Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
Volume 14, Issue 4 , Pages 213-215, May 2007

Self-defense injuries in homicidal deaths

  • Manoj Kumar Mohanty, MD

      Affiliations

    • Dr Pinnamaneni Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Forensic Medicine, Krishna District 521 286, Andhra Pradesh, India
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +91 8676 256611; fax: +91 8676 254533.
    • ,
  • Manoj Kumar Panigrahi, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Forensic Medicine, Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi, India
    • ,
  • Sachidananda Mohanty, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, M.K.C.G. Medical College, Berhampur 760004, Orissa, India
    • ,
  • Jyotin Kumar Dash, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, M.K.C.G. Medical College, Berhampur 760004, Orissa, India
    • ,
  • Shreemanta Kumar Dash, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Forensic Medicine, Alluri Sitaramaraju Academy of Medical Sciences, Eluru, W.G. District, Andra Pradesh, India

Received 11 April 2006; received in revised form 21 June 2006; accepted 24 June 2006.

Abstract 

In order to determine specific patterns and distribution of defense wounds, this study was done on 162 homicidal deaths which showed defense wounds in 54 (33.3%) cases. Of these 54 victims, 85.2% were males and 14.8% were females. Maximum numbers of victims were in the age group of 21–40 years. In 68.5% of cases more than one assailant were involved. It was found that in 57.4% cases, sharp weapons were used, whereas, in 11.1% and 31.5% of victims, blunt weapons and multiple weapons, respectively, were used. Fatal wounds were seen most commonly on the head and neck region. In 40.7% of cases defense wounds were seen on left side only whereas in 37% cases both sides were involved. Victim’s left forearm and hand were more commonly involved because these are nearest to the perpetrator and consistent with the preponderance of right handed individuals in the population.

Keywords: Assailant, Defense wound, Head and neck injuries, Homicide, Weapon

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PII: S1353-1131(06)00172-6

doi:10.1016/j.jcfm.2006.06.031

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
Volume 14, Issue 4 , Pages 213-215, May 2007

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