Forensic Identification Through Tooth Discoloration And Alignment.

BACKGROUND: Due to poor oral hygiene and use of tobacco, dental discolorations are present in some people and may indicate presence of toxic substances in food or body, while some have anatomical faulty alignment of teeth. The objective of the study was to know the frequency of these discolorations and faulty dental alignment in the target population so that a forensic tool could be developed. METHODS: A cross sectional descriptive study was done in the Dentistry Department of Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad during the month of October 2019, on routine patients visiting the department, using non-probability convenience sampling. A Performa was made to be filled by dentists examining their patients using the standard dentition chart to locate teeth; notation chart was used for recording observations. The preliminaries along with subvariables were recorded in the Performa for each of 101 patients observed; data were analyzed by SPSS 20 for descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A cross sectional descriptive study was done in the Dentistry Department of Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad during the month of October 2019, on routine patients visiting the department, using non-probability convenience sampling. A Performa was made to be filled by dentists examining their patients using the standard dentition chart to locate teeth; notation chart was used for recording observations. The preliminaries along with subvariables were recorded in the Performa for each of 101 patients observed; data were analyzed by SPSS 20 for descriptive statistics. CONCLUSIONS: Dental discolorations and faulty alignment of teeth can be utilized as useful tools in exclusionary method of identification which can be used in living and dead for investigation of identification. It was also observed that there is need to emphasize on community dental hygiene in our hospitals.

Types Of Medico-Legal Cases Reported At The Casualty Department Of Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad.

BACKGROUND: Medicolegal data is very important for administrators, health officials, philanthropists, social workers, law enforcement agencies. Because it is used for planning and implementation of strategies in order to reduce further incidents. This study is conducted with the aim to determine different types of medicolegal cases and patterns of weapons used. METHODS: A total of 246 cases were studied from 1st September 2017 to 31st January 2018. All information was collected on a pro forma. Statistical analysis was done by MS Excel. RESULTS: Out of 246 cases, 219 were male and 27 were female with age ranging from 3 to 72 years. Among total, 162(65.85%) patients were injured due to blunt weapon, 17 (6.91%) cases of firearms, 23 (9.34%) in road traffic accidents, 15 (6.09%) sharp-edged weapons, 7 (2.84%) cases were of sexual violence, 11 (4.47%) were of poisoning. CONCLUSIONS: Injuries of blunt weapons followed by sharp edge and accidental cases occurred more frequently.

Forensic Odontology And Dental Status Of Adult Patients Attending The Out Patient Dental Department Of A Tertiary Care Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Pakistan is one of the countries where practice of forensic odontology and its record keeping is poor due to which we face difficulty in identification of individuals in disasters and other medicolegal problems. The objectives of this study were to know the status of forensic odontology and to determine the dental status of adult patients attending dental outpatient department of Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad. METHODS: A cross-sectional Study was carried out from 1st September to 30th September 2018 in the Department of Dentistry, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad. A questionnaire was designed including preliminary record, standard dental chart, notation chart and other variables. A sample of 96 patients having all permanent teeth were included and examined. Non-probability convenience sampling was used. Data was collected and analyzed on SPSS. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 59.4% males and 40.6% females. Mean number of present teeth with sound status was 24±5. Faulty development was found in 14.6% of the patients. Faulty alignment, black/brown stains and attrition were observed in 38.5%, 86.5% and 25% of the patients respectively. No statistically significant association was found (p >0.05) between gender and faulty development, faulty alignment, staining or attrition. Forensic odontological practice and its record are not maintained in the hospital.. CONCLUSIONS: High proportion the patients have black/brown stains. Faulty alignment is more as compared to faulty development. In our study we observed that no odonatological record is maintained in our hospital.

Analysis Of Palatal Rugae Pattern In Population Of Abbottabad: A Forensic Study.

BACKGROUND: Identification of unknown dead bodies' especially bony remains is done by different methods like DNA typing, Finger printing, Dental and other skeletal data, facial reconstruction and rugae pattern study. Palatal rugae pattern study or Ruguscopy gives a unique method of identification in cases of skeletal remains due to its uniqueness, resistance to heat, and stability throughout life. METHODS: This simple random sampling was carried out on 102 study models (casts of palate) of patients having 880 rugae patterns above 20 years of age in Khan Dental Clinic near Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad. The study is based on classification given by Thomas et al. Casts were taken from palate and then individual casts studied for rugae pattern. They were classified and variations studied for uniqueness. RESULTS: Each individual had different set of palatal rugae which are not same, in all its dimensions like size shape number etc. CONCLUSIONS: With the help of this study we can conclude that Palatal rugae pattern give unique method for individual identification.

