Neck trauma deaths in Brazil : review of 541 cases.

Neck trauma is associated with high morbidity and mortality. To establish the profile of death by neck trauma in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte (BH), Brazil, fatal cases subjected to necropsy at the Forensic Medicine Institute of BH 2006 to 2012 were evaluated. A total of 541 necropsy reports were analyzed; most victims were male (82%), single (70%) and non-white (72%). Almost half of the victims were under 30 years old (47%). Penetrating neck trauma was the most prevalent injury (74%), mainly caused by firearm projectiles (54%), and most cases were of homicide victims (67%). Alcohol consumption before death and positive drug tests were found in almost half of the cases (42% and 45%, respectively). Establishing the sociodemographic and behavioral profile of victims as well the intrinsic characteristics of this type of trauma are potentially relevant for identifying the high-risk population and for elaborating intervention strategies