Homicide Cases Research Articles

The Governing-Law Anchor in Legal Translation-A Homicide Case Study

The Governing-Law Anchor in Legal Translation-A Homicide Case Study

Submucosal Haemorrhage in Celphos Poisoning: Postmortem Study and Chemical Analysis

Poisons are commonly involved in homicidal, accidental or suicidal cases. In India Aluminum Phosphide (ALP) is available as white tablet of Celphos commonly used as grain preservative. After ingestion on coming in contact with moisture ALP librates Phosphine gas (PH3) having pungent odour. The chemical reaction is accelerated by the presence of HCL in the stomach. Phosphine is rapidly absorbed from gastric mucosa by simple diffusion and cause damage to the internal organs. Several studies reported 100% necrosis of mucosa in ALP poisoning but still no specific antidote are available for it. ALP poisoning was found to be the major cause of death among all cases of poisonings. Several suspected visceral samples for detection of poison were examined in Forensic Science Laboratory, Bihar, Patna. The present study was conducted on those 25 visceral samples in which mucosal haemorrhage was reported in their postmortem finding and gave positive result in preliminary examination of Celphos. Other parameters such as age, sex, causes of consumption of poison (suicidal, homicidal or accidental) as mentioned in FIR was also studied. Chemical analysis was done using Thin layer Chromatography technique. Aluminium Phosphide was found positive in all 25 visceral samples. Aluminium Phosphide poisoning has become the commonest poison in most of the cases of suicidal consumption. In India Despite its alleged high toxicity ALP is frequently used as grain preservative, which can be replace by using old traditional medicinal techniques like Neem leaf(Azadirachta indica),Turmeric(Curcuma longa),Tulsi(Ocimum tenuiflorum)etc. Aluminium phosphide (ALP) poisoning (Celphos) has emerged as a common cause of accidental poisoning in children with mortality ranging from 37-100%.These pesticides should not easily available. Sale of poison should be control by strict law. Any negligent conduct with respect to poison resulting in damage to a person is punishable. Since, it has no specific antidote so management remains primarily supportive care. Toxicologists, Biotechnologists and other research scientists should work on such antidote that quickly counteract the effects of poison.

Australia's Divergent Legal Responses to Women Who Kill Their Abusive Partners.

Concerns over the legal treatment of women who kill in response to domestic abuse have driven several jurisdictions to reform their homicide laws in recent years. This article examines how abused women are currently treated within the Australian legal system by analyzing homicide cases involving women prosecuted for killing an abusive partner in Australia from 2010 to 2020. The findings reveal the limitations of legal reforms to improve access to justice for abused women. Instead, there needs to be an increased focus toward pre-trial stages of criminal proceedings and to address persistent misconceptions and stereotypes associated with domestic abuse.

Gender Bias in Imprisonment Decisions of Intentional Spousal Homicide in China

Spousal homicide has become one of China's most common forms of femicide. Therefore, the investigation of systematic gender bias and gender in-group bias in imprisonment decisions is conducted in this study to explore the fairness and impartiality of the Chinese judicial system. Fifty random intentional spousal homicide cases in China are analysed using the context analysis method. The study found a large similarity between the judicial decision made by female and male judges; however, male plaintiffs have a larger chance of receiving sentences of life imprisonment and the death penalty from judges of either gender. Moreover, excluding life imprisonment and the death penalty, plaintiffs of identical gender as the judge are more likely to receive slightly shorter sentences, suggesting a slight in-group gender bias in the judicial decision in China.

