Unnatural female deaths in Peshawar.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to know the extent of violent deaths among females in Peshawar, the most vulnerable age group, weapons of infliction and the mode of death.


METHODS
Non interventional (descriptive) type study.


METHODS
This study was conducted from 1st January, 2001 to 31st December, 2001 in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar.


METHODS
Out of 679 deaths, presented for autopsy at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar 89 were females. These were grouped according to age, mode of death and weapons of infliction.


RESULTS
Females formed 13% of all the autopsies done in Peshawar. The age group most commonly involved was 21-40 years (50.56%). Firearms were the predominant weapons of infliction (70.78%) and the intent was mostly homicidal (77.52%).


CONCLUSIONS
Fatal violence against women is uncommon in Peshawar. Suicide is rare. Young women are mostly killed by firearms.
Ali
S Muhammad Aijaz
SM
Department of Forensic Medicine, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar.
Bashir
M Zahid
MZ
Hussain
Zahid
Z
Zain-ul-Abidin
Kaheri
Ghulam Qadir
GQ
Khalil
Inayat-ur-Rehman
IU
D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014754:Violence; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000453:epidemiology