Medicolegal evaluation of geriatric deaths in Bursa, Turkey

Abstract

Differentiation of natural and forced deaths observed in this age group is very important in the forensic medicine practice. In the present study, we aimed to medicolegal evaluation of demographic data and autopsy findings of judicial geriatric deaths in Bursa and around.
 Autopsy reports of the cases who have been taken to Morgue Specialization Office of Bursa Group Presidency of Forensic Medicine Institution and at 65 years and over, crime scene and deceased examination reports and data in the prosecution documents were assessed retrospectively between 2003-2008 in our study. 
 During 6-year period, totally 5155 autopsies have been performed in Morg Specialization Office of Bursa Group Presidency of Forensic Medicine Institution. Among such cases, 870 (16.8%) were 65 years old and older. Cases who were 65 years old and older included 640 (73.6%) were male, 230 (26.4%) were female; and age average of males were found as 72.77±5.82 and as 75.33±7.03 in females. In terms of death origin, 434 (49.9%) were natural deaths, 267 (30.7%) were traffic accident, 102 (11.7%) were suicide and 52 (6%) were homicide. Origin of death of the remaining 15 (1.7%) could not be detected.
 In line with prolongation of life expectancy and increase in the geriatric population, it is observed according to our outcomes that an increase is detected in judicial geriatric death cases because of neuropsychiatric disease, leading a solitary life and psychomotor imbalance.