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Handlos P, Švecová T, Vrtková A, Handlosová K, Dokoupil M, Klabal O, Timkovič J, Uvíra M. Review of patterns in homicides by sharp force: one institution's experience. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2023; 19:525-533. [PMID: 36763090 PMCID: PMC10752844 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-023-00576-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents a retrospective review of patterns found in cases of homicides by sharp force over a 13-year period at the Department of Forensic Pathology of the Ostrava University Hospital, Czech Republic. The review summarizes all frequently discussed aspects of such cases including the number and localization of injuries, the presence of defensive wounds, the type of the offending weapon, the cause of death, the place of death, victims' and perpetrators' profiles, their relationship, or toxicological findings. Furthermore, special attention was paid to the evaluation of any accompanying blunt force trauma that may be indicative of an escalation of the assault. The set of data was statistically analyzed. Even though most of the results of this review are consistent with available published studies, noteworthy differences have emerged in some aspects such as the sex and age of the victims, the relationship between the number of injuries suffered and the victims' sex, or the severity of alcohol intoxication in victims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Handlos
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Švecová
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Adéla Vrtková
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Applied Mathematics, VSB - Technical University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Department of the Deputy Director for Science, Research, and Education, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Klára Handlosová
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Dokoupil
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Klabal
- Faculty of Arts, Department of English and American Studies, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Juraj Timkovič
- Clinic of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Matěj Uvíra
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, The Fingerland Department of Pathology, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
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Li S, Wang X, Bi G, Xin G, Qin S, Xu P, Wang Y. A retrospective analysis of data from illicit drug abuse cases in Beijing between 2018 and 2020. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2022; 58:102086. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2022.102086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Homicidal sharp force cases: An 11-year autopsy-based study. J Forensic Leg Med 2022; 88:102347. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2022.102347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Ben Abderrahim S, Turki E, Haddaji A, Ghzel R. Criminal death by stabbing in the region of Kairouan, Tunisia: A retrospective study, 2008-2018. LA TUNISIE MEDICALE 2021; 99:1167-1173. [PMID: 35288923 PMCID: PMC8974441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Homicides by stabbing are the most common forensic form of criminal death in Tunisia. These homicides represent a type of violent death that requires investigation in a forensic setting. AIM To describe the epidemiological and forensic profile of stab wounds in the region of Kairouan, Tunisia Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of stab-wounds autopsy cases collected at the Forensic Department at the Ibn El Jazzar University Hospital in Kairouan over eleven years (01/01/2008 to 31/12/2018). RESULTS Forty-seven cases of homicide were retained. A male predominance was observed with a sex ratio of 22 (45H/2F, 96%). The mean age of the victims was 33.3±10.84 with ages ranging from 12 to 63 years. Most victims (79%) were of rural origin, singles (62%), and daily-laborers (89%). The months that recorded the highest numbers of homicides were November and August. The most common reason for the assault was a settling-score on the street. The perpetrator was known by the victim in 90% of cases, having used a knife as a weapon in 90% of cases. The thorax was the most frequently affected area, resulting in fatal heart wounds in 28 cases. CONCLUSION Autopsy remains an essential tool for drawing up a detailed injury assessment in homicides by stabbing and determining the injury mechanism of the wounds. The comparison of the autopsy findings with the data of the judicial investigation is of great help in the legal qualification of the facts and the determination of the responsibility of the aggressors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elyes Turki
- 2- Service de Médecine Légale, CHU Ibn El Jazzar, Kairouan, Faculté de Médecine de Sousse
| | - Arwa Haddaji
- 2- Service de Médecine Légale, CHU Ibn El Jazzar, Kairouan, Faculté de Médecine de Sousse
| | - Raja Ghzel
