for sex determination and age estimation.

Any unnatural death among children is a worrying issue in any society. The present study describes the profile of unnatural deaths in children at a tertiary care hospital in Northern Haryana, India. This retrospective study evaluated 48 autopsy cases from January 2019 to December 2023 of unnatural deaths among various age groups from infants to 18 years of age. The postmortem examination reports, police inquests, and other available hospital and investigation records were used for data collection. Male predominance was observed with 33 (68.7%) cases. According to age group (in years), most deaths, 19 (39.6%), were observed in 16–18, followed by 13 (27.1%) deaths in 13–15, and the least, two (4.2%) in 10–12. The frequent manner of death was accidental deaths, 36 (75%), and the remaining were suicides, 12 (25%) deaths. No homicidal deaths were found among the children in this study. Road traffic accidents, 13 (27%) deaths, followed by nine (18.8%) deaths due to drowning, and eight (16.7%) deaths due to hanging were the major modes of these deaths. The major cause of death was asphyxia in 18 (37.5%), followed by head injury in 13 (27%). This study highlights significant patterns of unnatural child deaths according to their modes, manner, and causes. To reflect upon the magnitude of the occurrence of unnatural child deaths, maintenance of the medicolegal case register and further studies to determine the pattern of child deaths in other regions of India is essential.

This study investigated the socio-demographic characteristics and anatomical patterns of abdominal injuries among victims of road traffic accidents (RTAs) in Nairobi, Kenya, using autopsy findings. Conducted at Nairobi City Mortuary over a one-year period (July 2009–June 2010), the study examined 2,278 cases of violent deaths. Of these, 474 cases (20.8%) involved abdominal injuries, with 104 cases (21.9%) attributed to RTAs. The majority of victims were young adults, with a mean age of 29.04 years (range 12–59), and the most affected age group being 30–39 years. Males were disproportionately affected, accounting for 84.6% of cases, resulting in a male-to-female ratio of 5.5:1. Pedestrians constituted the largest proportion of victims (37.5%), followed by bicyclists (14.4%), highlighting their vulnerability in traffic environments. A total of 340 abdominal injuries were identified among the RTA victims. The most frequently injured structures included the liver (15.9%), lumbar vertebrae (15.9%), intestines (15.3%), stomach (14.7%), and abdominal aorta (14.1%). These findings demonstrate that abdominal trauma from RTAs commonly involves solid organs, hollow viscera, vascular structures, and skeletal components.

The study concludes that RTAs are a major contributor to fatal abdominal injuries in Kenya, particularly among young male pedestrians and cyclists. It underscores the need for comprehensive autopsy evaluation of all abdominal structures and calls for targeted road safety interventions, improved infrastructure, and policies aimed at protecting vulnerable road users to reduce mortality and injury burden.

Determination of age is essential in various civil and criminal circumstances. In the early part of life developmental processes like dentition, ossification, physical growth parameters are used and where as in later part of life aging processes like degenerative changes, calcification etc are used. Both these sets of assessment depend on multiple factors like ethnicity, genetics, sex, geography etc. Our study highlights the use of thyroid cartilage calcification in determination of age among middle and elderly individuals of Malnad region. Statistically significant progression of thyroid cartilage calcification (‘p’ of <0.001) with advancing age with an early calcification in females is observed in our study of 200 samples. This can be used as an additional parameter for radiographic assessment of age among adults and middle aged. However, it is advised not to use this criterion alone for age estimation in the middle aged and elderly.

