Tendency of unnatural deaths in Faisalabad city during 2023- a retrospective study.:

Mobin Inam Pal; kishwar naheed; Ummara Munir; Abdul Samad; Qurrat ul Ain  Kamran; Muhammad Iqbal

doi:10.37723/jumdc.v15i4.1028

Mobin Inam Pal Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine &Toxicology, Faisalabad Medical University/ Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad.
kishwar naheed Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine &Toxicology, Faisalabad Medical University/ Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad.
Ummara Munir Associate Professor ,Department of Forensic Medicine &Toxicology, Sheikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan.
Abdul Samad Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine &Toxicology, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro Sindh.
Qurrat ul Ain Kamran Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine &Toxicology, Sheikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan.
Muhammad Iqbal Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine &Toxicology, Continental Medical College, Lahore.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37723/jumdc.v15i4.1028

Keywords: Autopsy, , Firearms, Homicide, Poisoning.

Abstract

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Unnatural deaths reflect the social and mental setup of a society. The objective was to assess the trend of unnatural deaths in Faisalabad during the year 2023 and determine the gender and age group mostly affected and the means employed.

METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad, from the data of all victims of unnatural deaths from 1^st January 2023 to 31^st December 2023. Data was collected from respective official Police and post-mortem reports and recorded on pre-structured proformas and categorized based on the manner of death, type of weapon, age groups involved, and gender.

RESULTS: Out of a total of 266 autopsies, 227 were males and 39 females (5.8:1). Majority of the victims belonged to the 30-39 -year age group i.e. 100 (37.6%) followed by the 20-29-year age group with 49 (18.4%) cases. The manner of death was homicidal in 198 (74.4%) cases followed by 46 (17.3%) accidental and 14 (5.3%) suicide while the manner of death remained undetermined in 5 (1.8%) cases. Firearms claimed 116 (43.6%) lives followed by poisoning (61,22.9%) cases. October experienced the maximum number of cases (30,11.3%).

CONCLUSION: Males are the major victims of unnatural deaths especially individuals in the middle age group. Firearm weapons are the major weapon of assault due to their easy availability. There is a dire need for strict implementation of laws on buying and possession of firearms.