Study of Profile of Homicidal Deaths in South Chennai- A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Killing of an individual is the highest level of aggression found in all cultures. The overall risk of suffering
a violent death as a result of intentional homicide has been declining steadily for a quarter of a century. In
2017, there were 6.1 homicide victims per 100,000 population worldwide, compared with a rate of 7.4 in
1993. The present study is a retrospective study conducted in Department of Forensic Medicine, Government
Kilpauk Medical college in the period Jan 2017 to march 2019. A total of 70 homicidal death cases were
analysed retrospectively. In analysing religion 61(87.14%) cases belong to Hindu religion, 33 (47.14%)
cases were labourers, 68 (97.14%) belong to nuclear family, Some sort of quarrel or oral arguments was seen
in 19 (27.14%) cases, place of death 28 (40%) cases seen in the victim own house. Cause of death is Shock
and haemorrhage due to multiple cut injuries was seen in 22 (31.42%) cases. Head is the most common part
of the body with injuries seen in 37 (52.85%) cases. Defence wounds seen in 20 (28%) of cases.
Strengthening the rule of law is central to reducing homicide levels. Policies aimed at tackling homicide
should address drivers of homicide both at the individual level (such as the age and sex of a person) and
at the macro level (such as unemployment, inequality, absence of the rule of law, the prevalence of gender
stereotypes in society and the presence of organized crime). Targeted and efficient interventions require a
comprehensive understanding of the scale of homicide and its various drivers, which is essential for ensuring
that Sustainable Development Goal targets related to violence can be met by 2030