Intentional Homicide: A Fifteen‐Year Study (2000–2014) at the Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Rome "Sapienza". Issue 1 (12th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cipolloni, Luigi; Besi, Livia; Baldari, Benedetta; La Russa, Raffaele; Frati, Paola; Fineschi, Vittorio
• Is Part Of: Journal of forensic sciences. Volume 65:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 111
• Publication Date: 2019-08-12
• Subjects: forensic science -- forensic pathology -- homicide -- Rome -- firearms -- sharp instruments -- victims; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; 363.2505
• DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14162
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1198

Abstract

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.