JIST

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: The present study aims to investigate the prevalence, patterns and trends of poisoning cases brought for medico-legal autopsy in a tertiary care centre in Northeast India over a five-year period.

Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective hospital record-based study. The study population includes all cases of suspected poisoning brought for medico-legal autopsy to the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Assam Medical College & Hospital, Dibrugarh, Assam, India during the study period from 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2020.

Results: A total of 355 positive cases of deaths due to poisoning were studied during the study period of 5 years from 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2020. In the present study, Organophosphate was found to be the most common poison used with 162 cases (45.63%) followed by drug abuse/over dose. 

Conclusion: The findings of the study emphasize the crucial role of forensic investigations in identifying the causes of poisoning related deaths, as well as the importance of timely and accurate medical intervention in such cases. Further research is required to better understand the specific factors contributing to the high incidence of poisoning deaths in the region & develop effective interventions to reduce this burden.