Review of forensic assessments of female referrals to the branch of legal medicine, Malatya region, Turkey--1996-2000.

It is well recognized that the most pervasive form in gender violence is violence against women by their intimate male partners. Domestic violence (DV) crosses all cultures, races, and socioeconomic levels, affecting people of all ages and both sexes, but particularly women and children. DV refers to the chronic physical, sexual and psychological maltreatment of one family member against another in order to control. DV represents a significant health threat to women. It may also be an important precipitating factor of female suicide. As the literature has begun to document the extent of interfamilial violence, attention has focused on forensic documentation. The aim of this study is to review female victims presented at the Branch of Legal Medicine of Malatya, Turkey, regarding gender-based violence and DV in relation towards sexual offenses and suicide attempts. Accordingly, recommendations were presented to increase the awareness of DV by setting policies and in response legislative recommendations. The legal reports of women (n=2245) were reviewed. In respect of the Turkish Penal Code (TPC), paragraph 456/1, 2, 3 and 4, which covers the act of assault and battery, the severity of the injuries have been categorized into three groups according to the Turkish Injury Scale (TIS) covered by TPC 456/1, 2 and 4, into the issues of functional incapacitation according to TPC 456/2 and 3, and with regard to the presence of a mark of an injury on the face according to TPC 456/2 tables. Because of incomplete data, not all results be categorized as positive for DV. Despite the large number of blunt force injuries (699 cases out of 2245) and the high percentage of external lesions, 76% of 1796 files, found, recognition of DV was uncommon. According to TPC 456/4, in cases of small trauma-related injuries, legal proceedings are dependent upon a victim's making a complaint. The percentage of 80.4% (n=2245) represents the need for information regarding legal requirements. The frequency of sexual assault cases, 144 victims out of 162, and in suicide attempts, 95 women out of 145, in the 15-24 year age span may also reflect a society's accusative approach towards women based on moral values. Unless prosecuting DV cases purely on the evidence in regard to victim's safety, withdrawal of complaints will continue. It is essential to identify to 'name' DV when it occurs. Recognizing the serious immediate and future long-term implications for health, multifaceted intervention is important. DV has to undergo some fundamental and far-reaching reformation in Turkey regarding how the legal system deals with it appropriately.

Some samples of weapons and instruments used as weapon in criminal offenses in Turkey.

The variety of instruments used for crime of violence is wide. Besides the manufactured legal weapons, there are comparable numbers of purchased instruments, which are used as lethal weapons and significant numbers of comprising home-made ones. The instruments used during the commission of a crime shows similarity throughout the countries. Nevertheless, there are small differences to be seen. The topic of this subject features the types of weapons used in criminal offenses in Turkey.

Suicide of elderly persons: towards a framework for prevention.

Suicide is an act of intentionally terminating one's own life. Although suicide rates vary across demographic categories, they have increased by approximately 60% in the last 50 years. Many studies of adolescent suicidal behavior have noted impulsivity to be a common feature in the younger age group, while with older people there is evidence of planning and a strong intent to die. In fact, older people are most successful as an age group with approximately one in four attempts resulting in death. While very comprehensive statistics are available on many aspects of this problem for the Turkish population as a whole, this data does not include physical factors like illnesses, legal domiciles like nursing homes, economic standards and history of attempted suicides. This necessary data would add greatly to the available data and accuracy of research in this area. Whereas Turkish national risk factor procedures are available, precaution procedures and suicide attempt data is not. There is no way of knowing how many deceased had a history of repetitions. It is suggested that this could be attributed to routine failure to observe and mitigate risk factors. The size of this problem is being demonstrated with this presented case report about a planned complex suicide with multiple sharp forced injuries and substance intoxication; a completed suicide that was potentially preventable with timely detection and intervention. In accordance, suicidal risk factors in the old age population, precautions, along with the characteristics of this suicidal case, are evaluated within existing published work.

Aggression and violence towards health care providers--a problem in Turkey?

Health care providers are increasingly concerned about the escalating incidence of verbal and physical abuse to healthcare staff. Factors, such as long wait in hospital areas, which lead to client frustration over an inability to obtain needed services promptly, are influencing these situations. Nonetheless, incidents of this nature can cause immense psychological harm as well as physical damage among medical employees. The current study aimed to ascertain from staff members aggressive experiences in the workplace, and the effects on the individual. The results of this study mirrored those of similar surveys in Turkey. Non-reporting was revealed as a major problem. Respondents believed they were treated less seriously than similar incidents involving private citizens. Accordingly, staff criticized hospital managers, the police, and the courts for their attitude about assaults towards hospital employees. They reported feeling vulnerable to abuse and there was a general desire for training in preventing and protection. These include teaching staff breakaway techniques, increasing the number of trained security officers on duty, issuing personal alarms, and encouraging staff to officially report all incidents.