Abstract: To classify various types of medico-legal deaths seen in BSUTH Makurdi between March, 2013 and February, 2018.
Material and Methods: This is a retrospective study of all medico-legal deaths seen in the Department of Anatomical Pathology over a period of 5 years (March 2013 – February 2018) as recorded in the autopsy register of the hospital.
Results: A total number of 360 autopsies were done during the study period and 155 were medico-legal autopsies representing 43%. 232 were male, 118 female with a male to female ratio 2:1. Homicide death 56(36.1%), RTA 36(23.2%), Sudden death 32(20.6%),Perioperative death 8(5.2%), Anaesthetic death 7(4.5%), Drowning 5(3.2%), Institutional deaths 4(2.1%), Death in police custody 3(1.9%), Burns 3(1.9%) and Electrocution 1(0.6%). Age distribution of medico-legal autopsy was between 10-100 years.
Conclusion: The study concluded that homicidal death is the common indication of medico-legal autopsies in the study and is beneficial to law enforcement and jurisprudence, medical education and legal implication of patient management.
Keywords: Autopsy, Medico-legal, Homicide North central.
Title: MEDICO-LEGAL AUTOPSIES IN BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, MAKURDI NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA: A 5 year review
Author: Joseph A. Ngbea, RA. Vhritherhire, BA. Ojo, IO. Akpor, T. Nyaga, BA. Ugbaje, TD.Gyenger OO. Jegede, MS. Naswem3, MM. Mnyim, CA. Miner, TZ. Swende
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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