Epidemiology and pattern of homicidal head injuries – a trauma centre and mortuary based study

AbstractIntroductionHomicidal head injury being one of the commonreason of Medico legal deaths, Thus,it is worth to observe the different types of head injuries and skull fractures in varied cases of assault and to analyze the specific causes of these fractures in instances of homicidal deaths.AimsTo determine the fatality rate, pattern of skull fracture, nature ofincidence, type of force and epidemiological profile ofvictims ofhomicidalheadinjuryin prayagrajregion.Materials and MethodThis study comprised of 150 assault cases presenting to the Trauma center and Mortuary of S.R.N. Hospital associated with Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Prayagraj for a period of 1 year, from 01/04/2023 to 31/03/2024.ResultsThe most common age group affected was 31-40 years. Males constituted 76.66% cases and females, 23.33 % cases. Male to female ratio was 3.3:1. Most of the victims belonged to rural areas(76%). Educationally, most victims were illiterates(39.33%) and married(78.66%) while the most common occupation was labourer(34%). Hard and blunt weapons(62.66%) were used commonly with laceration of scalp(64%). The most commonly affected was frontal bone while the most commonly observed type of fracture was linear fracture.ConclusionDespite homicidal head injury being one of the most severe reasons of Medicolegal deaths, there is a vast lack of literature in the understanding of its pattern and social demographic aspects. The findings of this study takes us one step closer towards bridging that lack of information especially in the region of eastern Uttar Pradesh, where deaths due to head injury of homicidal intent are often encountered.