ABSTRACT

This study evaluates the judicial investigation files, autopsy findings and toxicological screening of the cases who died due to railroad accidents in Eskişehir between 2001 and 2010.

In this study, 2615 forensic deaths that occurred in Eskişehir between the years 2001–2010 were assessed and 38 cases (1.5%) due to railroad accidents have been reviewed. Demographic characteristics, autopsy findings, toxicological screenings of the cases and the results of the judicial investigation files were evaluated.

It was determined that all of the cases had died in the scene of accident. The ages of the cases varied between 7 and 72 (mean age: 37±11.2) years and 81.6% of the cases were male. It was observed that in 78.9% of the cases there were injuries in upper body (chest and back), in 71.1% there were injuries in both abdomen and pelvis, in 81.6% of the cases the injuries were in both upper and lower extremities. Toxicological screening revealed ethyl alcohol presence in levels between 21 mg/dL and 291 mg/dL (average of 71±43mg/dL) in 16 (42%) of the cases.

After the examination of the autopsy reports and judicial investigation files; it was determined that 76.3% of the cases were due to accident and 23.7% of the cases were suicide events. It was seen that 81.6% of the cases took place outside the stations of the railroads and 52.6% occurred during summer months. Moreover, 57.9% of the incidents happened on Friday, Saturday or Sunday and 57.9 % lost their lives between the hours of 18:01– 00:00.

We have concluded that the reasons of the high rate of death that occurred on railways are linked to lack of accident prevention precautions and failure to comply with the rules.