Study of socio-demographic profile of victims in cases of deaths due to homicide

Abstract

: Present prospective study was carried out with the aim to study socio-demographic profile of victims in cases of Deaths due to homicide in Nagpur. Total 179 medico legal autopsy cases of homicidal deaths conducted at department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology of Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur over a period from January 2013 to October 2014 were studied. Study protocol was approved by the institutional ethical committee.Out of total number of autopsies (3412) conducted during study period 179 cases (5.24%) were of death due to homicide. Maximum number of cases 70 (39.11%) were recorded in the age group of 21-30 years followed by 47 (26.26%) cases in the age group of 31-40 years. Out of total reported cases, males outnumbered females. Out of the total 179 cases of homicide, 147 (82.12%) victims were males and 32 (17.88%) were females. Male to female ratio was 4.59:1. Maximum cases 62 (34.64%) of males were reported in the age group in 21-30 years age group followed by 40 (22.35%) cases in 31-40 years. Similarly amongst female’s maximum victims were 8 (4.47%) in the age group 21-30 years followed by 7 (3.91%) cases in 31-40 years. Most of the victims were illiterate primary or secondary educated married, labourers or unemployed persons belonging to lower socio economic strata of the society.: Most of the victims of homicidal deaths were males. Most common age group was of bread and butter earning productive period. Uneducated, unemployed, married and persons with social dysharmony were commonly involved.