Incidence of homicide by sharp edged weapon at Lahore

ABSTRACT

To find out the most frequently targeted site of the body in sharp force homicidal injuries, defence wounds, age, associated weapon use, gender incidence and cause of death. Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore. 2002, 2003 and 2004. Proforma was designed for retrospective study, relevant information was gleaned from the available record .A three year period was selected, spreading over 2002, 2003 and 2004, was scrutinised for 232 cases autopsied at this facility. Male to female ratio was 2.26 1. Maximum number of victims belonged to the 20-29 years age group. Single injuries were present in 18.54% of the cases and multiple were present in 81.46% cases. The commonest associated weapon used was blunt. Death was caused by haemorrhage in 46.5% cases and damage to vital organs proved to be the cause of death in 53.5% cases. Defence injuries were seen in 26.7% cases. The commonest infliction site was the neck in females while the area most targeted in male victims was the chest. The most targeted site is neck. Approximately one in four victims had defence injuries. Most injuries are on trunk [chest and abdomen]. Commonest regions for males was chest and in females. Damage to vital organs was the major cause of death. Amongst females teenager are more vulnerable, as this group had the maximum number of victims