Use Of Firearms Research Articles

Fire training of cadets of the Military Academy with specific conditions of training under martial law

The activity of law enforcement officers in the National Police entails significant responsibility, requiring them to be highly disciplined and knowledgeable in their work, guided solely by the Constitution of Ukraine and Ukrainian legislation. Human life, honor, and dignity are the most valuable assets in our state. To ensure law and order and protect the lives and health of the population, law enforcement officers undergo relevant training in firearms, tactical, and psychological readiness. Knowledge of firearms training is essential, as when using firearms, a police officer must be well- versed not only in the technical aspects of weapons but also in the legal framework that governs the use of firearms.
 Firearms training in the police is designed to enhance the skills and resilience of cadets in shooting, increase their attentiveness and vigilance, and elevate their level of discipline. Equipped with these skills, cadets can confidently perform their duties, responding promptly to changing situations and fulfilling their professional obligations. In order to learn how to work with firearms, cadets must also acquire skills in tactical and special operations, practicing in creating optimal shooting positions, analyzing and assessing the terrain, conducting shooting, and making quick decisions. Cadets must have a clear understanding of when the use of force is permissible, anticipate the potential consequences, and know how to report the use of firearms to their superiors.
 Although firearms training in the National Police demands a comprehensive set of knowledge and skills, it is of paramount importance, considering that every police officer risks their life in the line of duty to protect the community and its citizens. A well-prepared police officer is the key to successful crime prevention and the preservation of public safety. Therefore, firearms training for cadets in the police is an essential element that ensures the safety of urban residents and fosters proficiency in police operations. Discipline in firearms training is a fundamental aspect of education in institutions of higher learning with specific training conditions. This work emphasizes the significance of this subject overall and the peculiarities of such training in wartime conditions.

A retrospective descriptive study on deaths due to firearm injuries in Western Province, Sri Lanka

Introduction: The use of firearms is a well-recognized method of committing a homicide. In Sri Lanka, the use of firearms was prominent among terrorists and underworld criminals. The analysis of the injury pattern will help to find the trends related to firearm injuries. Deaths that deviate from the routine pattern of injuries will be highlighted.Objectives: The objective of the study was to identify injury patterns in firearm-related deaths and the methods used to identify the range.Methods: The data from 40 firearm-related autopsies conducted at Offices of the Judicial Medical Officer at Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Colombo South Teaching Hospital, and Office of the Judicial Medical Officer, Colombo from 2000 to 2019 were collected from the post-mortem reports using pre-formed questionnaires and entered into the SPSS statistical package for analysis.Results: The majority were between 21 and 40 years of age (75%) and male (97.5%). Head alone was involved in 25% of deaths and head in combination with other regions was involved in 45% of the deaths. Cause of death (COD) in 50% of cases was head injuries alone and in 12.5% of cases, COD was from head injuries in combination with other injuries. The commonest circumstance was homicide in 72.5% of cases. Rifled firearm was the most common weapon used (90%). Range or the distance of fire was in the distant range in 65% of cases followed by close range in 17.5% of cases. Distance of fire was decided by the history, if available, the appearance of the entry wound, and other observations.Conclusions: Scientific evaluation of deaths following firearm injuries demands proper assessment of the range or the distance of fire based on modern technology. This becomes more relevant if there is an incompatibility with the history and the appearance of the wound, especially when deciding the circumstance of death.

