An investigation into the profile and temporal evolution of firearm-related fatalities at Tygerberg Forensic Pathology Service Laboratory

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorDempers, Jacobus Johannesen_ZA
dc.contributor.advisorVerster, Janetteen_ZA
dc.contributor.advisorPrinsloo, Meganen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorUren, Grace Amyen_ZA
dc.contributor.otherStellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Pathology. Division of Forensic Medicine.en_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2023-01-17T12:11:10Z
dc.date.accessioned2023-05-18T06:56:14Z
dc.date.available2023-01-17T12:11:10Z
dc.date.available2023-05-18T06:56:14Z
dc.date.issued2023-03
dc.descriptionThesis (MMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2023.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractENGLISH 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.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractAFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.af_ZA
dc.description.versionMasters
dc.format.extentvi, 36 pages : illustrations, maps, includes annexures
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/126928
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_ZA
dc.publisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
dc.rights.holderStellenbosch University
dc.subject.lcshFirearms -- Mortality -- South Africaen_ZA
dc.subject.lcshFirearms and crime -- South Africaen_ZA
dc.subject.lcshViolent deaths -- South Africaen_ZA
dc.subject.lcshFirearms accidents -- South Africaen_ZA
dc.subject.nameUCTD
dc.titleAn investigation into the profile and temporal evolution of firearm-related fatalities at Tygerberg Forensic Pathology Service Laboratoryen_ZA
dc.typeThesisen_ZA
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
uren_investigation_2023.pdf
Size:
1.42 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
Collections
Masters Degrees (Forensic Medicine)