title: Survey of medico-legal investigation of homicide in the region of Epirus (Northwest Greece).
abstract: This study analyzed the forensic features of homicides in North-West Greece (Epirus) from 1998 to 2013, a borderland area between Greece and Albania. Although Greece is critically influenced by both the increasing flow of refugees and the current socioeconomic crisis, very little information has been published regarding the patterns of homicide in the country. Fifty-eight autopsied victims (36 males; 22 females) were investigated. The median age was 37 years old. The average annual homicide rate was 0.85 per 100,000 inhabitants and showed remarkable fluctuation, with largest increase during Greek financial downturn. Sixteen victims were not Greek citizens. The most common method of commitment was the use of firearm (40%). The main motives were economical causes (26%) and passion (14%). Four cases were categorized as matricide (7%), 3 as homicide-suicide (5%), 2 as patricide (3%) and 1 as infanticide (2%). Toxicological analysis proved negative for ethanol and other psychotropic substances in the majority of the victims (50%). There is an urgent need for public actions both in Epirus and in Greece, with the application of effective strategies against criminality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University of Ioannina, Greece. Electronic address: kfragkouli@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kleio
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fragkouli
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University of Ioannina, Greece. Electronic address: vaboumba@cc.uoi.gr.
authors.forename: Vassiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Boumba
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University of Ioannina, Greece. Electronic address: tvujuk@cc.uoi.gr.
authors.forename: Theodore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vougiouklakis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000067401:Blood Alcohol Content; D002648:Child; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057172:Economic Recession; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D012036:Refugees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000401:mortality; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000401:mortality; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000067401:Blood Alcohol Content
keywords: Forensic; Greece; Homicide; Homicide rate; Refugees; Socioeconomic crisis