Medico‐Legal Evaluation of Firearm Injuries—An Original Study from India with Review of Literature

Abstract

Firearm (FA) injuries pose great health burden and presents enormous challenge for health and national economies. This study was undertaken to analyze the characteristics of fatal gunshot injuries, their pattern, associated factors, and postmortem findings in central India, to provide data for such fatalities in this region, which has not been reported earlier. This is a descriptive, retrospective cross-sectional study carried out on the victims of FA injuries referred to the mortuary. Of the autopsies conducted during study, 2.09% were firearm-related deaths. Of the cases, males (92.42%) notably outnumbered females in a ratio of 12.2:1. Homicidal attacks were maximum, and unlicensed, illegal country-made weapons were the preferred choice. Suicides were least. Result signifies that illegal country-made weapons should be strictly limited to save the precious lives. A holistic approach encompassing public awareness, behavioral modification, and stringent management of law and order is the need of the hour.

Critical Analysis of Firearm Wound Characteristics in Victims Brought for Autopsy at LHMC, New Delhi: A 20-Year Retrospective Study

“…Eight (8.88%) victims had firearm entrance wounds only in abdominal region (Table V). The present study is in agreement with the studies conducted by references [1], [3], [8], [11], [12], [14], [23], [27], [32], [33]- [42] but not with the studies conducted references [2], [5], [9], [13], [19], [21], [25], [26], [43]- [45].…”

An Analysis of Firearm and Explosives Injury in Imphal: A 2 Years Autopsy Based Descriptive Study

“…In our study, mostly shots were aimed from distant range in majority of cases. In study by Sachan R et al 6 close range was found to be the commonest. However, in our study close range was the next after distant range.…”

“…Such timings are more suited for silent and easy execution of incidents which can be partially attributable to intoxication or substance abuse which very much prevalent in this region. Sachan R et al 6 reported that property dispute were the underlying cause in most of the cases to be followed by incidences like dacoities and personal enmity. In contrast to it, the present study we found terrorism and group rivalry were most common causes of fatalities.…”

Evaluate the Pattern of Firearm Injuries Based on Gender in Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan

“…The violent injuries are among the top ten causes of deaths around the world. The violence has been declared as one of the leading problems globally 1 . Avoiding the firearms injuries and associated factors can reduces the burden of deaths caused by violent deaths.…”