Assessment of cases with sharp and penetrating object injuries.

Abstract

Sharp and penetrating object injuries (SPOIs) are seen frequently in forensic medicine practice. In this study, we aimed to retrospectively investigate cases with SPOIs. This study investigated the charts of patients treated at Adiyaman University Education and Research Hospital between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017. A total of 934 inpatients with sharp object injuries were included in the study. Data were assessed using a suitable computer-aided package program. Cases were examined in terms of age, gender, injury body site, suicide or homicide, radiologic findings, presence of vital danger, and severity of injury. In this study, we examined the charts for 934 inpatients with stab wounds. It was stated that 124 (13.27%) of those injured were female and 810 (86.63%) male; the average age of the injured persons was 29.8 ± 18.2 years. It was found that 214 (22.91%) people were exposed to vital danger and that 720 (77.09%) suffered from soft tissue injuries (penetrating skin and muscle injuries). Also, 69.27% of the cases (n = 647) involved people less than 35 years of age. Considering that stab injuries are more frequent in the lower age groups, we believe that such injuries could be reduced by increasing training programs for young people.