OPTIMAL APPROACHES FOR LOCAL TREATMENT OF GUNSHOT WOUNDS TO FACILITATE EARLY WOUND HEALING

Gunshot wounds comprise a significant category of injuries resulting from firearm use, involving not only the impact of the blast wave but also damage from metal and secondary tissue fragments. This topic remains highly relevant today, as the appropriateness of local and surgical treatments plays a crucial role in the prompt regeneration of damaged tissues, prevention of purulent complications, swift closure of wound defects, and the optimal restoration of organ function, thereby reducing disability rates for patients.
 This study aims to compare and determine the clinical effectiveness of traditional dressings with antiseptic (Study Group I), hydroactive superabsorbent dressings (Group II), and Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC-therapy) (Group III) to provide cleansing of gunshot wounds, prepare the wound surface for skin plastic surgery, prevent secondary necrosis, purulent complications, and ensure the rapid rehabilitation of patients.
 The study included 154 wounded individuals, divided into three groups, with an age range spanning 18 to 50 years. Following our study, it can be inferred that the use of Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC-therapy) proves most effective in treating gunshot wounds. This method stimulates the early growth of granulation tissue, with mature granulation tissue evident as early as the 4th day, in contrast to the use of hydroactive dressings (on the 6th day) and traditional gauze material with an antiseptic (on the 7th day). VAC-therapy facilitates marginal epithelization and wound contraction, preventing the development of secondary necrosis and severe purulent complications. Moreover, this approach requires shorter-term antibiotic therapy, exhibits the lowest rate of complications post-repair of a wound defect, and reduces the rehabilitation period for the wounded.

Suicide-related behavior and firearm access among perpetrators of domestic violence subject to domestic violence protection orders

Perpetrators of domestic violence (DV) may be a population at elevated risk of suicide. Domestic violence protection orders (DVPOs) can include the removal of firearms from the individual subjected to the order (i.e., the respondent) to protect the victim-survivor. While removal of firearms in a DVPO is designed to protect the victim-survivor; it may also prevent suicide of the respondent by reducing access to lethal means. Therefore, we examined the association of respondent suicide-related behaviors with firearm possession and weapon use in DV among a sample of granted DVPO petitions in King County, Washington (WA), United States from 2014 to 2020 (n = 2,537). We compared prevalence ratios (PR) of respondent firearm possession and use of firearms or weapons to threaten or harm by suicide-related behavior. Overall, respondent suicide-related behavior was commonly reported by petitioners (46 %). Approximately 30 % of respondents possessed firearms. This was similar between respondents with and without a history of suicide-related behavior (PR: 1.03; 95 % CI: 0.91–1.17). Respondents with a history of suicide-related behavior were 1.33 times more likely to have used firearms or weapons to threaten/harm in DV compared to those without a history of suicide-related behavior (44.1 % vs. 33.8 %; 95 % CI: 1.20–1.47). In conclusion, both firearm possession and suicide-related behaviors were common among DVPO respondents. History of suicide-related behavior may be a marker for firearm-related harm to the victim-survivor. Evaluations of DVPO firearm dispossession should consider both firearm-related injury of the victim-survivor and suicide of the respondent.

Analisis Penggunaan Senjata Api di Tubuh Polri: Peraturan, Penyimpangan, dan Perubahan

In carrying out the demands of a profession that has many challenges, the National Police will certainly always intersect with the situation on the ground that makes them required to be ready and swift, especially regarding the handling and prevention of criminal acts, these conditions make every police member must be equipped with expertise and abilities in the process of their activities, in this case talking about the authority to own and use firearms, In general, members who serve in the field can use their weapons to warn against criminals, and under certain conditions, members can use their weapons to incapacitate the perpetrators, even to crack down on the spot (execution) of the perpetrators if they are life-threatening and ignore the warnings given. But this is a problem because there are people who use their authority for their own benefit and violate the law. This paper discusses how firearms actually use in the field, gun abuse cases, and what are the benchmarks for the use of firearms based on what has been regulated by relevant laws and rules.

