title: Audit of custodial deaths in Karachi--an autopsy-based study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the causes and manner of custodial deaths in Karachi, and to determine the factor of negligence on the part of the custodians behind such deaths.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional study involved the deaths in custody undergoing autopsy at Civil Hospital, Karachi, from January 2005 to December 2010. Autopsy was followed by histological examination, X-ray or CT scan wherever required. A proforma was also filled as per the standard autopsy protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 61 custodial deaths in Karachi during the six-year study period which met the inclusion criterion. There were 58 (95.1%) males and 3 (9.4%) females. Natural causes accounted for a majority of deaths (n = 36; 59%), the most common disease being coronary artery disease (n = 13; 21.3%). Unnatural causes accounted for 25 (41%) deaths, comprising 13 (21.3%) homicidal, 7 (11.5%) suicidal and 5 (8.2%) accidental. Deaths were more frequent in the age group ranging from 30-39 years (34.4%), while the overall age-range was from 19 to 75 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measures need to be taken to provide a wholesome environment for the prisoners. Code of conduct for the prisoners should be followed and judicial procedures shall be conducted at a quick pace. Torture should be avoided under all circumstances, and proper vigilance shall be kept to prompt suicidal deaths.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Dow Medical College, Karachi. captdrmirza@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Farhat Hussain
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Mirza
authors.forename: Akhtar Amin
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Memon
authors.forename: Syeda Ezz-e-Rukhshan
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Adil
authors.forename: Hamid Ali
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Paryar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001344:Autopsy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002423:Cause of Death / Q000639:trends; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D049429:Forensic Pathology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult