EVALUATION OF FORENSIC CASES PRESENTED TO THE EMERGENCY MEDICINE CLINIC BETWEEN FEBRUARY 1, 2023, AND MARCH 30, 2023

Abstract

Introduction: Emergency Medicine is a specialized field dedicated to providing immediate care to patients with acute,
undifferentiated, and undiagnosed illnesses or injuries. Its focus lies in resuscitating and stabilizing patients, making them
suitable for general care or identifying those who require more advanced treatment within an undifferentiated patient pool.
This study centers on forensic cases, which encompass incidents resulting from human actions, such as assault, traffic
accidents, firearm injuries, and other similar situations. Medical professionals in the emergency department not only have the
responsibility to diagnose and provide medical interventions but also to assess whether the incident qualifies as a forensic
case and report it to legal authorities.
Method: The study was conducted at Başkent University's Emergency Medicine Clinic, Ankara, Türkiye, with ethical
approval. Data were collected from February 1, 2023, to March 30, 2023, and included demographic information,
comorbidities, laboratory results, imaging studies, hospitalization details, consultation records, morbidity, and mortality
statistics. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25.0.
Results: A total of 221 patients were included in the study, with an average age of 46.32 years, of which 55.2% were
female. The most common reason for seeking emergency care was earthquake-related injuries (45.25%), followed by
occupational accidents (13.12%), falls (11.76%), assault (8.6%), and burns (7.69%). Most patients (74.66%) sought medical
attention during daytime hours. Consultations were obtained in 43.44% of cases, primarily in orthopedics (17.64%). A total of
7.69% of patients were hospitalized, with an average length of stay of 17.13 days. Mortality rates were higher among
earthquake-related cases (76.47%) compared to other reasons.
The study highlighted the prevalence of forensic cases during daytime hours, with more severe injuries presenting at
night. Notably, earthquake-related incidents constituted a significant portion of cases, likely influenced by a recent major
earthquake. The study also revealed that orthopedic and general surgery consultations were most common, possibly
reflecting the industrial nature of the city. Mortality rates were highest among earthquake-related cases, emphasizing the
importance of preparedness for disaster-related medical needs.
Conclusion: This study sheds light on the patterns of forensic cases in an emergency department, with daytime hours
seeing a higher volume of cases but nighttime admissions often indicating more severe injuries. The findings emphasize the
need for readiness in responding to disaster-related incidents, as evidenced by the earthquake-related cases' higher
mortality rates.