Abstract
BackgroundAs far as we know, no previous research has investigated child homicide in Tunisia. In this context, our study was carried out to analyze the epidemiological and medico-legal characteristics of child homicide occurring in northern Tunisia over a 17-year period.ResultsEighty-seven cases were collected, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.4. The mean age of the victims was 12.6 years for both sexes. We found that 56.3% of the cases were aged between 15 and 18 years. The majority of deaths under 15 years of age occurred at home as a result of intrafamilial homicide. Victims aged more than 15 years were more likely to be assaulted outside the home by a non-family member.The most frequent method of homicide was sharp force (39%) affecting mostly the heart and the lung, followed by blunt trauma (25%), which affected mainly the head. Sexual assault was diagnosed at autopsy in six victims (6.9%).ConclusionsThe study offers available data concerning the patterns of child homicide in northern Tunisia and may help to implement preventive measures against this kind of crime.
Highlights
As far as we know, no previous research has investigated child homicide in Tunisia
The study offers available data concerning the patterns of child homicide in northern Tunisia and may help to implement preventive measures against this kind of crime
There was no rise in the rate of child homicide before and after the Tunisian Revolution
Summary
As far as we know, no previous research has investigated child homicide in Tunisia. In this context, our study was carried out to analyze the epidemiological and medico-legal characteristics of child homicide occurring in northern Tunisia over a 17-year period. Homicide is among the top four causes of death in adolescents (World Health Organization, 2020b). The rates of this phenomenon vary between communities because of social and economic differences and vary in different periods for the same society. In 2017, the global rate of homicide for children aged between 0 and 17 years was estimated at about 1.7 homicide deaths per 100,000 population (World Health Organization, 2020a)
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