The global surge in drug abuse and trafficking presents multifaceted challenges for forensic laboratories and law enforcement agencies. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), approximately 296 million individuals used drugs worldwide in 2021, including 13.2 million people who injected drugs, underscoring a growing global health and forensic concern. In India, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act serves as the cornerstone for legal proceedings, necessitating robust infrastructure, skilled personnel, and standardized analytical protocols. International bodies such as the UNODC, the Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs (SWGDRUG), and the World Health Organization have established analytical and procedural frameworks that guide the reliable identification, quantification, and interpretation of controlled substances. Furthermore, national authorities such as the Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS) have emphasized compliance with these standards to ensure scientific credibility and legal defensibility. This article outlines the increasing analytical and administrative burden on forensic laboratories, highlights international guidelines, and emphasizes the urgent need for capacity building, data centralization, and uniform reporting standards. The article advocates for ethical compliance, interagency collaboration, international cooperation, and the implementation of robust quality management systems to enhance the credibility, reliability, and efficiency of NDPS-related forensic analysis.

Drowning is one of the most significant causes of unintentional death in developing countries and also one of the most grave causes of concern globally about injury-related fatalities in all autopsy cases. Drowning is a preventable cause of death and in recent times, the fatalities in drowning cases have been decreased due to community education, safety training and standard treatment protocols. The present cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted for four years from 2015 to 2019 in the Department of FMT at LSLAM Government Medical College, Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, to know the pattern of drowning cases with the distribution of cases according to year, season and activity of victims in all age groups and both sexes. In our study, out of a total of 2,244 autopsy cases, 3.61% of cases were of drowning. The maximum number of cases occurred in the rainy season, which is 41.98%. The maximum number of victims were males (74.07%), followed by females (25.93%) and the most commonly affected age group belongs to 21–30 years in 23.46% of cases. Maximum death occurred in ponds (32 cases, 39.51%), followed by rivers and dams. Most of the victims, that is 53.09%, were taking baths and in most cases (i.e., 58.02%), no significant history of the deceased was found. In our study, the maximum victims were identified (92.59%). About 25% of total drowning cases were found in the decomposed state. Accidental drowning cases are largely preventable, therefore by promoting educational awareness and training, swimming preferably in safe places under the observation of known and skilled persons may reduce the fatalities in drowning cases.

Estimation of stature and sex from footprints is an important aspect of forensic identification, especially in cases involving mutilated remains and mass disasters. Footprints are easily obtainable and provide valuable anthropometric data. Population-specific standards are necessary due to regional and ethnic variations. To assess the relationship between bilateral footprint lengths and stature, evaluate metatarsal width for sex determination, and formulate sex-specific regression equations for stature estimation in the Telangana population. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Malla Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, from December 2022 to October 2024. The study included 150 healthy participants (75 males and 75 females) aged 16–25 years. Inked footprints were recorded on A4-sized sheets, and measurements from the heel to each toe were taken using a vernier caliper. Stature was measured with a stadiometer, and metatarsal width was recorded. Statistical analysis included correlation and linear regression analysis, performed separately for males and females. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between footprint length and stature in both sexes. The coefficient of determination (R²) ranged from 0.123 to 0.642, indicating good predictive accuracy. The 95% confidence intervals for regression coefficients ranged from 2.0 to 4.2, with a mean estimation error within ±3 cm. Metatarsal width exhibited significant sexual dimorphism (p < .001), with males showing a higher mean width (9.056 cm) compared to females (8.243 cm). Footprint length and metatarsal width are reliable anthropometric parameters for stature estimation and sex determination. The sex-specific regression equations derived in this study provide useful population-specific tools for forensic identification in medico-legal investigations and disaster victim identification.

Suicide is a frequent cause of death, often executed through a particular method or means, and also one of the foremost causes of mortality worldwide. Complex suicide refers to instances where more than one method is employed to achieve death and these can be either planned or unplanned. The present series of six cases emphasises the necessity of a comprehensive medicolegal death investigation, which must include not only the performance of a complete forensic autopsy and toxicological evaluation but also the collection of collateral information through interviews with relatives, friends, potential witnesses, suicide notes and digital information to ascertain the cause and manner of death accurately.

