Intentional Homicide: A Fifteen-Year Study (2000–2014) at the Department of Forensic Medicine,University of Rome “Sapienza” |
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Authors: | Luigi Cipolloni MD PhD Livia Besi MD Benedetta Baldari MD Raffaele La Russa MD Paola Frati JD Vittorio Fineschi MD PhD |
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Institution: | Department of Anatomic, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Science, University of Rome “Sapienza”, viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy |
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Abstract: | This study analyzes postmortem records from 260 homicide cases autopsied by the Department of Forensic Medicine in Rome from 2000 to 2014. The victims were mainly males (74%) and young (61% aged from 21 to 50 years). Although the victims were mostly Italians, the number of foreign victims (33%) has increased since 1990, primarily due to immigration. The offenders frequently used firearms (39%), particularly in multiple murders. An increase in blunt (20%) and sharp force (32%) weapons was also seen. The primary crime scene was residential (42%), and the head was the most frequently injured body region. Male victims occurred frequently in the context of organized crime (7.6%). In family or intimate-sexual relationships, women were the majority of victims (8%). Forensic pathologists play an important role during investigation. They should consider all the information available to them, including autopsy information, crime scene information, and crime investigation data. |
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Keywords: | forensic science forensic pathology homicide Rome firearms sharp instruments victims |
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