- 2- Service de Médecine Légale, CHU Ibn El Jazzar, Kairouan, Faculté de Médecine de Sousse
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Homicide victims and mechanisms in Lithuania from 2004 to 2016. J Forensic Leg Med 2019; 65:27-31. [PMID: 31039538 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2019.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A retrospective analysis of 2000 intentional homicide cases from the State Forensic Medicine Service (Vilnius, Lithuania) was carried out in order to evaluate the portrait of homicide victims and mechanisms of death between 2004 and 2016. The definition of intentional homicide appears to be quite straightforward, as a homicide occurs when one person's cause of death can be attributed to another one. Moreover, homicide is accomplished by conscious, active, intentional, or unintentional activities or inaction. All included cases of homicide were qualified as intentional murder. Children rarely become victims of intentional homicide. The group of child intentional murder made only 4.2% of all homicide cases. Seventy-three percent of homicide victims were male. The female victims were older than male and were murdered using a larger variety of objects (p < 0.001). Heavily alcohol-intoxicated victims were murdered using more traumatic affliction by sharp, stabbing-cutting objects (p < 0.001). The largest number of traumatic afflictions was associated with using a blunt object (p < 0.001). Lithuania differs from other European countries in terms of death by shooting: while 13% of homicides resulted from gunshot wounds in Europe, in Lithuania, only 5.6% of homicides did. This fact can be attributed to a relatively lower firearm ownership in Lithuania. This research is the first study that evaluates homicide in Lithuania based on autopsy findings. This study is highly important for homicide investigation tactics, as it emphasizes the portrait of the victim, providing valuable information about the most common mechanism of death, used weapons and traumatic afflictions for the law enforcement agencies.
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Ben Khelil M, Farhani F, Harzallah H, Allouche M, Gharbaoui M, Banasr A, Benzarti A, Hamdoun M. Patterns of homicide in North Tunisia: a 10-year study (2005–2014). Inj Prev 2017; 24:73-77. [DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2016-042123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Revised: 12/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BackgroundIn Tunisia and in the Arab world, few data are available about homicide patterns. The aim of our study was to analyse the victims' profiles and the general pattern.Methods636 homicide victims were autopsied at the Legal Medicine Department of Charles Nicolle Hospital in Tunis, over a period of 10 years (2005–2014).ResultsVictims were males in 79.7% with a male-to-female ratio of 3.93 and the average age was 37.7 years. The victim was generally from an urban area (66.7%), single (55.7%) and semiskilled (50.2%). The most common methods of homicide were sharp force (51.7%) and blunt trauma (24.8%).ConclusionsThis study suggests applying urgent preventive measures targeting essentially young males and the importance of a national ‘Violence Repository’.
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Hwa HL, Pan CH, Shu GM, Chang CH, Lee TT, Lee JCI. Child homicide victims in forensic autopsy in Taiwan: A 10-year retrospective study. Forensic Sci Int 2015; 257:413-419. [PMID: 26562789 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Revised: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child homicides are critical medico-legal issues worldwide. Data on the characteristics of these cases in Asia are limited. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of child homicides in Taiwan. METHODS A retrospective analysis of forensic autopsy records of child homicide victims (aged 0-17 years) in Taiwan, during a 10-year period between 2001 and 2010, was carried out. The age, sex, relationship with the perpetrator(s), injury patterns of the victims, and causes of death were analyzed. RESULTS In all, 193 child homicide autopsies were identified. There were 38 (19.7%), 82 (42.5%), 25 (13.0%), and 48 (24.9%) homicide victims aged under 1, 1-5, 6-12, and 13-17 years, respectively. One-hundred boys (mean age: 8.4±7.0) and 93 girls (mean age: 3.7±4.3) were included. A female predominance was noted among the victims aged 0-5. Blunt force (53.4%) was the most frequent method of injury, followed by suffocation/strangulation (20.2%) and sharp force (13.0%). Bruise (64.8%) and brain injury (45.1%) were the most common types of injuries. The cranium (62.2%) and face (60.6%) were the most frequently injured body regions. The distribution of fatal injuries varied among victims in different age groups. Neurogenic shock, asphyxia, and hemorrhagic shocks were most common in victims aged 0-5, 6-12, and 13-17, respectively. The most frequent causes of death included blunt force head injury (40.4%), suffocation/strangulation (20.2%), and sharp force lung trauma (7.3%). The type of offenders, injury methods, types of injuries, distribution of injuries, mechanism of death, and causes of death were significantly different among victims of different age groups. Eighteen (9.33%) victims displayed no external evidence of trauma. CONCLUSIONS The patterns of injuries, mechanism of death, and causes of death were different among victims of different age groups. A female predominance was noted among the victims aged 0-5. Complete forensic autopsy is necessary to identify child homicide. This report will help forensic examiners and forensic pathologists recognize the signs of child homicide and serve as a working basis for these professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Lin Hwa
