Retrospective analysis of the cases including alcohol, drug and stimulant substances in autopsies performed by Bursa Group Chai̇rman of Council of Forensic Medicine between 2018-2020

The use of alcohol, narcotic drugs and stimulants is a serious public health problem both in our country and worldwide and is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality. Autopsies of drug-related deaths are important in terms of determining drug use profiles at the local and national level and expanding the measures to be taken accordingly, as they are a valuable source of information about drug users who are not treated and who are not registered elsewhere. In this study, autopsy reports of the cases that were performed by Bursa Group Chairman of Council of Forensic Medicine between 2018-2020 were examined. It is aimed to contribute to the sociodemographic characteristics, causes of mortality and related data of the cases with alcohol and/or substance detected, and to discuss the obtained data in the light of the literature. The most common cause of death is natural causes with 35.7% (n=1342), followed by traffic accidents with 13% (491). Ethanol was detected in 9.7% (n=366) and methanol in 0.9% (n=33) of the cases. It was determined that the most frequently detected substance together with ethanol was benzodiazepine (7.9%). Firearm injuries, penetrating injuries, and deaths due to traffic accidents were found to be significantly higher in cases with ethanol detected than in cases without ethanol. It was determined that 80.8% (n=3041) of 3764 cases included in the study were male and the mean age was 48.4±21 years. The most common cause of death is natural causes with 35.7% (n=1342), followed by traffic accidents with 13% (491). Ethanol was detected in 9.7% (n=366) and methanol in 0.9% (n=33) of the cases. It was determined that the most v frequently detected substance together with ethanol was benzodiazepine (7.9%). Firearm injuries, penetrating injuries, and deaths due to traffic accidents were found to be significantly higher in cases with ethanol detected than in cases without ethanol. Considering the economic, social and cultural differences between the regions, multi-centre studies involving different regions will provide valuable data in revealing the effects of alcohol and in the national fight against drugs.