SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC AND MEDICO-LEGAL STUDY OF VICTIMS OF HOMICIDE AT HOME IN ABIDJAN (CÔTE D’IVOIRE)

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to describe homicides that occurred at home in Abidjan in order to ensure better prevention of this type of death.
Methods: This was a retrospective and descriptive study carried out over a period of 06 years (2015 to 2020) and relating to people who died at home as a result of homicide and who were the subject of an external examination and / or a forensic autopsy.

Results: Homicides at home recorded 29.8% (85 cases / 285) of all violent deaths occurring at home during the study period. The majority of victims belonged to the 25 to 34 age group (40%), male (66%), single (47%), traders (38.8%), from the informal sector (41, 2%). These homicides most often occurred on Mondays (29.4%) and Sundays (23.5%), at night (18 hours and 5 hours 59 minutes) (70.6%). The perpetrators and their victims had a direct link (65.9%), in particular a criminal association (43.5%), indirect (sponsored homicides) (22.3%) or unknown (11.8%). Deaths occurring in the context of theft followed by violence (48.2%), robbery (24.7%) and settling of accounts (20%) rarely domestic violence (7.1%) which can hide cases of feminicide. These were traumatic deaths (91.8%) most often consecutive to wounds caused by bladed weapons (57.6%), in particular stinging and sharp instruments (50%) and by firearms (27%) using bullet cartridges (24.4%). Sometimes, it was mechanical asphyxia (8.2%) by strangulation (5.8%).
Conclusion: The prevention of domestic homicides requires the involvement of governments to strengthen home security measures.