Depression in older women who died by suicide: associations with other suicide contributors and suicide methods

Suicides among older women have received little research attention. In this study based on the 2017–2019 National Violent Death Reporting System data, we examined the prevalence of depression in older female suicide decedents (N = 3,061), associations between depression and other suicide precipitants, and the associations between suicide methods and depression. Descriptive statistics and generalized linear models (GLM) for a Poisson distribution with a log link were used to examine the research questions. Of the decedents, 15.0% had depressed mood without a reported diagnosis and 41.8% had a depression diagnosis. Nearly one-half of the decedents with reported depression were receiving mental health/substance use treatment at the time of injury. The likelihood of depression was lower among those who were age 85 and older compared to those were age 65–74, but higher among those who had anxiety disorder (IRR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.33–1.69), history of suicidal ideation (IRR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.10–1.35), history of suicide attempt (IRR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.14–1.41), and bereavement problems (IRR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.27–1.65). Those who had depression were less likely to have used firearms (IRR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.75–0.97) but more likely to have used hanging/suffocation (IRR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.13–1.67). The findings show that gun ownership was likely an important factor for firearm use. The high prevalence of depressed mood and/or depression diagnosis among older female suicide decedents at the time of their fatal injury underscores the importance of assessing depression and providing evidence-based depression treatment as an essential suicide prevention approach.

Older Adults’ Preferences Regarding Firearm Locking Device Use: Results of a National Survey

ABSTRACT Objectives Use of firearm locking devices may reduce the risk of suicide and injury among older adults. This study describes older adults’ preferences when choosing a firearm locking device. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of a nationally representative survey of US adult firearm owners (N = 2,152). We compared older adults (≥65y) with relatively younger adults (<65y), stratified by self-reported gender. Results The top three factors cited as impacting firearm locking device selection included speed (53.6%) and ease of firearm access from device (52.4%), and cost of the device (28.7%). These top factors were comparable for all adults across genders. A larger proportion of older vs younger males reported that a primary preference was whether the device allows the firearm to remain loaded with ammunition; smaller proportions of older vs younger males reported strength of device (device durability) and costs. Conclusions Preference among older adults, particularly older males, for locking devices that maintain the firearms easy to access – especially, loaded with ammunition – might impact firearm injury prevention efforts for this high-risk group. Clinical Implications For harm reduction, use of any firearm locking device may reduce the risk of firearm injury or death. Clinicians are encouraged to explore reasons for locking device selection within motivational interviewing frameworks.

Protection rights for football supporters: learning from the tragedy at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Indonesia

PurposeFootball supporters have safety and security guarantees, but protection rights abuses in the Kanjuruhan Indonesia stadium tragedy. This study aims to create a design regulation to protect the protection rights of football supporters in the world.Design/methodology/approachThis is a socio-legal study. The law, cases and conceptual methods are the research methodologies. The process of collecting data uses a literature review. The gathered facts and information are next examined both qualitatively and descriptively.FindingsThe tragedy that occurred at the Kanjuruhan Stadium is the worst tragedy of Indonesian football. The key factor behind the tragedy was the mechanism for securing football matches regulated in the acts and regulations in Indonesia, which were out of sync and contrary to Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) regulations. The Indonesian National Police Regulation (Perkapolri) permits the use of firearms, tear gas and force, whereas this is actually prohibited by the FIFA Stadium Safety and Security Regulation (FSSSR). In this tragedy, protection rights abuses occurred. Then, the Indonesian Sport Act (ISA) 2022 does not yet regulate crucial matters, especially safety and security in sports competitions to protect players, referees, spectators/supporters and other match organizers.Research limitations/implicationsThis study examines various regulations relating to sports, especially football matches with a focus on studies in Indonesia.Practical implicationsThe results of this research help realize protection rights for football supporters and create designs regulation to protect protection rights for football supporters worldwide.Social implicationsThe design regulation recommended in this study is useful for preventing disasters in football and protecting football supporters, players, referees and parties in matches from acts of violence.Originality/valueLearning from the Kanjuruhan tragedy, to prevent this from happening again, the adoption of the FSSSR into Indonesian legislation, created the Safety of Sports Grounds Act and the establishment of the Indonesian Football Policing Unit are recommendations that need to be considered.

Firearm use risk factors and access restriction among suicide decedents age 75 and older who disclosed their suicidal intent.

