[Transport time and early treatment--important factors in knife injuries]

A forensic material of 71 victims killed by knife has been reviewed. The investigation covers all such cases in the eastern part of Denmark in the period from 1970 to 1984. Each case has been analysed based on timetables in the police reports, information from medical case reports, the results of the forensic autopsy and local conditions such as distance of ambulance transportation and the facilities in the hospital to which the victim was brought. Fifteen cases with a possible other exitus than death are finally discussed. It is concluded that the ambulance service with its "scoop and run" technique and the preparedness of hospitals receiving patients of this type are satisfactory. However, treatment of some of the victims with isolated lesions of the lung indicates that a more aggressive attitude to these lesions might have improved the possibility of survival.