An autopsy study of cut throat injuries

Introduction: Cut throat injuries are incised wounds in the anterior neck inflicted by a sharp weapon. Cut throat injuries may be homicidal, suicidal or accidental. Materials and Methods:The present study was conducted at Government Hospital, Pollachi, on 44 cases of cut throat injuries during the 3 year period between January 2016 and December 2018. Results:There was a preponderance of male victims (73%;n=32) over the female victims (27%;n=12).The common age group affected was 31–40 years and 21–30 years in males (50%;n=16) and females (58.3%;n=7) respectively. A majority of cases(90.9%;n=40) were homicidal in nature. 48% of homicidal cut throats injuries (n=19) were triggered by financial conflicts and 50% of suicidal cut throat injuries(n=2) were triggered by psychiatric illnesses including depression. The preferred weapon of offence in homicidal cut throat injuries was the barber's knife (40%;n=16) and in suicidal cut throat injuries, the kitchen knife (100%;n=4). All cases (100%) of cut throat injuries were directed from left to right.10% of homicidal cut throat injuries was associated with stab wounds(n=4). Among the vessels of the neck, jugular veins were involved in 100% of cases(n=44) and carotid artery in 91% of cases(n=40) resulting in haemorrhagic shock contributing to a leading cause of death in 77.27% of cases(n=34).