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Autopsies in the elderly: Erzurum study.
Ozge Timur1, Pinar Tosun Tasar2, Merve Gulsah Ulusoy3
1Region Training and Research Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey.
Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
|September 20, 2017
Summary
Forensic autopsies in Turkey revealed that most geriatric deaths were unnatural, primarily due to accidents like traffic incidents. Cardiovascular disease was the leading natural cause of death in this elderly population.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Clinical and forensic autopsies are crucial for determining cause of death.
- Geriatric populations present unique challenges in forensic investigations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze demographic and etiological characteristics of geriatric forensic cases in Erzurum, Turkey.
- To understand the patterns of death in individuals aged 65 and older.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective screening of autopsy reports and prosecution documents.
- Inclusion of decedents aged 65 and older from 2010-2015.
- Data analysis of demographic and cause of death information.
Main Results:
- 399 geriatric cases (mean age 74.38 ± 7.28) were analyzed.
- Unnatural deaths (67.42%) were more common than natural deaths (32.58%).
- Leading causes: cardiovascular disease (natural), traffic accidents (unnatural), hanging (suicide), blunt force trauma (homicide).
Conclusions:
- Findings align with existing literature on geriatric forensic cases.
- Regional sociocultural factors may influence cause-specific mortality patterns.
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