AUDIT OF SHARP WEAPON DEATHS IN METROPOLIS OF KARACHI –AN AUTOPSY BASED STUDY

Authors

  • Farhat Hussain Mirza
  • Qudsia Hasan
  • Akhtar Amin Memon
  • Syeda Ezz-e-Rukhshan Adil

Abstract

Background: Sharp weapons are one of the most violent and abhorrent means of deaths. This studyassesses the frequency of sharp weapon deaths in Karachi. Methods: This was a cross sectional study,and involves the deaths by sharp weapons autopsied in Karachi during Mar 2008–Feb 2009. Results:This study reports that the frequency of sharp weapon deaths in Karachi is similar to some other studiesconducted in different regions of Pakistan, yet it is very high as the population of Karachi is way morethan any other metropolis of Pakistan. Our study reported that out of 2090 medico-legal deaths inKarachi during the study period, 91 deaths were due to sharp weapons, including 73 (80.2%) males and18 (19.8%) females. 100% of the deaths were homicides, so none were suicides. Deaths were morefrequent in age group ranging from 20–39 years (59.3 %). Conclusion: Sharp weapon deaths continueto be a means of quite a number of deaths in Karachi. Such violence depicts intolerant and frustratednature of the citizens.Keywords: Autopsy, homicide, sharp weapon, death

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Published

2010-12-01

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 4 (2010): JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE, ABBOTTABAD

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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