International Journal of Health Research and Medico Legal Practice

Ved Prakash Gupta ¹, P. Mahanta ²

Affiliations
1 Jorhat Medical College, Jorhat, IN
2 Tezpur Medical College, Tezpur, Assam, IN

Abstract

Literally, the term asphyxia means absence of pulsation (pulselessness), though its usage in Forensic Medicine has generally come to mean a lack of oxygen. Actually Asphyxia is best described as an interference with respiration due to any cause - Mechanical, Environmental, or Toxic1. During the year 2011 and 2012, 2777 and 2793 autopsies were conducted in the mortuary of the department of Forensic Medicine, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, out of which asphyxial deaths were 15.8% and 19% respectively. So there is an enough scope of doing such an important study as the number of such cases is high. In this study at the Gauhati Medical College, Guwahati, Assam during the period from 1st July 2012 to 30th June 2013, out of the 2772 cases being autopsied in mortuary, 320 (11.54%) cases were of deaths due to asphyxia. Hanging topped the list with 250(78.12%) cases followed by drowning, 64(20%) cases, strangulation, 3 (0.94%) cases and choking, 3(0.94%) cases. The others epidemiological data, i.e. occupation, motive and circumstances of the death, etc. were discussed to know the pattern of asphyxial death cases as well as way of preventions by adopting certain measures.

Keywords

Suicide, Hanging, Drowning.

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Kalita Chandana ¹, P. Mahanta ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Regional Dental College, Guwahati-32, IN
2 Tezpur Medical College, Tezpur, Assam, IN

Abstract

Introduction: Expert testimony is very much essential in any civil as well as criminal trials. Forensic medicine experts, those who are called to the court for their professional view must be amply qualified for the job. If there is any dental injury relating to a crime or dental malpractice, forensic dentist are also called for expert opinion.

Objectives: Collecting different anecdotes from different journals and other source, this paper has reviewed the role and importance of forensic dentists in the field of forensic investigation.

Discussion: In any massacre of natural disaster or any crime scene involving single or multiple murders, identification of the deceased as well as the person involved is very much essential. Teeth and its associated structure help to achieve estimation of age, sex, race, reconstruction of facial anatomy, lip print, DNA fingerprinting, etc.

Conclusion: Forensic dentistry is the study and practice of different aspects of dentistry that are relevant to legal problems. Identification of a person from different dental records by a forensic dentist has been already established and accepted in court.

Keywords

Forensic Dentistry, Age Estimation, Rugoscopy, Cheiloscopy, Radiograph.

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Rabha Arup Kumar ¹, Moondra Ashok ², P. Mahanta ³, K. D. Thakuria ³, Saikia Hiranya ⁴

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Dentistry, Tezpur Medical College and Hospital, IN
2 Govt. Medical College, Kota, IN
3 Tezpur Medical College, Tezpur, Assam, IN
4 Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, IN

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of hypertension among the patients attending dental out-patient department.

Introduction: Many patients seeking dental treatment and attending in Dental Clinic may not be healthy and may come with physical ailments like hypertension which may restrict his desired Dental procedures. Dentist may not be able to provide the treatment to prevent any untoward accident.

Material and methods: The present study was a hospital based cross sectional study conducted in a tertiary care centre during the period of January 2017 to March 2017.

Result: Analysis was done upon 98 dental outdoor patients to determine the prevalence of hypertension. The overall prevalence of hypertension was found to be 52% among the study group.

Conclusion: Before going for any dental procedure especially in elderly patients, a through clinical examination may lead to improved monitoring and treatment to the patients and it helps the doctor to avoid any untoward incident.

Keywords

Elderly Patient, Dental Procedure, Clinical Examination, JNC-7 Guidelines.

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