Inter-play of trauma and disease ― a case report

Determining cause and manner of death in medico legal cases is of paramount importance in forensic practice. A 29 year old woman was brought by the police for medico legal autopsy with history of assault by her boyfriend. As per the initial police investigation and crime scene visit by the police, the case was registered as culpable homicide amounting to murder. Autopsy revealed that the deceased had acute on chronic meningitis, a natural disease incompatible with life if left untreated. It was also observed that there was a faint ligature mark around neck and multiple contusions at places over the body. There were no features suggestive of asphyxia or other findings which could alone cause death. The deceased was alive for some time after the assault. Considering these facts, cause of death was attributed to meningitis and further it was opined that the assault could have expedited the death.