A majority of older adult suicide decedents used firearms. In this study, we focused on suicide decedents age 75+ who disclosed their suicidal intent within a month of their injury/death to examine demographic and clinical characteristics associated with firearm use and firearm access restriction attempts by their family members. The 2017-2019 U.S. National Violent Death Reporting System provided data (N = 1,734 suicidal intent disclosers; 1,476 males and 258 females; 21.4% of decedents age 75+). Generalized linear model (GLM) for a Poisson distribution with a log link was used to examine firearm use risk factors. Firearm access restriction attempts by decedents' family members were examined based on coroner/medical examiner and law enforcement (CME/LE) reports. Nearly three quarters of disclosers disclosed their intent to family members, and 82.9% of males and 27.5% of females used firearms. GLM results showed males, non-Hispanic white people, and residents in the South and West regions had higher likelihood of firearm use. CME/LE reports of 140 out of 1,294 firearm decedents included narratives related to firearm restriction attempts or lack thereof. Firearm access restrictions were not attempted in 65 cases because family members did not take suicidal intent disclosure seriously or because decedents promised no self-harm. Partial or complete removal of firearms in 75 cases were not effective as decedents had hidden a firearm or purchased a new one. Others used different lethal methods. The findings indicate a need for: (a) training family members of older adults who are at risk of suicide in effective means safety/access restriction and strategies to prevent means substitution; (b) more comprehensive legislative reforms reducing access to firearms by those at risk of suicide; and (c) more comfort and palliative care and counseling for psychosocial risk factors.

Meta-analysis of clinical risk factors for suicide among people presenting to emergency departments and general hospitals with suicidal thoughts and behaviours.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviours (STB) are a common reason for presentation to emergency departments and general hospitals. A meta-analysis of the strength of clinical risk factors for subsequent suicide might aid understanding of suicidal behaviour and help suicide prevention. We conducted a meta-analysis of cohort and controlled studies on clinical risk factors and later suicide among people presenting to emergency departments and general hospitals with STB. Data were extracted from papers meeting inclusion criteria, published in Medline, PsycINFO, and Embase between 1 January 1960 and 10 October 2022 using papers located with the search terms ((suicide*).m_titl AND (emergency* OR accident and emergency OR casualty OR general hospital OR toxicology service).mp) or were indexed in PubMed and had titles located with the search terms (suicide* OR self-harm OR self-harm OR self-injury OR self-injury OR self-poisoning OR self-poisoning OR overdose OR para-suicide OR parasuicide [title/abstract]) AND (Emergency department OR emergency room OR Casualty OR general hospital OR toxicology OR accident and emergency [all fields]). Data about the association between clinical risk factors and suicide extracted from three or more studies were included in a random-effects meta-analysis of the odds of later death by suicide. The study was registered in PROSPERO and conducted according to MOOSE and PRISMA guidelines. Seventy-five studies reported on 741,624 people, of which 19,649 died by suicide (2.65%). Male sex (odds ratio (OR) = 1.99) and age (OR = 2.01) were the most consistently reported risk factors. The strongest associations with subsequent death by suicide related to violent self-harm methods at the hospital presentation, including: unspecified violent method (OR = 4.97), any violent method (OR = 4.57) and the specific violent methods of drowning (OR = 4.32), hanging (OR = 4.26), and use of firearms (OR = 10.08). Patients categorised as higher risk using suicide prediction scales or any other method that combined risk factors had moderately increased odds of suicide (OR = 2.58). Younger age, Black and Hispanic ethnicity, overdose, a diagnosis of adjustment disorder, and the absence of any psychiatric diagnosis were protective against suicide. Most risk factors for suicide among people who have presented with STB are not strongly associated with later suicide. The strongest risk factors relate to self-harm methods. In the absence of clear indicators of future suicide, all people presenting with suicidality warrant a thorough assessment of their needs, and further research is needed before we can meaningfully categorise people with STB according to suicide risk.

