Abstract

Homicide is the most serious crime, as old as civilization and reported as early as in the Bible. The present prospective observational study was conducted at Forensic Medicine department of B J Govt. Medical College on 207 cases of alleged homicides brought for postmortem examination. The incidence of homicidal deaths was 1.76% with male preponderance and male to female victim ratio 3.9:1. Age group 21-30 years (36%) was the most commonly affected age group. Majority cases (55.55%) occurred during night and majority (36.71%) of the deaths occurred in summer season. Most common motive for killing was revenge (31.88%). Blunt injuries were commonest followed by sharp injuries, while hard and blunt weapon (53.14%) was the weapon of choice in majority. Head, neck and face region of body was most commonly affected in (49.4%) cases while brain (48.47%) was the most common internal organ/structures involved. Head injury (32.85%) was commonest cause of death followed by shock and haemorrhage due to injuries and asphyxial deaths.

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