THE DEATHS DUE
TO TERRORIST BOMBINGS IN ISTANBUL (TURKEY)
Yavuz MS, Asirdizer
M, Cetin G, Yavuz MF,
Cansunar FN, Kolusayin
O.
Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine, 2004; 11(6): 308-15.
ABSTRACT
Our study was based on a retrospective analysis of terrorist bombing related
deaths in Istanbul (Turkey) during 1976-2000. Total of 45714 autopsy case reports that were preserved in the Morgue Department
of Council of Forensic Medicine was reviewed for this study. There were 120 (0.26%) deaths due to terrorist bombing. Occurrence
of the terrorist bombing related deaths was significantly higher during the years of fast growing terrorism events in Turkey.
98 (81.7%) of cases were male and 22 (18.3%) of cases were female.
The number of victims and terrorists between 21-30 years of age was 60 (50%
of the total cases) with the highest incidence. In 49 events only one death occurred. Therefore, 18 of the events included
more than one person. The highest person number in only one event was 24.
In the present study, we have pointed out the importance of traumatic lesion
characteristics to ascertain the cause of deaths and other autopsy findings of victims and terrorists. We have also stated
that scene investigation and medico-legal autopsy are the most important procedures to provide evidences of deaths due to
terrorist bombings.
Key words: Terrorism, bombing, autopsy finding, injury.
