HOMICIDE IN ABBOTTABAD

Authors

  • Qudsia Hassan
  • Mian Mujahid Shah
  • M. Zahid Bashir

Abstract

Background: Homicide is one of the oldest crimes in human history. Although a large number of dimensions have been added to this crime, the age-old factors like revenge, rage, jealousy and honour persist even today. This study was conducted jointly at the attached hospitals of Women Medical College and Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad to know the various dimensions of the victims of homicide. Methods: The present study encompasses all 40 cases of homicide, which presented for autopsy at DHQ hospital and Ayub Medical Complex Abbottabad during the year 2002. The manner of death was categorized as homicide on the basis of police inquest and the autopsy findings. Results: The homicide rate in Abbottabad was found to be 4.22/100,000 per year. Males were the primary targets usually in their prime of youth with 40% victims between 20–29 years. Firearms formed the major weapon of offence. Most victims died before reaching the hospital. Deaths were more common during the daytime and in summer months. Conclusion: Homicide rate is on the lower side in Abbottabad amongst places where firearm possession is not strictly controlled, but can be further reduced. Limiting firearm possession alone can go a long way in this goal.Key Words: Homicide, age, daytime, Firearms, Abbottabad.

References

Mant AK. Taylor’s Principles and Practice of Medical jurisprudence. 13th ed. New Dehli: BI Churchill Livingstone, 215.

Mason JK, Purdue BN. The Pathology of Trauma. 3rd ed. London: Arnold; 2000:462-4.

Pridemore WA. Measuring Homicide in Russia: a comparison of estimates from the crime and vital statistics reporting systems. Soc Sci Med 2003;57(8):1343-54.

Aziz K, Rana P, Malik SA. Homicide in Lahore. Pakistan Postgraduate Medical Journal 1999;10(1):10-13.

Ali SMA, Rizvi SIH, Ali MA, Chaudhary TH. Weaponary Patterns in the Homicidal Deaths in Bahawalpur. The Professional 2000;7(4):514-6.

Qadir G, Aziz K. The study of Homicidal Deaths in Larkana. Pakistan Postgraduate Medical Journal 2000;11(2):79-80.

Chugtai BR, Uraizy SMA, Rashid MA, Chaudary TH, Ahmed B, Qureshi GAA. Incidence of Homicidal Deaths. The Professional 2002;9(4):316-9.

Whitman S, Benbow N, Good G. The Epidemiology of Homicide in Chicago. J Nathl Med Assoc 1996;88(12):781-7.

Nwosu SO, Odesanmi WO, Pattern of Homicides in Nigeria. The ile-ife Experience. West Afr J Med 1998;17(4): 236-8.

Concha-Eastman A, Espitia VE, Espimosa R, Gverrovo R. (Epidemology of Homicideal in Cali, Columbia, 1993-1999. Six Years of Population–Based Model Rev Panam Solud Publica 2002;12(4):230-9.

Batten PJ, Hicks LJ, Pen DW. A 28 year (1963-90) study of homicide in Marion county Oregon. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 1991;12(3):227-34.

Lowry PW, Hassig SE, Gunn RA, Mathison JB. Homicide victims in New Orleans: recent trends. Am J Epidemiol 1998;128(5):1130-6.

Chu LD, Sorenson SB. Trends in California homicides, 1970 to 1993. West J Med 1996;165(3):119-25.

Saeed A, Bashir MZ, Munawar AZ, Iqbal J, Ali SMA, Khalil IR. Analysis of medicolegal Authopsies at Faisalabad. The Professional 2003;10(2):132-6.

Memon MU, Khalil ZA, Aziz K, Kaheri GQ, Khalil IR. Audit of cases Autopsied in the Mortuary of Khyber Medical College Peshawar during the year 1999. Annals 2001;7(3):190-3.

Hata N, Kominato Y, Shimada I, Takizawa H, Figikura T. Regional differences in homicide patterns in five areas of Japan. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2001;3(1):4-55.

Duflou JA, Lamont DL Knobel GJ, Homicide in Cape Town, South Africa. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 1988;9(4):290-4.

Rogde S, Hougen HP, Poulsen K. Homicide by Blunt Force in 2 Scandanavian Capitals. Am J Forensic Pathol 2003;24 (3):288-91.

Jakubonience D, Gurevicros R. Mortality from external causes. Influence of age and gender. Medicina (Kaunas). 2003;39(8):773-87.

Meel BL. Gender related traumatic deaths in Transkai, incidence and causes. Med Sci Law-2003;43(3):215-20.

Gill JR, Lenz KA, Amolet MJ. Gunshot fatalities in children and adolescents in New York City. J Forensic Sci 2003;48(4):832-5.

Blumstein A. Youth. Guns and violent crime. Future Child 2002;12(2):38-53.

Most read articles by the same author(s)