Patterns of homicide in North Tunisia: a 10-year study (2005–2014)

Abstract

BackgroundIn Tunisia and in the Arab world, few data are available about homicide patterns. The aim of our study was to analyse the victims' profiles and the general pattern.Methods636 homicide victims were autopsied at the Legal Medicine Department of Charles Nicolle Hospital in Tunis, over a period of 10 years (2005–2014).ResultsVictims were males in 79.7% with a male-to-female ratio of 3.93 and the average age was 37.7 years. The victim was generally from an urban area (66.7%), single (55.7%) and semiskilled (50.2%). The most common methods of homicide were sharp force (51.7%) and blunt trauma (24.8%).ConclusionsThis study suggests applying urgent preventive measures targeting essentially young males and the importance of a national ‘Violence Repository’.