title: [Evaluation of traumatic findings in decomposed bodies in Aydin].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, we discuss traumatic lesions as assessed in decomposed bodies.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 1390 autopsies, which were performed by Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine staff during the period 2004-2008, reports of 62 decomposed bodies were searched, and traumatic lesions were found in 19 of them. Features like gender, living conditions, crime scene, identity witness, season, postmortem interval, cause and origin of deaths, and existence of traumatic lesions were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From the 1390 forensic autopsies, 4.5% were decomposed bodies. Male cases accounted for 91.9%, and the male/female ratio was 11.4/1. From reports, 38.7% lived alone, and the crime scene was the home in 57.9%. Traumatic lesions were found in 30.6%. The leading causes of death were cardiac diseases in natural deaths, hanging in suicide cases, stab wounds in homicide cases, and carbon monoxide poisoning in accidents. It was statistically significant that traumatic lesions were common in outdoor cases and indoor bodies were common among single cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As it is necessary to distinguish traumatic lesions carefully in decomposed bodies, a full examination and autopsy should be performed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Aydın, Turkey. overel@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ozlem
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Erel
authors.forename: Serpil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aydın Demirağ
authors.forename: Musa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dirlik
authors.forename: Gökhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cingöz
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001344:Autopsy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology