Profile of unnatural deaths in Manipal, Southern India 1994-2004

Pattern of unnatural deaths is a reflection of the prevailing social set up and mental health status of the region. In an attempt to understand the magnitude and pattern of unnatural deaths in Manipal, Southern India, a 11-year retrospective study was carried out in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. The study revealed a rise in road traffic fatalities (37%) that constituted the majority of autopsies carried out followed by death due to poisoning and burns. Male preponderance was quite evident (2.5:1) except for death due to burns where ratio was reversed (1:2.9). People in 3rd decade were most prone to such fatalities. Of the total medicolegal autopsies conducted in this period, the manner of death was unnatural in 98% of the cases and 71% of them were accidental in nature.