in our day-today life. While some are able to take up the pressures of life, others are not able to face it; hence, they end up their lives, making lives miserable for the family members. This study aims to set up a profile of deaths owing to natural or unnatural causes, so that we can direct rigorous efforts to curb their incidence. India is a developing country with increasing industrialization and urbanization. Surat is regarded as having a large industrial zone. The Surat city is a major silk and cotton textile production center. With the outbursting population, increased levels of unemployment, high income disparities, substance abuse, increased vehicular traffic density, meager infrastructure facilities, and various types of morbidities, the number of medicolegal cases is on the increase in number. This is allegedly important for the people following the law and order; those who attend them; and those who are concerned with the etiology, nature of cause, and their documentation. Background: The profiling of medicolegal cases is necessary in order to prevent the preventable casualties in future and to study the genuine crime rate in the area. Nowadays, road traffic accidents cause most of the casualties, which lead to many deaths. Objective: To set up a profile of deaths owing to natural or unnatural causes, so that we can direct rigorous efforts to curb their incidence. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively studied the death cases brought for medicolegal postmortem examination at the Mortuary, Government Medical College, Surat, Gujarat, India, in the year 2012. During this period, a total of 2,166 autopsy cases were conducted. Result: Of the total 2,166 cases, maximum numbers of autopsy cases [213 (9.83%)] were conducted in October. Male cases predominated over the female cases, which were 1,663 (76.77%). The maximum numbers of cases [615 (28.39%)] were in the age group of 21-30 years. Injury-related deaths were more in number [989 (45.66%)] of the total cases. Natural deaths accounted for 469 (21.65%) cases, violent asphyxial deaths were 239 (11.03%) cases, and thermal injury accounted for 272 (12.56%) cases, followed by the poisoning [183 (8.45%)] cases. Conclusion: It is observed that the most common cause of death is road traffic accident, probably owing to higher frequency of transportation. The most common cause of death was vehicular accidents involving head injury.

Background: Violent asphyxial deaths are one of the important causes of death nowadays. For reasons not known to others, victims end their life by committing suicide. Hanging is one of the preferred mode of committing suicide, as it supposedly produces painless death as compared to others modes of suicide, and also because it produces instantaneous death. The present study is for looking into demographic profile of the victims of hanging for studying the predisposing factors, and to take preventing measures. Aims & Objectives: To analyze various demographic and social aspects of hanging. Materials and Methods: A profile of 87 cases of death due to hanging in the present prospective study was done at FMTD, GMC and NCH, Surat, between October 2011 and September 2013. The observations of the study were compared with previous studies. Results: In the present study, the incidence rate of hanging cases was 2.20%. The major age group involved was 21 to 30 years. Majority of hanging cases were found in males. Incidence of hanging was recorded high in married females compared to married males. Majority of victims chose home to end their lives. Majority of the persons were non migrant in this study. Majority of victims had gained education more than secondary level. In most of the cases, total monthly income of family was less than 10,000. The most common ligature material used was dupatta. Conclusion: Hanging among male is more common than female. Married persons have more incidence of hanging. Hanging is more common in less educated persons. Low income is a risk factor for hanging. Persons prefer home for hanging over other places. Persons prefer soft, easily available material for hanging. So by identifying these risk factors we can initiate appropriate steps to reduce deaths due to hanging.

Background: Surat is one of the fastest growing cities in Asia, situated in the southern region of the Gujarat state of India. Homicidal crimes are one of darkest & inevitable part of any society. We analyzed the current trend of homicidal crimes in Surat in this epidemiological study. Aims & Objective: To analyze various demographic, social and forensic aspects of homicidal crimes in Surat. Materials and Methods: Profiles of total 119 homicidal autopsy cases studied retrospectively, which were conducted during 2011 & 2012 at FMTD, GMC & NCH, Surat. The observations were compared with previous studies conducted in same region as well as studies conducted in other regions. Results: In the present study, the incidence rate of homicidal deaths was 2.79% and major age group amongst the victims was 21-30 years i.e. 30.25%. In 72.27% cases the victims were male. The chief mode of death was Haemorrhagic shock involving 57.14% of cases. In most cases 31.37% sharp edged and pointed type of weapons were used by the accused. Conclusion: The current incidence rate of homicidal deaths in Surat shows a declining trend recently. Maximum affected victims were young adult males but cases of homicides of females and children are increased in recent years. The chief mode of death was haemorrhagic shock and most common part of body receiving fatal homicidal injury was neck. Most common method for homicide was producing mechanical injuries mainly by sharp cutting weapons but mere manual force also used in significant number of cases.

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