Evaluation of Forensic Medical Cases During COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT

Objective: Investigating the effects of the coronavirus disease pandemic on forensic medical cases admitted to emergency department (ED). Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted between March and August 2019 (prepandemic period), and March and August 2020 (pandemic period). All the patients admitted to the ED that required a forensic medical examination were investigated. Results: A total of 4527 forensic cases were investigated (prepandemic period 2937, pandemic period 1590). There was a male predominance among the patients (prepandemic period 62.1%, pandemic period 67.7%). During both periods, the most common forensic complaints were the same, and assaults, motor vehicle accidents, and penetrating injuries were in the top three, respectively. During pandemic number of motor vehicle accidents decreased significantly (p <0.001);on the other hand number of suicide attempts did not change (p= 0.83). Conclusion: When compared to the prepandemic period, the number of forensic cases decreased by half during the pandemic period. Number of motor vehicle accidents significantly decreased during the pandemic, which might have been a consequence of the stay-at-home orders. There was no increase in the in the number of suicide attempts;however, the psychological effects of the pandemic can be long-lasting and might lead to increases in rate of suicide attempts in the long-run.