Evaluation of intentional and unintentional injuries in children and adolescents with trauma scoring systems

Aim: To evaluate the general characteristics of cases under the age of 18 years who presented at our forensic medicine clinic due to intentional or unintentional trauma and to evaluate the severity of injury using trauma scoring systems. Methods: This study included all cases under the age of 18 years with a forensic report prepared due to trauma in the forensic medicine clinic between 2017-2021. The cases included in the study were evaluated in terms of the following parameters: “gender, age, forensic event, cause of accidental injury, intentional or unintentional injury, injury site, location of traffic accident victims, safety belt using, degree of forensic injury, trauma scores [Injury Severity Score (ISS) and New Injury Severity Score (NISS)]. The ISS and NISS were calculated using the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS)   2008 update. The results were statistically compared and evaluated. Results: The majority of the cases were male (n=281, 75.13%), and the mean age was 12.03±4.83 years. More than half of the cases (n:190, 50.80%) were unintentional injuries. The victims were injured most frequently due to battery (n=180, 48.10%). The most common injury sites were the head and neck (n=136, 36.40%). The majority of child and adolescent victims of traffic accidents under the age of 18 did not use helmets, seat belts, and protective equipment. The mean injury severity score (ISS) of the cases was 3.66±5.79, and the mean new-injury severity score (NISS) was 5.03±7.58. The ISS and NISS values were significantly higher in unintentional injuries than in intentional injuries. Conclusion: More severe injuries were caused unintentionally in children and adolescents. Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists were at the greatest risk for serious injury. It is necessary to provide necessary training on the importance of protective equipment for this age group and to increase the controls

A 16-Year Retrospective Study Examining Socio-Demographic Factors among Suicide Decedents in Bolu Province, Northwestern Turkey

This study aimed to examine the socio-demographic features of completed suicides in Bolu province, northwestern Turkey, between 2003 and 2019, using corpse examinations and autopsy reports to provide epidemiological data with a view to helping prevent suicidal behavior. Of the 108 suicides examined, males accounted for 84.3%, and females accounted for 15.7%. The suicide rate was the highest in the 25–34 age groups and among those of an unknown marital status. Suicide in an unknown location in the group aged 24 years and below was significantly higher than among age groups, while the workplace was significantly higher in those aged 35–64 years. In both genders, the home and its surroundings comprised the leading location of the suicide event, with an unknown location found to be significantly higher in males. The most common suicide method was identified as hanging, with no statistically significant difference between demographic groups with respect to method, and the highest suicide rate was observed in 2016–2019. With regard to time of year, winter was found to be significantly higher among those aged 24–34 years, whereas those aged 65 years and above were likelier to die in spring or summer (p=0.014). Several risk factors were identified, most of which could be detected and resolved before the suicidal act. Studies such as this are extremely valuable for their contribution to preventing suicide by identifying such risk factors

Evaluation of genital condyloma accuminata seen during pediatric age as for sexual abuse: Case report

Anogenital wart is the most frequently seen during sexually transmitted disease in sexually active adults caused by Human Papillomavirus. The transmission with sexual contact has been defined for anogenital warts which emerge during childhood, however other routes of infection are also considered. We presented a case of a female child who had two genital warts. There is no history or suspicion of sexual abuse and the girl was infected by her mother. In the cases of condyloma accuminata seen in childhood, taking history and physical examination for sexual abuse of the child should be done by the clinician in a detailed way. Opinions should be achieved from forensic experts about the case and the legal authorities should be notified of the suspicion

Complex suicides: 21 cases and a review of the literature

Background: The use of more than one potentially lethal method together and sequentially to complete suicide is called "complex suicide." Complex suicides are divided into two groups: planned and unplanned. This study aimed to discuss with literature 21 complex suicide cases identified after a 2-year retrospective study

Medical malpractice allegations related otolaryngologists

This study aims to raise the awareness of otolaryngologists regarding medical malpractice allegations. Among the files adjudicated between 01/01/2012 and 31/12/2015 by the First Specialization Board of The Council of Forensic Medicine, cases with malpractice allegations accused of otolaryngologists were analyzed retrospectively. Fifty-seven cases were included in the study. Thirty-six cases (63.2%) were male, 21 cases (36.8%) were female. The mean age was 32.87±20.3 years (1-84). The cases were mostly in the 18-39 age group (n=22, 38.6%). The event subject to the claim occurred most frequently in the state hospital (n=24, 42.1%). In 57 cases, a total of 68 otolaryngologists were accused of malpractice. The most common diagnoses made in the health institution were trauma (n=13, 22.8%) and respiratory tract infection (n=10, 17.5%). Otolaryngologists were most frequently blamed for inadequate treatment (n=25, 26.3%) and lack of indifference (n=15, 26.3%). Surgical treatment was performed on 26 patients (45.7%). The most common operations were septorhinoplasty and tonsillectomy. Complications occurred in 73.7% of the cases. The board's opinion was that only 10.5% of the cases had malpractice. A comprehensive review of the medical malpractice allegations will contribute to a better understanding of these cases and necessary strategies to reduce possible claims and improve health services. [Med-Science 2022; 11(4.000): 1415-9

Medical Malpractice in Turkey: Pediatric Cases Resulting in Death

Background: Malpractice in medicine refers to the failure of a physician to meet a standard of diagnosis and treatment, damages/injuries caused by reprehensible ignorance, or negligence of a doctor

Mucus plugging problem in patients treated in the intensive care unit: A case report

In this paper, we will present a case who died in ICU during treatment for suicidal organophosphate intoxication. It is aimed to draw attention to the importance of regular tracheal aspiration and bronchoscopy, especially in intubated patients during treatment in ICU. In the medical documents of the case, it was learned that a 67-year-old male case was brought to a private hospital with a history of suicidal Jestis 2.5 EC, Alban EC4 (organophosphate) intake. The case died after being treated in the ICU for a total of 15 days following organophosphate intake. At autopsy, during an internal examination, approximately 5x2x1,5 cm in size, with brown-black color, organized, hardened paste consistency mucus plug was observed which was localized in the bifurcation of the trachea. It is considered to be useful to evaluate the indication of bronchoscopy in cases with better general conditions and hope for recovery. [Med-Science 2020; 9(1.000): 284-6

Old female case who died as a result of bear attack

Human encounters with wild animals are of great concern to humans. In nature, humans are usually defenseless against wild animals, however humans do not always take precautions from possible encounters. Wild animals tend to attack mostly sensitive areas of the body, and elderly individuals often fail to defend themselves compared to young people. All of these factors contribute to the increase in the mortality rate associated with these encounters. In forensic practice, deaths due to bear attacks are very rarely seen. In these cases, well-known bear attack pattern and bear-specific tooth and paw marks are observed, facilitating the work of physician who performed the autopsy. In this study, we aimed to discuss a case of a 77-year-old woman who died as a result of bear attack in the light of the existing literature. [Med-Science 2021; 10(2.000): 623-6