Kanwal Kumar, Ghulam Sarwar Pirzada, Haresh Chand, Khurshid Ahmed Abbasi, Saeed Ahmed Shaikh, Muhammad Rafique Shaikh.
Frequency of unascertained cause of death in exhumed bodies: multicentric experience in interior of Sindh.
Pak J Med Health Sci Jan ;5(4):613-6.

Objective: To look for rate and its possible reasons of failing to determine the cause of death in exhumed bodies. Place and duration: The study was conducted in the Forensic Medicine Departments of Chandka Medical College Larkana (CMCHL), and Peoples Medical Collage Nawab Shah (PMCN) from July 2001 to June 2011. Study design: Prospective, descriptive. Material and methods: On the request of heirs or state exhumations of 197 bodies were performed by members of exhumation board from CMCL & PMCN in different districts of interior of Sindh. With the completion of all formalities, bodies were dug out from the graves. After identification of deceased by near relatives, bodies were thoroughly examined, different tissues taken for chemical analysis and histological reports. The cases in which cause of death determined, were excluded from the study. In cases where all methods and tests failed to reach the cause of death were included in the study. Results: In 66(33.5%) exhumed bodies, cause of death remained undetermined. Of these 49(74.24%) were males and 17(25.76%) females. Majority of bodies 42(63.64%) were in advanced stage of putrefaction. The time between death and performance of exhumation was more than 5 months in 49(74.24%) of cases. Conclusion: Undue delay of many months to perform exhumation after the death of person due to lengthy state procedures is the main reason for failure to reach at the cause of death.

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