Injuries Due to Violent Crimes

Abstract

This is a study of police reported assaults during 1979, 1982 and 1985 in the County of Kopparberg. Criminological and odontological variables of 1,870 cases of assaults reported to the police during these three separate one-year periods were collected and analysed. Most of the cases were from densely populated areas. There was an increase in cases from 1979 to 1985, particularly of violence in residences. No differences in the type or kind of assault could be found. The proportion of women victims increased markedly and, to a lesser extent, so did the proportion of women offenders. One third of the victims were not injured by the assault, one third suffered haematomas or swellings and one third suffered wounds. 6.5 per cent of the total had fractures. The left side of the face was the most common site of soft-tissue injuries and zygomatico-orbital fractures. No aggravation of the violence or the resultant injuries could be found during these periods.