Citation

Wahlsten P, Koiranen V, Saukko P. J. Clin. Forensic Med. 2006; 14(5): 243-252.

Affiliation

Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jcfm.2006.07.007

PMID

17052942

Abstract

Finland has one of the highest homicide rates in western Europe but the clear-up rate is also exceptionally high. To create a detailed analysis of homicides (n=161) in a region of western Finland during the 20-year period from 1983 to 2002 all available information was collected retrospectively from multiple sources including medico-legal reports, reports of police investigations, and court proceedings. Among the data collected and analysed were location, time, circumstances, and motives of homicides, forensic pathologists' role at the scene-of-the-crime and in court, autopsy findings, demographics and substance abuse of both victims and offenders, criminal background, forensic psychiatric examinations, and the verdicts of the offenders. A typical homicide was committed without premeditation during the weekend by a drunken male with a knife at hand and with a history of violent crimes. The perpetrator was later found guilty of manslaughter and received a prison sentence. Some noted shortcomings both in the police and the medico-legal investigation procedures are discussed, as well as the forensic pathologist's role in the judicial process in Finland.

Language: en