Forensic and Medical Evaluation of Dog Bites in a Province of Western Turkey

• NCJ Number: 246614
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Science Volume: 59 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2014 Pages: 505-509
• Author(s): Kenan Karbeyaz M.D.; Unal Ayranci M.D.
• Date Published: March 2014
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The aim was to evaluate the demographic data of dog-bite cases organized from criminal and forensic reports.

Abstract

The aim was to evaluate the demographic data of dog-bite cases organized from criminal and forensic reports. This study evaluated 328 cases admitted to the Director of Forensic Medicine, Eskisehir, as a result of dog bites between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2010. It was found that those in the age-group of 0-18 were most frequently exposed to dog bites 48.5%. Injuries to the lower extremity, upper extremity, and chest/abdomen/back were more frequent in men 72.6%, 76.4%, and 66.1%, respectively, while injuries to the head/neck/face were more frequent in women 52.3% p < 0.01. While most of those wounded in the upper extremity, the head/neck/face, and the chest/abdomen/back were in the child age-group, most of those wounded in the lower extremity were in the adult age-group p < 0.001. Teaching children, in particular, how to behave around dogs would be useful in reducing the incidence of bite. Abstract published by arrangement with Wiley.