A study of victims of fall from height from 2006 to 2015 in Imphal

In falls from height, a major determining factor of injury is the height. This study aims at finding out the pattern of injuries in fatal cases of fall, and the factors associated with such cases in this part of the country. A retrospective study was conducted over a 10-year period (2006–2015) on cases brought for autopsy to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal. The information contained in this study was derived from a review of autopsy records and police reports. During the 10 year period from 2006 to 2015, of the 3986 autopsies, only 24 cases were of fall from height. Males (95.8%) outnumbered the female victims and maximum number of cases was observed in the age group 31-40years (41.6%). Primary impact was most commonly seen on the head (79.2%), followed by hand & upper limb (8.3%). Head injury was the commonest cause of death (66.6%) with fracture of skull observed in 56.3% of the cases. The manner of death was mostly accidental (83.3%). To conclude, an analysis of pattern of injuries on a dead body found on the ground with blunt trauma on various parts of the body, would help in differentiating vehicular accident cases from ‘fall from height’ cases. Safety structures like railings, handrail, etc. to prevent such fatal falls are needed since majority of the cases in the study were accidental deaths.