Autopsy Study of Cut Throat Cases Brought to Morgue of Sion Hospital, Mumbai- A three Year Study

The present retrospective study was carried out in the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College & Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, Sion Mumbai. Total 32 cases collected were collected for this study purpose. The preponderance of Male 26 (81.25%) victims over the female 6 (18.75%) victims with the age group of 21 to 30 years 11 (34.37%) was most commonly affected. Out of total 32 cases 9 (28.13%) cases were of suicidal cut throat and remaining 23 (71.87%) cases were of homicidal cut throat and most common victims of suicidal cut throat were male 8 (88.88%) followed by female 1 (11.11%) victim. In 9 suicidal cut throat cases hesitations cuts over neck found in 8 (88.88%) cases and hesitations cuts over anterior aspect of wrist joints found in 5 (55.55%) cases and victim's suicidal note was found in 3 (33.33%) cases. Previous attempt of suicide was noted in 4 (44.44%) cases, psychiatric illness found in 4 (44.4%) case and most common motives for suicide were chronic illness 6 (66.67%). In 23 homicidal cut throat cases most common motives was breakdown of relationship 7 (30.43%). Maximum size of cut throat injury was 18cmX10cmX8cm and minimum size of cut throat injury was 4cmX3cmX3cm. Jugular vein 32 (100%) was most commonly clean cut structure of neck followed by Carotid artery 21(65.62%) and least commonly involved structure was hyoid bone 1(3.12%) cases. The direction of cut throat wound from Left side of neck to Right side of neck were observed in 25 (78.12%) cases while the direction of cut throat wound from Right side of neck to Left side of neck were noted in 7 (21.88%) cases. In 23 cases of homicidal cut throat, other associated injuries like stab wound, incised wound, chop wound etc were noted in 18 (78.26%) cases.