TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2019//
TI  - Epidemiological and toxicological profile of homicide victims in a legal medicine unit in Brazil
JO  - Journal of forensic and legal medicine
A1  - Lemos, Yara Vieira
A1  - Wainstein, Alberto Julius Alves
A1  - Savoi, Larissa Miranda
A1  - Drummond-Lage, Ana Paula
SP  - 55
EP  - 60
VL  - 65
IS  - 
N2  - OBJECTIVES: The use of illicit drugs is considered a risk factor for victimization by lethal violence and is frequently found in necropsies of homicide victims. This study aimed to evaluate the profile of these victims. <br><br>METHODS AND MATERIAL: A cross-sectional retrospective study was performed on homicide victims in 2014 with a sample composed of all homicide cases in 2014 for which toxicology had been performed in an Official Forensic Laboratory (Minas Gerais- Brazil). <br><br>RESULTS: 1382 homicide victims composed the sample. The group with a positive toxicology test (N = 943) presented higher proportions of men (p = 0.003), black/brown skin (p < 0.001), firearm history (p = 0.007) and a lower mean age (p < 0.001). In 72.2% of the positive tests, cocaine and benzoylecgonine were found; in 67.7%, THC and/or its metabolite was found; and in 43.1%, both illicit drugs were found. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The role of illicit drugs in early death goes far beyond intoxication as they are directly associated with age, skin color and gender. Young black/mixed men have an increased risk of homicide. Our findings point to the importance of investing in social actions, public safety and efforts to reduce drug use in this at-risk population.<br><br>Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1752-928X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2019.05.008
ID  - ref1
ER  -