The manifestations of acid attacks (vitriolage or vitriolism)

Evaluation of emergency skin decontamination protocols in response to an acid attack (vitreolage)

The incidence of "acid attacks" (vitreolage) is a global concern, with those affected often receiving lifelong medical care due to physical and psychological damage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of several emergency skin decontamination approaches against concentrated (>99 %) sulphuric acid and to identify the effective window of opportunity for decontamination. The effects of four decontamination methods (dry, wet, combined dry & wet and cotton cloth) were assessed using an in vitro diffusion cell system containing dermatomed porcine skin. Sulphuric acid (H2SO4) was applied to the skin with decontamination protocols performed at 10 s, 30 s, 8 min, and 30 min post exposure. Skin damage was quantified by tritiated water (3H2O) penetration, receptor fluid pH and photometric stereo imaging (PSI), with quantification of residual sulphur (by SEM-EDS) to determine overall decontamination efficiency. Skin translucency (quantified by PSI) demonstrated a time-dependent loss of dermal tissue integrity from 10 s. Quantification of dermal sulphur content confirmed the rapid (exponential) decrease in decontamination efficiency with time. The pH of the water effluent indicated complete neutralisation of acid from the skin surface after 90 s of irrigation. Wet decontamination (either alone or immediately following dry decontamination) was the most effective intervention evaluated, although no decontamination technique was statistically effective after 30 s exposure to the acid. These data demonstrate the time-critical consequences of dermal exposure to concentrated sulphuric acid: we find no practical window of opportunity for acid decontamination, as physical damage is virtually instantaneous.

Characteristics of acid attacks involving children in India

Aim: To examine the characteristics of acid attack survivors who were aged ≤16 years at the time of the assault. Methods: Case files from the Chhanv and the Laxmi Foundations in India were accessioned for cases of acid attacks involving children and adolescents (≤16 years). Details of the age, sex, reason for the attack, injuries sustained and possible outcomes were recorded. Results: Ten cases were identified that involved eight girls (aged 3-16 years) and two boys (12 and 14 years). The head and neck were the primary targets in all cases. The primary reasons for the attacks involving adolescent girls were punishment for refusing sexual advances from older males and family violence/child abuse. The two male victims were assaulted as part of property dispute and gang violence. Penalties varied greatly with prison sentences (when handed down) ranging from <1 year to 10 years. Conclusion: The number of cases of paediatric acid attacks appear small, with motivations for the attacks including responses to spurned sexual advances, domestic violence/child abuse, criminal gang activities and ostensibly at random. Nongovernment organisations are vital in the rehabilitation of victims. It is of concern that dissemination on social networks and publicity through the media may lead to an increase in number of cases.

Issues and problems involving acid attacks against male victims in India

Acid attacks involve dousing a victim with a concentrated acidic or caustic fluid. The head and face are most often targeted to maximize the chances of disfigurement, as the intention is usually to cause life-long disability, pain and lack of psychological wellbeing rather than death. In India it is often regarded as a form of gender-based violence aimed predominantly at women, frequently following the rejection of a proposed sexual relationship, however, a significant subset of cases involve males. Four cases are reported to demonstrate the different reasons for such attacks in males including revenge for reporting criminal activity, intra-familial disputes and apparently random episodes. Male acid attack victims may represent an over-looked subgroup that often does not receive adequate compensation or government support to access disability services, despite this being mandated by recent legislation.

The effect of corrosive substances on fingermark recovery: A pilot study

Corrosive substance attacks have become a growing issue within the UK. Although most commonly occurring in gang-related offences, there are high profile instances where this type of attack has been used to attack women to disfigure and destroy livelihoods. Despite the increase in such attacks, there has been very little published research into the recovery of forensic evidence from items used in these crimes. The effect of corrosive substances on the recovery of different types of forensic evidence is unknown, and there is no guidance for laboratories processing exhibits contaminated with corrosive substances regarding optimum treatments. This pilot study focused on establishing the effectiveness of a range of fingermark visualisation processes in recovering fingermarks on surfaces exposed to concentrated sulfuric acid (acid) and potassium hydroxide (alkali). Results indicate that on non-porous surfaces vacuum metal deposition and powder suspensions remain effective, and on porous surfaces fingermarks could still be visualised with physical developer. Alkalis were found to be more detrimental than acid environments in this limited study. The results demonstrate that fingermark recovery is still feasible on surfaces exposed to corrosive substances and provides encouragement that treatment protocols could be developed for this type of exhibit.

Bride burning: A unique and ongoing form of gender-based violence

Despite legislation, dowry is still widespread in many parts of India and adjacent countries. It refers to the transfer of goods, money, and property to a bridegroom, his parents, or his relatives from a bride's family as a condition of the marriage. One of the consequences of the dowry system has been the murder or abetted suicide of young wives, either because more dowry goods were not provided to her husband or his family, or to secure the goods after marriage. In 2015 7634 women died due to dowry harassment, representing approximately 21 cases per day in India. The majority of dowry deaths occur within the first three years of marriage. Common types of dowry death homicides involve fire ('bride burning', drowning, poisoning and hanging/strangulation. In addition to legislation, an organized and multipronged approach is need by investigating police officers, women's' welfare organizations, responsible public servants, and the judiciary with consistent applications of deterrent penalties. Full and properly conducted medicolegal investigation is mandatory which must include scene examinations, full autopsies with photographic documentation and ancillary investigations such as headspace analyses. Significant burns in young Indian women living in traditional circumstances should raise the possibility of dowry-related crime.