Abstract

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, government Chengalpattu medical college and hospital. Subjects And Method: All autopsies of RTA victims which were performed between January 2022 to December 2022, 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 489 RTA victims were referred for autopsy during the period of January 2022 to December 2022. 266 victims(54%) were between 21-30 years of age, males constituted 84% 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 69%, Subdural Haemorrhage in 78%, Subarachnoid Haemorrhage in 63%, Extradural Haemorrhage in 47% and Intra-cranial injuries in 23%. Head injury accounted for 69% of deaths, and haemorrhagic shock for 26% 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.

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