TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2022//
TI  - Homicidal sharp force cases: an 11-year autopsy-based study
JO  - Journal of forensic and legal medicine
A1  - Belghith, Meyssa
A1  - Ben Khelil, Mehdi
A1  - Marchand, Elodie
A1  - Banasr, Ahmed
A1  - Hamdoun, Moncef
SP  - 102347
EP  - 102347
VL  - 88
IS  - 
N2  - Sharp force injuries represent a major constituent of physical assaults and homicidal fatalities, especially in countries with strict firearm legislations. In forensic investigations, the examination of homicidal sharp force cases remains a challenge for both determining the cause and manner of a death. The aim of this study is to analyze the patterns of homicidal sharp force cases in Northern Tunisia. We perform a descriptive study with a retrospective data collection over an 11-year period (January 2007-December 2017). During the study period, 405 cases of homicidal sharp force casualties were observed. The mean age was 33.9 years, with a range of 2 months-89 years. We note a male predominance (male to female ratio of 4.7), most of who were single (91.2%). The casualties lived mainly in urban areas (68.4%) and were unemployed or daily workers in 61% of cases. Assaults occurred mainly during summer (52.4%) at weekends (38%) in a public place (62.4%) with essentially one perpetrator (68.6%) who was an acquaintance of the deceased in 32.6% of cases. The injuries were primarily located in the thorax (75%) and were associated with defensive wounds in the upper limbs. The most frequent cause of death observed was hemorrhage (82.9%). The analysis of patterns in homicidal sharp force cases allows us to construct specific preventive measures that target young males. Lesion analysis aids forensic specialists in following a thorough autopsy to determine the causes of death.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1752-928X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2022.102347
ID  - ref1
ER  -