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Sudden or unexpected deaths can occur from violence, poisoning, as well as from natural causes. In spite of gastrointestinal diseases being one of the important causes for sudden natural death, only limited studies have been conducted into the pattern of sudden deaths due to gastrointestinal causes. As a result, a 10-year (January 2001 to December 2010) retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, South India. Data were collected from the post-mortem register maintained in the department and the relevant reports were reviewed. Descriptive statistics for qualitative type of data was summarized using frequency and percentage. A total of 7520 deaths were reported. This included a total of 291 sudden natural deaths, out of which 62 cases (21.3%) were due to gastrointestinal causes. Maximum number of cases (nine cases - 15.6%) occurred in the year 2009. Of the 62 cases, 87% were males and 13% were females. The age of the deceased ranged from seven to 78 years and maximum numbers of cases were in the age group of 30-39 years (25.8%). Out of 28 cases (45.1%) of cirrhosis, 19 died due to variceal bleeding and the rest due to hepatic failure. Perforations resulted in death in 29% of cases due to peritonitis.

Inhalant abuse refers to the inhalation of volatile substances for their euphoric effects. Glues and adhesives have been abused inhalants for decades and so the term "glue sniffing" attached to the habit. These days many substances used are not adhesives and the most accurate title of "solvent abuse" has been given to this widespread and dangerous habit. The various methods of inhalational abuse include huffing, bagging, dusting, glading, and sniffing. We report one such case of a 22-year-old male who was found in an unresponsive state at his residence with a plastic cover around his head and empty tubes of "Fevibond" glue beside him. He died on the way to hospital. At autopsy, conjunctival and visceral congestion were found with pulmonary edema and petechiae over visceral pericardium. The viscera were analyzed, and the presence of toluene in his liver and blood was reported.

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