A study of medico-legal aspects of death due to burns at a tertiary care centre in Mumbai, India

Abstract

Background: Fire is a well-known double edged sword for human beings as it served as well as destroyed mankind. Death due to thermal burns is a burning topic all over the globe. Material and method: A total of 109 cases of death due to fatal burns were brought for autopsy at a tertiary care centre in Mumbai, India during the period January 2014 to July 2015, were studied. A specially prepared proforma containing medico-legal aspects of death due to burns was filled. It was analysed by using Microsoft excel and tabulated for better understanding. Cases were studied with respect to marital status, alleged history of dowry death, manner of death, recording of dying declaration, history of psychiatric illness, chronic diseases, previous suicidal attempts etc., method of infliction of burn injury, inflammable substance, cause of death and survival period after burn injury infliction. Results: Females were 92 in number (84.4%) out of the 109 cases. Accidental deaths were 71 in number (65.14%). In 12 cases (11.01%), dying declaration was recorded by the police. Seven (6.42%) suffered from psychitric illness while 6 (5.5%) suffered from chronic systemic diseases. Sixty seven cases (61.47%) died of septicemia while 42 (38.53%) died as a result of shock.