Title

A Retrospective Study of Homicidal Deaths Autopsied at a Tertiary Care Centre in Maharashtra.

Authors

Nagsen P. Kamble, Shivanath N. Parakhe, Amrut A. Swami, Vijay B. Patil, Ravindra B. Deokar

Abstract

Introduction: In the present age of urbanization and industrialization, homicidal crimes are inevitable part of all offences. Homicide is one of the leading causes of unnatural deaths. Material and Methods: This was a cross sectional, descriptive study that included all cases of death due to homicide during the period of May 2017 to May 2020, for which post-mortems were performed in the mortuary of the department. Results: The study of deaths due to homicide indicates male predominance. Maximum number of cases were in the age group of 20 to 29 years, followed by 30 to 39 years. Over all, the most common motive was revenge. Sharp edged weapon injuries were more common than blunt weapon. In majority of the cases death occurred on the spot or within first 24 hours and cause of death was head injury and haemorrhagic shock. Conclusion: Revenge, argument, financial disputes, infidelity, love affairs, poverty, easy accessibility to addictive substances and weapons of violent offences, poor temperament, unemployment etc, are some of the provocative circumstances for such type of violent offences and homicidal deaths. Nationwide registry for reporting of all homicidal cases should be maintained to plan necessary authorities’ actions and to prevent homicides.

Keywords

Homicide, Sharp weapon, Blunt weapon, Autopsy, Death.