Domestic Violence and Fatal Outcomes: A Forensic Study in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Domestic violence is a pervasive social and public health problem that can result in fatal outcomes, particularly among women. In Bangladesh, deaths related to domestic violence are often concealed or misclassified, posing significant challenges for accurate death investigation. Medicolegal autopsy plays a crucial role in identifying injury patterns and establishing the cause and manner of death in such cases.

Objective: To analyze fatal domestic violence cases based on medicolegal autopsy findings and to evaluate the role of forensic examination in determining the cause and manner of death.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine at International Medical College, Gushulia, Sataish, Tongi, Gazipur, Bangladesh, from December 2022 to December 2023. A total of 200 medicolegal autopsy cases suspected or confirmed to be related to domestic violence were included.

Results: Females constituted 81.0% of victims, with a female-to-male ratio of 4.3:1. The majority of cases belonged to the 21–40 years age group. Husbands were identified as the most common perpetrators (68.5%). Blunt force injuries were the leading cause of death (29.5%), followed by asphyxia (25.0%) and burns (18.5%). Most deaths were classified as homicidal (71.0%) after medicolegal autopsy, while a notable proportion were initially reported as suicidal.

Conclusion: Fatal domestic violence predominantly affects young and middle-aged women in Bangladesh. Medicolegal autopsy is indispensable in revealing concealed homicide, accurately determining cause and manner of death, and supporting justice and prevention strategies.