Exploring Traumatic Causes of Homicide: A 15 - Year Retrospective Study in South Kerala

Dr. Nikhil Dileeph, Dr. Sharija S, Dr. Veena J S, Dr. Nikita Prabhakaran, Dr Sujisha S S

Abstract: This study aimed to understand the pattern, distribution and trends of traumatic homicidal death in south Kerala. It is a retrospective forensic autopsy - based study and the setting was the Department of Forensic Medicine, Government Medical College (GMC), Thiruvananthapuram. All cases of autopsies with an alleged history of traumatic homicide, between 2002 and 2016, done at Mortuary of GMC, Thiruvananthapuram, were included in the study.940 cases were analyzed. It is observed that the annual incidence of homicide is declining after 2012. Head injury was the most common cause of death (43.68%). The head was the most common area to be affected in fatal blunt force injuries (49%) while the chest was involved commonly in fatal sharp force injuries (36%). Defense wounds were seen in 37.83% of the total cases. Our study showed certain definite trends in Homicides in our population. Some of the variables are comparable even in other countries while some are not. The better understanding of the statistical analysis of such trends would pave way for a higher understanding of similar cases in the future.

Keywords: homicide, death, murder, Kerala, traumatic injuries

How to Cite?: Dr. Nikhil Dileeph, Dr. Sharija S, Dr. Veena J S, Dr. Nikita Prabhakaran, Dr Sujisha S S, "Exploring Traumatic Causes of Homicide: A 15 - Year Retrospective Study in South Kerala", Volume 14 Issue 3, March 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 429-431, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=MR25309084224, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR25309084224