RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, BANGALORE, KARNATAKA
ANNEXURE II
PROFORMA FOR REGISTRATION OF SUBJECT FOR DISSERTATION
1. /Name of the Candidate
and Address(in block letters) / Dr. BANDE NAWAZ
DEPT. OF FORENSIC MEDICINE AND TOXICOLOGY
J.J.M .MEDICAL COLLEGE
DAVANGERE – 577 004.
2. / Name of the Institution / J.J.M. MEDICAL COLLEGE,
DAVANGERE.
3. / Course of study and subject /
POST GRADUATE - M.D. FORENSIC MEDICINE AND TOXICOLOGY
4. / Date of Admission to course / 31st MAY 20095. / Title of the Topic /
“AN AUTOPSY BASED STUDY OF FATAL THERMAL BURNS IN MARRIED WOMEN – A PROSPECTIVE STUDY”
6.
7. / Brief resume of the intended work :
6.1 Need for the study :
Death of a bride by immolation either self or by the in laws and their family members is a well known phenomenon since many centuries in India. Even though our country is developing in all respects, but still we are unable to prevent these deaths due to various reasons.
New additions and amendments are done both in criminal procedure code (CrPC) and in Indian penal code (IPC) to reduce these unfortunate deaths in the married women. Still the cases of bride burning are increasing day by day rather than decreasing.
In this prospective study I would like to analyze the trends & profile of fatal thermal burns cases involving married women in and around Davangere.
6.2 Review of literature :
A burn is an injury which is caused by application of the heat or chemical substances to the external or internal surfaces of the body, which causes destruction of the tissues. Even though burns can be produced by various means burns by flames and kerosene oil or petrol is commoner in practice1.
The extent and position of burns is very important in determining the fatality. The surface area burnt is more important than the degree of burn in assessing prognosis of a given case. As for example, a first degree burn over a wide area is dangerous than a third degree burn over a limited area2.
Because death due to burns is most notorious in preventing easy differentiation amongst ‘suicide/homicide/accident’ and at the same time, presenting difficulty in identification of the deceased it is considered as a safe means of killing a person by this means3.
Homicidal burning of married woman in India is major concern for the government, law enforcing authorities, the police and the medico- legal experts all over the country. Death of a married woman by burns is not deterring even after implementing so many new sections to decrease the cruelty and dowry related problems, rather its increasing day by day. Both parties, that is , the parents and in-laws of the deceased, are becoming adept at manufacturing circumstantial evidence to serve their own interests4
In a study conducted in Madurai the age range of the female subjects varied between 15 to 40 years with the mean age of 25.42 with S.D of 5.1. Among them seventy four percent were married, 25 % were single and one was separated5.
In a study conducted in Aligarh medical university there were 189 males (46.9%) and 214 females (53.1%) with female to male ratio of 1.13 to 1. Age distribution of victims show a peak between 13 to 25 years (41.5%), followed by 26 to 39 years (28.0%) and least number of victims (1.2%) above 60 years of age. Mean age is 25.7 years6
Statistics from the Kilpauk Medical College (KMC), centre for burns in Tamil Nadu, bear out their concern. For the year 2008 alone, the centre handled a whopping 1,277 cases of fatal burns, of which 68 % (869) were female victims7
The findings are in contrast with the studies conducted in western countries. Majority of their victims are males, and fatalities are mainly accidental & suicidal in manner. This could be due to higher literacy level and independency in their country compared to the third world countries like India 8, 9.
A prospective study conducted in Pakistan says death of a married woman due to burns is commoner in Indo-Pak. In that one hundred seventyeight patients were studied and among them one hundred forty six (82.02%) were accidental burns with more prevalence among females (81.50%). Twenty three (12.92%) patients were having homicidal burns and all were females while nine (5.06%) patients sustained suicidal burns and among them six (66.66%) were females. Majority of patients i.e. one hundred six were in 2nd and 3rd decades of life10
6.3 Objectives of the study :
To know –
· Incidence and pattern of alleged Dowry deaths.
· Age wise distribution.
· Degree, distribution & cause of death in cases of burns.
· The literacy level and regional distribution of the deceased.
Material and methods :
7.1 Source of data :
All fatal cases of thermal burns autopsied at District Chigateri General Hospital Mortuary & Bapuji hospital mortuary, Davangere during the period of 1st November 2009 to 31st October 2010 will be material for my study.
