Analysis of 16 Years of Homicides and Suicides Involving the Use of Weapons Recorded at the Milan Medicolegal Bureau

• NCJ Number: 245559
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 28 Issue: 2 Dated: January 2013 Pages: 386-415
• Author(s): Guendalina Gentile; Carlo Clerici; Angelo De Micheli; Isabella Merzagora; Elisa Palazzo; Alessandra Rancati; Laura Veneroni; Riccardo Zoja
• Date Published: January 2013
• Length: 30 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The authors retrospectively analyzed the homicides and suicides involving the use of firearms and piercing and/or cutting weapons recorded at the Medicolegal Bureau in Milan from January 1, 1993, to December 31, 2008.

Abstract

The criminal use of weapons is a very topical issue in the industrialized countries and worldwide, and a reconsideration of the legislation governing their possession is warranted. The authors retrospectively analyzed the homicides and suicides involving the use of firearms and piercing and/or cutting weapons recorded at the Medicolegal Bureau in Milan from January 1, 1993, to December 31, 2008. First the authors considered the clinical histories of the deceased and the circumstantial details of their deaths, then the authors examined the data relating to the cause of death recorded in the autopsy reports. The case series consisted of 414 homicides (54.2 percent) and 350 suicides (45.8 percent). Firearms were responsible for more deaths (64 percent) than piercing and/or cutting weapons (36 percent). The firearms involved were legally licensed in 40 percent of cases (suicides) and illegal in 22 percent (homicides). The findings suggest the need to review the criteria considered for the issue of firearms licenses, in Italy at least. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.