A case of ligature strangulation & perimortem burns

This case refers to a 80 yr old spinster was living alone under the viyyor police station limit. During 1989 one fine morning body of the above female was brought for pm examination. She was dressed in pure white clothes with smell of kerosene& was about to be moved for burial. The locals raised suspicion. Examination revealed ligature mark over the neck with superficial burns over the back. There was injury to neck structures in the form of contusion. One curious finding is that the portion of thyro-hyoid membrane with hyoid bone was missing. The soft tissues adherent to the thyroid cartilage was calcified & opening into the pharyngeal inlet was reduced to pinpoint size. Further inquiry revealed that she had carcinoma larynx & was operated upon.
Investigating officer narrated the events that occurred on that night. The deceased was living adjacent to her sister's house & everyday she would whisper to her sister that the latter should take care of her since she is not able to speak loud. The deceased had the habit of taking liquor every day. The errand of buying the liquor was carried out by an adolescent male with whom she used to share. On that night the boy tied to attack her with the intention having forceful sexual intercourse with her. The attempt was not successful & he killed her . During the struggle a kerosene lamp fell down & her back portion of the body got drenched in kerosene.
There was no injury to external genitalia & the hymen was intact. The vaginal smear & swab preserved for chemical Analysis to rule out spermatozoa & semen turned out to be -ve.

The Case was posted in the principal sessions court ,Trichur for trial.By that time the adolescent turned out to be a 60 yr old male at the time of giving evidence in the court during the 90's & the person was acquitted.
dr.n.rajaram

A Traffic accident?

Most of the interesting cases occured while i was working at MC Trichur. During 1988-89 I conducted autopsy on a muslim male involved in Mannuthy police station limit. The person was having only one antemortem injury over the forehead with depressed # of right side of frontal bone with subdural & subarachenoid hemorrhage. I specifically informed the IO that the possibility of sustaining the injury during an assault may have to be ruled out. But he was more preoccupied with a traffic accident not witnessed by anyone & the above was supported by the then HOD. A scene visit was arranged which again confirmed my findings. THe IO was of the opinion that he was drunk & his head got struck against a hook in the side of an interstate loory having a large body. That case was also closed for ever.
dr.n.rajaram

A case of Hanging

During my posting at Medical college,Trivandrum, I conducted autopsy on a 11yr old female who died of hanging. The external features were bleeding from ears, nostrils,subconjunctival hemorrhage with a ligature mark. Along with this there was complete infiltration of posterior esophagus. I gave an opinion that the deceased died of blunt injury sustained to neck. What I really meant was postmortem suspension. After that A scene visit was conducted & according to me a Person having the height of 11yr old child can't make access to the point of suspension. After that I was transferred to Medical college ,Trichur. & the case was closed ; by me answering a few questions put forward by the medico-legal adviser to kerala police at that time.
dr.n.rajaram

pranams

Dear Friends,
As I informed you before, I had the opportunity to work with almost all senior forensic pathologists. Among them I am going to mention the name of two important persons, who paved the way for me or who put me in the right track& because of this what ever Ihave gained today, the credit goes to them. The two important persons are DR.V.K.JAYAPALAN & DR.P.Sivasankarapillai. I accept them as my mentor. Among these two the latter is more sincere & straightforward.& Iam obliged &more attached to him

Among the juniors I would consider DR.P.C.Ignatius & DR. Hitesh Sankar as my best friends ; because we know each other better

What ever opinion that Iam going to bringout is solely my opinion. When you read these you may differ with me or agree.
dr.n.rajaram