Toxicology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Toxicology, including details on forensic toxicology, carcinogenicity, assays.

Forensic and criminologic aspects of murder in North-West (Epirus) Greece.

Vougiouklakis T, Tsiligianni C

Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina 451 10, Greece.

Little information is presenting in Greek literature regarding forensic and criminological aspects of homicide in North-West Greece. Autopsy reports and the prosecution authorities' files were respectively analyzed with regard to individual characteristics of perpetrators and victims, circumstances, and mode of commitment in order to comprehensively characterize relevant forensic and criminologic aspects. In the 8-year period from January 1998 to May 2005, 26 homicide cases were autopsied in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University of Ioannina, Greece. Twenty-nine homicide victims (18 males, 11 females; mean age 47 years) and 26 offenders were involved - 20 single, 4 multiple-offenders and 2 were not known (24 males, 2 females; mean age 35 years). The most common method used for homicide was gunshot trauma (41.4%). Head injuries and multiple trauma were the most common cause of fatal injuries. Most homicides took place outside in a deserted area or close to agricultural side (n=12). Fifty percent (n=13) of all cases the offender and the victim were known to each other (acquaintances). Twenty-three cases were categorized as "single" homicides and 3 as "multiple" and the victims were classified; 20 as murder-physical injury with fatal outcome, 2 homicide-suicide, 1 infanticide, 4 matricide, and 2 as patricide.

Published 23 October 2006 in J Clin Forensic Med, 13(6): 316-20.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Toxicology Research Today. All Rights Reserved.