Forensic autopsies performed on elderly people in Izmir: 2004-2007 [İzmir'de yapilan yaşli otopsileri: 2004-2007]

Introduction: We aimed to obtain statistical data and reveal the causes of deaths reliably, and to draw attention to the importance of forensic autopsies by examining the features of the autopsies performed on elderly people aged 65 and over in Izmir. Materials and Method: In this study, 934 cases aged 65 and over whose autopsies were performed at The Council of Forensic Medicine Branch of Izmir, between 2004 and 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. Data were analyzed by SPSS for Windows. Results: 650 of 934 cases were male, 284 of them were female. Average age of the cases was 73.9±6.7. The leading causes of deaths were cardiovascular diseases (n=331), traffic accidents (n=94), firearm injuries (n=31) and hangings (n=60) in the natural, accidental, homicidal and suicidal groups respectively. Conclusion: Old population is increasing rapidly in our country, as in all of the world. Results of this study showed that both natural and unnatural causes of deaths of the elderly as revealed in autopsies showed similarities with the results of younger autopsies. This study has supported the view that data obtained from forensic autopsies are of importance in order to reveal the causes and origins of deaths in the old age reliably