RESUMO
Objectives: To find out the hyoid bone fractures in various modalities of compression to the neck i.e. Neck strangulation, Hanging, Garroting and Throttling and to study the socio-demographic characteristics of those victims brought for autopsy
Study Design: Cross Sectional Study [Descriptive]
Setting and Duration: This study was conducted in Autopsy Section of DHQ Hospital Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan for a period of five years from January, 2013 to December, 2017
Methodology: Total 87 medico legal autopsies were labeled as the cases of neck compression and police papers depicted history of strangulation at the level of neck. After careful observation of all related findings of ligature strangulation, throttling and hanging; the hyoid bone was examined in each case
Results: Mean age of the victims was 24.16 +/- 15.23. Out of 87 cases, 53[60.9%] were male and 34[39.1%] female. According to the police inquest, 52[59.8%] victims belonged to lower socio- economic status while urban area predominance appreciated in 61[70.1%] cases. Modalities of the neck strangulation included 62[71.26%] cases of hanging, 9[10.34%] cases of garroting and 16[18.40%] cases of throttling. Hyoid bone was found fractured in 18[20.7%] cases and out of those, throttling was the most common cause of hyoid bone fracture in 12[75.0%] victims of neck compression. Occupational data revealed 13[72.2%] victims belonged to lower socio-economic status, 3[16.6%] from average socio-economic background while 2[11.1%] belonged to the better economic group. As regards residential status; 10[55.6%] victims were inhabitants of rural areas while 8[44.4%] belonged to the urban setup
Conclusion: Fracture of the hyoid bone is rare and attention should be paid towards cases of throttling instead of hanging to find out these lesions during autopsy. Examining doctors overemphasize the importance of hyoid bone and ignore the soft tissue injuries of neck due to faulty dissection techniques. Being a task of immense importance, the autopsy techniques should be improved by arranging practical training under supervision of the experts of Forensic Medicine Department at the regional Medical Colleges
RESUMO
Background: Excessive use of the firearms causing severe and lethal effect to the victims and their families, delivery of health care and judicial system as well as society where they live. The easy availability of guns has increased the firearm fatalities, especially in developing countries
Objectives: To study the pattern of lethal firearm injuries, in Multan city with special reference to the regions of the body affected, seasonal variation and vulnerable age group
Study design: Retrospective study
Setting and duration: The study was carried out by examining the record of all medicolegal autopsies conducted in the department of Forensic Medicine, Nishtar Medical College Multan during calendar year 2016. Only cases of firearm related deaths were selected for detailed examination and those died of other than firearm injuries were excluded. The reports were studied in relation to Age, types of firearm used, Gender, seasonal variation and regions of the body involved
Results: During 2016, out of total 197 medicolegal autopsies, 77[39.08%] died of firearm injuries and out of those, male victim were 67[44.66%]. The most vulnerable age was 19-40 yrs [45.45%]. Male female ratio was 6.4:1, the chest being the commonest targeted area was38.96%, while during the months of July and August highest incidence of deaths due to firearm observed [15.57%]
Conclusion: The young males are the most common target and the leading cause of death was the injuries on the chest. There is need of strict implementation of law regarding possession of firearm and improvement in socioeconomic conditions of the individuals