In this case series comprising six cases, the most commonly employed method of suicide was hanging, frequently in combination with self-smothering and self-inflicted incised wounds. This was followed, in order of frequency, by thermal burns and ingestion of corrosive substances. A combination of hanging and self-smothering was observed in cases one and six. Furthermore, cases two and six exhibited hanging associated with self-inflicted incised wounds, along with evidence of smothering. The remaining cases demonstrated varied patterns, including thermal burns in association with incised wounds. In one case, ingestion of corrosive substances combined with self-inflicted incised wounds was documented. All six cases involved male individuals, indicating male predominance in this series.

Thermal burns trigger complex systemic inflammatory and metabolic responses that may affect organs, including the pancreas, yet pancreatic pathology in burn-related deaths is poorly documented. This study evaluated gross and microscopic pancreatic changes in 63 medicolegal autopsies of fatal thermal burn cases and explored their relationship with total body surface area (TBSA) involvement and survival duration after injury. Gross examination commonly revealed congestion (42.9%) and necrosis (23.8%). On histopathology, congestion (52.8%) and necrosis (44.4%) were the predominant findings, along with varying degrees of edema, haemorrhage, fibrosis and inflammatory infiltrates. Pancreatic necrosis was minimal or absent in individuals who died within 72 hours of sustaining burns, but its frequency and severity increased with longer survival, particularly beyond 97 hours. Moderate to severe necrosis was more evident in patients surviving more than one week. Interestingly, higher grades of necrosis were observed more often in moderate burns (30–50% TBSA) than in extensive burns involving more than 50% TBSA. Statistical analysis did not demonstrate a significant association between pancreatic necrosis and either TBSA (p = 0.289) or survival duration (p = 0.867). However, Spearman correlation analysis revealed a weak but significant positive correlation between necrosis grade and survival duration (r = 0.284, p = 0.024). These findings suggest that pancreatic necrosis in burn victims may represent a delayed consequence of sustained systemic inflammation or metabolic derangement rather than an immediate effect of thermal injury.

Human anatomical variations, influenced by genetics, ethnicity, and environmental factors, play a crucial role in forensic identification. This study evaluates the reliability of inter-acromial length (IAL) as a sex-determining anthropometric parameter in forensic cases. Conducted at Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College, Nalhar, the prospective study analyzed 100 postmortem cases (68 males, 32 females) aged ≥20 years, excluding those with deformities, trauma, or decomposition. IAL was measured using a sliding caliper between the acromial processes of the scapulae. Statistical analysis revealed a significant sex-based difference in mean IAL (males: 32.5 cm, females: 27.6 cm; p < .01). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated strong diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.891), with an optimal IAL cut-off of 28.60 cm yielding 86.8% sensitivity, 78.1% specificity, and 84% overall accuracy. Positive and negative predictive values were 89.4% and 73.5%, respectively, supporting IAL’s utility in sex estimation. The findings align with sexual dimorphism principles, where broader male shoulders contribute to higher IAL values. Comparative analysis with prior studies confirmed IAL’s consistency as a sex predictor, though population-specific variations necessitate further validation. The study concludes that IAL is a practical, non-invasive tool for forensic sex determination, particularly in fragmented remains or mass disasters, complementing traditional methods. Future research should explore multiparameter models to enhance accuracy across diverse populations.

Renal toxicity is a frequent and often fatal complication of snake envenomation. This cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the renal pathological changes in 47 fatal snakebite cases subjected to autopsy at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Madras Medical College, between 2017 and 2019. Kidney tissues were collected, processed, and H&E-stained for light microscopic examination. The analysis revealed that renal congestion was the most prevalent finding, occurring in 41 cases (87.23%), followed closely by acute tubular necrosis (ATN) in 35 cases (74.46%). Other significant observations included glomerular inflammation in 12 cases and renal cortical necrosis in one instance. These results demonstrate that snakebite nephropathy encompasses a diverse spectrum of pathological alterations, primarily driven by direct venom toxicity and secondary hemodynamic changes. Understanding these specific renal manifestations—ranging from interstitial nephritis to irreversible cortical necrosis—is essential for clinicians in managing acute kidney injury and for forensic experts in framing precise medico-legal opinions regarding the cause of death in envenomation cases.

