Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

Chandrashekhar Karpoor ¹, Savitha S. Shettar ², Vijayakumar B. Jatti ³, Vasant Kulkarni ⁴

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Physiology, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere 577 005, Karnataka, IN
2 Dept. of Oral Medicine and Radiology, College of Dental Sciences, Davangere 577 004, Karnataka, IN
3 Dept. of Forensic Medicine, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere 577 005, Karnataka, IN
4 Department of Physiology, Rajarajeshwari Medical College, Bangalore, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Blood group antigens A and B are not only confined to red cells but can be detected in other tissue cells and in body fluids. They have wide distribution and have been found in saliva, gastric juice, semen, ovarian cyst fluid, amniotic fluid and in smaller quantities in sweat,tears,bile,milk,urine etc [except CSF]. It has been established that, secretion of group specific substances is controlled by a pair of alleles Se and se. Thus, individuals can be homozygous [SeSe], heterozygous [Sese] or homozygous [sese]. The first 2 classes are called secretors and third class, non-secretor. Presence of blood and body fluids like saliva, semen etc on victims body provides important clue in crime investigation. A sample of saliva may be obtained from both the suspect as well as the victim in crimes to determine secretor status. The present study is done to determine the secretor status in 105 normal healthy subjects and to study the distribution of blood groups, secretors and non-secretors in normal healthy population, so that the knowledge of secretor status provides a useful tool in medicolegal cases for detection of suspected crime.

Keywords

Secretor, Saliva, Blood Group, Crime Detection

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Chandrashekhar Karpoor ¹, Vijay Jatti ², Savitha S. Shettar ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Physiology, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere 577 005, Karnataka, IN
2 Department of Forensic Medicine, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere 577 005, Karnataka, IN
3 Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, College of Dental Sciences, Davangere 577 004, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

This study reveals the attitudes of medical students towards animal and human experiments. About 100 medical students [44 males and 56 females] who have performed animal and human experiments were subjected to a questionnaire method. The questionnaire consisted of, in part, statements for which the students responded using a five point Likert type scale. Several open ended questions pointing towards ethical issues in experimentation were also given to students and they were asked to list advantages and disadvantages of animal and human experiments. About 87% of the students preferred human experiments [P<0.05]. This preference was related more to issue of more informative and easy to perform human experiments rather than enjoyability and overall understanding of the experiments. A good number of students identified difficulties and ethical issues related to animal experiments. Present study shows that, medical students prefer introduction of large number of human experiments, though they realize the importance and value of animal experiments.

Keywords

Attitudes, Medical Students, Animal Experiments

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Vijayakumar B. Jatti ¹, Dharmaraya Ingale ¹, K. Chandru ², Chandrashekhar Karpoor ³

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Forensic Medicine, SSIMS & RC, Davangere, IN
2 Dept. of Forensic Medicine, SMC & RC, Tumkur, IN
3 Dept. of Physiology, SSIMS & RC, Davangere, IN

Abstract

Assessment of time since death is subjected to variable variations because in Biology, variation is a rule and stability is an exception, whereas in Science, stability is a rule and variation is an exception. The time of death estimation plays important role in solving both criminal and civil cases. Many factors contribute to great intra and inter individual variability of gastric emptying. This study is undertaken to collect available literature for reference and to form a common opinion that the doctor can depose safely. During medico-legal autopsy, if the doctor finds distinguishable full meal in the stomach, it would suggest that the victim died within 2 hours after the last meal and 4 hours if it is indistinguishable.

Keywords

Gastric Emptying, Time since Death, Cholecystokinin, Autopsy

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Savitha S. Shettar ¹, Chandrashekhar Karpoor ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, College of Dental Sciences, Davangere 577 005, Karnataka State, IN
2 Department of Physiology, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences, NH-4, Bypass Road, Davangere 577 005, Karnataka State, IN

Abstract

Dentistry has much to offer law enforcement in detection and solution of crime or in civil proceedings. Most often role of dentist is to establish a person's identity. Teeth, with their physiologic variations, pathoses and effects of therapy, record information that remains throughout life and beyond. The teeth may also be used as weapons and under circumstances, may leave information about the identity of the biter. Dental professionals have a major role to play in keeping accurate dental records and providing all necessary information so that legal authorities may recognize malpractice, negligence, fraud or abuse, and identify unknown humans. Dental identifications have always played a key role in natural and manmade disaster situations and in particular the mass causalities. In this review article roles and responsibilities of dentist and use of human dentition and surrounding structures to enable the identification of found human remains will be discussed.

Keywords

Dentists, Forensic Dentistry, Dental Records

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