Homicide is a reflection of extreme aggression and examined at medicolegal centres to determine the cause and the manner of death. This study was done on autopsies conducted at Menoufiya Governorate Medicolegal Centre during 5-years period from 2006-2010 to know the pattern of homicide and to determine how autopsy information influences the outcome of police inquest. Information was obtained from all medicolegal reports of homicidal deaths and statistically analyzed. The total number of postmortem examinations was 3215; of these 6.9% homicide autopsies were performed over the study period; it showed progressive increase in number through the period of the study. The homicide rate was 0.0069 per 100,000 populations. The majority (64%) of victims were in the 21-50 years age groups, farmers (26.1%) and males (69.4%). Most (46.4%) incidences occurred during summer, among family members (45%) followed by friends and neighbors, took place outdoor (62%) and 56.3% of homicides occurred in rural areas. The majority of homicide deaths were caused by Sharp instruments (41%), blunt instruments (28.4%), followed by firearm weapons (14.9%). Causes of death were head injury (36.6%) and occurred among males, while burn was more common among females and asphyxia were equally distributed. Committing homicides by related offenders in places not related to the victims and detecting that by autopsy were findings of most important. The cases have been labeled as homicide on the basis of autopsy which confirmed police inquest, thus autopsy should be done in all cases suspected to be homicide by police. |
