Citation

Akhiwu WO, Nwosu SO, Aligbe JU. Internet J. Forensic Med. Toxicol. 2000; 1(2).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Anil Aggrawal)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A review of homicides and suicides as they occurred in Benin City, Nigeria over a period of two years was carried out with respect to age, sex and methods employed. Homicides and suicides form 19% and 1.8% respectively of the medico legal autopsies carried out during the period in review. The male to female ratio of homicides and suicides were 4.3 to 1 and 3.3 to 1 respectively and the ages of the majority of the victims fell between 20 and 40 years. The commonest method for committing homicide in Benin City was by firearms, while ingestion of poisons, particularly 'Otapiapia' an insecticide, is the commonest method for committing suicide in this region.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; adult; aged; aggression; autopsy; blunt trauma; child; depression; female; firearm; groups by age; hanging; homicide; Homicides; hostility; human; ingestion; insecticide; major clinical study; male; medicolegal aspect; Methods employed; Nigeria; poison; retrospective study; review; self poisoning; sex difference; suicide; Suicides