Murder mechanism in Lithuania from 2004-2013

5^th International Conference on Forensic Research & Technology

October 31-November 02, 2016 San Francisco, USA

Sigitas Chmieliauskas, Sigitas Laima, Gerda Andriuskeviciute, Dmitrij Fomin, Jurgita Stasiuniene and Algimantas Jasulaitis

Vilnius University, Lithuania
State Forensic Medicine Service, Lithuania

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Forensic Res

Abstract :

Deaths from firearms directly correlate with the number of weapons per 100 inhabitants in Eastern European countries. According to World Health Organization, in Bulgaria, Estonia, Poland and Latvia murders by instruments with a sharp cutting edge are dominant. In Bulgaria these deaths are executed in 51% of all cases, with the blunt force� 11%, firearms� 17%, asphyxiation-9%. In Estonia, homicides by sharp objects are executed in 44%, with the blunt forces� 41%, with the firearms or asphyxiation of 6%, burned �3%. In Latvia homicides by sharp objects are executed in 36%, with the firearms or asphyxiation� of 6%. In Poland homicides by sharp objects are executed in 63%, with the blunt forces� 48%, firearms� 4%. A statistical study of 1738 murder cases in Lithuania during the period of 2004�2013 was performed. 73% of men have been killed, dominant age group was 38�52 years. Deaths from blunt forces, such as, stone, stick, etc, were dominant (52 %). 33% of deaths were caused by sharp objects, 28%� kicking by hands or foots, 6%� firearms, 5%� asphyxiation, 3%� axe. 1% of deaths were caused by other physical factors, e.g., left at a helpless condition, firing, fall from heights, etc. Mostly it was killed by one type of weapon� 68%, two types� 30%, three types� 2%, four types� 0.3%. The asphyxiation mechanism was dominant among women. In Lithuania homicides by blunt forces are dominant and the murder number is decreasing.

Biography :

Sigitas Chmieliauskas is a Medicine Doctor (PhD in Medicine), Assistant of Department of Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, and also a Forensic Medicine Doctor of State Forensic Medicine Service, Lithuania.

Email: sigitas.chmieliauskas@mf.vu.lt