EPIDEMEOLOGY OF HOMICIDAL DEATHS;

Abstract

Objectives: 1). To observe & analyze the different aspects of homicidal deaths in Sargodha in terms of age, sex, weaponinvolved and seasonal variation. 2). To compare it with other studies conducted in Pakistan & all over the world. Study Design: Noninterventionaldescriptive study. Place & duration of study: The study was done on autopsies conducted at mortuary, DistrictHeadquarter Teaching Hospital Sargodha from January 2012 to December 2012 (one year). Material & Methods: 82 cases of homicidaldeaths which were brought by police for autopsy examination at DHQ Teaching Hospital Sargodha from Jan. 2012 to Dec. 2012. Thesecases include both sexes of all age groups. Manner of death was decided on the basis of police inquest & autopsy report. The relevantdata was collected on prescribed performa and statistically analyzed. Results: On analysis of recorded data, the homicidal rate inSargodha, Pakistan is 7.59 / 100,000 populations per year. Homicide manner of death was observed 51.25% of total autopsies. 39% ofthe victims were in the third decade of life. Males predominated females by a ratio of 2.28:01 Firearm was used in most of homicidaldeaths i.e. 67%. A rise in homicidal cases was observed in the months of summer i.e. June to September 2012 and a fall was observed inthe months of winter i.e. November, December, January and February, 2012. Conclusions: Homicide rate is high as compared to othermanners of death in Sargodha. Firearm is the major weapon used for committing homicide.