Audit of custodial deaths in Karachi — An autopsy-based study

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. discussion: 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.