Homicide: A Study at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok

Abstract

The results of autopsies performed on homicide victims during a period of 10 years, 1972 to 1981, were studied. Post-mortem examination of 6080 unnatural deaths revealed that 468 (7.7 per cent) occurred as the result of homicide, with a male to female ratio of 9: 1. The most common age group was found to be between 20 and 39 years and the next most common 10 to 19 years. Homicidal cases involving victims over 60 years old were rare. The incidence of homicide was highest in the evening between 7.00–10.00 p.m., and the crime occurred more frequently in summer than winter. In this series a gun was the most commonly used weapon; 219 cases (46–79 percent) involved firearms. The majority of cases were the results of personal disputes and were not associated with heavy drinking. The causes of death were mostly injuries to brain and chest. © 1984, The British Academy of Forensic Sciences. All rights reserved.