Citation

Uren GA, Mentoor I, Prinsloo M, Dempers JJ, Verster J. J. Forensic Leg. Med. 2023; 96: e102529.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jflm.2023.102529

PMID

37146361

Abstract

From a public health, medical and economic perspective, violence and trauma, especially firearm-related injuries, and fatalities, constitute a significant plight worldwide. Globally, more than 250 000 victims succumbed to gun-related injuries in 2019. The medical and economic costs associated with firearm injuries and deaths are substantial, i.e., over 48 billion dollars in the United States between 2010 and 2012, of which 91% were attributed to fatal firearm injuries. Most costs are related to loss of income. Rainio et al. (2015) noted that, when comparing different countries, a substantial difference can be appreciated in both the amount and nature of deaths related to firearm violence. Gunshot fatalities in only six countries in 2019 accounted for almost three-quarters of cases across the globe. In 2019, over sixty percent of cases in the United States were related to suicides using firearms. In first-world and European countries, homicides are usually committed due to conflict in personal relationships or members of criminal groups, with few cases of armed robbery. This is in contrast to low to middle-income and developing countries where robbery, assault, and gender-based violence is highly prevalent.4 In underdeveloped countries like Latin America, firearm violence is exceptionally high, primarily due to the prevalence of drug trafficking and gangsterism.4 In low to middle-income countries like South Africa, the nature and extent of firearm fatalities reflect the harsh realities of a state in which poverty, unemployment, and socio-economic instability are common. These factors contribute to a society riddled with violence.

Firearm violence is a well-known and recognized problem in South Africa. A 1998 United Nations survey found that South Africa had one of the highest firearm-related homicide rates globally. A rise in injuries sustained secondary to firearm-related trauma was identified from 1997 to 2000, with a national peak occurring in 2000. Across the globe, South Africa was found to have one of the highest number of homicide deaths in 2000, which was reported to be higher than the international average in both males and females. In the same year, gunshot fatalities accounted for 54% of homicides and 28% of unnatural deaths in South Africa.6 Until 2003, firearms were the leading cause of homicide for all age groups from the age of 5...

Language: en