BACKGROUND Injuries of the chest causing disruption of the thoracic cage and damage to the lungs are increasing daily. Lungs may be injured due to blunt trauma like blows, compression of chest or grinding force of automobile run over or due to penetrating injuries by cutting and stabbing weapons, and projectiles from fire arm. METHODSIn this study we analysed the pattern of injury to lungs and the socio-demographic pattern of the victims in trauma. 250 cases brought to a tertiary care institution for autopsy were studied from retrospectively). A cross sectional study design including all cases of trauma to the thorax and heart with consecutive sampling was done. Data was collected in pro forma and analysed. RESULTS206 victims were males. Commonest cause of chest injury was trauma. 130 (52%) were victims of road traffic accidents (Table 2, Figure 1) and the vehicle implicated the most was bus (41 cases, 16.4%, Table 3, Figure 2). Pedestrians constituted the majority (26.4%). 70.6% belonged to the working age group (21-60 years). 104 (41.6%) were brought dead to the hospital. External injuries were not found in 67 cases (26.8%). 107 cases (42.8%) reported with lung injuries. Among the lung injuries 101 (93.5%) were due to blunt impact and remaining 6 (5.6%) were due to penetrating injuries. Haemothorax was observed in 102 cases on right side and 94 cases on the left side. 10 cases (4%) of bronchial or tracheal ruptures with 7 cases of severance and 3 incidences of tear were recorded. Laceration was the common injury to both right and left lung, followed by contusion associated with rib fracture. Back aspect was the most commonly affected. CONCLUSIONSDeath is an irreversible cessation of life and the medical and legal implications to its cause are obvious. From a medico-legal view point, cause of death is of prime significance for the forensic pathologist, legal justice system, and law enforcing agencies. Often the multiplicity of injuries leads to confusion in interpretation of physical signs, consequently delaying the accuracy of diagnosis and leading to subsequent medico-legal issues. 19 Insurance policy claims, benefits for accidental deaths, personal injury litigation, and ultimate disposition of criminal charges may hinge upon the conclusions of the forensic pathologist. 20 Among the 250 cases with thoracic injuries, 212 (84.8%) were due to accidents. This is obviously due to technological advances and man's quest and fascination with modern high-speed vehicles and advancement in the industrial sector. 21 Law enforcement agencies and democratic institutions need to address the social menace of homicidal and suicidal deaths. 22

8.0 months (6.0-24.0), in consulting a doctor, 6.0 months (2.0-19.5) and in starting treatment, 1.5 months (1.0-3.0).

BACKGROUND Injuries of the chest causing disruption of the thoracic cage and damage to the heart are increasing daily. The anatomic location of the heart makes it susceptible to trauma. All cardiac injuries have potential to increase the amount of morbidity and mortality with great medicolegal impact and contribute to 25% of trauma-related deaths. MATERIALS AND METHODSIn this study, we analysed the pattern of cardiac injury and the socio-demographic pattern of the victims in trauma. 250 cases brought to a tertiary care institution for autopsy were studied from

BACKGROUND Cyanide is a rapidly acting poison which has been the suicidal agent of choice since time unknown. Its notoriety also extends to homicide, and it has often been used by serial killers. It is found in nature and is used in various industries, but is difficult to obtain nowadays as a result of strict policy implementation. METHODS All cases of cyanide poisoning over a period of 20 years from 2000 to 2019 were studied. Samples were sent for identification and quantification by GC-MS to the chemical examiner’s laboratory. Data was collected in pro forma and entered into Microsoft Excel and analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). RESULTS A total of 84 cases were studied over a period of 20 years. The majority of cases were recorded in the first decade of the study period. Most common age group involved was 31 to 40 years. Males comprised 84.9 % of the total. Majority were suicidal in nature, and 22.6 % were suicide pacts. The reason for committing suicide could not be found in 59.3 %. 67.9 % were found dead or brought dead to the hospital. In 24 % cases, the typical smell of bitter almonds was identified. Police were able to make out the presence of poison in 83.3 % during the preliminary investigation. CONCLUSIONS Males were the commonly affected. Ingestion of poison was the method of administration in all cases. Majority were suicides, and occurred in the residence of the victims. In majority of cases, police could identify the cause of death as poisoning. The characteristic smell could be identified only in a few cases. KEYWORDS Cyanide, Corrosion, Poisoning, Suicide