Sociodemographic and Forensic Characteristics of Homicidal Deaths – A Retrospective Study

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Homicide remains a major public health and forensic concern worldwide, contributing significantly to unnatural deaths and social instability. Understanding the sociodemographic and forensic characteristics of homicidal deaths is essential for prevention, legal investigation, and evidence-based policy development. Aim of the study: To describe the sociodemographic profiles, motives, weapon types, anatomical injury patterns, and post-mortem findings of homicidal deaths in Bangladesh. Methods & Materials: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Dhaka Medical College (DMC), reviewing 183 autopsy-confirmed homicidal deaths from January to December 2023. Data on age, sex, occupation, socio-economic class, motive, weapon type, injury site, cause of death, and post-mortem findings were extracted from autopsy records and analyzed descriptively using pie-charts and tables. Result: Most victims were males (79.78%), predominantly aged 31–40 years (36.07%), with service holders (33.88%) and homemakers (30.05%) being the most affected occupations. Lower socio-economic class represented 60.11% of cases. Family conflict was the leading motive (39.89%), followed by property disputes (20.22%). Sharp instruments (33.88%) and heavy cutting instruments (19.67%) were the most common weapons. Fatal injuries involved the head (30.05%) and chest (24.59%), with hemorrhagic shock being the primary cause of death (60.11%). Internal organ damage was observed in 50.27% of cases. Conclusion: Homicidal deaths in Bangladesh predominantly affect middle-aged males from lower socio-economic backgrounds, often arising from family conflicts and involving sharp or heavy cutting instruments. These findings underscore the need for targeted violence prevention strategies, enhanced forensic documentation, and evidence-based interventions to reduce homicidal fatalities.