Journal/Magazine Articles
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This collection contains original research articles, review articles and case reports published in local and international peer reviewed journals by the staff members of the Faculty of Medicine
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Item A retrospective descriptive study on deaths due to firearm injuries in Western Province, Sri Lanka(Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine at University of Peradeniya, 2023) Alwis, D.N.; Govinnage, D.P.S.; Kulathunga, D.L.; Perera, W.N.S.; Paranitharan, P.INTRODUCTION: The use of firearms is a well-recognized method of committing a homicide. In Sri Lanka, the use of firearms was prominent among terrorists and underworld criminals. The analysis of the injury pattern will help to find the trends related to firearm injuries. Deaths that deviate from the routine pattern of injuries will be highlighted. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to identify injury patterns in firearm-related deaths and the methods used to identify the range. METHODS: The data from 40 firearm-related autopsies conducted at Offices of the Judicial Medical Officer at Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Colombo South Teaching Hospital, and Office of the Judicial Medical Officer, Colombo from 2000 to 2019 were collected from the post-mortem reports using pre-formed questionnaires and entered into the SPSS statistical package for analysis. RESULTS: The majority were between 21 and 40 years of age (75%) and male (97.5%). Head alone was involved in 25% of deaths and head in combination with other regions was involved in 45% of the deaths. Cause of death (COD) in 50% of cases was head injuries alone and in 12.5% of cases, COD was from head injuries in combination with other injuries. The commonest circumstance was homicide in 72.5% of cases. Rifled firearm was the most common weapon used (90%). Range or the distance of fire was in the distant range in 65% of cases followed by close range in 17.5% of cases. Distance of fire was decided by the history, if available, the appearance of the entry wound, and other observations. CONCLUSIONS: Scientific evaluation of deaths following firearm injuries demands proper assessment of the range or the distance of fire based on modern technology. This becomes more relevant if there is an incompatibility with the history and the appearance of the wound, especially when deciding the circumstance of death.Item A Study on victims of intimate partner violence reported to Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka during 2019-2021(Academic Forensic Pathology International, La Jolla, CA, 2022) Muthulingam, T.; Edirisinghe, P.A.S.; Wijewardhane, H.P.; Thivaharan, Y.; Jayasundara, M.M.S.; Borukgama, N.; Kulathunga, D.L.; Alwis, D.N.; Govinnage, P.S.; Kitulwatte, I.D.G.Introduction: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a common issue in any society and the reported cases are just the tip of an iceberg as most of the victims are reluctant to come to the criminal justice system. Forensic experts are often encountering the victims who chose to seek justice. Evaluation of the nature, consequences, and underlying factors are needed in planning preventive measures. Objectives: To describe the patterns and associated factors of IPV among victims who reported to Office of the Judicial Medical Officer of Colombo North Teaching Hospital and to specifically describe the patterns prior and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study based on 471 medicolegal records of the victims who had undergone medicolegal examination following IPV during last two years (March 2019 to February 2021). Results: Out of 471, 206 cases were reported prepandemic and 265 reported postpandemic periods. Even though majority were females there were 21 males. Types of abuse were complex and often interrelated. There were 463 who had experienced physical injuries while there were 20 who had been subjected to sexual violence. Face was the commonest target of assault (63%). Substance abuse was identified as the commonest predisposing factor (56%). Even though repeated abuse was common, 42.5% of the victims had never made any complaints to the police. Despite multiple complains, 39.7% had experienced repeated violence. Conclusion: Victims of IPV are silently suffering for many long years. Failure in the response from authorities was identified. COVID-19 pandemic has become an additional risk factor for IPV. Strengthening of legal and social responses is the need of the hour.