Sharp Force Injury Fatalities: A Retrospective Study (1982–2012) in Brescia (Italy)
Corresponding Author
Marzia Vassalini M.D.
Institute of Legal Medicine, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Additional information and reprint requests:
Marzia Vassalini, M.D.
Istituto di Medicina Legale
Università degli Studi di Brescia
Piazzale Spedali Civili 1
25123 Brescia
Italy
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorAndrea Verzeletti M.D.
Institute of Legal Medicine, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorFrancesco De Ferrari M.D.
Institute of Legal Medicine, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Marzia Vassalini M.D.
Institute of Legal Medicine, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Additional information and reprint requests:
Marzia Vassalini, M.D.
Istituto di Medicina Legale
Università degli Studi di Brescia
Piazzale Spedali Civili 1
25123 Brescia
Italy
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorAndrea Verzeletti M.D.
Institute of Legal Medicine, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorFrancesco De Ferrari M.D.
Institute of Legal Medicine, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
A retrospective study was carried out on postmortem examination data of 131 sharp force-related casualties recorded by the Brescia Institute of Forensic Medicine between 1982 and 2012. The objective was to identify relevant parameters that may be used to distinguish the manner of deaths between homicide, suicide, and accident. The following variables were considered: manner of death; demographic data; scene; type of sharp object; location and numbers of wounds; the presence of hesitation marks/defense wounds; toxicological findings; psychiatric history. There were 92 homicides, 28 suicides, and 11 accidents. Most victims were male, with an average age of 43. Injuries in isolation were present in 9.8% of homicides, in 35.7% of suicides, and in 54.5% of accidents. Most injuries involved the left anterior chest in homicides and the forearms in suicides. This study underlines the importance of a meticulous postmortem examination of injuries on the body and their relationship with other results from the death scene investigation.
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