BRICKS SHEDDING BLOOD IN THE DARKNESS OF NIGHT: STORY OF A MORTAL HOMICIDE UNCOVERED AT AUTOPSY (Skeleton Keys to Homicide)

A medicolegal autopsy provides critical evidence to the cause and manner of death, demography of victim, and nature of the crime committed. This task however becomes increasingly difficult if the bodies are decomposed or skeletonized, exposed to scavengers or different environmental conditions, that may introduce a variety of alterations in the physical remains. The main objective of the postmortem examination in such cases is to diagnose skeletal wounds along with an accurate interpretation of their mechanism; as this evidence may be the only clue to a potential homicide. Thereby, the whole skeletal analysis is focused towards discovery of acute injuries and to differentiate them, simultaneously, from the postmortem modifications, as a misdiagnosis may initiate an unnecessary or even fake criminal investigation. Furthermore, in criminal circumstances, especially involving clandestine situations, it is not uncommon for a corpse to remain undiscovered for an indefinite time period thereby causing loss of medicolegally significant findings. The present case deals with the mummified and skeletonized body of a young male, which was purportedly found within an under-construction building that was almost in ruins and located at an abandoned place. The autopsy discovered multiple depressed fractures over the skull, signifying lethal blows given to the head. A detailed analysis was further performed by maceration and processing of the skull through which a sound understanding of the mechanisms involved in blunt cranial trauma could be gained. The autopsy, in conjunction with the crime scene details, helped in uncovering the story of a homicide which was later corroborated with police investigations, as the alleged weapons along with the whole story came to the light of forensic doctors. The mechanism and manner of injuries along with the possible cause( s) of death are explained.