Survivor Characteristics Of Coward Punch Assaults (PDF)

SURVIVOR: CHARACTERTISTICS AND INJURY OUTCOMES OF COWARD PUNCH ASSAULTS IN AUSTRALIA Dr Jennifer Schumann, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) Overview & Findings 109 survivors suffered coward punch assaults in Victoria according to an e...

SURVIVOR: CHARACTERTISTICS AND INJURY OUTCOMES OF COWARD PUNCH ASSAULTS IN AUSTRALIA Dr Jennifer Schumann, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) Overview & Findings 109 survivors suffered coward punch assaults in Victoria according to an exploratory analysis of expert opinions by forensic practitioners at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, between November 2012 and August 2020. Coward punch assaults caused considerable injuries and debilitation in the survivors. Complex and prolonged medical care was required to address and ameliorate the injury impact. Demographic characteristics Survivors were predominantly males (87% males). Survivors were known to their perpetrators in 29% of cases. Known relationship types were acquaintances, Median age was 34 years (range 16-83 years). work relationship, housemate, familial and intimate Survivors were unknown to their perpetrators in 48% of partner. cases. Interpersonal data was unavailable in 23% of cases. Location 64% of survivors were assaulted in public locations. Public locations included the street, hotel, bar, nightclub, karaoke lounge, casino, public transport bays or statins, beach, shops, park, and football ground. 26% of survivors were assaulted at private venues. Private venues included residential, prison, worksite, and school. 10% of cases where location data was unavailable Time of the day 55% of the survivors were 24% of survivors were assaulted Missing data was observed in 21% assaulted between 6pm to 6am. during 6am- 6pm. of cases. Number of Perpetrators Majority of the survivors were attacked by single perpetrator (65%). 29% of survivors were attacked by multiple perpetrators. Data was unavailable in 6% of cases. Clinical Characteristics Substance Abuse: Injury Mechanisms: Neurological Signs: (There were data limitations for this Type 1 cases were marginally more Immediate onset of neurologic variable.) in numbers than type 2 cases. signs was reported in 68 (62%) of survivors. In 70% of the case records, 57% of the survivors were Type 1 substance use was not stated. cases, i.e., there was secondary Late onset neurologic signs were head impact against a hard surface reported in 23 (21%) of survivors. 28% of cases reported substance after being punched to head. use. No neurologic signs were observed 43% were Type 2 cases, i.e., the in 12 (11%) of survivors. Alcohol intoxication was recorded survivor was punched down to in 22% cases. the ground and further hit on head Data was unavailable in 6 (6%) through bodily force application. of cases. The survivor was incapacitated by the initial coward punch that left him unable to defend themselves against additional inflicted trauma to head. Injury Patterns Facial Injuries: Back or chest injuries: 45% of the survivors had facial fractures. Abrasions, bruises, tenderness, swell, lacerations, discolouration or pain was observed in 20% of survivors. 67% of the survivors has abrasions, bruises, tenderness, swelling, periorbital hematoma (black eye), laceration,