Repeated Blunt-Force Trauma in an Elderly Male: An Atypical Intimate Partner Homicide Case Involving a Female Partner

Background and Forensic Significance: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern that can result in intimate partner homicide (IPH). While most reported cases involve female victims, fatal violence against men, particularly older adults, remains under-recognized. We report an atypical case of IPH involving an elderly male victim who was killed by his female partner. This case highlights the importance of comprehensive medico-legal investigation to accurately reconstruct the mechanism of injury and exclude alternative causes of death. Case Presentation: A 76-year-old man was found dead in his home after his 72-year-old wife reported that she found him unresponsive. He had a history of asthma and chronic alcohol use, was reportedly intoxicated, and had been involved in a longstanding conflict with his spouse. Autopsy revealed multiple patterned abrasions and contusions with extensive intramuscular hemorrhage involving the extremities. Internal examination demonstrated generalized visceral pallor. Fatal acute asthma and alcohol intoxication were excluded. Overall, the cause of death was determined to be hemorrhagic shock resulting from repeated blunt force trauma, and the manner of death was classified as homicide. Conclusions: This case demonstrates that a sustained blunt force assault can lead to fatal intramuscular blood pooling. Furthermore, it illustrates the rare demographic and mechanism patterns of IPH, underscoring the importance of comprehensive medico-legal evaluation and awareness of such occurrences.