Characteristics of Injuries in Road Traffic Accident Victims: An Autopsy Study at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand

Objective: This ambidirectional cohort study aimed to investigate injury characteristics in road traffic accident (RTA) victims based on autopsy cases at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. Material and Methods: Autopsy cases from September 2022 to August 2024 were reviewed, with data collected from autopsy reports and crime scene photographs. Injury characteristics, types of RTAs, time of accidents, and victim demographics were analyzed in 57 RTA cases. Results: The results revealed noteworthy differences in injury patterns between types of RTAs. Fractures at the skull base (Car 38%, Motorcycle 75%, Pedestrian 28%; p < 0.01), heart lacerations (Car 46%, Motorcycle 10%, Pedestrian 28%; p < 0.05), and fractures of the right radius (Car 7.7%, Motorcycle 2.7%, Pedestrian 28%; p < 0.05), right ulna (Car 7.7%, Motorcycle 2.7%, Pedestrian 28%; p < 0.05), left tibia (Car 23%, Motorcycle 8%, Pedestrian 71%; p = 0.001), and left fibula (Car 23%, Motorcycle 8%, Pedestrian 71%; p < 0.05) were associated with specific accident types. Conclusion: This study highlights the observed differences in injury characteristics across various types of RTAs at Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. Key injuries, including fractures atthe base of the skull, heart lacerations, and fractures of the right radius, right ulna, left tibia, and left fibula, were significantly associated with particular types of accidents. These results can serve as a guide for determining the causes of death, especially in RTA cases, particularly in areas lacking forensic pathologists.