The incidence, pathology of trauma and victim profiles of homicidal deaths in Pretoria, South Africa (2007–2008)

Abstract

This study aimed to establish the incidence of homicide, associated pathology of trauma and victim profiles in cases admitted to or managed as homicidal deaths at the Pretoria Medico-Legal Laboratory (PMLL) over the period of [2007][2008]. A total of 1088 cases were reviewed. Homicides accounted for 22.7% of all cases admitted to the PMLL. The majority of homicide victims were male individuals (87.0%). The most common cause of death was gunshot wounds (42.6%), followed by blunt force trauma (25.1%). Homicides are most likely to occur at the victim's place of residence (28.5%) and only 37.4% of victims survive long enough to receive hospital care. The results of this study seem to concur with international findings for the most part, with a few interesting deviations. Highlighting atrisk groups, as well as dangerous locations and incident times, creates the potential to decrease the occurrence of unnecessary deaths by generating an awareness of the trends.

Suicides, Homicides, and Fatal Occupational Accidents in Iran: A Cross-Sectional, Retrospective Study Based on Autopsy Reports; Need to Develop Preventive Strategies

“…Among homicidal deaths; there were 11,655 cases over five years. The numbers of men were obviously higher than women, and this result is similar to data in turkey (15), France 2000 -2003 (16), Iran Isfahan Province 2013 -2015 (17), South Africa 2007 -2008 (18), and Western Norway (19), but it is in contrast with data in India 2008 (20). Our findings showed that most victims were between 25 to 29 years old during a five-year study and this result is in contrast with data in Turkey (15), Western Norway (19), India 2008 (20), Senegal (21) and France 2000France -2003, but it is compatible with study performed in Iran Isfahan Province 2013 -2015 (17).…”

“…Our findings showed that most victims were between 25 to 29 years old during a five-year study and this result is in contrast with data in Turkey (15), Western Norway (19), India 2008 (20), Senegal (21) and France 2000France -2003, but it is compatible with study performed in Iran Isfahan Province 2013 -2015 (17). We discovered that the most commonly used method for homicide in Iran was the use of weapons which is similar to studies performed in turkey (15), France 2000France -2003, South Africa 2007 -2008 (18) and France 1994France -2008, but it is in contrast with results in Iran Isfahan Province 2013 -2015 (17),Western Norway (19), India 2008 (20) and Senegal (21); also our findings showed that stab wounds and blunt traumas were commonly used methods after firearms, respectively and it is similar to data in France 1994France -2008. In cases of fatal occupational accidents; we studied 8,558 deaths during study.…”

Patterns of homicide in North Tunisia: a 10-year study (2005–2014)

“…Sharp force and blunt objects remained the most used methods in countries imposing strict laws over firearms ownership such as Tunisia, Saudi Arabia30, the UK,25 Denmark and Norway,4 Australia,7 Senegal,5 Malaysia18 and India 6. In countries where the laws permit the use of firearms for personal defence as the USA,31 South Africa17 and Colombia,8 this method was predominant.…”

Trends of homicidal deaths in central Bangkok, Thailand: a 5-year retrospective study

“…Additionally, victims were profiled according to sex, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace, build, height, weight, and body-mass index Mohanty et al 2005;Ambade et al 2007;Cocks and Saayman 2013). It is our hope that this data will provide useful forensic insight into homicide characteristics in Bangkok, Thailand's capital city.…”