Medicine, science, and the law
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A patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was mistakenly given vincristine intraventricularly, as part of an intensified course of chemotherapy. Despite a CNS washout and supportive treatment, the patient developed progressive ascending paralysis, gradually lapsed into coma and died some 10 days later. Autopsy and post-mortem histological examination showed evidence of brain death caused by florid encephalomyelitis, apparently induced by the intraventricular administration of vincristine.
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Two cases of alleged dowry deaths are presented from Haryana State, India. In each case a young lady died after receiving burn injuries. Forensic examination unveiled the mysteries of both deaths and helped in apprehending and prosecuting the culprits. Case 1, allegedly a dowry death, proved to be an accidental burning and Case 2, stated to be a suicidal death, was proved to be homicidal.
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A young lady was alleged to have died due to accidental burns from a kerosene pressure stove. The dying declaration read that the deceased caught fire accidentally. ⋯ It proved to be a case of suicide with assistance from the accused due to delivery of insufficient dowry. The accused was convicted on the basis of the physical evidence collected from the scene and evaluated by the forensic experts.
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We report, from the aspect of 'acting' capability, an autopsy case of suicide by hanging in which multiple deep stab wounds were observed in the neck and chest. A 49-year-old man was found dead in a state typical of hanging. His car was found about 100m away with a blood-stained climber's knife on the seat. ⋯ Two other shallow stab wounds were in the chest. All the above wounds were explainable as self-inflicted. From the autopsy findings and the circumstantial evidence, it was concluded that he walked approximately 100m after stabbing his neck and chest and finally committed suicide by hanging.