Evaluation of sharp force injury cases whose forensic report was prepared by the department of Forensic Medicine of Dokuz Eylül University Medical Faculty in terms of life threatening danger between 2015-2019

Introduction: Sharp tools, which are widely used in homes and workplaces for many purposes, are frequently used in attacks and injuries due to their easy transportation. For this reason, injuries and deaths related to these tools are frequently encountered in forensic medicine practice. Sharp force injuries are among the penetrating injuries, and these injuries can result in high mortality and morbidity. There is an increase in injuries and deaths due to sharp tools in our country. In our study, it is aimed to draw attention to violence incidents and to determine the measures that can be taken for the future by evaluating the cases of sharp force injuries in terms of life-threatening. Materials and methods: Between 01.01.2015 and 31.12.2019, medicolegal evaluation due to sharp force injuries was performed by our department, and demographic information, injury sites, number of wounds, characteristics of injuries and injury weights were filled in data registration forms. The data were analyzed by using the SPSS 24.0 statistical software packages. Findings: 295 cases were evaluated in the study. It was observed that 92.5% of the cases were males and 7.5% were females, the average age was 33.05±13.69 years, and the most common age range was the 21-30 age group (31.2%). It was determined that 54.6% of the cases had a single wound, the most frequently injured body region was the thorax (24.2%), internal organ injuries occurred in 25.8%, and 40.7% were hospitalized and treated. It was observed that the injuries in 66.1% of the cases were not be cured by a simple medical treatment, bone fractures occurred in 6.1%, and life-threatening in 34.2%. It was determined that most of the life-threatening cases were hospitalized. It was observed that the rate of life-threatening was high in cases with injuries in the thorax and abdomen, and a statistically significant was found. Discussion and Conclusion: Sharp force injuries most commonly affect young adults. The fact that people are exposed to these injuries in their most productive ages and these injuries result in disability, amputation or fatal complications cause serious economic and labor losses. Sharp tools are a weapon that can be found in daily life, making them attractive to young people with different colors, shapes and functions, and within the scope of the law; The fact that there is no criminal obstacle to the possession of knives used in home, industry, agriculture or a profession and art increases the violence that occurs with these weapons. It was concluded that there is a need for tougher legal sanctions, especially for the transportation of such tools. Key Words: Sharp force injuries, life threatening, forensic traumatology, wound