Factors of forming an aggressive motive for crimes against life and health committed with the use of firearms

Domestic criminological science faces an important task of developing measures to prevent violent assaults with the use of firearms and their factors. The purpose of the article is to develop crime prevention measures taking into account the determination of crimes against life and health committed with the use of firearms. The article’s task is to determine the motives of crimes against life and health committed with the use of firearms.&#x0D; The mechanism of criminal behavior can be understood as a system of correlated algorithmic actions conditioned by a favorable objective reality, a set of mental states and processes, and behavioral acts sufficient for realizing a socially dangerous intention. One of the aspects of this algorithm is the formation of a criminal motive as a prerequisite for the will (decision) to commit a crime. The main motive of the violent crimes with the use of firearms that we investigate is aggressive. Additional motives: 1) selfish, 2) hooligan, 3) revenge, 4) jealousy, 5) intimidation; 6) self-defense.&#x0D; Formation of motives for criminal offenses against life and health with the use of firearms occurs under the influence of various circumstances of the surrounding social environment.&#x0D; The use of a weapon during an attack significantly increases the attacker’s ability to overcome the physical resistance of a victim who does not have such a weapon of protection. The understanding of this circumstance is a motivating factor in the criminal’s behavior. According to this, the spread of illegal firearms from the areas of hostilities will obviously negatively impact the country’s criminogenic situation.&#x0D; Victims sometimes use their provocative behavior to form a motive for aggressive actions against them.&#x0D; A low educational level can contribute to the formation of antisocial intentions in a person and their implementation in illegal behavior.&#x0D; Previous criminal experience is a significant factor in the formation of criminal motivation of persons who commit violent crimes with the use of firearms.&#x0D; The specified circumstances must be taken into account when developing measures to prevent criminal offenses (crimes) against life and health with the use of firearms.

Pertanggungjawaban Pemilik Senjata Api Legal yang Disalahgunakan Oleh Orang Lain

This study aims to obtain information and analyze the law regarding the ownership of legal firearms that are misused by others. Using the approach method in this study is a normative juridical approach. The widespread spread of firearms among civilians is a global phenomenon. The lack of supervision of firearm ownership, both legal and illegal owned by the general public, police and TNI, is one of the causes of crimes with misuse of firearms in Indonesia. While the victims who died as a result of this crime were mostly civilians. In Indonesia, exact figures on the trade in firearms, legal or illegal, are difficult to obtain, although their circulation in civil society is certain to increase sharply. Due to the lack of order and supervision of firearm administration, police officers do not know for sure how many firearms are circulating in the community, making firearm ownership very difficult to trace. The circulation of firearms will certainly cause unrest in the community, considering that firearms are very dangerous. The use of firearms is legal alias licensed as owned by members of the police, TNI, agencies / agencies and the general public. But there are also illegal alias unlicensed, unlawful and very potentially used for crime. The use of legal firearms in practice is inseparable from various problems, in addition to unscrupulous officers who misuse their firearms, there are also people who have firearm permits who violate the rules, such as for criminal acts.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Complex suicides involving the use of firearms and hanging: A retrospective study and review of the literature

IntroductionSuicides are the second most common cause of non-natural death in Germany after accidents. Most common is death by hanging, followed by the use of firearms. More frequent “simple” suicides in which one suicide method is used are distinguished from rare “complex” suicides, in which several methods are applied, whereby the combination of gunshot and strangulation is frequently chosen. Such cases require a thorough criminalistic and forensic medical examination to check the plausibility of assumed sequences of events and to detect covered-up homicides. Material and methodsA retrospective analysis of 5,400 post-mortem examinations at the Institute of Legal Medicine Giessen (2009–2018) revealed three cases in which gunshot and hanging were used to commit a planned complex suicide. ResultsCase 1: The body of a 66-year-old carcinoma patient was found hanging from a tree in a kneeling position with a bullet through the head. The post-mortem examination revealed a penetrating head shot, uninjured soft tissues of the neck, no injuries to the hyoid bone or larynx and no signs of congestion. After autopsy, the gunshot through the head was considered as cause of death.Case 2: An 82-year-old man was found dead with two bullet wounds in the chest, hanging in free suspension in a factory hall. The necropsy showed two chest entry wounds with injuries to the heart and lungs as well as a vital ligature mark and fractures of the hyoid bone and larynx without signs of congestion. The combination of hanging and the gunshot wounds was concluded as cause of death.Case 3: The body of an 81-year-old pain patient was found in his home next to a small-caliber rifle, with a noose around his neck, attached to a suspension torn from the wall. The autopsy revealed a tangential shot through the skull with superficial injury to the frontal brain and a vital cord mark on the neck with fractures of the hyoid bone and larynx without signs of strangulation. In this case, hanging was identified as cause of death. ConclusionComplex suicides are rare events, that require a thorough criminalistic and forensic medical examination Although being called complex suicides and one of the methods usually being suitable to cause death, the cause of death is not always a combined one.

