Dynamics and structure of forensic medical investigations of violent death in St. Petersburg over the past 10 years

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Among other things, changes in the structure of forensic medical expert material serve as an indicator of dynamic processes in society. The levels of injuries and violent and nonviolent death somehow depend on the state of the economy and health care in the region and the state as a whole. In recent years, the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was proclaimed as a pandemic with tangible social and economic damage to States, has been one of the determining factors.

AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the dynamics of the volume and structure of violent death in the Russian Federation over the past 10 years, including the pandemic period, using the megalopolis example.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study reviewed the annual reports of the Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination of St. Petersburg using data grouping, frequency analysis, correlation analysis, comparison, system analysis, and inductive generalization.

RESULTS: Over the past 10 years, several significant changes have occurred in St. Petersburg in the scope and structure of forensic medical investigations of violent deaths. The main positive trend was a decreased absolute and relative number of cases of violent death. Statistically significantly (p <0.05) decreased number of cases of transport injuries, injuries resulting from the action of blunt and sharp objects, gunshot, thermal injury, and mechanical asphyxia, as well as poisoning with ethanol and carbon monoxide, significantly decreased infant mortality, and fewer unidentified and unclaimed corpses were observed. Additionally, a steady increase in the number of drug poisoning was found, and the fatal injury level due to falling from a height remained consistently high. The background incidence of COVID-19 in 2020 was 2.4–3.2%.

CONCLUSION: The proportion of cases of falling from a height, thermal burns, and strangulation with a noose increased among the dead with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, and transport (primarily rail), gunshot and explosive injuries, cases of drowning, poisoning with drugs, and alcohol detection in the biological environments of the body of the victims were less common.

Keywords

violent death / new coronavirus infection / cause of death / fatal injury / forensic medical examination

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