Unnatural Death Among Covid-19 Tested Positive Individuals: A Retrospective Study

Authors

  • Dileep Kumar K.B
  • Praveen
  • Shruhti MK
  • Georgina George
  • Raghavendra R

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v17i2.19171

Keywords:

Covid 19, unnatural deaths, suicide.

Abstract

Introducction:- Covid 19 started out as a fast-spreading viral disease, in Wuhan in 2019. Soon, it spread across
the globe and WHO declared it a Pandemic. Various countries took various measures to control its spread and
transmission. By the time, countries recovered from it, a new wave would come along with different expressions
and pathophysiology.
When Covid 19 began, various health agencies in India started making protocols and standard ooperating
procedures including conducting autopsies in COVID-19 infected bodies.
Aims and Objectives:- Aim of our study is to analyze cause of death among all covid 19 positive cases brought
for medicolegal autopsies from the time of lockdown for a period of one year. Our aim is to see if there were any
factors which could have prevented these deaths.
Materials and methods: A retrospective study of 1 year conducted from 25th March 2020 to 24th March 2021,
(1st wave of Covid 19) was done in a tertiary care hospital in Bangalore. (Bowring and Lady Curzon hospital)
Results: 39 Covid-19-positive unnatural deaths were handled with the youngest being 18 years old and the oldest
beings 83. The majority turned out to be suicides (51.28%), then RTAs, falls, and natural death. The commonest
method of suicide was hanging (35.89%), followed by poison consumption, and falling from a height.
Conclusion: COVID -19 is a viral infection with variable clinical signs and variable fatality rates. There is much to
learn about it. However, suicides in COVID -19 cases might not have ended death if some care, timely diagnosis,
and treatment were provided.

Author Biographies

  • Dileep Kumar K.B

    Associate professor, Department of forensic medicine and toxicology, Atal Bihari Vajpayee
    medical college, Bangalore

  • Praveen

    Assistant professor, Department of Forensic medicine and toxicology, Subbaiah Institute of Medical Sciences, Shimoga

  • Shruhti MK

    Postgraduate student,Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Bangalore Medical college and ResearchInstitute , Bangalore

  • Georgina George

    Postgraduate student,Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Bangalore Medical college and Research Institute , Bangalore,

  • Raghavendra R

    Assosciate Professor, Department of Forensic medicine and Toxicology, St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru

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Published

2023-04-05

How to Cite

Unnatural Death Among Covid-19 Tested Positive Individuals: A Retrospective Study. (2023). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 17(2), 32-35. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v17i2.19171