Biological Pattern in Craniofacial Injuries Due to Assault in a Catchment Area in Nigeria

The objective of this study is to characterize the pattern of craniofacial injuries. Design: cumulative study. Setting: is Police Hospital Benin City. Medical practice and research inevitably involves dealing with the consequences of violence. This include common assault, actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm and grievous bodily harm with intent. A standardized assault register in use by the police consultant pathologist revealed that female suffered more assault. Assault victims are more from low socio-economic group and the most violent age group is 15 years to 25 years. Time lapse before presentation was 1-2 days. Injury mechanisms were more from blunt objects, with the head and neck showing peak site of assault. It is therefore recommended that with a time lapse of 1-2 days and head and neck peak involvement, the dental practitioners should be better involved in a collaborative assault research with a view to proffering preventive solutions through public campaign.