This empirical study investigates the pedagogical experiences of expatriate South Asian faculty teaching forensic medicine and science within Saudi Arabian medical colleges. This study holds particular relevance for Indian forensic educators, as Indian faculty constitute a significant portion of this expatriate cohort, and their experiences abroad offer critical insights for pedagogical reform within India. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected via an online survey (n = 87) and semi-structured interviews (n = 15) with faculty from India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka employed across seven major Saudi universities. Quantitative data from faculty surveys and qualitative thematic analysis of interview transcripts were triangulated with a content analysis of official curriculum documents from three participating colleges. Key barriers identified included: significant curricular dissonance (χ² = 34.21, p < .001), with 78% of faculty reporting a mismatch between the applied South Asian model and the foundational Saudi approach; linguistic challenges, where 82% cited student English proficiency as a major hurdle; and profound cultural-religious sensitivities, particularly regarding autopsy instruction (rated as “highly sensitive” by 94% of respondents). Beneficially, 89% reported high student respect and motivation, and 76% acknowledged superior access to simulation technology. The institutional website analysis revealed a 43% deficiency in culturally-adapted forensic teaching resources. The study concludes that successful knowledge transfer requires structured faculty development in cultural-pedagogical translation and the systematic creation of context-sensitive, case-based teaching materials. For Indian institutions, these findings underscore the urgent need to develop similar culturally-attuned resources, particularly for a diverse, multi-religious student body, and to formally recognize the pedagogical adaptation skills that Indian faculty are already developing through international experience.

Understanding the learning styles of medical students is essential for effective education. The VARK questionnaire categorizes preferences into visual, auditory, read/write, and kinesthetic modalities. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr SS Tantia Medical College, Rajasthan, in 2024. The VARK questionnaire was administered to 450 MBBS students, with 398 complete responses analyzed for learning style preferences, gender, and academic year. Visual learning was the most common style (35.18%), followed by auditory (27.64%), read/write (26.13%), and kinesthetic (11.06%). Learning preferences varied significantly across academic years, with a higher visual preference in later years. Gender differences were noted but not statistically significant. Medical students exhibit diverse learning styles, with significant variations by academic year. These findings highlight the need for adaptive teaching strategies to cater to different learning preferences and improve educational outcomes. Future research should examine the effectiveness of tailored instructional methods.

There has been a considerable increase in natural calamities such as earthquakes and floods occurring across various parts of the world. Apart from causing a high number of fatalities, victim identification poses a significant challenge in mass disaster scenarios. In forensic odontology, biometric information plays a crucial role in identifying deceased individuals. However, soft tissues undergo rapid deterioration following such disasters, making hard tissues a more reliable source for identification.

To evaluate the usefulness of enamel rod end patterns for forensic identification after exposure to conditions simulating flood and earthquake scenarios. Human teeth were subjected to simulated disaster conditions by immersing them in seawater to mimic flood situations and burying them in soil to simulate earthquake conditions. After exposure, enamel rod end patterns were recorded and analyzed using VeriFinger software. Enamel rod end patterns were successfully recorded following exposure to both simulated conditions. The pat- terns demonstrated identifiable characteristics, indicating their resistance to environmental degradation.Tooth enamel, owing to its highly crystalline nature and negligible organic content, serves as a reliable hard tissue for forensic identification. Enamel rod end pattern analysis can be effectively used as a biometric tool for victim iden- tification in mass disaster situations such as floods and earthquakes.

The plastic particles measuring less than 5 mm known as Microplastics have emerged as pervasive environmental contaminants with increasing evidence of human exposure. Recent studies reporting their presence in human tissues have raised concerns regarding their potential role in carcinogenesis.

