Frequency of Firearm Injuries, Deaths and Related Factors in Kanpur, India; an Original Study with Review of Literature

Abstract

Background:Studies on fatal firearm injuries have been published in various countries. However, their pattern and incidence in various regions of India has largely gone unreported. Methods: Present study was conducted to evaluate fatal firearm injuries, their pattern, associated factors, cause of deathand postmortem findings among their victims referred to the mortuary of Kanpur medical college and comparing it with the pattern seen in other countries. Results:Sixty six firearm fatalities autopsied during the August 2008 to July 2010 were studied. 92% were victims of homicidal attacks, 2% suicidal and 2% accidental. In 4% deaths motive could not be ascertained. Conclusion:This is in sharp contrast to the pattern seen in other countries where suicides were the predominant group. In maximum cases, illegal country made firearms was involved with the norm of single firing. Abdomen (39%) and head (30.30%) were the two most common entry sites for the bullets, a pattern somewhat similar to that of other countries. Survival time, cause of death and motives of incidence were also studied.