Autopsy-Based Comparative Study of Gross and Histopathological Findings at Bone Fracture Surfaces Before and After Death

ABSTRACT

Fractures of bones are commonly encountered in traumatic injuries, and distinguishing between antemortem (AM) and postmortem (PM) bone fractures is crucial for estimating the time since injury and has important medicolegal implications. Correct differentiation enables understanding the dynamics of the injury and, in some cases, the cause of death. The present study aims to evaluate the gross morphological and histopathological characteristics of bony fracture surfaces to determine whether they occurred before or after an individual's death.Fifty-seven sets of bone samples, including both antemortem and artificially created postmortem fractures, were collected from cadavers during medicolegal autopsies, meeting the inclusion criteria. Gross morphological and histopathological features were examined after staining the bony fracture edges with hematoxylin and eosin stain. The study revealed distinct morphological characteristics at fracture surfaces for both antemortem and artificially created postmortem fractures. In addition, signs of vital reaction were observed exclusively in antemortem fracture cases.In conclusion, the findings emphasize the importance of meticulous morphological and histopathological examination of bony fracture surfaces to differentiate between antemortem fractures and artificially created postmortem artifacts. This differentiation holds significant value in forensic investigations and medicolegal cases.

Ethical Considerations in Post-Mortem Sperm Retrieval: A Comprehensive Review

This comprehensive review delves into the moral and ethical dilemmas surrounding post-mortem sperm retrieval (PMSR) and its implications for creating new individuals. The paper examines the challenges posed by unusual requests for sperm retrieval from the deceased's widow and parents, as well as the broader socio-ethical considerations associated with PMSR. These requests have often been denied due to the absence of established laws and guidelines governing posthumous sperm retrieval and subsequent births, which were once deemed impossible. While some countries have implemented institutional policies to regulate its use to some extent, there remains a lack of standardized rules and procedures for the collection and retrieval of sperm after death. It is essential to introduce institutional guidelines to facilitate requests for assisted reproductive technology (ART) following successful sperm retrieval. Additionally, the development of PMSR legislation is necessary to ensure a proper balance between the moral rights and fundamental rights of the deceased, their family, and any current or future offspring, while providing adequate protection for all parties involved.

Estimation of Time Since Death Using Biochemical Markers in Synovial Fluid

ABSTRACT

In the field of forensic medicine, estimating time since death plays an important role in helping the investigative organizations unravel the mystery of crime. Presently, many less reliable subjective parameters are being used to measure it, necessitating the need to have more specific and objective parameters. This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, India on 60 deceased bodies to determine the correlation between known time since death and biochemical parameters in the synovial fluid specifically sodium, potassium, lactate, and total proteins, analyzed using random access fully automated chemical analyzer (Beckman Coulter Au680) followed by estimation of correlation using Spearman correlation test.All the biochemical parameters that were tested in the synovial fluid except for sodium showed a significant correlation. The potassium and lactate showed a significant positive correlation (P < 0.001), and on the contrary, the total protein level showed a significant negative correlation with time since death (P < 0.001). This study shows usefulness of these markers in estimating the time since death. The smaller sample size and the unavailability of the results of effect of cold storage on these parameters necessitate the need of further similar studies to uncover the real practical application.

Suicide linked to PUBG video gaming: A case report

PUBG is an online multiplayer battle game played in India. It is causing addiction in teenagers and adolescents and they refuse any kind of interruption while playing. We report a college student who committed suicide by hanging when scolded by his parents for playing PUBG on his mobile phone and whose parents would not provide the internet pack recharge for it. There have been other cases in India, inviting a discussion to prevent addiction with a law to regulate its use.

Dead body management amidst global pandemic of Covid-19

Covid-19 has reached almost all the nations in the world. More and more people are dying from it and in some countries, even the army has been called upon to help dispose of the dead as there is a shortage of coffins, and undertakers are overwhelmed. Therefore, it is essential to have measures in place to contain the spread of infection while handling dead bodies. In view of this, different guidelines and protocols have been proposed bearing in mind the limited information we have about the virus. This review article sets them out for better reference.

Sudden Cardiac Death of a Body Packer Due to Cocaine Cardiotoxicity

This article presents a case of sudden cardiac death due to the effects of cocaine concealed in the body of a male drug smuggler in his 40s, a so-called body packer. A total of 57 body packets filled with cocaine powder were discovered in his body cavities. The detailed autopsy examination, including histopathology and toxicology findings, is discussed with the aim of describing the mechanism of cocaine intoxication in the body packer and an analysis of cocaine-induced cardiotoxicity and sudden death.