Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Clinical forensic Medical Consultations in an African Population


Affiliations
1 Police Medicals Police Headquarters, Benin City, Nigeria, Nigeria
2 Deptt. of Pathology, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria, Nigeria
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Objectives

To document and analyze medico-legal cases that are non fatal and therefore non coroner seen in a Police medical centre.

Methods

This is a prospective study of all the medico-legal cases of non fatal nature seen in the Police medical centre, Benin-city between January 1st 2000 to December 31st 2000. Such cases were analyzed statistically with respect to age sex, category of case, time of occurrence of and occupation of victim.

Results

1051 non-fatal medico-legal cases were seen in the one year duration of the study. Victims were aged 1year-95years with a mean of 29.46years (S.D 13.65). The male: female ratio was 1.1:1. Children under 15years accounted for ---3.2% of cases. Students made up 47.9% of victims, while traders/businessmen, unemployed persons, professionals and artisans made up 18.3%, 17.7%, 9.1% and 7% respectively. Assaults made up 89.7% of the cases followed by sexual offences (8.1%), abortion (0.6 %.) and road traffic injuries (o.6%).

Conclusion

The spectrum of clinical forensic medical cases seen in different parts of the world is similar. Public health measures are needed to reduce these cases which are known to be a drain on health resources.


Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Odesanmi WO. Forensic Medicine: The Scope and Practice. Nig Med Pract 1985, 10(1): 23-29.

  • Cordner SM, Ranson DL, Singh B. the Practice of forensic medicine in Australia: a review. Aust N Z J Med 1992, 22(5): 477-86.

  • Kingdom S. The coroner’s act. In: Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and Lagos (1)41, 552-73.

  • The economic dimensions of interpersonal violence. WHO (department of injuries prevention) international publication. 2004/9241591609.

  • Amakiri CNT. Forensic medicine in the Rivers State of Nigeria: experience in four rural general hospitals. Med Sci Law 1999, 39(4): 211-217.

  • Child’s right act. Extraordinary federal republic of Nigeria gazette 2003, 90(116). Federal government press, Lagos.

  • United Nation’s OHCHR convention on the rights of the child. Resolution of the general assembly 44/25 of 20th November 1989 in accordance with article 49.

  • African charter on the rights and welfare of the child. OAU Doc. CAB/LEG/24.9/49 (1990), entered into force November 29, 1999.

  • Waters HR, Basu S, Butchart A. The cost of interpersonal violence – an international review. J Health Pol 2005, 73(3):303-15.

  • Reeves C, O’Leary-Kelly AM. The effects and the cost of intimate violence for work organizations. J Interpers violence 2007, 22(3): 327-44.

  • Brown DS, Finkelsteein EA, Mercy JA. Methods for estimating medical expenditures attributable to intimate partner violence. J Interpers violence 2008, 23(12):1747- 66.

  • Aggarwal NK, Bhatia MS, Agawarl BBL. Sexual crimes against women: scenario in Delhi. Ani Aggra Inte J Forensic Med Tox 2000, 1(2).

  • Sarkar SC, Lalwal S, Rautji R, Bhardwaj DN, Dogra TD. A study on victims of sexual offences in South Delhi. J Fami Welfare 2005, 51(1): 60-66.


Abstract Views: 293

PDF Views: 0




  • Clinical forensic Medical Consultations in an African Population

Abstract Views: 293  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Wilson O. Akhiwu
Police Medicals Police Headquarters, Benin City, Nigeria, Nigeria
Alex P. Igbe
Deptt. of Pathology, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria, Nigeria

Abstract


Objectives

To document and analyze medico-legal cases that are non fatal and therefore non coroner seen in a Police medical centre.

Methods

This is a prospective study of all the medico-legal cases of non fatal nature seen in the Police medical centre, Benin-city between January 1st 2000 to December 31st 2000. Such cases were analyzed statistically with respect to age sex, category of case, time of occurrence of and occupation of victim.

Results

1051 non-fatal medico-legal cases were seen in the one year duration of the study. Victims were aged 1year-95years with a mean of 29.46years (S.D 13.65). The male: female ratio was 1.1:1. Children under 15years accounted for ---3.2% of cases. Students made up 47.9% of victims, while traders/businessmen, unemployed persons, professionals and artisans made up 18.3%, 17.7%, 9.1% and 7% respectively. Assaults made up 89.7% of the cases followed by sexual offences (8.1%), abortion (0.6 %.) and road traffic injuries (o.6%).

Conclusion

The spectrum of clinical forensic medical cases seen in different parts of the world is similar. Public health measures are needed to reduce these cases which are known to be a drain on health resources.


References