A study of wound fatalities in the north of Jordan

The aim of the present study is to analyze the epidemiological and demographic features of sharp wound fatalities. A retrospective study was carried out of 58 fatalities from injuries induced by the use of sharp objects which were sent to the Forensic Medicine Teaching Centre of North Jordan--affiliated to Jordan University of Science and Technology--for the period January 1989 to December 2000. Results showed that the majority of cases (46-79.31%) were young people, below 30 years of age. Forty-six cases were male (79.31%) and 12 (20.69%) were female. The 58 cases sustained 182 injuries. The trunk sustained the maximum number of injuries 145 (79.63%). Sharp wound fatalities showed a slight variation over the 12-year study period and rose twice, in 1991 and 2000. Forty four cases (75.86%) were urban residents. Thirty-seven (63.79%) cases occurred during the warmer months of the year. Most cases were murder 47 (81.03%) and 51 (88%) victims died from acute haemorrhagic shock. Forty-three (74.14%) cases died before receiving any treatment. None of the 58 victims had used alcohol or drugs. One victim was a Syrian labourer. Cases of sharp wound fatality were more or less stable with two peaks in 1991 and 2000. As in other parts of the world, most victims were young males living in urban areas under stressful conditions. Socio-cultural factors have reduced the frequency of fatalities.