Analysis of judicial cases at emergency department

Aim: In this study, we aimed to analyze the demographic and epidemiological features of judicial cases admitted to emergency department, the content of life-threatening of forensic reports, the status of simple medical intervention and outcomes in the emergency department. Material and Methods: Judicial cases, admitted to the emergency department between 01.12.2009 - 31.12.2010 were included in the study. Patients were evaluated from the patient cards retrospectively. Categorical data summarized as number and percentage, numerical measurements summarized as mean and standard deviation. SPSS 17.0 package program was used for statistical analysis of data. The statistical significance level of all tests was p <0.05. Results: Of the 5870 judicial cases, 63.78 % were male and 36.22 % were female. Mean age of patients were 33.75 ± 12.4 years. Traffic accident (27.3 %), intoxication (24.3 %) and to be beaten (17.6 %) were the first three judicial events. Traffic accidents were seen in males between 26-33 ages mostly and intoxications were seen in females between 18-25 ages commonly. The most reason of injuries were limb injuries with 2404 cases. 73.3 % of patients were discharged and 26.3 % of patients were hospitalized. 0.3% of forensic cases (19 patients) died in the emergency department, 0.1% (4 patients) died before hospital admission. Death was mostly seen as traffic accidents and fall from height. When forensic reports were evaluated, 28.8 % of males and 11.3 % of females were not resolved with simple medical intervention. Only 3336 (56.8%) forensic reports of all forensic cases were stated in a life-threatening situation. 21.1 % of the patients with a life-threatening situation of the current was life-threatening. Conclusion: Forensic cases are most commonly seen in young adult males and ages between 26-33. The frequency of diagnoses in male and female patients are different. Forensic cases require hospitalization rate as high as 26.3%, although the danger of life in 21% percent, the mortality rate is 0.3 % in emergency department. The life-threatening condition is necessary to define in reports, but in nearly half of the forensic reports it is not written. In order to prevent the victimization of individuals and unnecessary loss of benefits, the physicians also must write appropriate, clear and understandable forensic reports as well as the best treatment responsibility. [Cukurova Med J 2013; 38(2.000): 250-260]