ELDERLY DEATHS AND CHARACTERISTICS IN ISTANBUL FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF FORENSIC MEDICINE

Objective: Due to the socio-cultural and demographical changes that have been taking place in Turkey, differences in types of violence are coming on the scene. Violence targeting the elderly is the most striking of all. The purpose of the present study is to reveal the number of criminal deaths, causes of these deaths, and the variation by time in the types of violence resulting in death in the elderly of ages 65 and above in Istanbul. Materials and methods: Using a descriptive epidemiological method, this study was carried out with 1326 subjects of ages 65 and above among 17015 criminal autopsies in Forensic Medicine Council, Ministry of Justice between the years 1996 and 2001. Results: Of the 17015 autopsies, 7.8% (n. 1326) were of ages 65 and above. According to the crime scene investigations, the percentage of deaths caused by firearm injuries increased to 4.0% in 2001 from 1.9% in 1994. Changes in the rates of deaths caused by cutting/piercing tool injuries were 1.9% and 4.3%, respectively. Conclusion: The elderly population of ages 65 and above in Turkey will reach 12.1 million in a 25 years time. Regulations are needed to reinforce and financially support the family, to secure humanely life standards for the elderly, and to ensure homecare to an optimum extent.