Identification, measurement, and evaluation of blood concentrations of insulin glargine and insulin lispro by UPLC–MS–MS in a dead body suspected of insulin overdose

Insulin preparations, which are drug treatments for diabetes, cause fatal hypoglycemia when an overdose is administered. Cases of homicide and suicide using these preparations have been reported and are of great forensic interest. However, there are few reports assessing the postmortem concentration of insulin preparations, and it is often difficult to determine the cause of death. In the present study, we report a case of a suspected insulin glargine and insulin lispro overdose for suicide. A woman in her 30s had a history of mental illness and diabetes. The day before her death, she reported to her boyfriend that she had taken large doses of insulin preparations and prescription drugs. An autopsy revealed no fatal injuries or lesions. Drug screening tests revealed several prescription drugs, none of which showed toxic concentrations. Analysis using LC-MS/MS detected insulin glargine in the peripheral and cardiac blood at 429 μU/mL and 1362 μU/mL, respectively, whereas insulin lispro was detected in both the peripheral and cardiac blood at levels below the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ; <50 μU/mL). The cause of death was considered likely to be hypoglycemia caused by an overdose of insulin glargine. Insulin glargine is rapidly metabolized after subcutaneous administration and is rarely detected in the blood when used at therapeutic doses. There are no other reports on the quantification of insulin glargine parent compounds in postmortem samples, and this case provides important data on postmortem blood concentrations of insulin glargine intoxication.

Strangulation in sexual homicide: Is it opportunity, victim's vulnerability or sadism?

Although most homicides involve the use of a weapon, some offenders still prefer killing with their own hands, using strangulation. In fact, when disaggregating the various types of homicides, sexual homicide offenders appear as having a preference for “personal weapon” to kill the victim. Personal weapons, such as strangulation, asphyxiation, and beating, are the most commonly used killing methods in sexual homicide. Using a sample of 451 cases of sexual homicide of adult female, the current study examines three hypotheses as to why strangulation is the method of choice to kill in sexual homicide: 1) weapon of opportunity, 2) victim's vulnerability, and 3) sexual sadism. Results from logistic regressions and artificial neural network analysis show that all three hypotheses are supported, sexual homicide offenders using strangulation being less likely to target a victim with a strong build, to bring and use a weapon. However, strangulation is more likely to be used to kill the victim when the offender is characterized with sadism. Implications of the findings are discussed in light of our understanding of the crime-commission process involved in sexual homicide.

Socio-demographic, clinical and offense-related characteristics of forensic psychiatric inpatients in Hunan, China: a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundThere is still a lack of comprehensive research on the profile of patients in forensic mental health hospitals in China. This study aims to investigate the socio-demographic, clinical, and offense-related characteristics of mentally ill offenders in the Hunan Provincial Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in China.MethodsThis study was conducted from November 1, 2018, to January 30, 2019. The data of socio-demographic, clinical, and offense-related characteristics of the patients were collected. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS), and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale were used to measure their psychiatric conditions.ResultsA total of 461 participants were enrolled in this study. Among them, 86.3% were males and 56.8% were unmarried; the average age of them was 44.7 ± 10.1 years, and the mean years of education were 7.51 ± 3.3 years. Before their current offense, a total of 345 patients (74.8%) had sought medical help for their mental illnesses. While 303 (87.8%) of these patients were prescribed antipsychotics, 254 (73.6%) failed to take them regularly. Of all the inpatients, 90.5% were diagnosed with schizophrenia; 385 (83.5%) engaged in homicidal offenses, with 54.0% of the victims being their family members. In homicide cases, the relatives were more likely to be victims of female patients. The mean length of stay in the forensic hospital was 8.02 ± 4.74 years, and over 80.0% of the patients had been hospitalized for over 5 years.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the profile of forensic patients receiving compulsory treatments in a forensic psychiatric hospital in China. These results add to the world literature on the characteristics of forensic patients and can help identify common treatment and risk-related needs of this population.

