Rifled fire-arm: the predominant weapon in all medico-legal deaths in Lahore

Objective: The main objective of Medico-legal autopsy is to find out the cause of death but it also helps in finding the manner of death. From this we also find out the criminal behavior of the society and usage of different kinds of weapons related with the cause of death and particularly the types of fire-arm weapons which is more in concern with the present study. This study was especially conducted to find out the predominance of rifled fire-arms weapons amongst all fire-arm deaths

Study Design: Observational / descriptive study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Forensic medicine and Toxicology K.E.M.U. Lahore during the period of 2006-2008

Materials and Methods: This study includes 2979 medico-legal autopsies. The information was gathered from post-mortem reports, police documents and hospital records. Not only the kind of weapon was studied but all other parameters were taken into consideration like, cause and manner of death, sex, age, season and areas of injuries on the body

Results: The analysis quite distinctly highlighted that amongst 2979 deaths 1285 were because of fire-arms weapons [43.13%]. Out of these 1192 [92%] deaths were by rifled weapons, whereas 103 [8%] were by smooth bored fire-arm weapons. Total number of male deaths by fire-arms was 1066 [82.95%], whereas females were 219 [17.05%]. All homicidal cases were 788, 46 suicidal, 97 accidental and in 354 the manner remained un-determined. The manner amongst males was, 652 homicidal, 42 suicidal, 82 accidental and in 290 it was un-determined. And in females 136 were homicidal, 4 were suicidal, 15 accidental and in 64 the manner remained un-determined. The ratio of homicidal to suicidal was 17.1:1 and homicidal to accidental ratio was 8.1:1. In 92% cases the rifled fore-arms weapons was used and in 8% it was smooth bored. The rifled fire-arms injuries had multiple entry wounds in 52.9% of deaths and there was single entry wound in 47% deaths. While there was single entry wound in 66% deaths in smooth bored weapons and in 34% of cases multiple wounds were observed. The range of fire in [56.8%] homicidal deaths was distant, whereas in 30.4% it was close range. Close contact fire was seen in 1.4% of suicidal deaths. 16% cases showed blackening, 10.58% cases had tattooing and in 2.25% cases there was burning

Conclusion: The fire-arms weapon is the most predominant mean of un-natural deaths. Amongst them the usage of rifled weapons is more than the smooth bored. So this needs formulation of effective law for control of these weapons

Homicidal strangulation: the leading cause in all asphyxial deaths in Allama Iqbal medical college, Lahore during the year 2013

Objective: The objective of this study was to find out the commonest cause of death in these asphyxial deaths during the period of study and to compare it with other studies previously carried out on this subject

Study Design: Observational / descriptive study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Forensic Medicine Department AIMC, Lahore from January 2013 to December 2013

Materials and Methods: Total medico-legal autopsies were 221. Out of these 32 were the cases of mechanical asphyxial deaths, which were selected for this study. The documents scrutinized for this purpose was, autopsy reports, police papers and hospital charts

Results: Out of all post-mortems conducted, the mechanical asphyxial deaths were 32 [14.47%]. Amongst them the cases of strangulations were the most 16 [50%], next in number were the cases of drowning 8 [25%]. There were 6 [18.75%] cases of throttling, and only 2 [6.25%] cases were of hanging. None of them was the case of traumatic asphyxia. In 32 cases of all asphyxial deaths males were 17[53.12%]. Amongst these 16 cases of strangulation the 3[rd]and 4th decades showed higher incidence. In all asphyxial deaths male [17] and females [15] show almost equal distribution. Strangulation is the most prevalent cause of death in all 32 asphyxial deaths. Almost all strangulation deaths were homicidal and hanging was suicidal. Similarly all throttling cases were homicidal. Ligature strangulation and throttling were the methods used in homicidal manner [50.00%] while hanging was used for suicide [6.25%]. In hanging the position of the knot was at occiput in all cases. In ligature strangulation showed the knot on the front in almost all cases

Conclusion: Amongst all asphyxial deaths the most prevalent cause was strangulation and manner in all was homicidal, it is one of the commonest causes of deaths in our country. So strangulation remains the most preferred method of homicidal asphyxial killings

Prevalence of suicidal hanging in males of 3[rd] decade of life

Objective: This study was carried out to find the manner and gender variation in various age groups of asphyxial deaths in Lahore

