Iatrogenic injuries leading to suspicion of homicide

Abstract 

Injuries produced as a result of medical intervention may lead to confusion in certain cases during investigation and postmortem examination. Proper documentation of all interventions with the injuries, if produced, is of vital importance. The present case is a rare case where the iatrogenic injuries produced by a medical practitioner during the course of treatment of a case of suicidal hanging resulted in a suspicion being raised as to the nature of death. The suspicion was further strengthened by the lack of proper documentation and inappropriate/improper use of terminology of medicolegal significance.

Keywords: Iatrogenic injuries, Medical documentation, Hanging, Strangulation, Smothering