Forensic medical evaluation of traumatic abdominal injuries

Abdominal trauma ranks as the fourth most common site of injury following head, extremity, and thoracic traumas. This study aimed to evaluate the forensic medical characteristics of non-fatal abdominal injury cases and to compare the findings with the existing literature. In this retrospective study, cases with traumatic abdominal injuries for whom forensic medical reports were issued by the Department of Forensic Medicine, Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine, between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023, were analyzed. Demographic data, injury mechanisms, types of trauma, treatment modalities, and the content of forensic reports were evaluated. A total of 115 cases were included in the study; 76.5% were male and 23.5% were female. The mean age was 36.4 years, and the most affected group was between 18 and 29 years of age (27.8%). Penetrating trauma was slightly more common (50.4%), and traffic accidents were identified as the leading cause (40.9%). The most frequently injured organ was the liver (34.8%). Surgical intervention was performed in 64.3% of the cases. In 33.9% of the cases, no record of blood alcohol level measurement was found in the emergency service documentation. The overall findings were consistent with the literature. The results emphasize that accurate and timely forensic reporting during the medical evaluation of abdominal trauma cases is crucial for the proper execution of judicial procedures. The absence of alcohol testing in approximately one-third of the cases indicates the need to increase awareness among emergency physicians regarding their medico-legal responsibilities.