A retrospective study of pediatric forensic trauma: sociodemographic profiles, injury patterns, and medicolegal outcomes

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Childhood forensic traumatic injuries represent one of the foremost preventable public health concerns. This study aims to evaluate the sociodemographic characteristics, types of trauma, and the legal nature of traumatic injuries in pediatric cases subjected to forensic evaluation.

METHODS

Data from 275 pediatric cases who presented to Çankırı State Hospital between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024, with traumatic injuries requiring forensic notification were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the cases, 72.4% were male and 27.6% were female, with a mean age of 13.01±4.22 years. The most common causes of injury were physical assault (43.3%), in-vehicle traffic accidents (19.6%), and out-of-vehicle traffic accidents (17.8%). The distribution of injuries varied significantly by age and sex; physical violence (73.9%), injuries from sharp or stabbing objects (95%), and firearm injuries (100%) were more frequent among males, whereas blunt trauma was more commonly observed in females (42.9%). Soft tissue trauma was present in 92.4% of the cases, and multiple body region injuries were identified in 39.3%, with the head and neck region being particularly affected in physical assault cases (53.8%). Traffic accidents were associated with multi-region injuries and moderate to severe bone fractures.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that childhood traumatic injuries vary significantly by age and gender. Enhancements in socioeconomic, environmental, and educational interventions are essential for the prevention of pediatric trauma. The findings are considered to offer valuable guidance for improving clinical and legal processes.

INTRODUCTION

Forensic cases are typically defined as incidents that arise due to external factors, resulting in physical or psychological harm or death to an individual as a consequence of negligence, carelessness, or recklessness.^[1,2] These events are a significant source of morbidity and mortality worldwide.^[3] Forensic traumatic injuries can occur across all age groups. However, children, due to their incomplete physical and cognitive development, are more vulnerable to trauma and represent a higher-risk group.^[4]

A substantial proportion of forensic cases in childhood are associated with traumatic incidents.^[5] The most common causes of such trauma include traffic accidents, falls from heights, firearm injuries, and injuries caused by sharp or penetrating objects.^[6] Globally, these traumatic injuries account for approximately 40% of childhood deaths and are among the leading causes of mortality in children. In Türkiye, forensic trauma-related injuries are reported to be the leading cause of child deaths, with a prevalence ranging from 18% to 43%.^[7] Therefore, forensic cases involving children require special attention in terms of their characteristics, clinical management, and implications for legal processes.^[8]

In Turkish law, the legal classification of forensic trauma is evaluated within the framework of wounding crimes as defined in the Turkish Penal Code (TPC). Any act that causes bodily pain or impairs a person's health or sensory perception is considered an injury. To determine the legal characteristics of an injury, it must be assessed whether the injury is minor enough to be resolved with simple medical intervention, whether it leads to permanent impairment or loss of function in any sense or organ, results in permanent speech difficulty or loss of reproductive capacity, causes a permanent facial scar or disfigurement, poses a life-threatening condition, causes premature birth or miscarriage in a pregnant woman, or results in bone fractures or dislocations.^[9]

While forensic cases often present to hospital emergency departments, they can also be encountered in other outpatient clinics. Consequently, the initial evaluation of such cases is frequently conducted by physicians without specialized forensic training.^[7,10] In this context, defining the types and contributing factors of pediatric forensic cases is essential to develop protocols, standards, and training programs to improve approaches and preventive strategies in Türkiye. Furthermore, identifying regional forensic case profiles and patterns will help in establishing more effective intervention frameworks.^[11]

The aim of this study is to identify the types of injuries observed in pediatric forensic trauma cases, analyze their sociodemographic characteristics such as age and gender, examine the relationships between these variables to determine potential risk factors, and provide data to enhance the effectiveness of forensic procedures. The findings are expected to contribute to the prevention of child health threats, the development of public health policies, and the improvement of healthcare professionals' knowledge and awareness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study Design and Participants

