On 16th August 2024, as part of our 5th-semester forensic medicine syllabus, 24 final-year students attended a guest lecture at Father Muller Medical College. The session, organized under the Memorandum of Understanding between our institution and Father Muller’s, was conducted by Dr. Nagesh K. R., Professor of Forensic Medicine, Father Muller Medical College. The focus of the session was on "Asphyxial Deaths", a critical topic in forensic medicine.
Dr. Nagesh began the session by discussing the mechanisms and classification of Asphyxial deaths, which occur due to the deprivation of oxygen. He explained the various causes of asphyxia, such as hanging, strangulation, smothering, gagging, choking, traumatic asphyxia, postural asphyxia, suffocation, emphasizing the importance of understanding these different scenarios for accurate forensic analysis.
The session then delved into the specifics of hanging, covering the types, causes of death, and post-mortem findings. He detailed the significance of ligature marks, cervical spine injuries, and other signs typically found in hanging cases. He also discussed the differences between hanging and strangulation, particularly in terms of ligature marks, internal injuries, and forensic implications.
The discussion on strangulation was equally comprehensive, explaining the causes, post-mortem appearances, and internal features associated with such cases. He highlighted the forensic aspects, including how to distinguish between homicidal, suicidal, and accidental strangulation.
The session concluded with a Q&A segment, where Dr. Nagesh addressed our questions, helping us to better understand the material. The session was informative and provided us with practical insights into the forensic investigation of Asphyxial deaths, reinforcing our knowledge and preparing us for future challenges in forensic medicine.
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