Parents or guardians should be cautious when allowing the children to handle modern technology. At the same time young children should be supervised thoroughly as their little experiments or mischievous behaviors could lead to fatal injuries. A 6 year old boy was found dead wedged upright between a remote controlled sliding gate and its post at his own house which was tightly pressed against his mid chest. The remote control device was found on the floor beside him. Post mortem examination revealed a compatible patterned abrasion on the back of the chest 40 cm above the heel which can be explained from the projection of the gate post. There were conjuctival petechiae, and marked congestion of the upper chest and face. Internal examination was negative except for the marked congestion. Cause of death was concluded as traumatic asphyxia. Traumatic asphyxia due to accidental entrapment in a remote controlled sliding gate is rare in forensic literature. This case highlights the importance of close supervision of children and incorporation of properly functioning safety mechanisms in devices with modern technology.
Introduction: Killing of a baby by its own mother is known from biblical times to the modern era. Challenges faced by the forensic pathologist in an investigation of a case of infanticide include proof of live birth, age of the baby, link between the mother and the baby, and the commission or omission of an act causing the death of the baby by its own mother. The case under discussion illustrates how these challenges were met. Case report: The fresh body of an infant was found in the deep freezer compartment of a refrigerator in a house. Autopsy examination revealed a mature baby boy with multiple cut injuries in the neck. Lungs were fully expanded and there was aspirated blood in the distal air passage indicating signs of live birth. Medico-legal examination of the mother revealed breast engorgement and recent vaginal delivery including the presence of placenta. Psychiatric referral revealed moderate depression of the mother. Conclusion: The case was an unusual case of infanticide where the mother killed her baby using a drastic method and concealed the body. Forensic investigations assisted in establishing live birth and maternal depression possibly associated with puerperal psychosis.
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