DEMOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF HOMICIDAL FIREARM INJURIES IN DERA ISMAIL KHAN

Background: The frequency and pattern of homicidal firearm injuries in various regions of Pakistan has largely gone unreported. This study was conducted to determine the pattern of homicidal firearm injuries in D.I.Khan. Material Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Department of Forensic Medicine, Gomal Medical College from data collected from DHQ Teaching Hospital, D.I.Khan from January 2013 to December 2013. All 160 autopsies files with any cause of death were consecutively included. Autopsy was conducted in accordance with Robert Virchow’s technique. The demographic variables were gender, age in years and age grouping. The research variables were; cause of death in all autopsies and regional involvement of the injuries in homicidal firearm victims. Frequency and percentage were given for all the categorical variables while age was analyzed by mean, SD and range. Results: Out of 160 autopsies performed during study period, 71(44.38%) cases were due to firearm injuries followed by 39(24.38%) due to road traffic accidents. Out of 71 cases due to firearm injuries, 57(80.3%) were males and 14(19.7%) females giving a male: female ratio of 4:1. The mean age of this sample of 71 cases was 34.82±13.53 (12-70) with a range of 58 years. The age group of 21-30 years has maximum frequency. Head, neck face were commonest area involved in 26(36.62 %) cases. Conclusion: Homicide firearm victims in D.I.Khan are mostly adult males of young age group. Head, neck and face are the most commonly targeted areas