Suicide and attempted suicide by insulin: A systematic review

Background: Intentional insulin overdose either in people with diabetes or without can be used to attempt suicide. Massive insulin administration may result in coma and unexplained hypoglycemia. In this study, we aim at reviewing the demographic data of suicidal cases, the relation of psychiatric illness to dying by suicide and attempting suicide using insulin, route of insulin administration and outcome, post-mortem findings in suicide by insulin and collaborative evidence, initial presentation, blood glucose level and complications in attempting suicide cases. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched on October 4, 2021, using a comprehensive strategy review. The following search terms were applied: (Insulin) AND (toxicity OR overdose OR toxicology OR poisoning OR intoxication) AND (Suicide OR attempted suicide OR Self-harm OR Self harm). The search strategy was set based on PRISMA guideline; 11 papers were eligible for inclusion and additional 23 studies were added from the citation search. All English articles related to suicide and attempted suicide using insulin were included and no specific timeline or filter was used. Any non-English article and accidental or homicidal cases were excluded from the review. Results: The analysis included 179 victims, aged between 13 to 76 years with male predominance and people with diabetes, especially T1DM, having higher prevalence, with subcutaneous injection being the most common route of administration. In addition, psychiatric illnesses and multiple suicide attempts were identified in many cases besides the use of insulin in a combination with other medications. Conclusions: Dying by suicide using insulin is uncommon, however, as diabetes mellitus prevalence increases worldwide, it is expected that intentional insulin overdose will also increase. Furthermore, psychiatric illnesses and easy access to insulin are important factors that should be put into consideration.

Abusive Head Trauma in Child Maltreatment-Related Homicide Cases in the United States: An Analysis of the National Violent Death Reporting System Data- 2012–2017

Abusive Head Trauma in Child Maltreatment-Related Homicide Cases in the United States: An Analysis of the National Violent Death Reporting System Data- 2012–2017

Autopsy Findings of the Case Child Murder: Is It Infanticide or Child Homicide? The Indonesian Perspective: A Case Report

BACKGROUND: Infanticide and child homicide are common but not the same cases of homicide. According to Indonesian criminal law, infanticide means murder committed by the mother him/herself, while child homicide means murder that can be committed by anyone. Signs of care for the baby became a very significant differentiating factor for these two types of homicide. CASE PRESENTATION: It was reported a case of finding an unidentified baby with an unrecognizable face and incomplete body parts by residents in the Sanehan River, Silih Nara District, Central Aceh, in a state not wrapped in anything. In the identification of the baby, it is estimated that the age based on gestational age is 38−40 weeks with a body length ranging from 44 to 46 cm. On external examination, a sharp trauma was found on the back of the neck, both arms and both thighs were cut off, an open wound in the lower abdomen. Autopsy results showed blunt trauma to the back of the head and facial bones appeared to be crushed. The pulmonary flotation test showed that the baby was born alive. CONCLUSIONS: The cause of death of the victim was a sharp and blunt force on the head and limbs and a blunt force on the stomach. Estimated time of death of the victim ranged from 6 to 8 days before the examination. It is necessary to determine whether this homicide case is a case of infanticide or child homicide. From the analysis and deepening of the data by the forensic medicine team, it is most likely that the baby in this case is an infanticide case, where the baby has received the affection of the baby’s parents is not possible.

Comparative evaluation of toxicology and sociodemographic characteristics in homicide and suicide victims

Background/Aim. Suicide and homicide are crucial social problems, especially frequent among the population younger than 40 years. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of different sociodemographic factors and relevant psychoactive substances on the difference between homicide and suicide victims. Methods. A cross-sectional study analyzed autopsy reports of 714 suicide and 166 homicide cases autopsied in five years (2011?2016). Out of these, 666 suicide and 127 homicide cases met the inclusion criteria for this study. Blood-ethanol concentration was determined by headspace gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Analysis of substances other than ethanol was accomplished by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Results. There was a significant difference in age, level of education, and employment rate between suicide and homicide cases (p &lt; 0.05). The distribution of suicide and homicide cases differed significantly on weekdays compared to week-ends [odds ratio(OR) = 1.5; 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1?2.3; p &lt; 0.05]. The presence of a psychoactive substance remained a nonsignificant predictor of whether a person would become a homicide or suicide victim (p &gt; 0.05). Homicide victims were more likely to have significantly higher blood alcohol concentration (0.2?0.3 g/dL) than suicide victims (OR = 2.2; 95 % CI = 1?5; p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion. The age, level of education, employment status, and high blood alcohol concentration (0.2?0.3 g/dL) of the victim were significantly different between suicide and homicide cases.

