Drogas e vulnerabilidade à morte por homicidios: um estudo em uma área urbana

Abstract

Toxicological analysis is a worldwide practice in forensic laboratories. Drug consumption is currently recognized as one of the main risk factors for death by homicide. Alcohol has been described as the most prevalent substance identified among the victims, but the incidence of illicit drugs has been increasing. This study aims at mapping the differences in the socio-economic profile of homicidal victims of Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil, between 2004 and 2007, regarding consumption of illicitdrugs. We selected death certificates with aggression as the basic cause, and the presence of alcohol and drugs, from toxicological analysis in necropsy reports. Our analysis was based on multinomial regression model and the group with negative results for alcohol and drugs was defined as reference and compared to three others: positive for alcohol only; positive for illicit drugs (cocaine or marijuana) associatedwith alcohol or not; and deaths without toxicological information. Explicative variables were selected from data available on the death certificate. Results confirm a high pattern of drug consumption among homicidal victims. Even through homicides have a similar profile as to socio-economic status, there were significant differences as toage, sex, marital status, and use or lethal weapon associated to the consumption of alcohol and/or drugs. Toxicological analysis can be useful as an indicator for a longitudinal research of changes in the pattern of drug consumption among homicidal victims.