ABSTRACT

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences between causes of death and autopsy decisions with regard to the actual causes of death among medicolegal death investigations performed in Gazi University Medical Faculty Gazi Hospital

Methods:

The records of 802 forensic death reports submitted by Republic Prosecutors and forensic medicine expert physicians were evaluated retrospectively. Of these cases, 338 were dead on arrival and 464 of them died after arrival at Gazi Hospital between 1992 and 2004. Records were obtained from Gazi Hospital archives. Data on age, gender, cause of death and whether an autopsy was performed were evaluated and analyzed.

Results:

539 of the subjects (67.2%) were male and 263 (32.8%) were female. The mean age was 38.19 ± 11.82. An autopsy was performed in 16.11% of forensic cases (129). Road accidents ranked first, with 64.5% (517), among the forensic death cases. Falling from heights and suspicious deaths followed (7.5 % and 4.7%, respectively).

Conclusion:

It appears that Republic Prosecutors and forensic medicine experts decide on an autopsy more easily in cases of murder and suspicious deaths; whereas in cases that seem to be accidents or suicides, they are satisfied with the death examination rather than with an autopsy