Physical Beating on Buttocks in Adults-A Reflection of Anger, Hatred, and Frustration

Bruised -buttocks is not a new entity in Indian subcontinent but hardly found in the forensic literature. It is a severe kind of physical beating in gluteal areas as part of corporal punishment in this part of world. Physical beating of buttocks leads to heavy bruising and severe pain.

In this paper, four cases are reported where victims had diffuse bruising 0/buttocks with multiple injuries 0/different natures over variousparts o/the body. One victim was alive who was examinedin casualty while three others were brought deadfor medico-legalautopsy. One victim also had lacerations and penetrations in the anal area due to repeated insertion o/pointedsticks in addition to gluteal bruising. All victims had multiple irregular to patterned bruises over differentparts o/the body.

Suchfindings are seen in group fights that develop dislikingfor reasons such. as betrayal sharing o/the booty, defiance, love-triangle and infidelity. The assailants hadstrong intentions o/inflicting extreme pain among sufferers. Similar bruising is also seen in third-degree treatment o/the victims usedfor confession or imparting exemplary corporalpunishment by law enforcingagencies. Two cases belonged to gangfights while two belonged to alleged beating bypublic and law-enforcers.

It is an exhibition o/anger, hatred, ftustration, violence anddeep-seated desire to humiliate or hurt a person. It is mainly outcome ofjealnusy, betrayalor torturefor confission with the aim to put the person in severe pain. Tips are givenfor thorough medicalexamination in such cases. The pattern o/injuries can be helpfol in tracing the assailants o/gangfights where their identity is not known.