Armed to Kill: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Examining the Links between Firearms Availability, Gun Control, and Terrorism Using the Global Terrorism Database and the Small Arms Survey

ABSTRACT According to the Global Terrorism Database, the use of firearms in terrorist attacks has been on the rise, and firearms-based attacks are the most lethal. In the aftermath of mass-casualty attacks perpetrated with firearms, policymakers across the world advocate tightened gun control to restrict terrorists’ access to both licit and illicit guns. However, academic research on the linkages between firearms availability, gun control legislation, and terrorism is scarce. This study fills this research gap by conducting a systematic cross-sectional analysis of the linkage between gun control, licit and illicit stocks of firearms, and terrorist attacks in 2015–2019, based on a novel dataset incorporating the Global Terrorism Database and the Small Arms Survey. Our estimation using OLS regression shows a strong relationship between the availability of firearms and the incidence of gun-based terrorism, especially for lone wolf attacks. Furthermore, terrorists in stable, democratic countries are comparatively more likely to select firearms as their weapon of choice. Conversely, strict gun control only slightly alleviates the overall risk of terrorism in stable countries but does not impact weapon selection. In unstable countries in the grip of intrastate conflict, gun control significantly reduces lone wolf-style attacks, while organized multi-perpetrator attacks are not deterred.

Firearm Legislation and Firearm Use in Female Intimate Partner Homicide Using National Violent Death Reporting System Data, 2015–2019

Firearm Legislation and Firearm Use in Female Intimate Partner Homicide Using National Violent Death Reporting System Data, 2015–2019

Regional differences in firearm ownership, storage and use: results from a representative survey of five US states

BackgroundFirearm access and storage practices influence risk for injury and death; however, prior research has considered only national and regional differences on these variables, overlooking state-level differences.ObjectivesTo analyse and describe...

Views of democracy and society and support for political violence in the USA: findings from a nationally representative survey

BackgroundCurrent conditions in the USA suggest an increasing risk for political violence. Little is known about the prevalence of beliefs that might lead to political violence, about support for and personal willingness to engage in political violence, and about how those measures vary with individual characteristics, lethality of violence, political objectives that violence might advance, or specific populations as targets.MethodsThis cross-sectional US nationally representative survey was conducted on May 13 to June 2, 2022, of adult members of the Ipsos KnowledgePanel. Outcomes are weighted, population-representative proportions of respondents endorsing selected beliefs about American democracy and society and violence to advance political objectives.ResultsThe analytic sample included 8620 respondents; 50.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 49.3%, 51.7%) were female; and weighted mean (± standard deviation) age was 48.4 (± 18.0) years. Nearly 1 in 5 (18.9%, 95% CI 18.0%, 19.9%) agreed strongly or very strongly that “having a strong leader for America is more important than having a democracy”; 16.2% (95% CI 15.3%, 17.1%) agreed strongly or very strongly that “in America, native-born white people are being replaced by immigrants,” and 13.7% (95% CI 12.9%, 14.6%) agreed strongly or very strongly that “in the next few years, there will be civil war in the United States.” One-third of respondents (32.8%, 95% CI 31.7%, 33.9%) considered violence to be usually or always justified to advance at least 1 of 17 specific political objectives. Among all respondents, 7.7% (95% CI 7.0%, 8.4%) thought it very or extremely likely that within the next few years, in a situation where they believe political violence is justified, “I will be armed with a gun”; 1.1% (95% CI 0.9%, 1.4%) thought it very or extremely likely that “I will shoot someone with a gun.” Support for political violence and for the use of firearms in such violence frequently declined with increasing age, education, and income.ConclusionsSmall but concerning proportions of the population consider violence, including lethal violence, to be usually or always justified to advance political objectives. Prevention efforts should proceed urgently based on the best evidence available.

