ABSTRACT

Childhood deaths due to the firearm injuries are rising in our country and worldwide. In this study, our aim was to examine the childhood deaths related to firearm injuries in İzmir and neighboring provinces between 01.01.2006 and 31.12.2015 and the information such as sociodemographic aspects, the types of the firearms, origin, region of injury, place of death, shooting distance, and the owner of the firearm.

In our study, autopsy report and forensic investigation files of childhood deaths related to firearm injuries in and around İzmir were retrospectively reviewed. The data were evaluated using SPSS version 22 program.

79 (69,3%) of the cases were male, mean age is 14,04±4,23, and male / female ratio was 2,25. Guns and shotguns were used in 39 cases (34,2%) and in 75 cases (65,8%) respectively. When the cases were evaluated corresponding to their origins; homicide was the first with 37 cases (32,5%). It was found that deaths occurred most frequently in winter (n: 32,28.1%). Most of the cases occurred in rural areas such as villages and towns (n=48,42.1%) and the incidence mostly took place within houses (n=54,47.4%). In 35 cases (30,7%) the owner of the weapon was the father of the victim.

We think that if children reach the firearms easily, the injuries and the deaths are likely to occur therefore firearms shouldn’t be kept in the residences with children if possible and children are not encouraged to use weapons even if they are toys.

Keywords: Child, Firearm, Death, Forensic Autopsy