This study included 275 pediatric cases who presented to Çankırı State Hospital between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024, due to traumatic events and for whom forensic reports were officially filed. General forensic examination reports prepared for each case were retrospectively reviewed. Data on sex, age, type of forensic traumatic event, and the nature and anatomical location of traumatic injuries were evaluated. The legal classification of injuries was assessed based on the provisions of the Turkish Penal Code and according to the criteria outlined in the “Guideline for Forensic Medical Evaluation of Injuries Defined in the Turkish Penal Code.”^[12]

Ethics

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Health Sciences of Çankırı Karatekin University, (Meeting No: 20, Date: April 28, 2025). The research was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Statistical Analysis

Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS version 26 software (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, USA). The data were presented as means, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages. Differences between categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square test. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 275 pediatric cases were included in the analysis. Of these, 72.4% (n=199) were male and 27.6% (n=76) were female. The mean age of the patients was 13.01±4.22 years. When categorized by age groups, 3.6% (n=10) were between 0–2 years, 6.5% (n=18) were aged 3–6 years, 12% (n=33) were between 7–10 years, 16.4% (n=45) were in the 11–13 age group, and 61.5% (n=169) were 14 years and above (Fig. 1).

Figure 1.

Distribution of cases by age groups.

Based on seasonal distribution, traumatic events among children occurred most frequently in the spring (25.8%; n=71), followed by summer and autumn (25.1%; n=69 each), and least frequently during the winter months (24%; n=66). In terms of monthly distribution, the highest number of traumatic incidents was observed in December (11.6%; n=32), July (10.9%; n=30), May (10.2%; n=28), and October (10.2%; n=28), whereas the lowest incidence was recorded in January (5.1%; n=14) (Fig. 2).

Figure 2.

Distribution of cases by month.

The most common cause of trauma was physical assault, accounting for 43.3% of cases (n=119), followed by in-vehicle traffic accidents (19.6%; n=54) and out-of-vehicle traffic accidents (17.8%; n=49). Less frequently observed causes included blunt trauma (10.2%; n=28), injuries from sharp/stabbing objects (7.3%; n=20), and firearm injuries (1.8%; n=5).

When trauma etiology was examined across age groups, a statistically significant difference was observed with increasing age (χ²=61.06; p<0.001). Assault-related injuries were most prevalent in the 14 years and above age group (50.3%), whereas out-of-vehicle traffic accidents were more commonly seen among children aged 3–10 years (ranging from 38.9% to 45.5%). Injuries from sharp/stabbing objects, firearms, and blunt force were also most frequently observed in adolescents aged 14 years and above (Table 1).

Table 1.

Distribution of origins by age groups

Age Groups	Origins						χ2	p
	PA	IVTA	OVTA	SPBI	GSWI	Blunt Trauma
	n (%)	n (%)	n (%)	n (%)	n (%)	n (%)
0-2	3 (30%)	2 (20%)	3 (30%)	-	-	2 (20%)	61.06	<0.001
3-6	4 (22.2%)	5 (27.8%)	7 (38.9%)	-	-	2 (11.1%)
7-10	10 (30.3%)	6 (18.2%)	15 (45.5%)	-	-	2 (6.1%)
11-13	17 (37.8%)	9 (20%)	14 (31.1%)	-	-	5 (11.1%)
14+	85 (50.3%)	32 (18.9%)	10 (5.9%)	20 (11.8%)	5 (3%)	17 (10.1%)
Total	119 (43.3%)	54 (19.6%)	49 (17.8%)	20 (7.3%)	5 (1.8%)	28 (10.2%)	275 (100%)

^*PA: Physical assault; IVTA: In-vehicle traffic accident; OVTA: Out-of-vehicle traffic accident; SPBI: Sharp and penetrating blade injury; GSWI: Gunshot wound injury; Blunt Trauma: Blunt force injuries. χ²: Chi-square test.

