Abstract

Objective: The ultimate goal of this research is to aggregate measurable and testable organized data on the topic of “Homicides By Firearm” to understand the major cause(s) of death and hence the true forensic nature of homicides by firearms in order to assist in general public and police understanding and in fact-based policy solutions for betterment in these scenarios.
Methodology and Data Collection: This is a Retrospective Descriptive Observational Cross-sectional study for year 2018 conducted at Record Room, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department of KING EDWARD MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, Lahore. Our Sample Pool consists of 88 registered cases (as per referenced PMR’s) under “Homicides By Firearm”. Sampling technique was non-probability purposive. All the PMR Firearm cases from 1-1-2018 to 31-12-2018 were included.
Results: 84% of the cases of homicides by firearm involve males. With 21-30 years being the major age group (31.8%) and with >10 years being the least affected group. Firearm attacks mostly occurred during 4-8 pm (25%). 43.18% of the victims die within a few minutes of attack whereas 36.36% die immediately. The major sites of injury are head & skull (20.71%), thorax (22.48%) and abdomen (18.9%) with brain, heart and lungs being the major organs affected in percentage of 22.3%, 8.6% and 16.7% respectively. Hemorrhage and shock was the cause of death in 57.8% cases. Mostly single shots (45.45%) were hit and exit wounds are present in 64% of the cases.
Conclusion: More than two third of the cases involve males. Young adults are more susceptible. Attacks mostly occur in the afternoon and evening. Head and trunk are the sites of  injury  in two third of the cases affecting brain, heart and lungs mostly. More than half the people die by hemorrhage and shock. Three fourth of the victims die immediately or within a few minutes of the injuries.