Abstract

Our study aimed to review the reports prepared for forensic cases admitted to the Emergency Department of Balıkesir University Faculty of Medicine (Türkiye) and evaluate to review the errors and deficiencies. The sociodemographic characteristics, information obtained about the criminal cases and outcomes of the patients admitted to between 01.01.2021-31.8.2023, whose forensic reports were evaluated as forensic cases, were examined. 902 cases that were evaluated as forensic cases and forensic case reports were kept in our emergency department were included in the study. The mean age of the cases was 37.33 years. When the age distribution was analyzed, it was determined that the highest forensic case application rate was in the 20-30 age group with 22.3%. The most intense season of applications was summer with 37.9%. Traffic accidents were the forensic case with the highest rate among all types of incidents with 23.6% in total applications. The most common site of injury was the head-neck-facial region with 33.3% of the applicants. When the outcomes of the cases were analyzed, it was observed that discharge was the most common with 49.7%. It was observed that 27.5% of the cases were reported to be life-threatening. On re-evaluation, life-threatening status was correctly recorded in 74.3% of the cases. Emergency departments in hospitals are usually the first and most common places where forensic reports are issued. As physicians, we should be aware of our duties and responsibilities in this regard and strive to keep our knowledge about forensic reports and related legal legislation up-to-date and at a high level.

Key words: Forensic Case, Life threatening, Emergency service