Comprehensive Study of Homicides in South Delhi, 1969–79

Abstract

The present study was undertaken by the Department of Forensic Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to find out the trends in homicides during the years 1969–79. Out of 4837 medico-legal autopsies conducted during the above-mentioned period, 140 cases (2.8 per cent) were of homicidal deaths. The commonest age group of the victims was 21–30 years (39.25 per cent) followed by 31–40 years (20 per cent). Males were victimized seven times more than females. Winter was the commonest season for the crime and most homicides occurred during the night. Most deaths occurred at the scene of the event. In our series blunt force injury was the commonest type (41.42 per cent) followed by stab injury (31.42 per cent). Defence wounds were present in 28.58 per cent of cases. Robbery and financial gain were the commonest type (37.1 per cent) of motive for the crime.