A Retrospective Study of Fatal Road Traffic Accidents on Autopsies done at Madurai Medical College and Hospital

Abstract

Aims: To study the demographic and injury profile in autopsy cases with an alleged history of RTA. Design: It is a retrospective observational study. Setting: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Madurai Medical College, Madurai. Subjects and Method: All autopsies of RTA victims which were performed between January 2018 to June 2018, were analysed for sex, age, time of RTA, type of vehicle, position of victim during RTA, nature of injury, and cause of death. Exclusion Criteria: None Statistical Analysis : All parameters were expressed in percentage. Results: A total of 568 RTA victims were referred for autopsy during the period of January 2018 to June 301 (53%) victims were between 21-30 years of age, males constituted 71% of the total victims. Injuries involving limbs constituted 31% of the total injuries, followed by injuries involving head, thorax, abdomen, pelvis and spine. Among head injuries, fractured skulls occurred in 67%, Subdural Haemorrhage in 78%, Subarachnoid Haemorrhage in 62%, Extradural Haemorrhage in 49% and Intra-cranial injuries in 22%. Head injury accounted for 67% of deaths, and haemorrhagic shock for 27% of deaths. Conclusion: Various preventive measures like speed control, helmet use, no driving under alcohol influence etc., enforcing road safety regulations, and improving emergency medical services could be used to control the increasing toll of deaths due to RTA.