1Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Kempegowda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka
2Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, P K Das, Institute of Medical Sciences, Vaniamkulam, Kerala
*Corresponding author: Dr. Viswakanth B Associate Professor, Dept.of Forensic Medcine & Toxicology, P.K Das Institute of Medical Sciences & Hospital, Vaniyamkulam, Ottapalam Palakkad District, Kerala, 679 522 Email Id: drviswakanth@gmail.com Mob No: 9744525554
Online published on 16 August, 2018.
Fall from height pose a substantial public health jeopardy globally, and are one among the important leading causes of death due to injuries. Deaths due to fall from height are common in the State of Karnataka and continue to increase due to multiple reasons but predominantly due to rapid urbanization with multistoried set ups. In order to assess the magnitude of this ongoing problem, a three year prospective autopsy study among deaths due to fall from height was carried on with regard to its demographic profile, manner, physics and pattern of injuries at KIMS hospital Bangalore.
Most of the victims were males (86%) and majority of the decedents belonged to 21–30 year age group. Among them, building constructor workers (41%) formed the highest number of victims. The most frequent height of fall causing death was found to be falls from heights ranging between 40–50 meters. The most common manner of death was found to be Accidental (55%) in nature. Lastly all cases showed severe visceral and skeletal injuries either independently or in combination.
Fall, Height, Autopsy, Blunt injury, head injury, skeletal injuries, visceral injuries
