Abstract
Background: Homicide is defined as killing of one human being by another human being. The various patterns of homicidal deaths include assault by sharp weapon, blunt weapon, firearm, strangulation, homicidal hanging, smothering, drowning, burns, poisoning etc. Killing of an individual is the highest level of aggression found in all the cultures. Therefore, the present study was conducted to find out the pattern of causes of death in homicidal cases on autopsy in Pakistan.
Material & Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted from January, 2010 to March, 2014. Autopsies of 2025 dead bodies were conducted in homicidal cases and included in this study. The data was collected on written proforma from the records of Forensic medicine Department BMC Bannu, Alama Iqbal Memorial Hospital Sialkot, Banzeer District Hospital Rawalpindi and Banzeer District Hospital Abbottabad with permission of the authorities. Cases of deceased where cause of death was determined either by external and internal examination or by histological examination / chemical analysis of viscerae were included in this study. Partially decomposed, advancedly decomposed or skeletonized bodies, with no internal or external injuries sufficient to cause death and histological and toxicological reports failing to reveal any abnormal findings, were also included in the study. Different variables of bodies e.g., sex and age were analyzed using statistical package for social Sciences (SPSS) version 13.
Results:
There were 15.89 % (325 cases) of homicidal autopsies conducted at Bannu district, 31.76 % (670 cases) of homicidal autopsies conducted at district Rawalpindi, 22.02 % (450 cases) of homicidal autopsies conducted at district Sialkot and 30.33 % (600 cases) of homicidal autopsies conducted at district Abbottabad as shown in Table No 1.The victims of homicide at autopsy were maximum 31 % (750 cases) at the age range of 31 – 40 years as compared to age above 60 years 5.15 % (130 cases) which was minimum in this study as shown in Table No 2. The female victims of homicide were 32.76 % (670 cases) and male victims of homicide on autopsy were 67.24 % (1375 cases) as shown in Table No 3. It was seen in this study that in 60.14 % (1230 cases) the cause was fire arm injury, bomb blast in 2.54 % (53 cases), target killing in 2.94 % (60 cases), blunt weapon injury in 17.94 % (367 cases), asphyxia in 1.72 % (35 cases), sharp weapon injury 1.96 % (40 cases), drowning in 1.72 % (35 cases), electrocution in 1.28 % (26 cases), poisoning in 1.37 % (28 cases), burning in 3.61 % (74 cases) and undetermined cause in 4.74 % (97 cases) as shown in Table No 4.
Conclusion: Homicidal deaths, mostly due to fire arms have increased substantially in the last decade. Strict measures should be taken to monitor and control the possession of illegal fire arms. Law and order need to be improved in the country.
Key Words: Autopsy, cause of death, Homicide, Decomposed or Skeltonized body and corpse.
Asad Ullah, Alvina Raja, Yasmin Aamir, Abdul Hamid, Jahanzeb Khan. (2014) PATTERN OF CAUSES OF DEATH IN HOMICIDAL CASES ON AUTOPSY IN PAKISTAN, Gomal Journal of Medical Sciences , Volume 12, Issue 4.
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