Firearm-related deaths in Gale Street Mortuary, Durban, South Africa from 2004 to 2014

Abstract In Durban, province of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa studies pertaining to the incidence and nature of firearm-related deaths with specific reference to the autopsy population has not been established. The primary objective of this study was to describe the incidence and the circumstances of firearm-related deaths in Durban, KwaZulu Natal over a period of 11 years. A retrospective autopsy file review of all individuals who had died from firearm-related deaths, and had an autopsy performed in a Durban Mortuary over an 11-year period; from 01 January 2004 to 31 December 2014 was undertaken. The number of firearm related deaths over the 11-year period was 4087 cases out of 22910 all unnatural deaths, with an incidence of 130/100 000 population. Males comprised 3686 (90.2%) of cases whereas females made up 401 (9.8%). Most deaths occurred in individuals aged 25-29 years. 2000( 49%) victims had a single gunshot wound. The greatest number of shots occurred on the chest 1512 (20.4%) followed by the head 1421 (19.2%). There was a peak in the number of deaths on Friday=633, Saturday=732 and Sunday=621 with the highest number of cases occurring on Saturday. The majority of deaths occurred at night time from 18H00 to 20H00. The individuals that had consumed alcohol prior to their deaths comprised 1045(64%) out of 1635 cases where blood was taken for alcohol analysis. Most victims that had positive blood alcohol levels showed levels of below 10 g/100 ml, n=733(70%). There was a decreasing trend in the firearm related deaths over the 11 years with most notable decline from year 2010 which was more than 50% decline from almost 500 cases in 2004 to 250 cases in 2010. Intervention towards curbing gun violence to those at risk as well as awareness campaigns to reduce gender-based violence need to strengthen.