Homicides in Samoa - a five-year study

A retrospective review of homicide cases was undertaken from the mortuary records at the National Hospital in Apia, Samoa, over a five-year period from June 2011 to May 2016. Thirty-three cases were found consisting of 27 males and six females (one with gender not specified; M:F=4.5:1) with an age range of 19 to 61years, average 34.1years (males - 19-57years, average 33.8years; females 23-61years, average 35.0years). This gave an approximate rate of 3.5 homicides/100,000 people/year. The cases consisted of deaths due to blunt force head trauma: N=21 (63.6%; two with drowning); sharp force trauma: N=8 (24.2%; four stab wounds, four chop/machete wounds); gunshot wounds: N=2 (6.1%); and neck compression: N=2 (6.1%). This study has demonstrated a particularly high number of deaths due to blunt force trauma and a relatively low number of firearm-related deaths in Samoa in recent years.