Yavuz Hekimoğlu

Analysis of tractor-related deaths

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to evaluate the properties of tractor-related death cases and discuss the precautions in order to prevent such events. For this aim, reports made between 2006 and 2009 by the First Specialty Board of Council of Forensic Medicine (FSBCFM), Turkey, were evaluated retrospectively. Forty-one tractor-related death cases were included in this study. Thirty-five (85.4%) of the cases were male. The mean age was 42.52 ± 25.1 (with a range between 1 and 84 years old). The average time interval between the incident and death was 13.76 ± 33.53 days (range: 0–176 days) and 20 (48.8%) cases died on the incident spot or during transportation to the hospital. Among the cases, 34.1% (n = 14) were drivers, whereas 39.0% (n = 16) were passengers and the remaining were pedestrians (26.9%, n = 11). The accident was caused by the tractor rolling over in 34.1%, the victim being run over in 22.0%, and the victim falling from the tractor or trailer in 22.0% of the cases. Most of the events (56.1%) occurred on the road. In conclusion, tractors must not be used as a transportation vehicle for passengers. Periodic training of drivers can be useful for reducing tractor-related accidents.

The effect of altitude and climate on the suicide rates in Turkey

Suicide is one of the most important public health problems. There was an association between suicide and several factors such as psychiatric diseases and psychological characteristics, somatic illness, cultural, socioeconomic, familial, occupational and individual risk factors. Also, high altitude and climatic factors including high temperature, cloudiness, more sunshine and low rainfalls were defined as some of these risk factors in the literature. In this study, we aimed to investigate correlation between suicide rates and altitudes of all cities in Turkey and between suicide rates and climatic factors including Rainfall Activity Index, Winter Mean Temperatures, Summer Mean Temperatures and Temperature Difference between January and July previously defined by several authors in the broad series in Turkey. In Turkey, 29865 suicidal deaths occurred in 10 years period between 2006 and 2015. Of them, 21020 (70.4%) were males and 8845 (29.6%) were females. In this study, we found that high altitude above 1500 m, winter median temperature lower than -10 °C and hard temperature changes above 25 °C between winter and summer of settlements were important factors that affected on female suicide rates appropriate to knowledge which defined in previous studies. In conclusion, we suggested that the associations among suicide rates with altitudes and climate should be studied in wider series obtained from different countries for reaching more reliable results.

Hypothermia Deaths in Van Province (Turkey)

Objective: The aims of this study were to evaluate autopsy findings in hypothermia-related deaths in Van Province (Turkey), the city which is near the Turkey-Iran border. Methods: Autopsy reports of 43 hypothermia fatalities were retrospectively reviewed. Data about age, gender, nationality of cases, seasonality of deaths, crime scene findings, autopsy findings, manner of deaths, risk factors for hypothermia, other traumatic lesions and toxicology were obtained from autopsy records and scene investigation records. Results: There were 36 males and 7 females. The mean age was 20.5. More than half of the cases died or were found dead in the spring months. All but one of the cases was found dead outdoors. There were common red colored livor mortis in 33 cases (76.7%), antemortem traumas in 16 cases (37.2%), cold erythema in 26 cases (60.5%), myxedema in one case, bloody discoloration in the synovial fluid in 11 (84.6%) cases, Wischnewski spots in 32 cases (74.4%). Conclusion: Illegal refugees are an important social problem in Turkey. Hypothermia should be considered as a cause of death for refugees when they are found especially in the cold provinces. In the diagnosis of hypothermia bloody discoloration of the synovial fluid is confirmed to be a valuable finding. Wischnewski spots remain valuable for positive identification.

The evaluation of relationship between disability rates and age and gender

Dünya Sağlık Örgütü (WHO) tarafından eksiklik, “psikolojik, fizyolojik veya anatomik bir yapı veya fonksiyonun kaybı ya da anormalliği”; maluliyet ise, “bu eksiklik ile ilişkili olarak ortaya çıkan bir sakatlık, herhangi bir kısıtlama ya da bir şekilde bir insan için normal sayılan ölçüler dâhilinde bir faaliyet gerçekleştirme yeteneği olmaması hali” olarak tanımlanmıştır (1). Akkurt, vücudun veya ÖZET

The effects of gender and age on forensic personal identification from frontal sinus in a Turkish population.

Objectives: To define the dimensions of the frontal sinus in groups standardized for age and gender and to discuss the reasons and the effects of the variations. Methods: Frontal sinus measurements were obtained from paranasal CT scans of 180 males and 180 females in the Radiology Department of Dursun Odabas Medical Center of Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, which is located in Eastern Turkey, between February and March 2016. The width and height of sinuses were measured on a coronal plane, and the anteroposterior length was measured on an axial plane. Volumes were calculated using the Hospital Information Management Systems and Image Archiving and Management System program. The Statistical Package of the Social Science version 13 was used for statistical analyses. Results: We determined differences in the frontal sinus measurements of different age groups in a Turkish adult population. Frontal sinus dimensions were usually higher in females and lower in males after 40-49 years of age than their younger counterparts, but the measurements were lower in females and higher in males in 70≤ years of age group than 60-69 years of age. Left frontal sinus was dominant in young age groups but right frontal sinus was dominant in groups 40-49 years of age or older. Conclusion: We observed crossing of the measurements between the different age groups, which we could not find clear explanations. The results of such studies may affect forensic identification from frontal sinus measurements.