A statistically significant difference was also identified in the distribution of trauma causes by sex (χ²=11.65; p=0.040). Physical assault (73.9%; n=88), injuries from sharp/stabbing objects (95%; n=19), and firearm-related injuries (100%; n=5) were significantly more common among male patients. In contrast, a higher proportion of blunt trauma cases involved female children (42.9%; n=12) (Table 2).

Table 2.

Distribution of origins by gender

Origin	Gender		χ2	p
	Male	Female
	n (%)	n (%)
PA	88 (32)	31 (11.3)	11.65	0.040
IVTA	39 (14.2)	15 (5.5)
OVTA	32 (11.6)	17 (6.2)
SPBI	19 (6.9)	1 (0.4)
GSWI	5 (1.8)	-
Blunt Trauma	16 (5.8)	12 (4.4)
Total	199 (72.4)	76 (27.6)

^*PA: Physical assault; IVTA: In-vehicle traffic accident; OVTA: Out-of-vehicle traffic accident; SPBI: Sharp and penetrating blade injury; GSWI: Gunshot wound injury; Blunt Trauma: Blunt force injuries. χ²: Chi-square test.

At least one soft tissue trauma was detected in 92.4% (n=254) of the cases. The most commonly observed findings were abrasions (56%; n=154) and edema (56%; n=154), followed by ecchymosis (42.9%; n=118), laceration (20.7%; n=57), and incisions (11.3%; n=31), respectively (Fig. 3).

Figure 3.

Evaluation of cases in terms of soft tissue trauma.

Regarding the distribution of trauma by body regions, multiple-region injuries were the most common (39.3%; n=108), followed by head and neck injuries (33.5%; n=92), lower extremities (10.9%; n=30), and upper extremities (10.5%; n=29). The thorax (2.2%; n=6), back-waist (2.5%; n=7), and abdomen (1.1%; n=3) were less frequently affected.

A significant relationship was found between the cause of trauma and the affected body region (χ²=91.25; p<0.001). In assault cases, the head and neck region was most commonly affected (53.8%), followed by multiple-region injuries (27.7%). In traffic accidents, multiple-region injuries were predominant (42.6% for in-vehicle and 46.9% for out-of-vehicle). Injuries caused by sharp objects and blunt trauma frequently resulted in multiple-region injuries (30.0% for sharp objects; 71.4% for blunt trauma) (Table 3).

Table 3.

Distribution of injury regions according to origins

Origin	Injury Regions							χ2	p
	Head-Neck	Upper Extremities	Thorax	Abdomen	Back	Lower Extremities	Multiple Regions
	n (%)	n (%)	n (%)	n (%)	n (%)	n (%)	n (%)
IVTA	15 (5.5)	6 (2.2)	1 (0.4)	-	1 (0.4)	8 (2.9)	23 (8.4)
OVTA	8 (2.9)	2 (0.7)	2 (0.7)	-	-	14 (5.1)	23 (8.4)
SPBI	4 (1.5)	3 (1.1)	1 (0.4)	1 (0.4)	1 (0.4)	4 (1.5)	6 (2.2)	91.25	<0.001
GSWI	-	-	-	-	-	2 (0.7)	3 (1.1)
PA	64 (23.3)	14 (5.1)	2 (0.7)	1 (0.4)	3 (1.1)	2 (0.7)	33 (12)
Blunt Trauma	1 (0.4)	4 (1.5)	-	1 (0.4)	2 (0.7)	-	20 (7.3)
Total	92 (33.6)	29 (10.6)	6 (2.2)	3 (1.2)	7 (2.6)	30 (10.9)	108 (39.4)

^*PA: Physical assault; IVTA: In-vehicle traffic accident; OVTA: Out-of-vehicle traffic accident; SPBI: Sharp and penetrating blade injury; GSWI: Gunshot wound injury; Blunt Trauma: Blunt force injuries. χ²: Chi-square test.

