Citation

Tuzun B, Sozen S, Akkay E. J. Traffic Med. 1999; 27(1-2): 49-55.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Objective: This study is undertaken to point out the importance of the medicolegal examination in deaths due to traffic accidents. In most of the cases the cause of death is estimated by external examination, though only an autopsy, may enlighten all questions about the cause of death. Methods: 934 fatal traffic accidents that had been examined at the Forensic Medicine Department of Istanbul, Turkey in 1992-1996 were reviewed for age, gender, seasonal distribution, vehicle type, driver's fault, various complications following hospitalization, accident mechanisms, special types of trauma, fatal lesions and laboratory examination. Results: Male drivers (72.6%) were preponderant group of all cases and elders (50-60 years) were the majority for both males (25.4%) and females (25.8%). Seasonal distribution of cases revealed a higher incidence in summer (28.0%) and automobile was found to be the most frequent vehicle type in accidents (66.0%). According to the localization in the car, head injuries were the most frequent injury of drivers (21.3%), and from seat passengers (23.5%). And also autopsy rate in fatal traffic accidents were 6.2% of all cases, so that data were not sufficient to define driver's fault and laboratory examination. Conclusion: The results have marked the necessity of autopsy. Only a full postmortem examination may enlighten many questions, including gender, identity and also types of trauma, fatal lesions and the cause of death.