Afzal Memon, Mohammad Akbar Kazi, Waqar Shaikh.
Prevalence of Homicidal Injuries by Sharp Force Trauma at Sukkur.
J Liaquat Uni Med Health Sci Jan ;14(01):03-5.

OBJECTIVE: To document the prevalence of most frequently targeted anatomical sites of the body focused on gender vulnerability due to sharp force trauma, referred for autopsy at the mortuary of medico-legal section of Civil Hospital Sukkur DURATION AND SETTING: Medico-legal section of Civil Hospital Ghulam Mohammad Mahar Medical College Sukkur from January 2008 to December2010. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive, retrospective MATERIAL METHODS: Medico-legal record of 100 cases autopsied from 2008-10 at the mortuary of medico-legal section Civil Hospital, GMMMC Sukkur, were thoroughly examined. The variables considered were gender, age, injury pattern, cause of death, defense wounds and common anatomical sites involved in homicidal outcome. Findings were expressed in numbers and percentages in a performa designed for the above study. RESULTS: The record of 100 autopsied cases at medico-legal section of Civil Hospital, GMMMC Sukkur, showed that homicidal injuries by sharp force trauma were common with age group 29-30 years, males were 65(65%) and the females were 35(35%) the mean age remained 30.88. 18(18%) showed single injury and 82(82%) have multiple injuries. 46(46% ) of death was due to hemorrhage and the rest 54 (54%) was due to injury to vital organs. Defense wounds were seen in 26(26%) and the remaining 74 (74%) were without defense wounds. The commonest anatomical part targeted in males was abdomen 25(25%) and in females was neck 30(30%). CONCLUSION: The study showed that injuries by sharp force trauma were common with age group 29-30 years with male dominance. The injuries were multiple and majority of victims had no defense wounds. The most targeted anatomical area in males was abdomen and in neck females. In majority of the cases, cause of death was injury to vital organs. The onset of sharp force fatalities will be reduced if proper laws are framed to strengthen law enforcing agencies to apprehend the culprits for appropriate punishments according to law.

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