Clinical Characteristics Of Non-Fatal Forensic Chest Trauma And Their Association With Forensic Reporting Processes

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aims to evaluate non-fatal forensic chest trauma cases in terms of demographic characteristics, trauma mechanisms, injury patterns, and clinical outcomes, and to examine the relationship between trauma severity and medicolegal reporting processes. Methods: This retrospective study included cases of thoracic trauma referred to the Forensic Medicine Outpatient Clinic of Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023, for medicolegal reporting under Articles 86, 87, and 89 of the Turkish Penal Code. Among 3,965 forensic cases, 227 cases involving thoracic trauma were included. Data were obtained from forensic reports, hospital medical records, and electronic health systems. Cases were evaluated based on age, gender, mechanism and type of trauma, injury characteristics, presence of bone fractures, threat to life, and treatment modalities. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 29.0, and significance was set at p