Comparison of Risk Factors and Preventable Causes of Unnatural Deaths from 1990 to 2017

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify the possible risk factors and preventable causes of unnatural deaths. By doing so recommendations can be made to authorities to help create a safer environment for society. A retrospective, descriptive study was carried out and randomized samples were collected. A total of 772 medico-legal autopsy reports from 1990 to 2017 were divided into two groups for analysis and data collection. Group A consists of autopsy reports from 2016 to 2014 and Group B consists of autopsy reports from 1990 to 1996. Information such as age, sex, occupation, and brief facts about the case were collected. Nature of violence and cause of death were also studied. The trends between the two groups were then noted and compared and discussed. The commonest cause of death is homicidal in nature. The second highest nature of violence is accidental cases for example falling from trees, roofs, or brawling or falling due to old age. Firearms are the most commonly used weapons. The most likely to be at risk of unnatural death is a young, healthy male adult of age group of 21–30 and 31–40. Females of age group of 21–30 and 11–20 are more at risk.