Court-Ordered forensic psychiatric evaluations for offenders with schizophrenia with homicide charges in Taiwan

Background: Homicidal offenders with schizophrenia who went through psychiatric evaluations are a small but significant group during a criminal appeal. Aim: Our aims are to explore whether the types of crime, such as homicide or not, would be related to the verdicts for the alleged offenders with schizophrenia in Taiwan. Our hypothesis was that homicide cases, rather than other alleged offenses, would be more likely to be regarded as no responsibility (legal insanity) or diminished responsibility for those defendants in the forensic psychiatric evaluation opinions or the court verdicts. Methods: A retrospective comparison of the homicide offenders with the nonhomicide offenders with schizophrenia, registered between December 2000 and November 2009, was conducted in the web-based, national, open-access court verdict databank. Results: There were 33 (3.4%) in 9691 criminal homicide offenders that had a diagnosis of schizophrenia. There were 33 in the homicide group and 22 in the nonhomicide group. Among these defendants in the homicide group, 3 (9.1%) were regarded as legal insanity, and 21 (63.6%) were regarded as diminished responsibility in comparison to the zero (0%) as legal insanity and nine (40.9%) as diminished responsibility in the nonhomicide group (P = 0.029). In addition, the group with multiple evaluations tended to receive forensic psychiatric opinions as legal insanity (N = 3; 33.3%), and the group with single evaluation tended to receive forensic psychiatric opinions as diminished responsibility (N = 16; 66.67%) (P = 0.017). The group with multiple evaluations tended to be ruled as legal insanity in the court (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Homicide cases would be more likely to be regarded as legal insanity or diminished responsibility for the defendants with schizophrenia in the forensic psychiatric evaluation opinions or the court verdicts.

Pattern of Homicide Cases in a Coastal District of Central Kerala Over the Last Ten Years: An Autopsy-Based Study

This study aims at exploring the demographical profiles of the victims and assailants, the weapons used, andthe fatal injuries inflicted on the body, in cases of homicide. A record-based cross-sectional studywas conductedat the Department of Forensic Medicine, Govt T.D. Medical College, Alappuzha, Kerala, from July 2012 to July2022. Out of 8952 autopsies conducted during the study period, there were 205 cases (2.29%) of homicide. 55.62%of cases were during the first five months, from January to May. The victims were between 31-40 years in 23.9%cases and 21.46% were 21-30 years old. Out of 205 cases of homicide, 48.36% were due to blunt force injuries and38.97% by sharp force injuries. In the case of blunt force injuries, maximum involvement was to the head &amp; face(52.55%); in sharp force injuries, involvement was highest in the chest (34.65%). The majority of the assailants weremales (73.91%). The most common alleged motive was quarrel (27.32%), closely followed by rivalry (25.85%).Thefindings of our study are mostly in agreement with the existing literature.

An Autopsy Study of Intentional Deaths among Adolescents in the Age Group of 10 to 19 Years in Bengaluru City

Introduction: Unnatural death means a death caused by external causes e.g., injury or poisoning which includesdeath due to intentional injury, such as homicide or suicide, and death caused by unintentional injury in anaccidental manner. The tragedy of suicide in adolescents is a global phenomenon that deserves the attention ofthe world’s pediatricians. An estimated 2 million people die each year as a result of suicide. In 2002, there werean estimated 877,000 suicides in the world, of which approximately 200,000 were adolescents and young adults.Aims and Objectives: To know the type, incidence, and sexwise distribution of intentional deaths of adolescentsin the age group of 10 to 19 years.Material Methods: The present study is a descriptive study of intentional unnatural death cases of Adolescents(10 to 19 years) which were autopsied at BMC &amp; RI, Bengaluru for a period of 18 months from December 2014 toMay 2016Results: In this study of 399 deaths among adolescents, 251 cases (62.90%) were due to intentional injuries and 148cases (37.10%) were due to unintentional injuries. Among intentional deaths 4 cases (1.60%) were homicidal and247 cases (98.40%) were suicidal in nature. In the case of homicide, all were male victims, while in suicide cases.Hanging was the most preferred method to commit suicide with 114 cases (46.15%), followed by burns in 79 cases(31.98%), poisoning in 45 cases (18.21%), drowning in 4 cases (1.61%), railway injury in 3 cases (1.21%) and 2 cases(0.80%) of fall from height.Conclusion: Accurate information on the causes and circumstances of intentional adolescent deaths througha process of medico-legal investigations is essential in creating awareness among National policymakers andeducators/caregivers, to prevent adolescent deaths.

