An Analysis of Medico-Legal Autopsies Alleged to be Homicide: A Study from the Northern Province of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Introduction: Homicide, killing one person by another, is considered the most devastating violence. Legally homicide can be either murder or culpable homicide, where the difference lies in the degree of knowledge and intention. This study describes the demographic features and medico-legal significance of the injury and evaluates the social background of the victims of homicide.Methods: A retrospective descriptive study based on a post-mortem report was carried out on all the cases examined at the JMO office, Jaffna, from June 2014 to June 2022. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical package.Results: Among 105 post-mortem examinations alleged to be homicides, 77% (n=81) of deaths were recorded in the Jaffna district, while 23% (n=24) were recorded outside the Jaffna district. There was a male predominance63% (n=66) with a male-to-female ratio of 7:4. The commonest weapon or force used in homicide was blunt 51% (n=54, while sharp was the second highest (32%, n=34). Cut and laceration were the nature of injury for 26% (n=27) and 22% (n=23) of homicides, respectively. Consequences of craniocerebral injury (32%, n=34) were the major cause of death, while head and neck regions were commonly involved in 38%(n=40) and 25%(N=26), respectively. Regarding the nature of the injury, burn injuries (90%, n=10), mechanical airway obstruction (78%, n=07)), and lack of breathable air (100%, n=05) showed female preponderance (p value<0.05). In contrast, cut injury (61%, n=17), laceration (78%, n=19), stab injury (100%, n=05), and firearm injury (100%, n=04) were predominantly seen in the male population. Considering the cause of death, consequences of cranialcerebral injury (79%, n=25) were commonly seen in the male gender (p<0.05), and asphyxia-related deaths (85%, n=12) were more in the female gender (p<0.05). Conclusion:The nature of the injury and the cause of death in homicides had a significant relationship with the gender of victims.