title: The contribution of alcohol to fatal traumatic head injuries in the forensic setting.
abstract: Excessive drinking increases the risk of dying unnaturally. In the Republic of Ireland such deaths are referred to the State Pathologist. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is routinely measured. We created a database of cases presenting to the State Pathologist over a nine year period (2000-2008 inclusive) to evaluate the relationship between alcohol and fatal traumatic brain injuries (FTBI). Of a total of 1778 cases, 332 (275 Male [M]; 57 Female [F]) died of head injuries. Fatalities were highest in males aged 36-50 (N = 97) and 26-35 (N = 73). Assaults (N = 147), falls (N = 95), road traffic accidents (RTA) (N = 50) and suicide (N = 15) were the commonest modes of presentation. A positive blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was found in 36% of assaults, 41% of falls and 40% of suicides. In the RTA group BAC was positive in 59% of pedestrians, 33% of drivers and 14% of passengers. Alcohol clearly plays a significant role in FTBI in the forensic setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropathology, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9. cryanjane@hotmail.com
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cryan
authors.forename: N O
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Catháin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cassidy
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Brett
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000401:mortality; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001344:Autopsy; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol