Patterns of homicide in Sfax, Tunisia: A 9-year cohort study (2011-2019).

INTRODUCTION: In Tunisia, since the January 2011 revolution, there has been considerable media interest in violence, particularly homicides. A popular perspective is, aside from any politically motivated killings, of a rise in homicides from year to year. In the absence of Tunisian national homicide statistics, a more accurate picture may be obtainable from area pathologist records. AIMS: To examine annual homicide rates from post-mortem data for the second largest administrative area of Tunisia, Sfax, with a mixed urban-rural population of about one million people. METHODS: All victims of common law homicide for the region are taken to the forensic department of one hospital in Sfax. We conducted a retrospective and descriptive study of all such cases of homicide for the 9 year period from the date of the fall of the Tunisian government in 14 January 2011 to 31 December 2019 and linked these data to those from earlier studies in the same department. RESULTS: One hundred and nine victims of unlawful homicide were identified during this nine year period, with an average of 12 cases per year and a peak of 17 cases in 2016, yielding a broadly consistent rate of 1.2 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants and no consistent pattern in fluctuations. Just over two-thirds of the victims were men. Mean age of victims was 34.85 years (range 8-90 years). Just under half were married (45%); largest employment groups were of low-paid casual workers (40%) or unemployed (28%). One third of the killings had taken place in a private residence, with interpersonal conflict given as the largest explanatory category; over one quarter were intra-familial and 14% between intimate partners. There was some seasonal variation, with nearly two-thirds of homicides occurring in the spring and summer months. CONCLUSION: Contrary to press hype, we found no evidence of rising homicide rates in Southern Tunisia, although this does represent a different picture from that in the north of the country. The seasonal variation would merit further exploration as it raises questions around impact of fluctuations in mental health.

Trends and Patterns of Homicides Arising From Interpersonal Violence in Nigeria (2006-2016).

Despite the considerable shift that has been recorded in the dimension and patterns of violence involving individuals in primary group relationships in Nigeria, available scholarly research on the phenomenon has been largely narrow with the majority concentrating on spousal abuse. To fill this gap, this study examined the incidence of homicides arising from interpersonal violence between 2006 and 2016. The descriptive design was employed, and social disorganization theory was adopted for its conceptual framework. Data were generated from the content review of a corpus of some Nigerian newspapers' coverage on cases of interpersonal violence that resulted into fatalities. Findings revealed that 516 cases of homicide occurring in a wide range of contexts were recorded in Nigeria between 2006 and 2016. Although instances of violent deaths due to interpersonal violence were recorded in all years considered, we found that the highest share (37%) of the fatalities occurred in 2012. Also, the majority of homicides (58%) due to interpersonal violence occurred in the South-West region. A multilayered approach involving relevant stakeholders is advocated as way of successfully containing the problem.

Alcohol Consumption and Violent Deaths in the City of Sao Paulo in 2015.

Background: Excessive alcohol consumption is a serious public health issue, because drunkenness affects critical judgment and self-control, making people more vulnerable to violence and accidents, with thus a potential association between alcohol consumption and violent deaths. Objective: To assess the association between alcohol consumption and violent deaths in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2015, and its relationship with gender, age, cause of death and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of victims. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted by collection of data from 2,882 victims of violent deaths subjected to examination of BAC from the archives of the Institute of Legal Medicine of the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Results: Alcohol was detected in blood samples of 27.06% of the victims and mean BAC levels were 1.92 ± 1.24 g/L. The mean age of the victims was 33.49 ± 15.19 years. The majority of the victims were male (84.14%) and the prevalence of positive BAC was higher amongst men (28.74%) than women (18.16%). Homicide was the most prevalent cause of death in the sample (36.57%), but there were a higher proportion of traffic accidents victims with positive BAC (32.01%), as well as higher BAC levels in these victims (46.77% in the range of 1.6-2.5 g/L). Conclusions: The results obtained in this study support a potential association between alcohol consumption and violent deaths in the city of Sao Paulo, mainly in traffic accidents victims.

Muertes por incidentes viales en Bello (Antioquia) (2012-2016) / Deaths due to road incidents in Bello (Antioquia) (2012-2016) / Mortes por acidentes rodoviários em Bello (Antioquia) (2012-2016)

Resumen Objetivo: Determinar la estructura de la mortalidad por incidentes viales en el municipio de Bello (Antioquia), entre los años 2012 y 2016. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo, con información obtenida de las bases de datos aerca de defunciones, parque automotor y malla vial del municipio. Se calcularon frecuencias y tasas de mortalidad para las variables pertinentes; con el análisis de correspondencias múltiples se determinó el perfil del fallecido, y para conocer la distribución espacial de las muertes se utilizó un mapa de densidad de Kernel, según el método de clasificación estándar cuantil. Resultados: Se registraron 313 defunciones por incidentes viales, 63 en promedio por año (13,4 por cada 100 000 habitantes), específicamente en los hombres (62 vs. 12 mujeres por 100 000), que tenían entre 19 y 28 años (47,9 %), con básica primaria (32,5 %) y que no estaban asegurados (44 %). Predominaron los incidentes viales por choques (53,0 %) y atropellamientos (41 %), los fines de semana y entre las 0:00 y las 6:00 a. m. (29,2 %); fueron las motocicletas las que más incidentes viales generaron con muertes (74,4 %). Las vías de mayor concentración de víctimas fatales fueron: en una parte de la Autopista Norte -entre las diagonales 50 y 52 (14,0 %), la calle 46 (2,2 %) y la carrera 50 (5,1 %)- y la Autopista Medellín-Bogotá (5,1 %), y en las comunas Suárez y Niquía (2,37 y 1,78 por cada 100 000). Conclusiones: Dado el importante aumento de la incidentalidad vial y, en consecuencia, de las muertes que de ella se deriva, se interroga acerca de la efectividad de las intervenciones emprendidas y se sugiere su valoración.

Abstract Objective: To determine the structure of mortality due to road incidents in the municipality of Bello (Antioquia), from 2012 to 2016. Methodology: Descriptive study with information obtained from the databases about deaths, the automotive fleet, as well as the road network in the municipality. Mortality rates for relevant variables were calculated. Also, the profile of a deceased person was determined via multiple correspondence analysis. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of deaths was found through a Kernel density estimation map according to the quantile standard classification method. Results: 313 deaths caused by road incidents were registered. 63 per year on average (being 13.4 per 100,000 inhabitants). This reality was specifically observed in men (62 vs. 12 women per 100,000), who were 19 to 28 years old (47.9 %), had primary school education (32.5 %), and did not have insurance (44 %). Most road incidents were crashes (53 %) and run-overs (41 %), on weekends and from 0:00 to 6:00 a.m. (29.2 %). Motorcycles caused the most fatal road incidents (74.4 %). The routes with the highest concentration of fatalities were: a segment of the Autopista Norte -between diagonales 50 and 52 (14 %), Calle 46 (2.2 %) and Carrera 50 (5.1 %)- Avenida Medellín-Bogotá (5.1 %), and in the Suárez and Niquía areas (2.37 and 1.78 per 100,000 inhabitants). Conclusions: Given the significant increase of road incidents -and therefore deaths linked to it- the effectiveness of interventions performed so far is brought into question and a reassessment of those interventions is suggested.

Resumo Objetivo: Determinar a estrutura de mortalidade por incidentes rodoviários no município de Bello (Antioquia), entre 2012 e 2016. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo, com informações obtidas nas bases de dados atinentes aos óbitos, parque automotivo e rede viária do município. As frequências e taxas de mortalidade foram mensuradas para as variáveis salientadas; com a análise de correspondência múltipla, foi determinado o perfil do falecido e, para conhecer a distribuição espacial das mortes, foi utilizado um mapa de densidade de Kernel, de acordo com o método padrão de classificação quantílica. Resultados: foram registradas 313 mortes por acidentes de trânsito, 63 em média por ano (13,4 por 100.000 habitantes), especificamente em homens (62 vs. 12 mulheres por 100.000), com idades entre 19 e 28 anos (47,9%), com ensino fundamental básico (32,5%) e não segurados (44%). Os incidentes nas estradas predominaram por acidentes inter vehiculares (53,0%) e atropelamentos (41%), nos finais de semana e entre as 0:00 e as 6:00 da manhã (29,2%); foram as motos que geraram mais incidentes nas estradas com mortes (74,4 %). As rotas com maior concentração de mortes foram: em uma parte da Rodovia Norte - entre as 50 e 52 diagonais (14,0%), a rua 46 (2,2%) e a rua 50 (5,1%) - Rodovia Medellín- Bogotá (5,1%), e nas comunas de Suárez e Niquía (2,37 e 1,78 por cada 100 000). Conclusões: Dado o aumento significativo da incidentalidade nas rodovias e, consequentemente, das mortes resultantes, questiona-se a eficácia das intervenções realizadas e sugere-se sua avaliação.

Post-mortem toxicology in violent fatalities in Cape Town, South Africa: A preliminary investigation.

BACKGROUND: In South Africa, violence-related injury and mortality contributes highly to the nation's burden of injury. Drug abuse, which is also reported to be rife across the county, has been associated with violence, resulting injury, and death. While post-mortem toxicological investigations are comprehensive and routine in violent fatalities internationally; this is not currently the case in South Africa. OBJECTIVES: To conduct a post-mortem toxicological investigation on a cohort of violent fatalities in the West-Metropole of Cape Town, Western Cape. METHODS: The study included a prospective toxicological analysis and a retrospective review of the corresponding blood alcohol results on a small cohort of victims of violent death (whether homicidal, non-overdose suicidal, or accidental) admitted to the Salt River State Mortuary in Cape Town. Biological specimens were collected from the victims following informed consent from the next-of-kin, and a targeted screening approach using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was used for the qualitative toxicology analysis. At the Forensic Chemistry National Laboratory, blood alcohol testing was conducted using a headspace gas chromatography with flame ionisation detector according to national standards. Data was analysed with regards to demographics, circumstances of death, and toxicological results. RESULTS: Consent was obtained for 104 violent death cases, autopsied between August-October 2015, most were male victims of homicide (n = 92, 88%). Volatiles analysis for ethanol was performed on 98% of cases, with 41% testing positive (>0.01 g/100 mL). Other drugs of abuse were detected in 63 (61%) cases and more than one substance were present in 51 (49%) cases. The most commonly detected substances were combinations of methamphetamine, diphenhydramine, and methaqualone. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of drugs of abuse was identified in a cohort of victims of violent death. Objective drug trends observed were consistent with national self-reported rehabilitation centre data and research on self-reported drug user. This study was limited by the sampling strategy, including challenges associated with obtaining consent and the rapid turnover of violent fatalities. Despite this - and to the authors' knowledge - this study provided the first prospective post-mortem toxicological investigation into violent death in South Africa. Contextually, it highlights the need for routine and comprehensive toxicology in these cases to strengthen research and service provision, so as to better understand the role of drugs in violent death.

Within and Inter-Institutional Differences Between Death Certifiers on Autopsy Conclusions.

This study seeks to establish whether medico-legal practitioners differ in their autopsy conclusions within and across medico-legal institutions. Data include 459 violent deaths (homicides, suicides, and accidents) autopsy reports written by more than 20 death certifiers from four medico-legal institutions in two countries (France and the United States). Multinomial models show that compared with accidental deaths, weapon use and decedents' characteristics both influence a homicide verdict, but not a suicide one. In addition, French practitioners are more likely than Americans to reach a conclusion of homicide or suicide compared with accident, and homicides are more likely to be certified by male practitioners.

Mortality in children with low-grade glioma or glioneuronal tumors: A single-institution study.

BACKGROUND: While pediatric low-grade glioma/glioneuronal tumors (LGG/LGGNTs) are considered slow-growing, indolent tumors with excellent long-term prognosis, mortality due to the disease is not unknown. Few studies have addressed the cause of death in this population. METHODS: Retrospective review of clinicopathologic and radiologic data for children 21 years or younger with LGG/LGGNT who died at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital between April 1985 and June 2015. Our primary objective was to determine the causes and timing of mortality in affected children. RESULTS: For the 87 eligible patients, median age at diagnosis was 7.7 years (range, 0.21-21 years), median age at death was 14.26 years (range, 0.58-32 years), and median time to death from diagnosis was 4.02 years (range, 0.21-24 years). Midbrain/thalamus was the most common tumor location (n = 34), followed by suprasellar/hypothalamic (n = 18) and cerebrocortical (n = 13). Astrocytoma not otherwise specified (n = 24), pilocytic astrocytoma (n = 23), and fibrillary astrocytoma (n = 11) were the predominant histologic diagnoses. Causes of death included progressive primary disease (PD) (n = 43), progression of PD with histological features of a high-grade glioma at progression or at autopsy (PD-HGG) (n = 15), second cancer (n = 3), suicide (n = 4), and vehicular accident (n = 3). Among the 15 patients with PD-HGG, 12 received radiation therapy before histologic confirmation of progression. CONCLUSIONS: PD and PD-HGG contributed to 66% of the mortality in our patient cohort. Early psychological intervention should be included as part of the multidisciplinary management approach of children with LGG/LGGNT to reduce the risk of suicide in vulnerable subjects.

Homicidio en la provincia de Matanzas. 1989 al 2016 / Homicide in the province of Matanzas. From 1989 to 2016

Introducción: el homicidio, es la forma más extrema de resolución de los conflictos sociales entre las personas y los colectivos. En Cuba no constituye un problema de salud, pero por su importancia humana, social y judicial, se lleva una vigilancia sobre el tema. Objetivo: describir las principales características epidemiológicas en tiempo, espacio y personas, de los fallecidos por homicidio en la provincia de Matanzas. Materiales y Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo para caracterizar en tiempo, espacio y algunos aspectos personales, a los fallecidos por homicidio en la provincia de Matanzas durante los años 1989 al 2016. El universo y muestra estuvo conformado por los 802 fallecidos por esta causa durante el periodo analizado. Para el análisis de las variables se utilizaron tasas crudas por 100000 hab. Resultados: las tasas de mortalidad estuvieron entre 1,75 y 7,2 por 100000 habitantes. La mayor cantidad de fallecidos fue en edades jóvenes, entre varones, personas sin pareja estable y de color de la piel negra. Las las tasas resultaron ser más bajas que en otros países aunque con una ligera tendencia al incremento. Se comparan los resultados con otros países y se destaca la necesidad de mejorar el trabajo sobre todo a partir de la atención primaria Conclusiones: el homicidio aunque no constituye un problema de salud por sus cifras, requiere de un trabajo multidisciplinario e intersectorial para disminuir su incidencia sobre todo en aquellos grupos y municipios más vulnerables (AU).

Summary: homicide is the most extreme form of solving social conflicts among individuals and collectives. It is not a health problem in Cuba, but because of its human, social and judicial importance, vigilance is carried out on the theme. Objective: to describe the main epidemiological characteristics in time, space and persons, of the individuals deceased by homicide in the province of Matanzas. Materials and Methods: a descriptive study was carried out to characterize in time, space and several personal aspects, the people deceased by homicide in the province of Matanzas during the period 1989-2016. The universe and the sample were formed by the 802 people who died by homicide during the analyzed period. Gross rates per 100 000 inhabitants were used for the analyses of the variables. Results: the mortality rates ranged between 1.75 and 7.2 per 100 000 inhabitants. The highest quantity of deceased people were young, male, black skinned persons without stable couple. The rates were lower than in other countries, thought with a slight tendency to increase. The results were compared with other countries. It is highlighted the necessity of improving the work, beginning from the primary health care level. Conclusions: although homicide is not a health problem because of its amount, it requires a multidiscipline and inter-sectorial work to decrease its incidence mainly in those more vulnerable groups and municipalities (AU).

Homicidio en la provincia de Matanzas. 1989 al 2016 / Homicide in the province of Matanzas. From 1989 to 2016

Introducción: el homicidio, es la forma más extrema de resolución de los conflictos sociales entre las personas y los colectivos. En Cuba no constituye un problema de salud, pero por su importancia humana, social y judicial, se lleva una vigilancia sobre el tema. Objetivo: describir las principales características epidemiológicas en tiempo, espacio y personas, de los fallecidos por homicidio en la provincia de Matanzas. Materiales y Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo para caracterizar en tiempo, espacio y algunos aspectos personales, a los fallecidos por homicidio en la provincia de Matanzas durante los años 1989 al 2016. El universo y muestra estuvo conformado por los 802 fallecidos por esta causa durante el periodo analizado. Para el análisis de las variables se utilizaron tasas crudas por 100000 hab. Resultados: las tasas de mortalidad estuvieron entre 1,75 y 7,2 por 100000 habitantes. La mayor cantidad de fallecidos fue en edades jóvenes, entre varones, personas sin pareja estable y de color de la piel negra. Las las tasas resultaron ser más bajas que en otros países aunque con una ligera tendencia al incremento. Se comparan los resultados con otros países y se destaca la necesidad de mejorar el trabajo sobre todo a partir de la atención primaria Conclusiones: el homicidio aunque no constituye un problema de salud por sus cifras, requiere de un trabajo multidisciplinario e intersectorial para disminuir su incidencia sobre todo en aquellos grupos y municipios más vulnerables (AU).

Summary: homicide is the most extreme form of solving social conflicts among individuals and collectives. It is not a health problem in Cuba, but because of its human, social and judicial importance, vigilance is carried out on the theme. Objective: to describe the main epidemiological characteristics in time, space and persons, of the individuals deceased by homicide in the province of Matanzas. Materials and Methods: a descriptive study was carried out to characterize in time, space and several personal aspects, the people deceased by homicide in the province of Matanzas during the period 1989-2016. The universe and the sample were formed by the 802 people who died by homicide during the analyzed period. Gross rates per 100 000 inhabitants were used for the analyses of the variables. Results: the mortality rates ranged between 1.75 and 7.2 per 100 000 inhabitants. The highest quantity of deceased people were young, male, black skinned persons without stable couple. The rates were lower than in other countries, thought with a slight tendency to increase. The results were compared with other countries. It is highlighted the necessity of improving the work, beginning from the primary health care level. Conclusions: although homicide is not a health problem because of its amount, it requires a multidiscipline and inter-sectorial work to decrease its incidence mainly in those more vulnerable groups and municipalities (AU).

Suicide and violent deaths in survivors of cancer in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood-A national cohort study.

Suicide risk in adult cancer patients is found to be elevated, but limited information exists regarding risks of suicide and non-suicidal violent deaths when diagnosed with cancer in young age. We investigate suicide and violent deaths in a national cohort including individuals diagnosed with cancer before age 25. Through the linkage of different national registries (Cancer Registry of Norway, Norwegian Causes of Death Registry and the National Registry) a cohort of all live births in Norway during 1965-1985 was defined and followed up through 2008. Individuals diagnosed with cancer before age 25 and the cancer-free references were compared using an extended Cox proportional hazard regression model. The cohort comprised 1,218,013 individuals, including 5,440 diagnosed with cancer before age 25. We identified 24 suicides and 14 non-suicidal violent deaths in the cancer group. The hazard ratio (HR) of suicide in the cancer group was 2.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7-3.8), and was increased both when diagnosed with cancer in childhood (0-14 years of age); HR = 2.3 (95% CI: 1.2-4.6), and during adolescence/young adulthood (15-24 years); HR = 2.6 (95% CI: 1.5-4.2). Survivors of bone/soft tissue sarcomas, CNS tumors and testicular cancer were at particular risk. The risk of non-suicidal violent death was not increased in the cancer survivors (HR = 1.0; 95% CI: 0.6-1.7). Although based on small numbers and the absolute risk of suicide being low, these are novel findings with important implications for establishing adequate follow-up including suicide prevention strategies for young cancer survivors.

A case for studying country regimes in the public health model of violence.

Many national and international institutions advocate approaching violence as a problem in public health and preventive medicine, in a manner similar to the way we address other disabling and life-threatening pathologies such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Prevention by a health model requires an ecological perspective. Previous work has found evidence that economic factors, including unemployment and relative poverty, as well as political culture and values, may affect violent death rates, including homicide and suicide. Nevertheless, wider political analyses of the effects that different regimes have on these variables have been notably absent, for understandable reasons given the sheer complexity of patterns of governance throughout the world. In view of the importance and scale of the problem, and implications of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we feel it is nevertheless important to bring regime types into the conversation of factors that can influence violent death.

Emergency Department Visits Prior to Suicide and Homicide: Linking Statewide Surveillance Systems.

BACKGROUND: Emergency departments (EDs) serve a wide range of patients who present at risk of impending suicide and homicide. AIMS: Two statewide surveillance systems were probabilistically linked to understand who utilizes EDs and then dies violently within 6 weeks. METHOD: Each identified case was matched with four randomly selected controls on sex, race, date of birth, resident zip code, and date of ED visit vs. date of death. Matched-pair odds ratios were estimated by conditional logistic regression to assess differences between cases and controls on reported diagnoses and expected payment sources. RESULTS: Of 1,599 suicides and 569 homicides in the 3-year study period, 10.7% of decedents who died by suicide (mean = 13.6 days) and 8.3% who died by homicide (mean = 16.3 days) were seen in a state ED within 6 weeks prior to death. ED attendees who died by suicide were more likely to have a diagnosis of injury/ poisoning diagnosis or mental disorder and more likely to have Medicare. Those who died by homicide were more likely to have a diagnosis of injury/poisoning and less likely to have commercial insurance. CONCLUSION: It is essential for research to further explore risk factors for imminent suicide and homicide in ED patients who present for psychiatric conditions and general injuries.

The boundaries of genocide: Quantifying the uncertainty of the death toll during the Pol Pot regime in Cambodia (1975-79).

The range of estimates of excess deaths under Pol Pot's rule of Cambodia (1975-79) is too wide to be useful: they range from under 1 to over 3 million, with the more plausible estimates still varying from 1 to 2 million. By stochastically reconstructing population dynamics in Cambodia from extant historical and demographic data, we produced interpretable distributions of the death toll and other demographic indicators. The resulting 95 per cent simulation interval (1.2-2.8 million excess deaths) demonstrates substantial uncertainty over the exact scale of mortality, yet it still excludes nearly half of the previous death-toll estimates. The 1.5-2.25 million interval contains 69 per cent of the simulations for the actual number of excess deaths, more than the wider (1-2 million) range of previous plausible estimates. The median value of 1.9 million excess deaths represents 21 per cent of the population at risk. Supplementary material for this article is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00324728.2015.1045546.

Factores asociados al suicidio en Panamá según casos realizados en la morgue judicial 2011- 2013 / Factors associated with suicide in Panama as cases performed in the judicial morgue 2011- 2013

El suicidio es un problema de salud pública multifactorial y de graves consecuencias para la sociedad, el cual ha aumentado su incidencia con el devenir de las décadas a nivel mundial. Este estudio tiene como objetivo describir el fenómeno del suicidio desde el punto de vista médico legal en la Morgue Judicial de la provincia de Panamá. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo elaborado a partir de los expedientes de los casos de necropsia de 2011 al 2013, de los mismos se captaron las variables demográficas además de datos del protocolo de necropsia como la causa de muerte y resultados de análisis toxicológicos, finalmente de la hoja de entrevista con los familiares se documentó el motivo que según los familiares llevó a la persona a cometer suicidio. Se evidenció el aumento de la tasa de mortalidad por suicidio, la proporción en cuanto a género es de 3 hombres por 1 mujer. La distribución de suicidio por grupo etario es proporcional en los grupos de jóvenes y adultos. Siendo la edad promedio del suicida de 41 años. Las profesiones técnicas son las más propensas a cometer suicidio. La causa de muerte que predomino en ambos sexos fue la ahorcadura y la razon de cometer suicidio fue sentimental en los hombres y enfermedad cronica en las mujeres. Finalmente la fuente de datos sobre muerte por suicidio obtenido en el ámbito médico legal se constituye una importante herramienta para el análisis de esta condición de forma tal de que disminuya el subregistro ya que a nivel interinstitucional se carece de protocolos y estadísticas publicadas de intentos suicidas y aquellos que logran consumar el suicidio.

Suicide is a multifactorial health issue and has severe consecuences among society, the presentation rate has increased as decades pass by. The objetive os the present article is to describe suicede phenomenon from the Panama´s morque legal medicine´s point of view. Its about a retrospective descriptive study of the autopsy studies between 2011 and 2013, from which along the demographic data, the autopsy information regarding the cause os death, the toxicologic reports and relatives interviews were documented and included to find out the posible trigger that lead the person to commiting suicide. There was an increase on the mortality rate because of suicide and as for the difference between genders; it was 3 males por every women. The average of people who commited was 41 years of age and people who worked as techniques or had technical professions were more likely to kill themselves. The more frecuent cause of death was by hanging themselves among both sexes, the reason for becoming suicidal was because of passional issues for males and terminal diseases for women. Finally, the data source for suicidal deaths in the legal medicine field is a very important tool for the analysis of this type of cases, that helps diminish the under registration of the cases and will help for future protocols or statistics regarding suicidal attempts and suicides commited.

Violent roots: lethal violence in two counties in early statehood Washington.

Was the American Western Frontier a violent place? While many agree with the popular Wild West conception, others argue for a Workaday, quiet version of the West. The Wild West/Workaday West debate is an important one because some argue that current levels of violence in the United States are a result of the Western history of violence. Unfortunately, establishing such a history of violence is difficult because of methodological issues. We propose here to address these methodological issues and participate in the Wild West/Workaday West debate. We examine two death records sources for Walla Walla and Spokane counties in Eastern Washington between 1903 and 1907. We find that the two Northwestern counties under study were more violent at the beginning of the 20th century than at the beginning of the 21st century, even though Walla Walla was significantly less violent than Spokane.

Violent deaths among Russian and EU male older adults.

AIMS: This ecological comparison study explored temporal trends since 1985 in age-adjusted suicide and homicide rates for older male adults (over the age of 65) resident in the EU and the Russian Federation. METHODS: The data were extracted from the World Health Organization's (WHO) European mortality database. RESULTS: Older men resident in the Russian Federation had a higher risk of dying a violent death (by homicide and by suicide) than their younger compatriots (relative risks (RR) ranging from 1.13 to 1.31). Conversely, in the EU, older men had a higher risk of dying from suicide (RRs of 1.52 for men over the age of 65 and 3.27 for men over the age of 75) and a lower risk of being victims of homicide (RRs ranging between 0.84 and 0.89) than their younger compatriots. CONCLUSIONS: The European region is characterized by great inequalities in rates of violent deaths among the elderly.

Economic correlates of violent death rates in forty countries, 1962-2008: A cross-typological analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to identify if there might be advantages to combining two major public health concerns, i.e., homicides and suicides, in an analysis with well-established macro-level economic determinants, i.e., unemployment and inequality. METHODS: Mortality data, unemployment statistics, and inequality measures were obtained for 40 countries for the years 1962-2008. Rates of combined homicide and suicide, ratio of suicide to combined violent death, and ratio between homicide and suicide were graphed and analyzed. A fixed effects regression model was then performed for unemployment rates and Gini coefficients on homicide, suicide, and combined death rates. RESULTS: For a majority of nation states, suicide comprised a substantial proportion (mean 75.51%; range 0-99%) of the combined rate of homicide and suicide. When combined, a small but significant relationship emerged between logged Gini coefficient and combined death rates (0.0066, p < 0.05), suggesting that the combined rate improves the ability to detect a significant relationship when compared to either rate measurement alone. Results were duplicated by age group, whereby combining death rates into a single measure improved statistical power, provided that the association was strong. CONCLUSIONS: Violent deaths, when combined, were associated with an increase in unemployment and an increase in Gini coefficient, creating a more robust variable. As the effects of macro-level factors (e.g., social and economic policies) on violent death rates in a population are shown to be more significant than those of micro-level influences (e.g., individual characteristics), these associations may be useful to discover. An expansion of socioeconomic variables and the inclusion of other forms of violence in future research could help elucidate long-term trends.

Mortalidad por causas violentas en hombres de la provincia de Santiago de Cuba durante 2011 / Mortality from violence in men of Santiago de Cuba province during 2011

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal en la provincia de Santiago de Cuba, con vistas a determinar la mortalidad masculina por causas violentas, según algunas conductas (accidentes, suicidios y homicidios), durante el año 2011, para lo cual se obtuvo la información del Departamento Provincial de Estadísticas y de los registros computarizados de mortalidad por tales causas. Entre los resultados sobresalió el incremento de las muertes violentas por la accidentabilidad, con predominio de los varones y las edades tempranas de la vida; de igual forma, el sexo masculino conformó el grupo de mayor riesgo, por ser el más vulnerable a estas muertes, en las que se emplearon métodos cada vez más duros, con un marcado aumento de la mortalidad prematura y los años de vida potencialmente perdidos. Finalmente, se recomendó trazar estrategias de intervención en grupos de varones con riesgo de incurrir en los mencionados procederes, fundamentalmente en edades jóvenes, a fin de reducir en ellos el peligro de morir y extender sus años de vida socialmente útiles.

A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in Santiago de Cuba province in order to determine the male mortality from violence according to some behaviors (accidents, suicides and homicides) during 2011, for which the information was obtained from the Provincial Statistical Department and computerized records of mortality due to such causes. Among the results the increment of violent deaths by accidents, with a predominance of males and the early ages of life, was remarkable; also, male sex constituted the highest risk group, being the most vulnerable to these deaths, in which increasingly aggressive methods were used, with a marked increase of premature mortality and years of life potentially lost. Finally, it was recommended to devise intervention strategies in groups of men with risk for these behaviors, mainly at younger ages, in order to reduce the risk of dying and to extend their socially useful years of life.

Análisis de la tendencia de la mortalidad por homicidios en México entre 2000 y 2010 / Analysis of the tendency of the homicide rates in Mexico from 2000 to 2010 / Análise da tendência da mortalidade por homicídios no México entre 2000 e 2010

Dado el aumento significativo de la violencia homicida en México en los últimos años, el objetivofue analizar los niveles, las tendencias y el impacto de la mortalidad por homicidios entre2000 y 2010 a nivel nacional y estatal. Se utilizaron estadísticas de mortalidad por homicidioscalculando tasas estandarizadas de mortalidad y años de vida perdidos (AVP) entre 15 y 49 años.Entre 2000 y 2007 hubo una disminución de las tasas de mortalidad a nivel nacional (10,8 a8,2 homicidios respectivamente) y de los AVP (23,95 %). Pero entre 2008 y 2010 la mortalidadpor homicidios aumentó significativamente, lo que se reflejó en las tasas (180,23 %) y los AVP(ocasionando una disminución de la esperanza de vida temporaria de 0,17 años). La mortalidadpor homicidios se incrementó de manera significativa después de un continuo descenso desdeel año 2000. Esto no implica que la violencia sea un problema generalizado en todo el país, yaque el estudio muestra que se concentró en algunos estados...

Given the significant increase in homicidal violence in Mexico in recent years, the purpose wasto analyze the levels, trends and the impact of homicide mortality between 2000 and 2010 atnational and state level. Mortality statistics for homicide were used calculating standardizedmortality rates and years of life lost (YLL) from 15 to 49 years. Between 2000 and 2007 therewas a decline in the mortality rates at the national level (10.8 to 8.2 homicides respectively)and AVP (23.95%). But between 2008 and 2010 homicide mortality increased significantly, asreflected in rates (180.23%) and AVP (causing a decrease in temporary life expectancy of 0.17years). Homicide mortality significantly increased after a steady decline since 2000. This doesnot imply that violence is a widespread problem across the country, as the study shows that itwas concentrated in some states...

Dado o aumento significativo da violência homicida no México nos últimos anos, o objetivofoi analisar os níveis, as tendências e o impacto da mortalidade por homicídios entre 2000 e2010 no nível nacional e estadual. Utilizaram-se estadísticas de mortalidade por homicídioscalculando taxas estandardizadas de mortalidade e anos de vida perdidos (AVP) entre 15 e 49anos. Entre 2000 e 2007 houve uma diminuição das taxas de mortalidade no nível nacional(10,8 para 8,2 homicídios respectivamente) e dos AVP (23,95 %). Mas, entre 2008 e 2010 amortalidade por homicídios aumentou significativamente, o que refletiu nas taxas (180,23 %) eos AVP (ocasionando uma diminuição da esperança de vida temporária de 0,17 anos). A mortalidadepor homicídios incrementou-se de maneira significativa após um declínio contínuo desdeo ano 2000. Isso não implica que a violência seja um problema generalizado no país tudo, poiso estudo mostra que se concentrou em alguns estados...

Morte por causas externas durante o período gravídico-puerperal: Como classificá-las? / Death due to external causes during the pregnant-puerperal period: how to classify them?

A violência na gravidez (psicológica, física, sexual e institucional) representa uma violação dos direitos humanos das mulheres e aumenta o risco de morbimortalidade materna e perinatal, inclusive de homicídios e suicídios. Este artigo discute a relação entre mortes maternas e mortes por causas externas e propõe uma forma de classificação a ser acrescida ao Capítulo XV, ?Complicações da gravidez, parto e puerpério?, da Classificação Internacional de Doenças - 10ª Revisão (1993), que permita, após cuidadosa investigação, considerar algumas mortes por causas externas como mortes maternas associadas à gravidez. Para isto, foi criado um código específico preenchendo uma categoria vazia, a O93, contendo dígitos de O93.0 a O93.9, tendo como referência o Capítulo XX da 10ª Revisão da CID. O código O93 não poderá ser incluído no SIM, mas permitirá que se calculem indicadores de mortalidade materna com e sem as causas externas. Com a implantação deste código espera-se oferecer uma alternativa padronizada de classificação das mortes maternas por causas externas antes da 11ª Revisão da CID e, paralelamente, contribuir com a argumentação internacional de que essas mortes não ocorrem por acaso, que elas podem ser consideradas mortes maternas obstétricas indiretas e que sua exclusão do cálculo dos indicadores apenas aumenta os níveis de subinformação.

Violence during pregnancy (psychological, physical, sexual and institutional) represents a violation of women?s human rights and increases the risk of maternal and perinatal morbimortality, including homicides and suicides. This article discusses the relation between maternal deaths and deaths due to external causes and proposes a classification type to be added to Chapter XV, ?Complications during pregnancy, delivery and puerperium?, of the International Classification of Diseases ? 10th Edition (1993), which will allow to consider some deaths due to external causes as maternal deaths associated to pregnancy, after careful investigation. In order to do so, a specific code was created to fulfill an empty category, i.e. O93, with the digit numbers from O93.0 to O93.9, having as a reference the Chapter XX of the ICD 10th Edition. The code O93 could not be typed in the Information on Mortality System (IMS), but it might allow calculating the indicators of maternal mortality withand without the external causes. We hope that with the implementation of this code it will be possible to offer a standardized alternative to classify maternal deaths due to external causes before the 11th Edition of the ICD and, concomitantly, to contribute with the international argumentation that these deaths do not occur by chance, that they can be considered indirect obstetric maternal deaths, and that their exclusion from the indicator calculations only increases the levels of underreporting.