7.2. Method of collection of data (including sampling procedure if any):
All the cases of fatal thermal burns in married women, autopsied at mortuaries of Chigateri General Hospital & Bapuji hospital, Davangere during the period of 1st November 2009 to 31st October 2010 will be studied.
Sample size will be about 90- 100 cases which is calculated by taking 80% of the average number of autopsies conducted over a period of three years.
The data of the deceased and circumstances leading to death will be taken from hospital and police records, if necessary by direct interrogation of the relatives.
Inclusion criteria :
All fatal cases of thermal burns in married women autopsied at District Chigateri General Hospital Mortuary & Bapuji hospital mortuary, Davangere during the period of 1st November 2009 to 31st October 2010.
Exclusion criteria :
· Fatal cases of thermal burns in unmarried women.
· Burns due to electricity, lightening and acids.
7.3 Does the study require any investigations or interventions to be conducted on patients or other humans or animals? If so, please describe briefly.
No
7.4. Has ethical clearance been obtained from your institution in case
of 7.3?
Yes
8. / List of References :
1. Reddy KSN. The essentials of forensic medicine and toxicology. 29thEd. Hyderabad, K Sugunadevi; 2005: 280-288.
2. Parikh CK. Parikh’s textbook of Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology. 6thEd. Mumbai: CBS Publishers & Distributors; 2004: 4.151-4.166.
3. Vij K. Textbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, principles and practice. 3rdEd. New Delhi: Elsevier; 2005: 242-266.
4. Shaha KK, Mohanthy S. Alleged dowry death: a study of homicidal burns. Med. Sci. Law 2006; 46(2):105-109.
5. Rao AV, Mahendran N, Gopalakrishnan C, Reddy TK, Prabhakar ER, Swaminathan R, et al. One hundred female burns cases: A study in suicidology. Indian J. psychiat1989; 31(1):43-50.
6. Ghaffar UB, Hussain M, Rizvi JS. Thermal Burn: An epidemiological prospective study. J Indian Acad Forensic Med; 30(1):10-14.
7. Ramanathan L. Dowry deaths in Tamil Nadu in 2008.National daily news Paper.22nd Jan2009.
8. Park JG, Noguchi TT, Klatt EC. The epidemiology of fatal burn injuries Journal of Forensic Sciences.1989; 34(2):399-406.
9. Shkrum MJ, Johnston KA. Fire and suicide; A three- year study of self immolation deaths, Journal of Forensic Sciences.1992; 37(1):208-221.
10. Ahmed I, Farooq U, Afzal W, Salman M. Medico legal aspect of burns victims. A ten years study. Pak J Med Sci 2009 (Part-I); 25(5): 797-800.
9 / Signature of candidate
10 / Remarks of the guide / After detailed discussion & analysis, this topic has been chosen for dissertation work with an objective to provide the trends of fatal thermal burns in married women useful for the medical faculty and to the law enforcement authorities.
The cases of alleged dowry deaths or bride burning are increasing in trend even with the progress of our country in all aspects of life. The medical fraternity should know the gravity of this social menace and should be vigilant in identifying and handling these cases in their day to day practice.
The law enforcement authorities will be immensely benefitted by knowing the trends of these cases and also can assess the impact of those stringent laws which are in force.
With these ideas I recommend this study, which is not only useful for post graduates but also to the medical fraternity and law enforcement authorities.
11 / Name & Designation of (in block letters)
11.1 Guide
11.2 Signature
11.3 Co-Guide (if any)
11.4 Signature
11.5 Head of Department
Signature. / Dr. GURUDATTA .S. PAWAR M.D.,
Professor & DIRECTOR OF P.G. STUDIES,
department of forensic medicine & toxicology
J.J.M. Medical College,
DAVANGERE - 577 004.
Dr. VISWANATHAN K.G. M.D.,
Professor & HEAD,
department of forensic medicine & toxicology
J.J.M. Medical College,
DAVANGERE - 577 004.
Dr. VISWANATHAN K.G. M.D.,
Professor & HEAD,
department of forensic medicine & toxicology
J.J.M. Medical College,
DAVANGERE - 577 004.
12 / Remarks of the
Chairman & Principal
12.2. Signature.
5