Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine (JIAFM)

Sex wise distribution is in unison with other studies.
This preponderance could be due to the fact that
male member of the family is expected to preserve
every financial, honor, moral prestige of the family.
Hence any threat to these would make him to reach
the extremes of most dreadful act. Secondly, female
are less likely to be involved in brawling incidents
which are commonly associated with intentional
killings or likely to be killed as a matter of jealousy
and irrespective to whether they had an emotional or
sexual relationship with the offender.
Distribution of Incisions:
The distribution of incision is shown in Table No. I,
maximum incisions were on head and face 32.81%
and minimum were on lower limbs 6.25%.
Gorden and Shipiro (1988) [19] observed the incised
wounds are commonly seen in cases of homicidal
assault. Homicidal incised wounds are usually
multiple and can occur in any region of the body. If
in a case of homicidal wounding, the victim tried to
defend himself by warding of blows or by grasping
the weapon, the multiple incisions may be found on
his forearms and in the palms of his hands. Wounds
on top of head are homicidal.
In the present study similar findings were observed
majority of incisions were on head and face. This
could be out of revenge to disfigure, the face or to
conceal the identity by deforming head and face. As
head contains the most vital organ the brain, so any
injury to head will be fatal is well known fact to the
assailant.
Features of wearing apparels:
In the present study 93.5% victims had worn clothes
of which 61.78% were torn and 64.33% were blood
stained (Table No. II). Tear in clothes was not
observed in cases where injury was on head region
and clothes were not stained in cases of deaths due
to strangulation or concealed head injury cases. No
comparative work is available to discuss this issue.
Defence wounds:
In the present study 36% had received defence
wounds. Similarly Dikshit, Dogra, Chandra (1986)
[13] had found in 28.58% victims received defence
wounds. Dikshit and Kumar (1997) [15] had found in
11.17% victims, defence wounds are commonest on
the palmar aspects of hands. Gill and Cantanese
(2002) [20] found defence wound in 49% of
homicides. These are caused while warding off a
blow or by some other means. In present study also
maximum defence wounds were on palmar aspect
of hands and outer aspect of forearm just like study
of Dikshit and Kumar (1997). [15]
Summary and Conclusions:
The incidence of homicide was 12.03%. The largest
number of victims was of the age group of 21-30
years 31% and majority of victims were males
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JIAFM, 2007 29 (2) ISSN: 0971-0973
82.5%. Incised wounds were present maximum
38(29.69%) on head and face. Chop wounds were
present on head and face, neck and upper limbs
4(3.12%). 93.5% victims had worn clothes out of
which 61.78% were torn and 64.33% were blood
stained. Incidence of defence wounds was 36%.
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