Medical Malpractice in Mass Circumcision Activity Two Cases

It is estimated that one sixth of worldwide male population have been circumcised due to religious, cultural or medical causes. It is reported that the complication rate of circumcision ranges are between 0.2% and 5%. In this study, clinical picture which developed in two cases following circumcisions during the same mass circumcision activity which was applied in the same hospital, at the same time and by the same doctor, was evaluated. At the same time, medico-legal process was debated for these cases after comparison with literature knowledge. In conclusion, we suggested that mass circumcision activities should be avoided as much as possible. Even if, in cases where mass circumcision is inevitable due to socio-economic circumstances like seen in our country, the procedures for illuminating families should not be ignored, circumcision activities should be applied by competent and adequate number of medical professionals, in conditions suitable for asepsis-antisepsis guidelines, in accordance with scientific principles and applicable legislation. Thus, complication rate will reduce and claims of medical malpractice will be prevented.

The Possible Effects of Altitude and Climate on the Development of the Frontal Sinus in Adults

Climatic and altitude features of living region may affect human body. Many changes in several tissues and organs and several health problems due to climatic and altitude effects were defined in the literature. However, there were limited nu mber of studies which evaluated correlation between development of frontal sinus and climatic/altitude effect. In this study, widths, h eights, AP lengths and volumes of frontal sinus were compared by Paranasal CT scans in populations living in Van which has colder climate and higher altitude and Manisa which has milder climate and lower altitude. It was found that widths, antero-posterior lengths and volumes of frontal sinus were higher in populations living in colder climate and higher altitude according to populations living in mil der cli ate and lower altitude. Heights of frontal sinuses were on the contrary of this. These results were found appropriate to increasing of ephalic index in cold climate according to Allen’s Rule. We suggest that larger population study should be made with peoples having the s me or similar race and genetic structure in different climate and altitude regions and the proportional comparison of frontal sinus m easurements with cephalic index should be considered in future studies.

Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of sexually abused children and adolescents cases living in Turkey's Eastern Anatolia Region

1Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültes, Çocuk ve Ergen Ruh Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Van 2Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Adli Tıp Anabilim Dalı, Van 3Koç Üniversitesi, Çocuk ve Ergen Ruh Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, İstanbul 4Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Psikiyatri Anabilim Dalı, Van 5Balıkesir Askeri Hastanesi, Psikiyatri Kliniği, Balıkesir 6Sakarya Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Çocuk ve Ergen Ruh Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Sakarya

Usage of Infrared-Based Technologies in Forensic Sciences

Infrared (IR) radiation comprises a beam located in the electromagnetic radiation family; it arises from the thermal vibrations of radiation that have longer wavelengths than visible light, but shorter wavelengths than microwave radiation. Its wavelength is between 750 nm and 1 mm. The amount of thermal IR radiation emitted by an object is associated with the temperature of the object, the surface area of the object and the spreading of light. IR-based technologies have been demonstrated as a method of evidence identification in forensic sciences in addition to many daily uses. The combination of IR-based spectrophotometry with several techniques ushered in a new era in crime scene investigations and the identification of evidence obtained from crime scenes. Furthermore, the use of IR-based photography techniques has signifi‐ cant advantages. IR fluorescent automated DNA sequencer and thermal analyser for deception detection are other techniques that take advantage of IR technology. In this chapter, we aimed to present the IR-based technologies used in forensic sciences and forensic photography techniques to define the current situation, the importance and the advantages of IR thermal imaging among these techniques, as well as to describe the operating principles of IR thermal imaging technologies that may be generated in the future based on this technique.

Evaluation of Severity Score in Patients with Lower Limb and Pelvic Fractures Injured in Motor Vehicle Front-Impact Collisions

Background Lower limb and pelvic injuries and fractures occur at a very high incidence in motor vehicle accidents. In this study, the characteristics (e.g., body side, bone location, and fracture severity) of lower limb and pelvic fractures that occurred during front-impact collisions were correlated with the injured patients’ sex, age, and position in the vehicle. Material/Methods We retrospectively evaluated 191 patients (136 males, 55 females) who were injured in motor vehicle accidents, specifically in frontal collisions. Results This study revealed that most of lower limb and pelvic fractures occurred in males (71.2%; p=.000), 19–36 years old (55.5%; p=.000), small vehicles (86.4%; p=.000), and rear seat passengers (49.2%; p=.000). Fractures most commonly occurred in the left side of the body (46.6%; p=.000) and upper legs (37.7%; p=.000). Severity scores were higher (2.76) in males than females (2.07). No statistically significant was found in severity scores of patients and other personal characteristics and fracture features of patients with lower limb and pelvic fractures who were injured in a vehicle during front-impact collisions (p>0.05). Conclusions The results of this study will be useful for the automobile industry, forensics and criminal scientists, and for trauma research studies.