Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences (Dec 2015)
An autopsy study of 74 cases of cut throat injuries
Abstract
The present prospective autopsy study was carried out during the period July 2009 to May 2012 in Kingston, Jamaica. A total of 74 cases of cut throat injury were studied. All the cut throat injuries irrespective of those directly or indirectly contributing to the death were studied. Males dominated the list of victims, contributing to 71.62% (n = 53). Majority of those were in the age group 21–30 (n = 25) and 31–40 (n = 26) which contributed to 33.78% and 35.13% respectively. Majority of the cases were homicides contributing to 97.29% (n = 72) of cases, only 2.7% were suicides and accidental cut throat were never reported. Males dominated the homicides category contributing to 72.22% (n = 52) of the cases. Gang and relationship crisis (homosexual and heterosexual) were the major motivating factors, each contributing to 39.19% (n = 29) and 32.43% (n = 24) of the cases, respectively. The disease suffered by individuals were the least motivating factors contributing to 1.35% of cases (n = 01). The most common cause of death was exsanguinations in 49.95% (n = 34) of cases followed closely by asphyxia due to aspiration of blood i.e. 36.49% (n = 27) of cases and air embolism was the least cause of death, contributing to 4.05% (n = 03) of cases. Cut throat injury was associated with other injuries like gunshot wound, chop wounds and stab wounds in 13.52% of (n = 10) autopsies. Chop injuries contributed to maximum number of other injuries in homicides (n = 46). The most preferred place for the crime was an open field or farm (n = 26). Majority of the cut throat wounds were situated in zone II level contributing to 66.21% (n = 49) of cases. Majority of the wounds were directed from left to right in 75.68% (n = 56) of cases and the cervical vertebra was affected in 8.11% (n = 06) of cases. Major weapon of choice was machete contributing to 83.78% (n = 62) of injuries. The low income group was the most affected group contributing to 91.89% (n = 68) of cases.
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