Thermal Burn: An Epidemiological Retrospective Study

The present retrospective study has been conducted in Varanasi area, cases brought to the Department of Forensic Medicine, IMS, BHU, Varanasi for the period of two years i.e. 2009 and 2010. Of the total unnatural deaths reported during the study period deaths due to burn injuries were 17.98% and 17.07% respectively, showing the more or less steady trend. Burn deaths are usually associated with female and Dowry where female dies in her in-laws house within 7 years of her marriage. Female burn deaths dominated over male in the ratio of 1:4. Most of the deceased were from the married group (73.19%) followed by unmarried (23.55%). Predominant age group found to be 21-30years (45.13%) followed by age group 11–20 and 31–40 years showing almost same rate around 20% reflecting that young adults were more involved in such type of deaths. As regards to place of death only 9.72% died on the spot or on the way to Hospital while 90.28% died in Hospital reflecting the prompt and proper health care services. Whatever the manner of death Female burn deaths are investigated by magistrate as per provision of 176 Cr.P.C. and case registered under 304B IPC (Dowry Death) and Medico legal postmortem examination conducted by panel of Two Doctors, whereas male burn deaths are investigated by police as per provisions of 174 Cr.P.C. as routine case and medico-legal postmortem examination conducted by single doctor.