Profile of Unnatural and Non-accidental Deaths Among Females: An Autopsy-based Prospective Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Ganjam District, Odisha

Gender-based violence is recognized as a major public health concern and an intolerable violation of human rights. Unnatural death refers to fatalities from external causes, including intentional injury such as homicide or suicide, and accidental deaths. This study examined unnatural and non-accidental deaths among females of all age groups to suggest measures for reducing mortality and morbidity. Between September 1, 2018, and August 31, 2020, in the Department of Forensic Medicine, MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, Ganjam, 259 cases meeting inclusion criteria were analyzed using MS Excel and SPSS version 22. The highest deaths occurred in females aged 20–39, comprising 52% of cases. Suicide was predominant, accounting for 89.2%, while homicide was 10.8%. Most homicides resulted from mechanical injuries by assault (85.7%), with sharp-cutting weapons causing 50% and blunt weapons 30%. Poisoning was the most frequent suicide method at 67.5%. Family disputes accounted for 60.6% of underlying reasons for suicide or homicide, followed by love affairs at 34.4%. Illiterate and undereducated females were more vulnerable due to lack of rights awareness, whereas qualified women showed the least incidence. Marital disharmony, family disputes, and dowry demands remained major causes of unnatural deaths among women.