- Department and Graduate Institute of Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 1, Jen Ai Rd., Taipei, Taiwan 100, ROC; National Taiwan University, Children and Family Research Center, Leader of Division, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, Taiwan 106, ROC
| | - Chih-Hsin Pan
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Ministry of Justice, No. 123, Min'an St., Zhonghe Dist., New Taipei City, Taiwan 235, ROC
| | - Guang-Ming Shu
- Department and Graduate Institute of Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 1, Jen Ai Rd., Taipei, Taiwan 100, ROC
| | - Chin-Hao Chang
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Zhongshan S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei, Taiwan 100, ROC
| | - Tsui-Ting Lee
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Ministry of Justice, No. 123, Min'an St., Zhonghe Dist., New Taipei City, Taiwan 235, ROC
| | - James Chun-I Lee
- Department and Graduate Institute of Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 1, Jen Ai Rd., Taipei, Taiwan 100, ROC.
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Matoso RI, Freire AR, Santos LSDM, Daruge Junior E, Rossi AC, Prado FB. Comparison of gunshot entrance morphologies caused by .40-caliber Smith & Wesson, .380-caliber, and 9-mm Luger bullets: a finite element analysis study. PLoS One 2014; 9:e111192. [PMID: 25343337 PMCID: PMC4208880 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Firearms can cause fatal wounds, which can be identified by traces on or around the body. However, there are cases where neither the bullet nor gun is found at the crime scene. Ballistic research involving finite element models can reproduce computational biomechanical conditions, without compromising bioethics, as they involve no direct tests on animals or humans. This study aims to compare the morphologies of gunshot entrance holes caused by.40-caliber Smith & Wesson (S&W), .380-caliber, and 9×19-mm Luger bullets. A fully metal-jacketed.40 S&W projectile, a fully metal-jacketed.380 projectile, and a fully metal-jacketed 9×19-mm Luger projectile were computationally fired at the glabellar region of the finite element model from a distance of 10 cm, at perpendicular incidence. The results show different morphologies in the entrance holes produced by the three bullets, using the same skull at the same shot distance. The results and traits of the entrance holes are discussed. Finite element models allow feasible computational ballistic research, which may be useful to forensic experts when comparing and analyzing data related to gunshot wounds in the forehead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Ivo Matoso
- Department of Forensic Dentistry, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, FOP-UNICAMP, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
- Institute of Legal Medicine – IML-RR, Civil Police of Roraima, Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Alexandre Rodrigues Freire
- Department of Morphology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, FOP-UNICAMP, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Eduardo Daruge Junior
- Department of Forensic Dentistry, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, FOP-UNICAMP, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia Rossi
- Department of Morphology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, FOP-UNICAMP, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felippe Bevilacqua Prado
- Department of Morphology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, FOP-UNICAMP, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
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Kristoffersen S, Lilleng P, Mæhle B, Morild I. Homicides in Western Norway, 1985–2009, time trends, age and gender differences. Forensic Sci Int 2014; 238:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2013] [Revised: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Verzeletti A, Russo MC, Bin P, Leide A, De Ferrari F. Homicide in Brescia County (Northern Italy): A thirty-year review. J Forensic Leg Med 2014; 22:84-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2013.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Revised: 11/01/2013] [Accepted: 12/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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