AUTOPSY FINDINGS IN RELATION TO AGE AND GENDER: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
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Keywords
Autopsy, Age, Gender, Mortality, Forensic Medicine
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate autopsy findings in relation to age and gender.
Study design: Retrospective observational study
Duration and place of study: This study was conducted in Karachi Medical and Dental College Karachi from May 2024 to May 2025
Methodology: The study has 300 medicolegal autopsy cases which were examined in this retrospective and observational study. Data on demographical consideration, age, gender and the reason of deaths were read and classified. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate trends that occur among different age groups and gender.
Results: Of 300 autopsies, 224 (74.7%) were of males and 76 (25.3%) were of females. Deaths were most prevalent among the aged group 3959 years (57.3%) followed by 1838 years (28.3%) and 60 or above (14.4%). The predominant cause of death was road traffic accidents which contributed to 69 cases (23.0%). These were followed by injuries with a firearm (57, 19.0%), asphyxial deaths (55, 18.3%), assaults (51, 17.0%), poisoning (29, 9.7%), and electrocution (24, 8.0 percent). The cause of death reported was unascertainable in 15 cases (5.0%). In every category, more men as compared to women were affected, especially in road traffic accidents, gunshots and assaults.
Conclusion: The results of autopsy revealed that middle-aged males are most affected with the leading causes being the road traffic accidents, death by gun, and asphyxial. These findings indicate the significance of age and gender to the interpretation of mortality trend and the ongoing relevance of autopsies to the forensics and clinical practices.
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Raffat Rasool
Assistant Professor Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Karachi Medical and Dental College Karachi Pakistan
Wasiq Ahmed
Assistant Professor Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Karachi Medical and Dental College Karachi Pakistan
Jamshad ul Qadir Memon
Assistant Professor Forensic Medicine, Bilawal Medical college LUMHS Jamshoro Pakistan.
Roohi Ehsan
Associate Professor& HOD Forensic Medicine, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi Metropolitan University Karachi Pakistan
Shahzad Ahmadani
Lecturer Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Bilawal Medical college LUMHS Jamshoro Pakistan
Shahla Imran
Assistant Professor Forensic Medicine, Bilawal Medical college LUMHS Jamshoro Pakistan