What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine trends in firearm homicide victims, weapon types, and associated toxicology and criminal records between 1985 and 1990.

October 1, 1993Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery

Urban Firearm Deaths

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

MMMichael D. McGonigalRegions Hospital JCJohn T. ColeTexas Tech University CSC. William SchwabInserm

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Retrospective cross-sectional analysis uncovers a 123% increase in firearm homicides in urban youth, highlighting worsening lethality and trauma center strain.

Key Points

To examine trends in firearm homicide victims, weapon types, and associated toxicology and criminal records between 1985 and 1990.
Reviewed Philadelphia County Medical Examiner death records across two cross-sectional years: 1985 and 1990.
Analyzed demographic variables, autopsy findings, toxicological reports, weapon characteristics, and criminal history records.
Firearm homicides increased by 123% from 145 victims in 1985 to 324 in 1990, driven primarily by fatalities among Black males aged 15–24 years.
Handguns accounted for at least 90% of homicides each year, with semiautomatic handgun involvement rising from 24% to 39% and on-scene deaths from semiautomatics surging from 5% to 34%.
Antemortem intoxication rose from 54% to 61% (cocaine present in 39% of 1990 victims), and victims with a prior criminal record rose from 44% to 67%, with past drug offenses escalating from 33% to 84%.

Cite This Study

McGonigal et al. (1993) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a87a7e53c8582a8d3aca3cc https://doi.org/10.1097/00005373-199310000-00006

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

October 1, 1993Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery

Urban Firearm Deaths

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

MMMichael D. McGonigalRegions Hospital JCJohn T. ColeTexas Tech University CSC. William SchwabInserm

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Retrospective cross-sectional analysis uncovers a 123% increase in firearm homicides in urban youth, highlighting worsening lethality and trauma center strain.

Key Points

To examine trends in firearm homicide victims, weapon types, and associated toxicology and criminal records between 1985 and 1990.
Reviewed Philadelphia County Medical Examiner death records across two cross-sectional years: 1985 and 1990.
Analyzed demographic variables, autopsy findings, toxicological reports, weapon characteristics, and criminal history records.
Firearm homicides increased by 123% from 145 victims in 1985 to 324 in 1990, driven primarily by fatalities among Black males aged 15–24 years.
Handguns accounted for at least 90% of homicides each year, with semiautomatic handgun involvement rising from 24% to 39% and on-scene deaths from semiautomatics surging from 5% to 34%.
Antemortem intoxication rose from 54% to 61% (cocaine present in 39% of 1990 victims), and victims with a prior criminal record rose from 44% to 67%, with past drug offenses escalating from 33% to 84%.

Cite This Study

McGonigal et al. (1993) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a87a7e53c8582a8d3aca3cc https://doi.org/10.1097/00005373-199310000-00006

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark