Analysis of Forensic Death Statistics From 2013 to 2022 and Autopsy Practices in Türkiye

Background: Autopsy rates are significantly lower that what they should be worldwide. Additionally, autopsy practices vary between countries. Aims: To examine the autopsy rates, the distribution and temporal changes of forensic autopsy cases, so as to identify the areas in the death investigation system that require improvement in Türkiye. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: "Forensic Death Examination Statistics" of the Council of Forensic Medicine (CFM) and "Death Statistics" of the Turkish Statistical Institute were compared and analyzed for the years 2013-2022 in Türkiye. Results: The number of forensic death cases sent to the CFM has increased over time. For all causes of deaths, the autopsy rate is approximately 3.6-4.8%. The cause-specific mortality rates for deaths due to sharp instrument trauma, blunt trauma, occupational accident, undetermined, and poisoning have increased over the years. "The percentage of "undetermined" deaths, which are important to demonstrate negative autopsies, was 14.2% in 2021. Conclusion: Although the autopsy rates have slightly increased in a volatile trend over time in Türkiye, they are still not at the desired level. Thus, it is essential to further raise awareness among all professionals involved in death investigations about the importance of autopsies.

Two accidental hanging cases of children.

The cases emphasise the implementation of safety measurements which may prevent the occurrence of accidental hanging in children. Two accidental hanging cases were autopsied at The Council of Forensic Medicine, Bursa Group Chairmanship, Morgue Department. The inquest papers written by police were examined and the scenes and autopsy findings are presented. The first case was a four year old girl and the second case was a five year old boy. Their manners of death were determined as an accident. The first accident occurred out of home, but the second accidental hanging occurred at home. It was seen that childhood deaths due to hanging are preventable. Detailed medico-legal investigation in order to elucidate the manner of death is required in similar cases.

Fatal blunt trauma of the larynx in a child.

We report an autopsy case of an 11-year-old girl who suffered mechanical asphyxia from falling off the metal bars in the playground. This autopsy case is interesting because of the atypical trauma and lesions. To our knowledge there has been no similiar published case reports in the forensic literature. The young age of the victim, the setting and the pattern of the injuries are rare in a fall at playground by a child.