Empirical Analysis of Deaths Due to Sharp Weapons in Faisalabad

Abstract

Violence is a product of aggressive behavior which leads to a large number of unnatural deaths. A significant number of deaths have been reported due to attacks with sharp weapons as it is one of the most violent and disgusting methods of revenge. This study empirically evaluates the sharp weapon deaths in Faisalabad from different perspectives. Objective: To analyze the deaths by sharp weapons in Faisalabad city regarding incidence, the most vulnerable age groups, gender prevalence, manner of death and parts of body mostly involved. Study Design: Retrospective, non-interventional descriptive study having cross sectional and longitudinal data. Settings: Department of Forensic Medicine, Faisalabad Medical University/Allied Hospital. Duration of Study: 5 years from 1^st January 2012 to 31^st December 2016. Methodology: This study covered all 96 cases of sharp weapon deaths from a total of 1,692 autopsies conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Faisalabad Medical University. Frequency distribution, descriptive analysis was performed to compute the findings. Results: Frequency of deaths from sharp weapons decreased in the study period. It was the highest in the age group 20-29 (32.29%) in Faisalabad. The ratio of male to female victims was 2:1. All deaths were homicidal in nature. Majority of the attacks were on the neck followed by the abdomen and chest respectively. Conclusion: It was concluded that deaths due to sharp weapon attack on the neck, abdomen and chest were high in the young in Faisalabad. Establishment of more trauma centers may be helpful in reducing the deaths due to sharp edged weapons.

Keywords: Sharp weapon, Violence, Neck, Abdomen

Violence is a product of aggressive behavior which leads to a large number of unnatural deaths. A significant number of deaths have been reported due to attacks with sharp weapons as it is one of the most violent and disgusting methods of revenge. This study empirically evaluates the sharp weapon deaths in Faisalabad from different perspectives. Objective: To analyze the deaths by sharp weapons in Faisalabad city regarding incidence, the most vulnerable age groups, gender prevalence, manner of death and parts of body mostly involved. Study Design: Retrospective, non-interventional descriptive study having cross sectional and longitudinal data. Settings: Department of Forensic Medicine, Faisalabad Medical University/Allied Hospital. Duration of Study: 5 years from 1^st January 2012 to 31^st December 2016. Methodology: This study covered all 96 cases of sharp weapon deaths from a total of 1,692 autopsies conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Faisalabad Medical University. Frequency distribution, descriptive analysis was performed to compute the findings. Results: Frequency of deaths from sharp weapons decreased in the study period. It was the highest in the age group 20-29 (32.29%) in Faisalabad. The ratio of male to female victims was 2:1. All deaths were homicidal in nature. Majority of the attacks were on the neck followed by the abdomen and chest respectively. Conclusion: It was concluded that deaths due to sharp weapon attack on the neck, abdomen and chest were high in the young in Faisalabad. Establishment of more trauma centers may be helpful in reducing the deaths due to sharp edged weapons.