Study Design: Observational study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine King Edward Medical University, Lahore, during January 2006 to December 2008

Materials and Methods: A total of 2979 autopsies had been carried out. After detailed scrutiny 220 cases of asphyxial deaths were selected for this study. The post-mortem reports, police papers and hospital notes were studied. The parameters selected in those asphyxial deaths were age, sex, means of constriction, level of application of force and fracture of hyoid bone

Results: Amongst this total number of autopsies in 220 cases, the cause of death was asphyxia [7.39%]. Hanging surpassed amongst all asphyxial deaths 104 which was 47.27%, ligature strangulation was next in number 64[29.09%] and then the throttling 52[23.64%]. Out of these 104 cases of hanging72 were males and males dominated as per M/F ratio shown as 2.25:1.0. The 3rddecade age group i.e.; 21-30 years had higher incidence of males than females. The homicidal manner was126 [57.27%], suicidal 68[30.91%] and in un-determined it was 26[11.82%]

Conclusion: Hanging remains the commonest method of suicide in males especially in age group of 21-30.Strangulation with ligature and manual throttling are the other methods used in homicidal deaths. The post-mortem findings showed damage to the structures above the thyroid cartilage which favors death due to hanging and throttling. And the trauma to the tissues below thyroid cartilage is consistent with ligature strangulation. The fracture of Hyoid bone is commonly seen in ligature strangulation

Position of the knot in hanging and strangulation in asphyxial deaths in medico-legal autopsies in Lahore

This study was carried out to find out the position of the knot in all the asphyxial deaths due to hanging and ligature strangulation. Retrospective study. This study was carried out at Forensic Medicine Department KEMU, Lahore, during the period from Jan. 2006 to Dec. 2008. Out of total 2979 medico-legal autopsies, 220 cases of fatal compression to the neck were selected. The autopsy reports, police documents and hospital records were studied. Out of total autopsies compressive trauma to the neck was in 220 cases [7.39%]. Hanging was the commonest cause 42.27%, ligature strangulation 29.09% and manual throttling 23.64%. The manner of death out of 104 cases of hanging was 68.50% [68 cases] with predominance of males [Male/Female ratio 2.78:1]. 3[rd] decade showed higher incidence in males than the females which were more in 2[nd] decade. No hanging was seen in the 1[st] decade. The strangulation was common in 2[nd], 3[rd] and 4[th] decades of life. Males showed higher incidence than females in hanging in 3[rd] and 4[th] decade. Females showed higher incidence in 2[nd], 3[rd] and 4[th] decades in ligature strangulations than males. In throttling males showed higher incidence in 3[rd] decade than females in 4[th] decade. The homicidal deaths were 57.27%, suicidal 30.90% and un-determined were 11.82%. Ligature strangulation and throttling were the methods used in homicidal manner [57.27%] while hanging was used for suicide [30.97%]. In hanging the position of the knot was at occiput in 62.50% cases and 23.08% had lateral position. In ligature strangulation 78.13% showed the knot on the front and 21.87% lateral. In hanging, which is a common method of suicide in our country, the knot was at occiput in 65 cases [62.50%], on right or left lateral in 24 cases [23.08%] and in none of the case was on the front. While in ligature strangulation, in 50 cases [78.13%] it was on the front, in 14 cases [21.87%] on right or left side and in none of the case it was on the front

Third decade of life: the most vulnerable age in homicidal fire-arms deaths in Lahore

This study is aimed to analyze the cases which had been subjected to medico-legal autopsies to find out the most vulnerable age group in homicidal deaths. The Medico-legal autopsy is conducted not only to find out the cause and manner of death but it also helps to assess the criminal attitude of the society. It also provides information about the usage of different weapons. This study was carried out to find out the age which is most vulnerable to homicide deaths. Retrospective study. This study was carried out at Forensic Medicine Department KEMU Lahore during the period of 2006-2008. This study was carried out on 2979 cases which had been subjected to medico-legal autopsy. The data was gathered from police documents, autopsy reports and hospital notes. And the various parameters were chosen, like age, sex, manner and cause of death, kind of weapon and seasonal variation. The results clearly showed that the homicide was the most common manner of death in total 70.36%. [Table No.] The 3[rd] and 4[th] decade of age were most abundant, 30.58% and 24.51% respectively. [Table No.] The 3[rd] decade is the most predominant 30.58%. [Table No.] Suicidal incidence 5.21% was higher in females. [Table No.] Regarding the kind of weapon, the fire-arms deaths were 43.13%, blunt weapons 13.52%, asphyxial deaths 8.96% and by sharp means were 8.59%. Our study has concluded that, there should be strict control of firearms especially the young [third decade], which will reduce the firearm fatalities

