Autopsy analysis of deaths in two-wheeler accidents
Author(s): Dr. Tasfia Razzak Jeba, Dr. Din Islam Hossain, Dr. Suranjit Dey, Dr. Zakia Tasnim and Dr. Taniza Tabassum
Abstract: Background: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a global public health crisis, leading to significant fatalities and disabilities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. These regions account for nearly 90% of RTA deaths despite having fewer vehicles than highly motorized countries. By 2020, RTAs were projected to become the 3rd leading cause of disability-adjusted life years lost worldwide. Two-wheeler accidents, especially in Southeast Asia, are a major contributor, with head injuries being the leading cause of death. Males aged 20-40 are most affected due to risky behaviors like speeding. Addressing this issue requires effective law enforcement and public health interventions. Aim of the study: The study aims to determine the fatal injuries causing death, its relationship to demographic factors and the type of vehicles involved with two-wheelers. Methods: This retrospective descriptive study at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital examined 455 road traffic accident cases, focusing on 123 deaths involving two-wheelers, during one year from January 2022 to December 2022. Conducted with meticulous data collection, the study only included cases from the DMC morgue, specifically involving pedestrian deaths caused by two-wheelers and deaths of two-wheeler drivers or passengers. Excluded were decomposed bodies and deaths from three or four-wheeler accidents. Data on injuries, causes of death, and accident details were collected from postmortem records and police reports and then analyzed using SPSS (V-26.0) to provide reliable descriptive statistics. The study highlights the need for further research and preventive measures. Results: The study analyzes the age distribution, collision manners, injury types, accident timing, and causes of death among cases. Most participants were aged 30-39. Collisions mainly involved 4-wheelers (43.09%), with multiple-region injuries being the most common (75.61%). Drivers had the highest fatality rate (39.02%), followed by passengers (34.15%). Abrasions were the most frequent injury (21.39%), and intracranial hemorrhage was the leading cause of death (46.34%). Accidents primarily occurred between 12:00 AM and 5:59 AM (40.65%). Fractures and crush injuries contributed to 16.26% and 3.25% of deaths, respectively. Conclusion: The study finds that two-wheeler accidents in Bangladesh mainly affect males aged 30-39, with drivers at the highest risk. Most fatalities involve head injuries from collisions with four-wheelers, with intracranial hemorrhage as the leading cause of death.
DOI: 10.33545/27074447.2024.v6.i2a.90Pages: 20-24 | Views: 293 | Downloads: 121Download Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Dr. Tasfia Razzak Jeba, Dr. Din Islam Hossain, Dr. Suranjit Dey, Dr. Zakia Tasnim, Dr. Taniza Tabassum.
Autopsy analysis of deaths in two-wheeler accidents. Int J Forensic Med 2024;6(2):20-24. DOI:
10.33545/27074447.2024.v6.i2a.90