Elder homicide in the north of Portugal.
BACKGROUND
The increasing average life expectancy leads to population aging, and growing numbers in the elder population, a population that suffers from great vulnerability. Therefore, a rise in elder homicide is expected. This phenomenon has not been thoroughly described in Portugal. This study aims to analyse and characterize elder homicide, in order to achieve a better understanding of this form of violence.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study, reviewing autopsy reports along with data regarding circumstances of death of suspected homicides occurring between 1992 and 2007 (n = 78), whose victims were 65 years old or above, autopsied in the medical-legal services of the north of Portugal.


RESULTS
During this period, an overall of 615 suspected homicides occurred, 13% being perpetrated against elders. The age range of the victims was 65-96 years, with an average of 74 years; 58% of them were males and 45% were married. In 61% of the documented cases, the perpetrator was known to the victim, and a family member in 36%. A considerable number of deaths occurred at the victim's residence and in a rural scenario, the motive being robbery in 51% of the documented cases. The supposed perpetrator ran away from the scene in 64% of the cases. The most frequent mechanisms of death were blunt force trauma (31%), followed by stabbing (22%) and gunshot wounds (21%). Fatal wounds were observed mainly in the head (55%) and thorax (35%).


CONCLUSIONS
In the north of Portugal, elder homicide seems to be uncommon. This study suggests an association between elder homicide and robbery, in which elders, due to their vulnerability, are a preferential target. Contrary to other reports worldwide, there were no cases of death in nursing homes, possibly due to underreport or misidentification. In a large number of the cases, it wasn't possible to collect all the necessary data, due to lack of information regarding circumstances of the events.
Coelho
Luís
L
National Institute of Legal Medicine-North Branch, Jardim Carrilho Videira, 4035-167 Porto, Portugal. lfncoelho@iol.pt
Ribeiro
Teresa
T
Dias
Ricardo
R
Santos
Agostinho
A
Magalhães
Teresa
T
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003469:Culture; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013800:Theft / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*