Evaluation of adolescents, whose autopsies were performed in Ankara, between years 2014-2019, in terms of forensic medicine

Aim: In theese days, adolescents die or become disabled due to predictable and preventable causes varying from country to country and even from region to region in the same country. For this reason, deaths and the autopsy of adolescents becoming more important every day. In this thesis, it is aimed to determine the manner of death of individuals who are in adolescence and therefore have not yet fully completed their biological and psychological development, and to discuss the precautions that can be taken especially for preventable causes of death. Methods: A total of 531 cases, aged between 10-19 years, out of a total of 9665 cases, whose autopsies were performed in Ankara between 01.01.2014-01.01.2019, were evaluated retrospectively, and one case was excluded from the study because its identity could not be determined. Results: Of 530 cases, 379 (71.5%) were male and 151 (28.5%) were female, and the mean age was 15.60±2.16. The cause of death in 88 (16.6%) of 530 cases could not be determined, and they were referred. When 442 cases whose cause of death was determined were examined in terms of the manner of death; It was determined that 17 cases (3.8%) were of natural origin, 183 cases (41.4%) had the appearance of the accident, 136 cases (30.8%) had the appearance of suicide, and 69 cases (15.6%) had the appearance of murder. While deaths with the appearance of accidents were the most common in males, it was found that deaths with the appearance of suicide were the most common in females (p<0.05). The most common cause of death was asphyxia with 127 cases (28.7%). Then, blunt traumatic injuries in 104 cases (23.5%), firearm injuries in 99 cases (22.3%), intoxications in 52 cases (11.7%), and natural-cause deaths and deaths from other causes in 17 cases (3.8%). When the deaths due to asphyxia were evaluated, it was determined that 51.2% of them were due to hanging. Conclusion: In our study, it was seen that in adolescence, unlike adulthood, unnatural causes of death came first, and accidents were the most common among unnatural deaths. This means that the vast majority of adolescent deaths are due to predictable and preventable causes. Therefore, it is necessary to reveal the specific causes of death for adolescents and to take precautions to protect adolescent health. Keywords: Forensic Medicine, Adolescent, Autopsy.