On this background this toxicology mini review was carried out which summarises current analytical techniques used to detect and characterise microplastics in human cancer tissues and to synthesize existing evidence on their potential role in tumor development and progression. A literature search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar for studies published between January 2010 and October 2025 using medical subject headings (MeSH) terms and keywords. Eligible studies were included and data extraction was done in focus of cancer type, analytical methods, polymer characterisation and proposed carcinogenic mechanism. At the end we found microplastics have been identified in multiple human tissues, including blood, placenta, lung, brain, and solid organs, as well as within tumor and metastatic tissues of colorectal, prostate, gastric, lung, and cervical cancers. Analytical approaches such as µ-FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, laser direct infrared imaging, and pyrolysis-GC-MS are commonly employed, each offering distinct advantages and limitations.

Emerging evidence indicates preferential accumulation of microplastics in cancerous tissues and supports their potential involvement in carcinogenesis through oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, immune modulation, and synergistic toxicity. However, standardized analytical protocols and large-scale epidemiological studies are essential to establish causality and clarify clinical significance.

Forensic anthropology is integral to medico-legal investigations involving skeletal, decomposed, and fragmentary human remains. In India, despite increasing case requirements, forensic anthropology largely functions without dedicated institutional units. This article reviews the status of forensic anthropology practice in India and proposes a feasible implementation framework for establishing forensic anthropology units within Indian medical colleges. This article discusses the challenges in the establishment of a forensic anthropology unit in Indian medical colleges. Dedicated forensic anthropology units can be established within existing forensic medicine departments using modest infrastructure, basic anthropometric instruments, trained faculty, and interdepartmental collaboration. Institution-based forensic anthropology units are feasible, cost-effective, and essential for strengthening medico-legal services, training, and research in India.

Identification of an individual plays a critical role in scenarios involving mass disasters, missing persons, and unidentified bodies. Various factors such as race, sex, stature, and age are key parameters considered during the identification process. Among these factors, estimating stature stands out as a crucial element in the overall identification process. Here, we conducted a study in a tertiary care center in South India that was dedicated to formulating a standardized method for determining stature in patients. The study focused on utilizing the length of the first metatarsal from radiographic images as a key indicator for accurately estimating stature. Utilizing the advanced digital X-ray equipment available at the hospital, we meticulously measured the length of the first metatarsal in either foot of a sample consisting of 161 individuals. Through a detailed analysis of the data collected, the researchers discovered a more pronounced relationship between stature and the length of the first metatarsal in females compared to males. The study’s outcomes led to the formulation of regression equations specifically for this demographic group. For males, the regression equation was computed as H = 134.8 + 4.8 M1, while for females, it was determined as H = 133.4 + 3.86 M1. These significant findings highlight the practicality of utilizing the regression equations derived from this study to estimate stature within the South Indian population. The regression equation established through this research offers a dependable and precise approach for determining stature in this specific demographic group by solely considering the length of the first metatarsal bone.

Eagle’s syndrome refers to the symptomatic elongation of the styloid process (SP) or ossification of the stylohyoid ligament (SHL), typically presenting with cervicofacial pain, dysphagia or vascular compression. While often symptomatic, a large proportion of cases remain undetected in life and are diagnosed incidentally during imaging or autopsy. This study represents three cases describing incidental findings of elongated SP (Eagle’s syndrome) found during routine medicolegal autopsies. Three adult males were found to have unilateral and bilateral elongated styloid processes or ossified SHLs without any prior history suggestive of Eagle’s syndrome. In our study, the length of the elongated styloid processes observed ranged 4.1–8.0 cm. In none of the cases was the causal relationship between this anatomical variant and the cause of death established. These autopsy findings highlight the clinically uninvestigated nature of many Eagle’s syndrome cases. Awareness regarding this entity becomes essential for both clinicians and forensic pathologists, especially when evaluating unexplained oro-facial pain, dysphagia and neurological complaints in life and also during medico-legal autopsy.