Decoding Cut-throat Wounds in Forensic Autopsy: Diagnostic Dilemmas – A Case Series

Authors

  • Tayyaba Tanvir Senior Resident, Department of Forensic Medicine, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital. Author
  • Alok Kumar Maurya Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Faridabad. Author
  • Varun Garg Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital. Author
  • Ankita Singh Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital. Author
  • Alok Agrahari Junior Resident, Department of Forensic Medicine, Lady Hardinge Medical College. Author
  • Anil Kumar Mittal Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital. Author
  • Mukta Rani Director Professor and Head, Department of Forensic Medicine, Lady Hardinge Medical College. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/jfmt.2026.43.02.21

Keywords:

Homicidal, Suicidal, Accidental, Manner, Cut-throat

Abstract

Cut-throat injuries are incised wounds to the neck, commonly associated with homicide, less commonly with suicides or, rarely, as accidents. Distinguishing between homicidal cut-throat wounds mimics those of suicidal origin, is a challenging situation when either a unique weapon is used or the body is recovered after a prolonged period, often without reliable history or witnesses. We report four cases of cut throat wound with different manner of death, and unique weapon of offence. These cases highlights the challenges faced by forensic pathologists and underscores the need for meticulous forensic autopsy examination.

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Author Biographies

  • Tayyaba Tanvir, Senior Resident, Department of Forensic Medicine, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital.

    Senior Resident

    Department of Forensic Medicine

  • Alok Kumar Maurya, Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Faridabad.

    Assistant Professor

    Department of Forensic Medicine

  • Varun Garg, Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital.

    Associate Professor

    Department of Forensic Medicine

  • Ankita Singh, Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital.

    Assistant Professor

    Department of Forensic Medicine

  • Alok Agrahari, Junior Resident, Department of Forensic Medicine, Lady Hardinge Medical College.

    Junior Resident

    Department of Forensic Medicine

  • Anil Kumar Mittal, Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital.

    Professor

    Department of Forensic Medicine

  • Mukta Rani, Director Professor and Head, Department of Forensic Medicine, Lady Hardinge Medical College.

    Director Professor and Head

    Department of Forensic Medicine

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Published

2026-07-12

How to Cite

Tanvir, T., Maurya, A. K., Garg, V., Singh, A., Agrahari, A., Mittal, A. K., & Rani, M. (2026). Decoding Cut-throat Wounds in Forensic Autopsy: Diagnostic Dilemmas – A Case Series. Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 43(2), 135-139. https://doi.org/10.48165/jfmt.2026.43.02.21