Pattern and severity of injuries in assault victims in Bikaner region of Rajasthan – A prospective study

Injury is any harm, whatever illegally caused to any person in body, mind, reputation or property. Injuries of a widely differing nature may be inflicted with widely different instruments in many ways.

This study comprised of 262 assault cases presented to OPD of FMT department, admitted and brought dead cases in our institution from February 2023 to January 2024.

Total n=266 weapons were used of which Blunt weapons (n=251,94.36%) were most prevalent in this study followed by sharp weapon (n=10,3.75%), amongst them use of body part was widespread in urban region and lathi/danda/wooden stick were used frequently in rural region. Out of total n=938 injuries, Abrasion (n=348, 37.1%) was most common. Greater number of the assaulted victims sustained injuries on head and neck (n=301,32.08%). Most of the injuries were simple in nature (n=825,85.76%).

There was preponderance of use of blunt weapon. In urban region use of body parts were most commonly reported then lathi/danda/wooden stick. Desi katta was used in only 1 case. In rural areas most prevalent weapon was lathi/danda/wooden stick. Use of kulhadi, barchi and chosagi was reported from rural areas only. Injuries to case ratio turned up 3.58:1 indicating multiple injuries seen in single victim. Abrasions were most common type of injury. Head and neck region was the preferred site for attack by assailant.