An investigation into the profile and temporal evolution of firearm-related fatalities at Tygerberg Forensic Pathology Service Laboratory
Date
2023-03
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY: Firearm-related violence and fatalities are a significant public health and safety concern, especially in the South African City of Cape Town Metropole. Access and availability of firearms have been identified as key factors influencing this burden of firearm violence in Cape Town. Limited published data exist regarding firearm-related fatalities in the Eastern, Northern, Tygerberg, and Khayelitsha health sub-districts of the City of Cape Town Eastern Metropole serviced by the Tygerberg Mortuary. This study aimed to provide insight into the profile and severity of the pathological characteristics of firearm-related fatality cases admitted to the Tygerberg Forensic Pathology Laboratory for medicolegal postmortem examination observed in three time periods (2001, 2009, and 2017), from which patients were randomly selected. A retrospective descriptive study was conducted by evaluating autopsy case files of individuals admitted to the Tygerberg Forensic Pathology Laboratory after sustaining fatal firearm-related injuries. A total of 420 firearm-related fatality cases were included within the three distinct years, 2001 (n=125), 2009 (n=75), and 2017 (n=220), with most of these fatalities evident in young adult males. The majority of firearm-related incidents occurred in sub-economic areas and during night-time. A significant increase in the number of gunshots and individually fatal gunshot wounds sustained in victims from 2001 to 2017 (p=0.001) and 2009 to 2017 (p=0.002) was evident. The pathological severity of firearm-injury fatalities has increased and adds to the immense workload of an already overburdened facility. Interventions are required to decrease the illegal sale and distribution of firearms and stricter enforcement of gun-control legislation.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
Description
Thesis (MMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2023.