1Senior Resident, Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Jawaharlal Medical College, BelagaviKarnataka590010.
2Senior Medical Officer, Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Govt. Barmer Medical College, BarmerRajasthan344001.
3Senior Specialist, Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Dr. S N Medical college, JodhpurRajasthan342003
*Corresponding author. Shivanand Tanwashi E-mail address: drshiv312@gmail.com
Artefact is any change caused or feature introduced in a body after death (accidental or physiologically unrelated finding to the natural state of the body) that is likely to lead to misinterpretation of medico legally significant ante mortem findings.
This is a case of 24yr old male who hanged himself in a hotel room. Front foot were touching the floor and heel slightly lifted up and there was frank blood on the floor just beneath the foot. Upon examining the body, dried blood stains were present on both the lower limb and the origin of bleed was traced to anal orifice. After taking detailed history the relatives mentioned that the person was suffering from hemorrhoids and was taking treatment for the same from local hospital. During dissection anal mucosal tear was seen at 12’ O clock position. Multiple petechiae were also seen on larynx and epiglo ttis. There were no signs of struggle or injury on body and the careful neck dissection did not show any muscular haematoma or rupture of muscles.
The time since death was about 24 to 36hr from time of postmortem examination. It was concluded as a post mortem artefact, not an injury due to any foul play.
Hanging, Hemorrhoids, Postmortem Bleed, Artefact
