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Citation |
Meel B. Indian J. Forensic Med. Toxicol. 2020; 14(4): 643-646. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2020, All-India Institute of Medical Sciences. Deptartment of Forensic Medicine) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
BACKGROUND: Thousands of ex-migrant mineworkers across the former Transkei have already passed on from natural causes, are disabled, or have died due to either mining-related diseases or in non-natural ways such as accidents, suicide or homicide. Many ex-mineworkers have died prematurely, placing a strain on families. Case History: Eighty-four family records were analyzed. Of these, 21 (25%) were found to be those of former mineworkers and their immediate family members. There were five mineworkers, and 14 were children of mineworkers. Only one was a spouse of a mineworker who had died unnaturally. Three mineworkers died as a result of firearm injuries, one was assaulted by a knobkerrie, and another one died as a result of alcoholic intoxication. Two of them had heavy drinking habits. Three mineworkers were unemployed. The causes of unnatural death were as follows: five were stabbed, two died from firearm injuries, one was killed in a motor vehicle accident, one was assaulted with a blunt object, and three committed suicide by hanging and poisoning. Most victims consumed alcohol. The history and psychosocial effects are discussed in this presentation. © 2020, Institute of Medico-Legal Publications. All rights reserved. Language: en |
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Keywords |
human; Poverty; suicide; South Africa; autopsy; alcoholism; poverty; cause of death; traffic accident; hanging; unemployment; alcohol intoxication; death; victim; gunshot injury; retrospective study; socioeconomics; medicolegal aspect; assault; Mineworkers; Article; miner; unnatural death; morgue; heavy drinking; Non-natural death |