One punch in Kemi assault led to death, experts warn

A man died after being punched once near a festival area in Kemi in early August, Yle reports. He fell, hit his head on the asphalt and died in hospital two days later.

The case has highlighted how a single act of violence can have fatal consequences, according to experts interviewed by Yle.

Neurosurgeon Teemu Luoto said a blow to the head can be fatal in itself. The force of an impact can fracture the skull and cause bruising or bleeding in the brain.

Luoto said the severity of an injury is directly linked to the force and energy of the blow. Assaults often involve intoxication and a fall, and brain injuries connected to violence occur more frequently in the evening or at night, when those involved are usually drunk.

Former attacker understands both sides

Tomas Jouhilampi, 26, knows from personal experience what violence can do to the brain. He lectures in schools and on social media about the dangers of violence.

At the age of 15, Jouhilampi was involved in a fight in which he was hit in the head and knocked to the ground. As a teenager, he also sought out fights and used violence himself.

More than 10 years later, he still lives with the effects of his injuries, including fatigue, trembling hands, hyperextended knees and problems concentrating.

Jouhilampi said even a small amount of alcohol made him aggressive. When drunk, he felt more self-confident and wanted to show others that he was tough.

Reflecting on the incident in Kemi, Jouhilampi said he felt empathy for both the victim and the person who struck him.

“For me too, it was essentially a matter of one blow as to whether I would have died. The person responsible probably regrets it when thinking, ‘It was only one punch,’” he said.

Intent to be assessed in court

Police inspector Miia Lehtinen of the National Police Board said cases such as the one in Kemi are often investigated as aggravated assault and causing death, rather than manslaughter or murder. Manslaughter and murder require an intention to kill.

If someone strikes another person once in anger, killing may not have been the primary intention. A court will assess whether the person should have understood the possible consequences of the act.

Over a 10 year period, six percent of convictions for homicides were for causing death through assault, according to the statistics presented in the report.

Statistics Finland reported that the number of violent crimes committed under the influence of intoxicants increased last year after declining for two consecutive years. Lehtinen said that, in her almost 30 years of experience, alcohol is involved in almost all violent situations.

Young people in particular can be impatient and focused on the moment, Lehtinen said. They may not understand the seriousness of violence or its consequences, which is why she believes more preventive work is needed, especially online, where young people spend their time.

Jouhilampi said he understood from an early age that hitting someone could have serious consequences, but did not necessarily think about them in the moment.

He recalled that after a few beers he could become aggressive and feel an urge to fight. In such situations, he said, he did not think about the consequences.