A comprehensive study of death due to burns in married women, among the autopsies conducted at Government Kilpauk Medical College & Hospital, Chennai.

The present study was taken up to know the pattern of deaths due to burns in married women and to analyze the probable reasons for the same and analyse the socio etiological factors involved and to suggest preventive measures. Objectives: To identify the most common cause of burns, to know the distribution of burn injuries according to their degree and total body surface area affecting these persons and to identify the risk group. Methodology: The present work will include study of burns cases received for autopsy in the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Govt. Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital between September 2014 and August 2015. Results: Out of the total 2953 number of post mortem conducted between 1-9-2014 to 30-8-2015, 80 cases of deaths due to burns in married woman were taken up for study. Maximum number of death 53.75% occurred in the age vii group 21-30 years. Majority of them belongs to Hindu religion (83.75%), Most of them were house wives (92.5%). Maximum cases belongs to the category of marital age > 7 years (67.5 %) and majority of the victims belongs to lower socio economic status (93.75%). Most of the cases were found to be from rural area (58.75%). Regarding the educational status, maximum cases belongs to high school education (32.5%) followed by primary school education (31.25%). Majority of the incidence occur at home (93.75%) and at winter season (46.25%). Most of the deaths were suicidal in nature i.e.55%, followed by accidental burns (42.5%) and the minimum number of cases were of homicidal burns (2.5%).Peak incidence of burns occurrence between 04P.M to 10 P.M (35%).All the incidence occur by flame and majority them were due to pouring of kerosene oil (56.25%). Majority of victims (37.5%) died with more than 80% burns and 28.75% victims could not survive for more than 12 hours. Presence of soot particles in airways observed in 18.75% cases and cloudy degeneration of kidney in 85%cases. Most of the victim (42.5%) died due to neurogenic shock