Pattern of Homicide Cases in a Coastal District of Central Kerala Over the Last Ten Years: An Autopsy-Based Study

Abstract

This study aims at exploring the demographical profiles of the victims and assailants, the weapons used, andthe fatal injuries inflicted on the body, in cases of homicide. A record-based cross-sectional studywas conductedat the Department of Forensic Medicine, Govt T.D. Medical College, Alappuzha, Kerala, from July 2012 to July2022. Out of 8952 autopsies conducted during the study period, there were 205 cases (2.29%) of homicide. 55.62%of cases were during the first five months, from January to May. The victims were between 31-40 years in 23.9%cases and 21.46% were 21-30 years old. Out of 205 cases of homicide, 48.36% were due to blunt force injuries and38.97% by sharp force injuries. In the case of blunt force injuries, maximum involvement was to the head & face(52.55%); in sharp force injuries, involvement was highest in the chest (34.65%). The majority of the assailants weremales (73.91%). The most common alleged motive was quarrel (27.32%), closely followed by rivalry (25.85%).Thefindings of our study are mostly in agreement with the existing literature.