DOI: 10.26453/otjhs.1723521 ISSN: 2459-1467

Six-Year Analysis of Forensic Cases in the Emergency Department of a City Hospital: Demographic and Clinical Findings

Melih Çamcı
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Objective: Forensic cases in emergency departments (EDs) pose significant ethical, legal, and medical challenges. Despite the increasing number of such cases, comprehensive data regarding their demographic and clinical characteristics remain limited. This study aims to analyze forensic cases over six years, focusing on demographic and clinical profiles, forensic documentation practices, and legal outcomes in a tertiary care ED. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 8.000 forensic cases treated at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital ED between 2019 and 2024. Data on demographics, clinical presentations, and legal outcomes were extracted from electronic medical records and forensic case forms. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression to identify predictors of injury severity and forensic outcomes. Results: Among forensic emergency presentations, low socioeconomic status (70%) and male gender (60%) were predominant. Falls (50.35%) and burns (18.63%) were identified as the most frequent mechanisms of injury. Severe trauma was most commonly observed in firearm-related cases (24.25%) and burns (19.05%). A total of 93.57% were reported to legal authorities, with 69.53% legal action. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that low socioeconomic status (OR: 2.5; p<0.01) and male gender (OR: 1.8; p<0.05) were statistically significant independent predictors of injury severity. Conclusions: The results raise concerns regarding forensic documentation practices and resource distribution. The findings highlight the need for standardized procedures, improved training, and interdisciplinary cooperation for the management of forensic cases in Eds. The study underscores the necessity of specific preventive measures, treatment protocols, and multidisciplinary support systems.

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