Theoretical foundations of the formation of a responsible attitude of students to weapons

The relevance of the article is due to the complex, contradictory processes that our country has been facing in the last decade as part of the increase in the number of cases of the use of cold and firearms by persons who do not have the right to do so. Exposed to negative influence in this process is the student youth, who perceives the problem as a game, an opportunity to establish justice, to demonstrate strength. The purpose of the article is to consider the theoretical foundations of the formation of a responsible attitude of students to weapons, the peculiarities of their use. The author formulates a general idea of the process of forming a responsible attitude to weapons among students and describes the difficulties of its implementation. The essence of approaches to the term "weapons" is revealed and the phenomenon of the problem ‟Children and weapons” is considered. A variant of using special programs for the formation of a responsible attitude when handling weapons in the organization of extracurricular educational work is proposed. The article is intended for teachers, educators, organizers of clubs, military-patriotic associations, mentors engaged in activities aimed at the formation of socially significant personal qualities of young people.

Current issues regarding the definition of application, active application and use of firearms in the National Police Act.

Current issues regarding the definition of application, active application and use of firearms in the National Police Act.

Further evidence of misclassification of the injury deaths in South Africa: When will the barriers to accurate injury death statistics be removed?

Contrary to the World Health Organization's internationally recommended medical certificate of cause of death, the South African (SA) death notification form (DNF) does not allow for the reporting of the manner of death to permit accurate coding of external causes of injury deaths. To describe the injury cause-of-death profile from forensic pathology records collected for the National Cause-of-Death Validation (NCoDV) Project and compare it with profiles from other sources of injury mortality data. In particular, the recording of firearm use in homicides is compared between sources. The NCoDV Project was a cross-sectional study of deaths that occurred during a fixed period in 2017 and 2018, from a nationally representative sample of 27 health subdistricts in SA. Trained fieldworkers scanned forensic records for all deaths investigated at the forensic mortuaries serving the sampled subdistricts during the study period. Forensic practitioners reviewed the records and completed a medical certificate of cause of death for each decedent. Causes of death were coded to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10), using Iris automated coding software. Cause-specific mortality fractions for injury deaths were compared with Injury Mortality Survey 2017 (IMS 2017) and Statistics South Africa 2017 (Stats SA 2017) datasets. The cause profile for all firearm-related deaths was compared between the three datasets. A total of 5 315 records were available for analysis. Males accounted for 77.6% of cases, and most decedents were aged between 25 and 44 years. Homicide was the leading cause of death (34.7%), followed by transport injuries (32.6%) and suicide (14.7%). This injury cause profile was similar to IMS 2017 but differed markedly from the official statistics, which showed markedly lower proportions of these three causes (15.0%, 11.6% and 0.7%, respectively), and a much higher proportion of other unintentional causes. Investigation of firearm-related deaths revealed that most were homicides in NCoDV 2017/18 (88.5%) and IMS 2017 (93.1%), while in the Stats SA 2017 data, 98.7% of firearm deaths were classified as accidental. Approximately 7% of firearm-related deaths were suicides in NCoDV 2017/18 and IMS 2017, with only 0.3% in Stats SA 2017. The official cause-of-death data for injuries in SA in 2017 differed substantially from findings from the NCoDV 2017/18 study and IMS 2017. Accurate data sources would ensure that public health interventions are designed to reduce the high injury burden. Inclusion of the manner of death on the DNF, as is recommended internationally, is critically important to enable more accurate, reliable and valid reporting of the injury profile.