Volume 8
Number 2, July 2026Burned for a price: A Case Study on Dowry-Associated Violence
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47648/zhswmcj.2026.v0802.08
Tasmin T1 , Akther N2
Abstract
Dowry-related violence remains a critical medico-legal issue in developing countries, with burn injuries among its most severe outcomes. We report the case of an 18-year-old married woman admitted with 60% total body surface area burns after alleged dowry harassment, who died within 12 days. Autopsy findings indicated ante mortem, intentionally inflicted flame burns. This case highlights the importance of forensic medicine in revealing the circumstances of such deaths and calls for stronger cooperation among healthcare, forensic, and legal professionals to prevent violence and support vulnerable women. Public awareness must be raised against these acts.
Keywords: Dowry, burn injury, forensic medicine, homicide, gender-based violence, medico-legal investigation.
- Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine
- Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine