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

ABSTRACT

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