GROSS MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN PREMATURE AND POST MATURE HUMAN PLACENTAE.

BACKGROUND: Placenta is a valuable tool for maternal and toetal diseases. Gross pathological changes are seen in the placenta of many disorders of pregnancy, which are associated with high perinatal morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted with the aim to compare the morphological features of preterm, term and post term placentae in our setup. METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted on 150 placentae: 50 were from normal (term) pregnancies considered as control (delivered between 37 to 42 weeks of gestation.), 50 from premature pregnancies (gestational age between 35-37 weeks) from mothers having hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and 50 from post mature pregnancies (gestational age more than 42 weeks). The placentae were collected from Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, through purposive sampling. Placentae were examined in the department of Anatomy, Khyber Medical College Peshawar. RESULTS: In gross morphological features of placentae (weight and diameter) showed significant (p<0.001) among the groups. CONCLUSION: In was concluded that the hypertensive disorders of the pregnancy adversely influence the morphology of placenta, which leads to the premature delivery.

CORRELATION OF ADVERSE PERINATAL OUT COMES AND PLACENTAL INFARCTS IN HYPERTENSIVE PRETERM PREGNANCIES.

BACKGROUND: The placenta can provides valuable information about the damaging effects of hypertension on pregnancy and foetal outcome. This study was conducted to study the frequency of placental infarcts in hypertensive preterm pregnancies and its effects on foetal outcomes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar and Department of Anatomy, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar from January 2008 to March 2009. The sample size consisted of hundred placentae divided into two groups. Group A consisting of 50 normal full term placentae (delivered between 37-42 weeks of gestation). Group-B consisting of 50 premature placentae from hypertensive mothers (35-37 weeks of gestation). The data was collected on a pre-designed Performa and analysis was done by SPSS-17. RESULTS: In the placentae of premature group the incidence of placental infarcts were increased. Foetal outcome was poor in the presence of placental infarcts. CONCLUSION: Adverse perinatal outcomes including growth restriction and still birth is higher in hypertensive premature deliveries with placental infarcts than in normal full term deliverie

Frequency and types of bodily medico-legal injuries in an urban area.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of the study was to know the types and frequency of the bodily medico legal injuries in an urban setup of Abbottabad and compare it with that of rural, study. METHODS: Data was retrospectively collected by selecting 55 cases consecutively. Data of injury types was analysed. RESULTS: The number of injured males in this study was 44 (80.0%), while the females were 11 (20.0%). The most common types of injuries were others (50.9% among males and 14.5% among females). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows relatively true picture of frequency and types of injuries. It was observed that male population is more prone to violence than females owing to the conservative life style of women in our societies both rural and urban.

Frequency and types of bodily medico-legal injuries in a rural area.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of the study was to know the types and frequency of the bodily medico legal injuries in a rural setup. METHODS: Data was retrospectively collected by selecting 55 cases consecutively. Data of injury types was analysed. RESULTS: The number of injured males in this study was 48 (87.3%) while the females were 7 (12.7%). The most common type of injuries were shajja (45.9% among males and 71.4% among females). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows relatively true picture of frequency and types of injuries. It was observed that male population is more prone to violence than females owing to the conservative life style of women in our society.

Morbidity & mortality of firearm injury in Peshawar Region.

BACKGROUND: Firearm injuries cause significant morbidity and mortality among its victims. The present study, carried out at a major tertiary care hospital of Peshawar, Pakistan was aimed at highlighting the extent and severity of firearm-related morbidity and resultant mortality despite expert medical care. METHODS: All victims of firearm injury brought to the Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar Emergency Department and thereafter admitted to hospital wards during the period mid-2006 to mid-2007 were included in the study prospectively regardless of age, gender or socio-economic status. Data relevant to the background of firearm use, type of firearm used, types and extents of injuries, clinical condition of the patients and final outcome were collected on performas and entered into SPSS 15.0 for analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-four cases of firearm injury were recorded during the study period, with a predominant male to female ratio (9.6:1). Most victims (79.7%) were in the age group of 15-35 years. Although there were more cases from Peshawar (28.4%), there was no major referral pattern noted. High velocity weapons were used in 95.9% of cases and homicide was the main motive for injury (60.8%). Injuries were sustained most frequently in the abdomen and pelvis (44.6%) and 67.6% of victims sustained internal injuries. There were only 5 (6.8%) deaths from firearm injuries. CONCLUSION: It is concluded, the young males of the population must be targeted for lifestyle adjustments such as training to refrain from anger or disputes (usually over petty things) and to prevent the easy access of firearms as a weapon to settle disputes.