criminal abortion , forensic medicine

1. Criminal abortion
Dr.Smita Mugatkar
H.O.D. of FMT Dept. SBHMC Aurangabad.

2. Def.AnyAbortion
inducedin
defiancewill
amountto
criminalabortion.
▪It is an unlawful expulsion of
product of conception at any stage
of gestation by any unqualified
person or Dr. Is punishable under
law.
▪Sec. 312 to 316 IPC refer to offence
of criminal abortion.
▪3to 10 yr. Imprisonment with fine
depends on age of foetus.

3. Precautionstaken
byRMPincaseof
criminalabortion.
▪ It is a MLC,inform to police station.
▪ Dr.Should take proper history
regarding manner of abortionattempt
or performed.
▪ Consult a colleague.
▪ Preliminary particular should be
noted ( professional secracy)
▪ If pt.Is serious then arrangefor dying
declaration.
▪ Death certificate should not issue.

4. Naturalabortion
costitutionaldiseases
Congenital
abnormalities
traumaIUD

5. Differentmethods
ofcriminal
abortion.
Drugs
Directly acting on uterus
Ecbolics- increased uterine
contractions.eg. Ergote,cotton root
bark, synthetic oestrogen,pitutary ex
Emmenagogues- increase the
menstrual flow.eg. Borax, oil of savin
Sanguinarine.
Indirectly acting on uterus- emitics ,
purgatives,lead poison

7. Itincreasetheuterine
contractions.
GiveninI/vdrip.
Cervicaldilationdoneby
cerviprim gelor
misopristonvag.Tab.

8. Cupping
Thisisamethodofcriminal
abortion.
Ametalmugiskeptover
ignatedcamphoron
hypogastric region.Mug is
vigorously tired&pulled.
Abortionoccurs in24hrs.
▪Abortion stick.
▪This is a wooden or bamboo stick,
about 20cm long.one end of stick is
wrapped up with cloth / cotton & is
soaked in juice of marking nut,
abrus ,oleander,Paste of arsenic.
▪Stick is passed in uterus per vagina
▪Resulting in rupture of membranes
& expulsion of product of
conception.

10. ComplicatIon
localinjury&infection
Haemorrhage&shock
Perforationofuterus
Incompleteabortion.

11. Laminariatent
Itismadeupofwood
whichishygroscopic In
nature,takesmoisture&
swells.Thus dilatationof
cervix occurs,then
evacuationisdone

12. Syringing
intravaginallywater,soa
psolution,glycerin,
hypertonicglucose/
saltsolutionisinjected
intointraamniotic
cavitybyplasticsyringe

13. Skilledmethod
upto12 wks
vaccum
aspiration
D&C
D&E
▪After12 wks to 24 wks
▪Dilatation & oxytocin drip
▪Extraamniotic infusion of
ethacrinic lactate ( Emcredil)
▪Amniosynthesis – amniotic fluid
replacement therapy.
▪Electricity – used in advanced
countries.
▪Abdominal hysterotomy.

14. ManualVaccum
Aspiration
( upto 7 wks)

15. Dilatation &
curretage .
( upto 10 wks)

16. Suction&
evacuation
(upto12 wks)

17. Methodof
Secondtrimester
abortion

18. Medicalevidence
ofabortion
▪ Examination of female
▪ General condition exhaust look,
increased temperature & pulse.
▪ Heavy enlarged breast ,with dark
pigmented areola & nipples . Colostrum
may be ooze on squeezing the breast.
▪ Lax & wrinkled abdomen.striae
gravidarum & linea nigra may be present.
▪ Laceration ,bruise, Inflammation present
at vagina , perineum,labia etc.
▪ Signs of involution of uterus.
▪ Hcg may be detected up to 7 days.

20. Examination of
aborted
material
▪ Presence of chorionic villi on
microscopic examination will confirm
that it is product of conception.
▪ During first trimester the foetus expels
along with the membrane.
▪ 2 nd trimester fetus born first & then
placenta expelled.
▪ ** Probableintrauterineage
▪ **presence or absence of injuries on
body.
▪ **Viability of child.

22. MLA of placenta
▪Period of gestation can be
estimated.
▪Some disease or poison may be
detected in placenta.
▪Placental barrier may result in fetal
death, infection or malformation.
▪Retained placenta may be found in
criminal abortion & may be the
cause of death due to haemorrhage.

23. Indicationsformedical
examination
Abortiondueto
homicidaltrauma
deathduringabortion
Triestoconsealpreg.
Demandsmore
compensation.

25. MLA
Sec312 to316
3to10 yr
imprisonment
Sec.511 ifpreg.Is
beyond
quickening
▪Has any instrument is used ?
▪Has self induced or assisted?
▪Presence of any injuries in
vagina ,cervix,uterus .
▪Injecting fluid may be obtained
from inferior vena cava &
pulmonary arteries.
▪Time of interference.
▪Vagal inhibition – instantaneous
death ,air embolism - few
seconds.