Pattern of unnatural death in females in Varanasi region- a retrospective study

Death may be natural (resulting from disease) or unnatural deliberate action of other (homicide), intentionally self inflected (suicide), result of an environmental influence (accident). Female deaths due to unnatural causes, especially in the first few years of their married life, have been observed in Indian society for the last few decades. Present study is carried out at forensic medicine department, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Relevant information and subjective data like age, sex, habitat, and manner of death of various causes of death victims have been collected from medico legal autopsy register. Data are analyzed retrospective for periods of two and half years from January 2012 to July 2014 The aim of this study is to find out the pattern of unnatural deaths in female and the various factors associated with such deaths in Varanasi region and to out find remedial measures to bring down the incidence. Burn 834(51.74%) contribute most common cause and 21 to 40 year found to be the most common age group affected 880(54.60%). Female residing in rural area 1385(86.92%) and religion Hindu 1452(90.07%) were way more affected. Together, the two age groups i.e. 13-20 years & 21-40 years, constitutes an alarming 74.25% of the total female cases. Such unnatural death can be prevented by education, awareness, change in attitude and mindset of society etc.