PATTERN OF CAUSES OF DEATH IN HOMICIDAL CASES ON AUTOPSY IN PAKISTAN

Background: Homicide is defined as killing of one human being by another. The present study was conducted to find out the pattern of causes of death in homicidal cases on autopsy in Pakistan. Material Methods: This descriptive cross-sections study was conducted from January, 2010 to March, 2014. Autopsies of 2025 dead bodies were conducted in homicidal cases. The data was collected on a proforma from the records of Forensic Medicine Department, BMC Bannu, Alama Iqbal Memorial Hospital Sialkot, Banzeer District Hospital Rawalpindi and Banzeer District Hospital Abbottabad, with permission of authorities. The causes of death were determined either by external and internal examination or by histological examination/chemical analysis of viscera. Partially decomposed, advancedly decomposed or skeletonized bodies, with no internal or external injuries sufficient to cause death and histological and toxicological reports failing to reveal any abnormal findings, were also included. Results: Autopsies of 2025 dead bodies in homicidal cases were performed. Out of these 1375(67.24%) were males and 670(32.76%) females. It was observed in this study that fire-arm injury was the commonest causes of death in 1230(60.14%) cases, followed by blunt weapon injury in 367(17.94%) cases. Conclusion: Homicidal deaths are mostly due to fire-arms in our set-up. Strict measures should be taken to monitor and control the possession of illegal fire-arms