Medicolegal Analysis of Usage of Weapon and Pattern of External Injuries of Homicide in Bhavnagar, India: A 1- year study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, India

2 Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, India

3 Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Kiran C. Patel Medical College, Bharuch, India.

Abstract

Background: The study has been undertaken to analyse the type of weapon commonly used, pattern of external injuries, and most affected body part overall.
Methods: A total of 38 homicidal deaths occurred in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India in a period of 12 months were analysed.
Results: In majority of cases (52.63%), the assault was exclusively due to blunt force. The most common injury considering the total number of injuries in all these homicide cases was contusion (28.60% of total injuries). Abrasion and contusion are most commonly found in upper limbs (78.94% and 57.89% respectively), particularly over arms (31.58%). Lacerations were found mostly over the head & neck (42.1%). Face and neck found having all types of external injuries. Stab injury was most commonly found over torso (21.05%), particularly over thorax (10.53%). Most commonly injured area was head & neck (28 cases, 73.68%) and the most common injured body part was arm (23 cases, 60.53%). In blunt force injury cases, head & neck was most commonly injured (47.37%), and in sharp force injury cases, torso was most commonly injured (21.05%). Objects like axe and sword were used infrequently (2.63%), as they are not comparatively easily available and are relatively heavy.
Conclusion: We can conclude that if blunt force was used, the head will be the target of choice (p value is 0.00743). The pattern of injuries found on the body are differing, with the weapon of choice being blunt or sharp.
 

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