Evaluation of forensic reports in cases under 18 years of age between 2023 and 2025

Aim: The aim of this study is to retrospectively describe the demographic characteristics, types of incidents, injury patterns, and forensic evaluation outcomes of pediatric forensic cases assessed at a single center between 2023 and 2025.

Materials and Methods: In this retrospective descriptive study, finalized forensic reports issued for individuals under 18 years of age at a single center between 2023 and 2025 were reviewed retrospectively. The cases were evaluated in terms of age, sex, type of incident, injury site, presence of bone fracture, life-threatening condition, and forensic evaluation outcomes. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: A total of 179 pediatric forensic cases were included in the study. Of the cases, 66.5% were male and 33.5% were female. Traffic accidents were identified as the most common type of incident. Injuries were most frequently observed in the head and neck region, and the number of cases was found to increase during the summer months.

Conclusion: This study reveals that traffic accidents are the most common type of incident in pediatric forensic cases and that injuries predominantly occur in the head and neck region. The study findings indicate a possible association between male sex and increased risk. It also indicates that the frequency of cases increases during the summer months.