Gunshot Deaths in Eskisehir, Turkey 1997 to 2016

Abstract

Aim: Each year, thousands of people around the world die due to firearm-related injuries. Due to the widespread interest in firearms in Turkey, firearm related deaths which occurred in Eskişehir were investigated in detail and compared with the literature. Material and methods: Forensic autopsy reports of 312 cases who died due to firearm wounds between 1997-2016 in Eskişehir were evaluated retrospectively. The age, gender, origin, place of death, type of weapon used, season of death, wound location, the number of wounds, and the organs affected were recorded. Results: Of the 312 cases included, 166 were homicides (53.2%), 130 were suicides (41.6%) and 16 were accidents (5.2%). The type of weapon used was a handgun in 53.8% of the cases, and a shotgun in 42.3% of cases. The majority of the firearm related deaths were male (77.4%). The majority of the firearm-related deaths were in the 20-29 age group (27.27%). Discussion and Conclusion: Firearm-related fatalities are a significant cause of mortality in Eskisehir, as in various other parts of the world. In order to minimize the mortality, disability, and expenses caused by firearms, legislation on the carrying and possession of firearms should be revised.