Pattern of Injuries in Homicidal Cases in Greater Mumbai A Three Year Study

The present study was carried out in the City of Greater Mumbai's all post mortem centres during the calendar year of 2004 to 2006 with aims and objective to determine the pattern of injuries in cases of homicides during this period with special reference to injuries sustained during these homicidal incidences. Total 371 cases of homicidal deaths were collected from post mortem reports, panchnama, police requisition and statements of relatives. The injuries present on the particular body area were noted with due consideration of kind of weapon used, internal organs injured and cause of death. Male victim's preponderance was noted over female victims with male age group of 21–30 years being most commonly affected. The head face and neck region of the body was most often targeted. Internal organs most commonly affected were neck structures followed by brain while least involved organ was heart. Hard and blunt weapons were most commonly used followed by sharp edged and pointed weapons. Infanticide was most common in female infants. The most common cause of death in male victims was shock and haemorrhages and in female victims was mechanical asphyxia.