Police encounters in Karachi - an autopsy based study

Background and Objective: A unique study conducted in Karachi with actual facts and figures based on autopsy findings of killings in Police encounters during last three years, also highlighting the number of killings which occurred during last three years along with age group, parts of body involved in such deaths along with areas of Karachi, so as to give an overall picture of these encounters. More over the root causes of these encounters, along with recommendations to improve the prevailing law and order situation in Karachi enabling people to per sue their daily routine without any fear or threat to life and property

Methods: The study is an autopsy based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Mortuaries at Civil hospital, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center and Abbasi-Shaheed Hospital of Karachi. The duration of study is based on three years, from 1st Jan 2011 to October 31st 2014. Records were gathered from the office of the Police Surgeon, Karachi and each post mortem report was scrutinized by the authors who are senior Forensic Experts themselves. All cases of police encounters that were brought for autopsy were included in the study while any case which was not autopsied was excluded. Aside from this custodial deaths have been excluded in the study

Results: Total number of encounter deaths autopsied during the period of study are 260, with 135[51.92%] autopsied at JPMC, 95[36.54%] at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and 30[11.54%] at Civil Hospital Mortuary. Identity of deceased was known in 108 cases [41.54%] and 152[58.46%] remained unidentified. Majority of cases were between 25-30 years [n=135, 51.92%], next in order of frequency were 31-35 years [n=46, 17.69%] and least in 36 and above years [n=37, 14.23%]. On autopsy the pattern of frequency of body parts involved is ; bullet injuries in chest and abdomen in 110 cases [42.31%], only chest in 74 cases [28.46%], head in 17 cases [6.54%] and abdomen in 25 cases[9.62%].District wise Malir was venue of most of the encounter deaths 115[44.23%], followed by District South with 44 [16.92%] deaths, District East with 35[13.46]. A comparison between 2013 and 2014, showed that the frequency of Police encounters has increased from 19.23% i.e. from 50 deaths in 2013 to 57.69% i.e.150 deaths in 2014, up to October 31[st] 2014

Conclusion: The word life has not been defined in the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, but it does not mean nor can it be restricted only to vegetative or animal life or mere existence from conception to death. Life includes all such amenities and facilities which a person born in a free country is entitled to enjoy with dignity, legally and constitutionally. So it is the duty of the state to provide safety to public. Although it is a good attempt to clean the city from notorious elements in the city of Karachi, but the main thing is that law enforcing agencies carry it without political discrimination and in cases of police encounters the action should be justified to rule out extra judicial killings. Speedy trial of those apprehended in courts of law and protection to witnesses will be of great help

Pattern, incidence and mortality rate of acute poisonings at Karachi- one year study

Poisoning is a socio medical problem in almost all parts of the world. The prevalence of poisoning, types of poison and the associated morbidity and mortality varies from one country to another and even in one country it varies from one place to another and it may change over a period of time. To determine the pattern, incidence and mortality rate of acute poisoning by various agents, the types of poisoning, vulnerable age group, outcome of patients with poisoning, and to find out the most common type of poison used in Karachi in study period. Retrospective Study. This study was conducted at National Poisoning Control Center [NPCC], Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center, Karachi from 01-01- 2001 to 31-12- 2001. A total of 1472 patients of both sex and age ranged from 8 years or older reported with acute poisoning during the study period. Detailed history and examination regarding the nature of poisoning were taken. Relevant investigations for purpose of diagnosis were carried out. Other relevant information was obtained mainly by retrieving hospital records. Data was noted on predesigned proforma. Total 1472 patients were admitted with poisoning during the study period. Out of them 897 [61%] were males while 575 [39%] were females. Male female ratio was 1.5:1. Our study showed that highest number of patients 505 [34.30%] were belonged to age group 21-30 years followed by 485 [32.94%] in 15-20 years and 245 [16.64%] in 31-40 years. There were 59 poisoning related deaths among the 1472 patients, and of whom 45/59 deaths were of organophosphorous compounds poisoning. Thus present study showed a mortality rate for poisoning 59 [4%]. Acute poisoning is a significant public health problem affecting mainly young adults. Main substances responsible for acute poisoning are organophosphorous insecticides and drugs

Audit of sharp weapon deaths in metropolis of Karachi -an autopsy based study

Sharp weapons are one of the most violent and abhorrent means of deaths. This study assesses the frequency of sharp weapon deaths in Karachi. This was a cross sectional study, and involves the deaths by sharp weapons autopsied in Karachi during Mar 2008-Feb 2009. This study reports that the frequency of sharp weapon deaths in Karachi is similar to some other studies conducted in different regions of Pakistan, yet it is very high as the population of Karachi is way more than any other metropolis of Pakistan. Our study reported that out of 2090 medico-legal deaths in Karachi during the study period, 91 deaths were due to sharp weapons, including 73 [80.2%] males and 18 [19.8%] females. 100% of the deaths were homicides, so none were suicides. Deaths were more frequent in age group ranging from 20-39 years [59.3%]. Sharp weapon deaths continue to be a means of quite a number of deaths in Karachi. Such violence depicts intolerant and frustrated nature of the citizens

Drug dependence: a threat to society

To highlight the general trend of drug abuse in Karachi, age group of addicts, their background, reasons for drug abuse and response of family, friends and society and steps necessary to eliminate this problem. Study is on 200 addicts, conducted in Government Hospitals, Private Rehabilitation Centers and three different areas in Karachi. Out of 200 addicts 95 percent were males. At the time of interview majority of addicts were between 10-20 years. The sources of drug supply were friends and drug peddlers mostly. Main reason for starting the drug was stress and friends. Heroin was the most commonly used drug, those who took Charas as initial drug ended up switching over to Heroin. Majority was willing to quite the drug but most of them were brought for treatment by family, friends, neighbours or police. Out of those treated many restarted the drug because of the friends or refusal by family or society to give them a second chance. Few had police record. Addiction is wide spread amongst the youth with major problem being stress due to domestic and financial problems, joblessness. The main cause being amendable needing help from doctor, family, friends, society and government

Role of DNA-Finger printing in disputed paternity

The majority of cases regarding Disputed Paternity arise in the context of affiliation orders, divorce proceedings and questioned legitimacy. In our setting paternity is decided in cases of inheritance, gaurdianship, maintenance, legitimacy, adultery or fornication. In law courts of Pakistan disputed paternity is decided on evidence of parties, marriage, date of birth, living together of spouses and in rare cases by medical evidence and tests. On interviewing judges 1 have found that upto now only few cases have been filed in Court of Pakistan for deciding paternity, as compared to this in United States about 285,000 paternity suits are filed each year and out of these 60,000 are of disputed paternity, it is the lack of awareness of importance of establishing paternity which is responsible for no definite format to be followed in cases of Disputed Paternity in Pakistan. There is an innate reluctance to do something which may be to the disadvantage of a child. However the best interest of a child can only be secured if the truth relating to the parents are as certained

Importance of correct interpretation of postmortem artifacts in medicolegal autopsies

PURPOSE: To study whether various injuries labelled as antemortem are in fact postmortem artifacts. STUDY SUBJECTS: 780 postmortems conducted in mortuary of S.M.C. Karachi from 1-1-95 to 20-9-95. MAIN FINDINGS: Out of 780 autopsies, 229 showed postmortem artifacts which included decomposition in 78, animal and insects producing changes in 45, injuries due to rough handling in 40, breaking of rigor mortis and shifting of postmortem lividity during transportation in 37, iatrogenic fracture of skull during opening in 15, fractured ribs during resuscitation after death in 8 and exhumation producing fractures of bones in 6 bodies