Unravelling Dyadic Deaths in Southern India: Autopsy Case Reports

Authors

  • Aravindan U Senior Resident, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Author
  • K Venkat Nagraj Associate Professor, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad, Telangana Author
  • Gerard Pradeep Devnath Assistant Professor, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Madurai, Tamil Nadu Author
  • Senthil Kumaran M Associate Professor, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Madurai, Tamil Nadu Author
  • Suraj Sundaragiri Assistant Professor, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad, Telangana Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/jfmt.2026.43.03.21

Keywords:

Dyadic deaths, Homicide-suicide, Asphyxial deaths, Poisoning, Chop wound

Abstract

Dyadic deaths are not uncommon in our society. The true incidence of such deaths in different regions remains largely unknown due to underreporting. The methods of execution used by perpetrators vary across regions. In India, poisoning, strangulation, and sharp‑force injuries are common, whereas firearms are more frequently involved in Western countries. Perpetrators are typically family members or individuals known to the victims. In this case series, three instances of dyadic deaths from a state in Southern India are presented. The circumstances, methods employed, the relationship between perpetrators and victims, and the autopsy findings are described in detail below.

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Author Biographies

  • Aravindan U, Senior Resident, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

    Senior Resident

    Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

  • K Venkat Nagraj, Associate Professor, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad, Telangana

    Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

    Associate Professor

  • Gerard Pradeep Devnath, Assistant Professor, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

    Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

    Assistant Professor

  • Senthil Kumaran M, Associate Professor, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

    Associate professor

    Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

  • Suraj Sundaragiri, Assistant Professor, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad, Telangana

    Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

    Assistant Professor

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Published

2026-09-26

How to Cite

U, A., Venkat Nagraj, K., Pradeep Devnath, G., Kumaran M, S., & Sundaragiri, S. (2026). Unravelling Dyadic Deaths in Southern India: Autopsy Case Reports. Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 43(3), 144-147. https://doi.org/10.48165/jfmt.2026.43.03.21