PATTERN AND DISTRIBUTION OF FATAL BLUNT INJURIES

Background: Blunt weapon injury is a result of direct mechanical force andis contrasted with the edged weapons. Objectives: To find out the magnitude of deaths dueto blunt trauma in Faisalabad city and to determine the most frequent age group, manner ofdeath, gender distribution and the body parts commonly involved in unnatural deaths resultingfrom blunt injuries. Study Design: It is a retrospective and descriptive study based upon noninterventionalcross sectional and longitudinal data. Setting & Duration: Study was conductedin the Department of Forensic Medicine, Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad for the periodof Seven years from 1st January, 2010 to 31st December, 2016. Materials and Methods: Fourhundred and ninety one corpses died of fatal blunt injuries brought for autopsy during statedperiod. Detailed scrutiny of autopsy record / police inquests related to all 491 deaths resultingfrom blunt trauma was done, the data collected on a predesigned proforma. The resultsprepared; Descriptive Statistics & Frequency Distribution was used to compute the findings.Results: Out of the total 491 fatalities caused by blunt injuries, 422 (85.94%) were males and 69(14.06%) females. Majority 118 (24%) were in the age group 20-29 years involving 102 males and16 females. Death toll due to fatal blunt injuries was highest in year 2011 involving one hundred& eighteen cases. The target area was head & chest in most of cases. Conclusion: Deaths dueto blunt trauma are frequently occurring in the city of Faisalabad and such cases have highreporting in tertiary care hospitals. The frequency of male is higher and youth belonging to 3rddecade of life are frequently involved. There should be proper law enforcement so the loss ofhuman life is minimized.