Profile of medicolegal cases in northan tribal region of Andhra Pradesh

A retrospective study of pattern of medico-legal cases (MLCs) in Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Adilabad, a medical college located in northern tribal area of Andhrapradesh was carried out to provide feedback to clinician, forensic experts, social workers and legal experts of Adilabad.

Data was collected from records of patients admitted in RIMS Adilabad, from the period of 1^st October 2008 to 30^th September 2009. All the MLCs of one year period were studied.

In all admitted cases 10.39% were MLCs. Physical injury observed in 78.25% while there was no injury in remaining 21.75% cases. Major reason behind MLCs were – RTAs (road traffic accidents) 30.18%, fall due to various reasons (17.34%), suicide/attempted suicide cases (13.82%), assault (11.22%) and animal attack (9.87%).

Our study concludes that unusual high number of suicidal tendencies and RTAs are indicators of tremendous impact of developmental activities in the region without substantial improvement at the socioeconomic front.