Narabali: A rare case of human sacrifice

Abstract

With modern civilization and the rise in literacy, cases of human sacrifice are rarely encountered by forensic practitioners. Human sacrifice, also called ‘Narabali’ in India, involves an act of deliberately killing an individual due to ritualistic beliefs for the appeasement of the Gods, spirits, or ancestors. Human sacrifice and ritual murder are often considered synonymous, but ritual murder further involves offering the body part to the deity after killing. Diverse methods were historically adopted for human sacrifice across the globe, strongly influenced by their superstitious, religious, and cultural beliefs. Cases of human sacrifice mostly involve children. We report the rare case of human sacrifice involving an adult victim assaulted by a sharp weapon over the posterior aspect of the neck. The deceased succumbed due to the transection of the cervical spine and corresponding spinal cord. Corroboration of circumstances of death and profiles of the deceased and the perpetrator with autopsy findings were essential in the investigation. This case report discusses extreme superstitions and beliefs, resulting in homicide.