Chest: the most targeted area in homicidal firearms fatalities in Lahore

This study was carried out with an objective to find out the most targeted areas amongst the vital areas aimed in homicidal firearm fatalities in Lahore. This study is particularly aimed to analyze the homicidal fire-arms related deaths in Lahore during the period of 2006-2008. The objective is not only to find out the cause and manner of death but also to know the most targeted vital region on the body in homicidal fire-arms deaths. Retrospective study. This study was carried out at Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, King Edward Medical University, which is one of the main autopsy centers at Lahore during the period from 2006 to 2008. The study included all the firearm fatalities, on which the autopsy was conducted. Out of 2979 total autopsies, firearm fatalities were 1285 cases [43.13%]. Male were 83% as compared to Females, which were 17%. The highest incidence was of 3[rd] decade of age 38.9%. Homicides were 61.32%, suicide 3.58%, accidental 7.55% and 27.55% undetermined. Highest homicidal incidence was in 3[rd] decade 38.58%, then suicidal 39.13% in 2[nd] decade and accidental 30.93% in 3[rd] decade. Rifled firearm weapons were used in 92% of cases and non-rifled in 8%. With rifled 52.9% had multiple entry wounds and 47% had single entry. And non-rifled caused 66% single entries and 34% multiple entries. Distant wounds were in 69.6% in homicidal deaths and close range wounds were 30.4%. Regarding the targeted areas, the most frequent vital area involved was chest 44.2%, then was head 37.58% and followed by abdomen which was 36.65%

Fatal compressive trauma to neck

A study was conducted to investigate features of death due to strangulation in Lahore and to compare them with other studies on this subject. 220 cases of strangulation were selected out of 2979 total medico legal autopsies conducted at Forensic Medicine department K.E.M.U Lahore during Jan, 2006-Dec, 2008.The selected cases were analyzed for different variables. Neck compression constituted 7.39% of total autopsies and 89.43% of total asphyxial deaths. Hanging accounted for 42.27% followed by ligature strangulation 29.09% and throttling 23.64%. All types of strangulation were prevalent in 2[nd], 3[rd] and 4[th] decade of life. No case was noticed in age below 1 year. No hanging was noticed in 1[st] decade of life. Male had higher incidence over females in hanging in 3[rd] and 4[th] decade. Female had higher incidence in 2[nd] 3[rd] and 4[th] decade in ligature strangulation. Male had higher incidence in 3rd and female in 4[th] decade in throttling. Homicidal deaths accounted for 57.27%, suicidal 30.90%and undeterminable for 11.82%. Ligature strangulation and throttling were the methods used for homicide 57.27% while hanging was used for suicide 30.97%.. Above the thyroid cartilage, the marks were 58.63% with M/F ratio 1.86:1 giving. 53 [41.08%] fractures of the hyoid bone while marks at thyroid cartilage were 36.81% with M/F 1.79:1 giving [3] 3.70% hyoid bone fractures. Below thyroid cartilage 4.5% marks showed no hyoid bone fractures. Throttling showed hyoid bone fracture 69.23%, hanging 14.42% and ligature strangulation 7.81%. Ligature material used was soft in 47.62% cases and hard in 40.48%. It was used in single whirl in 57.41% cases and in multiple whirls in 42.86% cases. Ill defined marks were 40.45% and well defined were 64.09%. In hanging knot was present on occiput in 62.50% cases and on lateral sides in 23.08% cases while 78.13%cases showed the knot on front and 21.87% cases on lateral side in ligature strangulation. Congestion was found in 85.45%, petechial hemorrhage in 81.81% and cyanosis in 75.54% cases. Asphyxial death due to strangulation is common in our country in young age group in males. Hanging is a common method of suicide while ligature strangulation and throttling are used for homicide. The presence of compressive marks above thyroid cartilage are suggestive of death due to hanging and throttling while their presence at and below thyroid cartilage indicate ligature strangulation. This compressive trauma may or may not be associated with fracture of hyoid bone, which is a strong evidence of death due to strangulation