Dowry death: Increasing violence against women

A retrospective study of dowry deaths was conducted at Department of Forensic Medicine, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore over a period of five years (January 2005-December 2009). Out of the total 2145 autopsies conducted in the mentioned period, 121 cases (5.6%) were reported to be dowry deaths. The multiple factors leading to dowry deaths were examined. It was observed that the majority of the affected women (58.7%) were in the age group of 18-25years. Death occurred mostly within 1-2years of marriage (30.6%), followed by (22.3%) within 2-3years of marriage. Majority of the victims were matriculates (62%) followed by graduates (20.7%). Most cases, that of (60.3%) cases belonged to lower middle class and (22.3%) cases belonged in lower class. The commonest method employed was hanging seen in (66.9%) cases followed by poisoning in (18.2%) cases and burns in (9.9%) cases. It was observed that majority of the death occurred were suicidal (85.1%) in nature followed by (11.6%) accidental and (3.3%) homicidal deaths.