Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on characteristics of unnatural deaths autopsied at a tertiary care center in Pondicherry

Abstract

Abstract Background: The number of reported unnatural deaths showed an observable decline during the lockdown imposed to curb COVID-19. In this study, we aimed to analyze the characteristics of unnatural deaths autopsied at our center during this 3-month period of lockdown and compared it with statistics of the same 3-month period in the 3 years before 2020. Methodology: The statistics of unnatural cases autopsied during the lockdown period were analyzed and compared with the statistics of cases autopsied in the same period of the previous 3 years (2017–2019). The data for this study were obtained from autopsy reports and police inquest reports of the cases autopsied at a tertiary care center in Pondicherry. Results: There was a reduction in homicidal and accidental deaths during lockdown when compared to previous years while suicides had doubled during the lockdown period. Unnatural deaths, where the presence of alcohol was either the instigator or a major contributor to the fatality, were also reduced. Conclusion: This study reveals the indirect and unexpected consequences of lockdown in relation to unnatural deaths and the findings can help in the implementation of social reform policies.