Epidemiological and Medicolegal Study of Unnatural Death Cases Due to Firearm Injury in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Introduction Firearm is any instrument which discharges a missile by the expansive force of the gases produced by burning of an explosive substance. Epidemiological study a study that compares 2 groups of people who are alike except for one factor, such as exposure to a chemical or the presence of a health effect, the investigators try to determine if any factor is associated with the health effect. Objective of the Study Aim of my study to understanding the incidence and impact of firearm injury in Varanasi, India as well as identifying preventive strategies to reduce their number and impact. Material & method Data are analyzed retrospective for periods of five years. Cases were included in group of death due to firearm injury, on the basis of confirmation by investigating officer and corroborative finding at medico legal examination. Result Out of 10195 medico-legal autopsy cases conducted during the study period total of 153 cases (1.5 %) of death due to firearm injury were recorded at Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi Uttar Pradesh, India. Most of the deaths in 21 to 30 years of age group total (29.41 %). Distribution of deaths due to firearm injury in relation to marital status shows that in male married are nil i. e. (0 %), male unmarried are 3 (2.05 %), and most of the case are male of unknown marital status i. e.143 (97.95 %) of total male cases.