jiafm, 2010-32(2) april-june. - forensic medicine

ISSN 0971-0973 J Indian Acad Forensic Med, 32(2)Original research paperA study of homicidal deaths by mechanical injuries in Surat,Gujarat*Dr. Pranav Prajapati, MD, **Dr. M. I. Sheikh, MD, DNB, ***Dr. Shyam Patel, MBBSAbstract:Violence has been always an integral part of the human civilization since its inception. Human beings havebeen progressively become expert in producing various type of weapons both for offensive and defensive purposes.This study was aimed to evaluate the mechanical injuries in homicidal cases of different motives and also to find outthe most vulnerable portion of the body so as to minimize the loss of human life and common weapon used in suchcases.The present study was carried out on 166 cases of homicidal deaths due to mechanical injuries during theyear 2004 -05. Incidence of homicidal death due to mechanical injuries was averagely 83 cases per year. Mechanicalinjuries were quite common in homicidal deaths involving 130 males and 36 female victims. Majority of victimswere in the age group of 21-40 years include 104 cases (62.65%). Stab injuries were commonly seen on theabdomen and chest due to sharp cutting weapons. Blunt force was the most commonly employed method in 80 cases(48.19%). Incidence of firearm was quite rare. Lungs were commonly involved internal organ. Male group wasdominant over female group in defensive mechanism.Key Words: Violence, Defense Wound, Homicidal Injury, Hard, Blunt WeaponIntroduction:Homicide is the death of one human beingas a result of the conduct of another. Homicide is anexpression of aggression in its most extreme form.Amongst the strongest factors that predict aggressionand violence in a poor family atmosphere as reflectedin is rejection, punitiveness, hostility, permissivenessand aggression. Factors weakly related to aggressionare a male gender, neuropsychological deficits,having a muscular physique, high plasma testosteronelevels and being raised in an urban environment.In addition to factors that trigger or provokeaggression. There are other elements of a potentiallyaggressive situation that facilitate the expression ofthe behavior. These facilitators include the presenceof weapons and seeing other people acting violently;which may either simply increase arousal or they maysuggest to the observer that violence is an acceptableoption. [1, 2]Corresponding author:Dr. Pranav Prajapati*Assistant Professor,Forensic Medicine &Toxicology,Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education &Research,Surat – 395010 IndiaMobile: +91- 9426362474Email: pprajapati79@gmail.com**Professor & Head***TutorInjuries are a leading cause of death in allage groups and both sexes (sex). Violence andinjuries account for 9% of the global mortality and12% of all disability adjusted life years (DALYs). [3]It is estimated that 5.8 million people worldwide dieeach year as a result of some form of injury. [4]Globally, around 520,000 people die each year as aresult of interpersonal violence, which equates to1400 deaths every single day. [5]The crime is now days propagatedthrough the most advanced audio-visual apparatusthrough television transmission, modern motives andcrime friction stories without any inhibition andcontrol over quality and variety of material in them.Killing of human being is very common; a deathbeing flashed in the columns of the popularnewspapers every day. It is still a challengeable taskfor investigating agency to reveal the mystery and forjudiciary to award a deterrent sentence to the guilty.The circumstances become more complex when suchexercise also involves socio-economic factors inaddition to medico legal ingredients of a case.Homicide investigation can never becomplete without a detailed postmortem examination.The detailed analysis and scientific interpretation ofautopsy finding is imperative to reconstruct thecrime. The medical criterion of homicide isconclusive demonstration that death was violent, i.e.caused by injury. Demonstration that the lethalviolence arouse from an unlawful act, agency,134