International Journal of Medical Toxicology & Legal Medicine
  • Year: 2005
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue: 2

Study of Homicidal deaths at University Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur

  • Author:
  • O.P. Murty, Khaw Soon Keong, Mohd Firdaus bin Ghazali, Che Julisa binti Che Rani, Sunita binti Suhimi, Nur Azziyati binti Mohd Sahar
  • Total Page Count: 6
  • Page Number: 4 to 9

*Correspondence: Dr. O.P. Murty, Head, Forensic Pathology Unit, Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universiiy Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur

Abstract

A five years retrospective research of 239 homicide autopsy cases was carried out to determine the incidence of various types of homicide at the Forensic Unit University Malaya Medical Center (UMMC) from year 2000–2004. Each homicidal death case was placed into one of the six categories based on the method of homicide which are 1) blunt trauma, 2) stab wound, 3) slashed/cut wound, 4) mechanical asphyxia (strangulation), 5) firearm njury and 6) miscellaneous of the victims 87.0% were males and 12.5% were females. The average rate of homicide per year was found to be at 47.8. The peak age of homicide per year was in the 3rd decade (31–40 years old). Indians were the most common victims brought info the Forensic Unit for autopsies. Blunt trauma was the commonest type of injury in homicide with the head as the commonest lethal site. Chest however was the commonest lethal site by sharp trauma.