Assault and homicide by chop blows: a series of 11 cases.

In a series of robberies, 11 elderly women living alone were attacked by an assailant (HS) by means of chop blows directed primarily at the throat, but also at the head, neck, and thorax. 5 died of their injuries. 1 died immediately after the assault. The other 4 victims survived for between 7-38 days. As a result of the injuries incurred, the women were confused, physically weakened and confined to bed, and eventually died from pneumonia. Their death was thus casually related to the violence sustained. Extensive haematomas of the scalp and cervical soft tissue were present. In 3 cases there were injuries to the laryngeal skeleton and adjacent soft tissue. In 2 cases there were conjunctival haemorrhages. The other 6 attacks were not fatal. The blows led to transient unconsciousness, which often resulted in a state of confusion, sometimes mimicking cerebrovascular accidents (CVA). Of other injuries, craniofacial haematomas were the most common. These cases are reviewed in this paper.