Cause and Manner of Death in Medicolegal Autopsy of Lung: A Tertiary Care Centre Study from North India

Context: Medicolegal autopsy results are determined by the pathological examination hence there is a need to check and consolidate all the factors that contribute in the interpretation of histology finding. Lung is vital organ in contributing the certain histologic pattern that can unfold the cause and manner of death. Aims: To note the role of gross and histopathological examination in ascertaining the cause and manner of death in lung autopsy. Setting and Design: Study was conducted in department of Pathology with Forensic department collaboration over the period of one year. It’s a prospective observational study including 100 medicolegal autopsy cases taken. material And method: Gross examination followed by histopathological examination on hemotyxilin and eosin stained slide of lung tissue were done. Special stains were used wherever required and findings noted. All variable were correlated using Chi-squared test, Fisher’s Exact and Kruskal Wallis and strength of association with Kendall’s Tau, Chi-squared test, Cramer’s V statistical tools. results: Majority of cases were in between 20-39 yrs with male predominence. Most common gross finding was congestion followed by consolidation. In histology pulmonary edeme followed by pneumonitis were noted. Most frequent cause of death was brain injury followed by septicemia and manner of death was accidental followed by natural. There was significant association observed between histopathology and age as well as in between gross finding with cause and manner of death. Conclusion: Gross finding coupled with microscopy can link in the detection of cause and manner of death.