Poisons and Drugs Used in Homicidal Poisoning: A Systematic Review

Homicidal poisoning defined as the application of toxic agents by a person to kill human beings. Historically, some conventional homicidal poisons were including arsenic, cyanide, mercury, strychnine, aconite and atropine. In general, homicidal poisonings are among the least frequently detected crimes and difficult to establish, across the world. Lack of suspicion of this type of poisoning and clinical presentations in this poisoning are often misdiagnosed as natural disease, especially if the crime is occurred in a hospital setting are the limitations for detection of homicidal poisonings. The aim of this article is to review of drugs and poisons used in recently reported homicidal poisoning cases. The results showed that the contemporary poisons and drugs used in homicidal poisonings are based in combinations of old and well-described poisons and drugs and natural or synthetic drugs and poisons from the group of organophosphorus agents, tetrodotoxin, radioactive substances and polydrug pattern of antipsychotics with antidepressants and sedativehypnotics. Forensic autopsy and postmortem histopathological and toxicological analysis have a critical role in investigation on homicidal poisoning fatal cases. The sophisticated instrumental analysis (usually using tandem mass spectrometry) can be used for toxicological analysis of trace levels of drugs and poisons in routine and alternative samples in the victims of homicidal poisoning.

Suicidal and Homicidal Thoughts as Psychotic Symptoms in an Adolescent: A Case Report.

The first episode of psychotic disorders often occurs in adolescence. Depressive symptoms are the most common symptoms in the prodromal period and the symptoms in this period are not specific to psychosis. Adolescence is a risky period in terms of suicidal behaviors. The risk of self-harm is further increased in the prodromal period and in the psychotic episode. Homicides in psychosis constitute a small part of all homicidal cases and homicidal thoughts have been associated with command hallucinations and delusions. In this article, an adolescent girl with psychosis who had intense homicidal and suicidal thoughts and self-harming behaviors will be presented, and homicidal thoughts in psychosis will be discussed. The symptoms of the case decreased with risperidone, and she started to socialize with the support of her teacher, who visited her house for lectures. The medical, legal, and social aspects of suicides and homicides in psychosis are discussed. Keywords: Adolescent, psychosis, homicidal, suicidal.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Teenage Homicide Incidence: A Retrospective Review of Forensic Autopsy Cases in Maryland from 2018 to 2021

Homicides in the United States disproportionately affect minorities, and previous research also indicates that increased economic deprivation and social disorganization correlates with increased rates of homicide. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated economic disparities and may have magnified existing disparities in homicide rates. Few studies have examined the incidence of teenage homicides throughout the United States, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a retrospective case review of homicides involving youth between the age group of 13 and 19 years from 2018 to 2021 in the state of Maryland. The aim of this study was to assess COVID-19 affected rates of youth homicide. A total of 230 teenage homicides occurred in Maryland from 2018 to 2021 with 113 cases during the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period (2018/2019) and 117 cases during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020/2021). The majority of teenage homicide victims were African − American male. More than 83% and 79% of victims were African − American in 2018/2019 and 2020/2021, respectively. Victims were also predominantly male (90% in 2018/2019 and 88% in 2020/2021). Maryland has a population of approximately 6 million people and is made up of 23 countries and Baltimore City. Nearly half of the overall incidents of teenage homicide took place in Baltimore City (49.6% pre-COVID-19 and 44.4% during COVID-19, respectively). While the average victim age did not vary considerably between 2018/2019 (17.8 years) and 2020/2021 (17.5 years), the percentage of cases involving victims ages 13–15 years more than doubled from 5.3% of cases in 2018/2019 to 12% of cases in 2020/2021. The majority of teenage homicide cases were due to firearm injuries (91.7%, n = 211), but during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a rise in violence involving sharp objects such as knives. The incidence of teenage homicide did not change considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic, although we did observe a trend toward younger males who were African American.

Unsuspected systemic Epstein-Barr virus-positive T-cell lymphoma of childhood diagnosed at autopsy in a potential homicide case.

Systemic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive T-cell lymphoma of childhood (SETLC) is a rare, rapidly progressive, and often fatal disease of children and young adults characterized by monoclonal expansion of EBV-positive T cells in tissues or peripheral blood following infection with EBV. Its distinction from other EBV-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders with overlapping features can be difficult, and particular diagnostic features may not be manifest until autopsy examination. We present the case of a 10-year-old boy with significant disability due to remote traumatic brain injury following non-accidental head trauma who died unexpectedly at home. Given the history of physical abuse and the potential for homicide charges, significant medicolegal implications arose with this case. Pathologic investigation ultimately revealed conclusive diagnostic features of SETLC including extensive proliferation of EBV-positive T cells in multiple organs. A natural manner of death was confirmed, thereby excluding delayed homicide related to complications of non-accidental head trauma.

Paraphenylene diamine (Kala Pathar) poisoning in children of Bahawalpur and surrounding areas

Background: Paraphenylene diamine (commonly known as Kala Pathar in Pakistan) poisoning is a common presentation in adults as well as pediatric patients in Southern Punjab. The study was carried out to assess paraphenylene diamine poisoning in pediatric cases.&#x0D; Patients and methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out at Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur. All the pediatric cases (&lt;15 years age) of paraphenylene diamine poisoning reported during April 2021 to April 2022. Data was entered and analyzed in SPSS.&#x0D; Results: Total 84 children presented at pediatric department of the hospital. Out of these, 43 (51.2%) were males and 41 (48.8%) were females. Age range was between 02 months and 15 years, mean age being 9.4 + 4.49 years. Majority of cases (46.6%) ingested paraphenylene diamine accidentally, followed by suicidal intention (29.8%), homicidal intent (21.4%) and unknown motive in 2.4% cases. Of all, 49 (58.3%) died of poisoning and 35 (41.7%) survived. Of all the cases, 44 (52.4%) underwent emergency tracheostomy.&#x0D; Conclusions: Paraphenylene diamine poisoning in children is an alarming trend. Although majority of the cases ingested it accidently but intake due to suicidal or homicidal reason were also high. Positive outcome was associated with higher age, carrying out early tracheostomy and mode of poisoning (homicidal cases had poorest outcome whereas accidental and suicidal pediatric cases had more chances of survival).

Hierarchical clustering for crime rate mapping in Indonesia

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a blueprint for improving the human life quality. Goal 16 (G16) is related to security, and it is in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution. To support the implementation of the G16 achievement, the Indonesian National Police (Polri) has made serious efforts to provide a sense of safety for the community and to minimize crime rates. One of the efforts that could be made is to map areas based on the level of crimes so that the Polri can determine the appropriate strategy/priority of action for mitigation. Therefore, this study aimed to cluster provinces in Indonesia based on the four G16 indicators of the SDGs related to security, namely the number of homicide cases, the victim proportion, the proportion of people who feel safe walking alone in the area where they live, and the proportion of victims of violence that reported to the police in the past year using five hierarchical clustering methods, namely: Single-Linkage, Average-Linkage, Complete-Linkage, Ward, and Division Analysis. Then, methods were validated and compared using six cluster validations to obtain the most compact method. The results showed that Ward's method outperformed the others and produced three clusters. Clusters 1, 2, and 3 contained 18, 5, and 11 provinces respectively.