When evaluating whether injuries were life-threatening, 91.6% of cases (n=252) did not pose a life-threatening situation, while 8.4% (n=23) were considered life-threatening. Among these, cranial fractures were found in 12 cases, comprising 4.4% of the total sample. Internal organ injuries were detected in nine cases (3.3%), with one case each of major vessel injury and blood loss (Table 4).

Table 4.

Nature of injuries according to the Turkish Penal Code (TPC)

Treatable with simple medical interventions	n (%)
Minor	184 (66.9)
Not minor	91 (33.1)
Life-threatening condition
Present	23 (8.4)
Not present	252 (91.6)
Permanent facial scars or facial changes
Present	4 (1.5)
Not present	248 (90.2)
Re-examination after 6 months required	23 (8.4)
Weakening or loss of sensory or organ function
Not present	250 (90.9)
Weakening	2 (0.7)
Loss	3 (1.1)
To be evaluated at the end of treatment	20 (7.3)

In 66.9% (n=184) of the cases, injuries were classified as minor and treatable with simple medical interventions; however, 33.1% (n=91) were assessed as not minor and requiring more than simple medical intervention (Table 4).

Of the cases evaluated for bone fractures or dislocations, 78.9% (n=217) had neither fractures nor dislocations, while 21.1% (n=58) had fractures or dislocations. According to the classification based on the impact of bone fractures on vital functions, injuries were assessed as mild (1 point) in 2.6% (n=7), moderate (2–3 points) in 8.6% (n=24), and severe (4–6 points) in 9.8% (n=27) (Table 5).

Table 5.

Distribution of bone fractures and dislocations according to origins

Origin	Bone Fractures/Dislocations				χ2	p
	No Fracture	Mild (1)	Moderate (2–3)	Severe (4-6)
	n (%)	n (%)	n (%)	n (%)
IVTA	32 (11.6)	3 (1.1)	7 (2.5)	12 (4.4)	110.09	<0.001
OVTA	29 (10.5)	-	7 (2.5)	13 (4.7)
SPBI	20 (7.3)	-	-	-
GSWI	2 (0.7)	-	1 (0.4)	2 (0.7)
PA	108 (39.3)	4 (1.5)	7 (2.5)	-
Blunt Trauma	26 (9.5)	-	2 (0.7)	-
Total	217 (78.9)	7 (2.6)	24 (8.6)	27 (9.8)

^*PA: Physical assault; IVTA: In-vehicle traffic accident; OVTA: Out-of-vehicle traffic accident; SPBI: Sharp and penetrating blade injury; GSWI: Gunshot wound injury; Blunt Trauma: Blunt force injuries. χ²: Chi-square test.

A statistically significant relationship was identified between the cause of trauma and the presence and severity of fractures/dislocations (χ²=110.09; p<0.001). The type of trauma was found to be predictive of fractures/dislocations. Of the 119 physical assault cases, 108 (90.8%) had no fractures/dislocations, while 11 cases (9.2%) had mild (n=4), moderate (n=6), or severe (n=1) fractures. Fractures/dislocations were observed in 22 of 54 cases (40.7%) involving in-vehicle traffic accidents and in 20 of 49 cases (40.8%) involving out-of-vehicle traffic accidents. Moderate and severe injuries (4–6 points) were more frequent in these groups (22.2% for in-vehicle and 26.5% for out-of-vehicle). No fractures/dislocations were observed in injuries from sharp or penetrating objects. Among 28 cases of blunt trauma, moderate fractures were found in two cases (7.1%). Of the five gunshot wound injury cases, three (60%) had fractures, with two cases (40%) classified as severe and one (20%) as moderate (Table 5).

Evaluation of the 275 cases revealed traumatic injuries involving the facial region in 35.6% (n=98), whereas in 64.4% (n=177) the facial region was unaffected. Regarding permanent facial scars or permanent facial changes, most cases (90.2%; n=248) showed no permanent facial scars or permanent facial changes. In 8.4% of cases (n=23), a follow-up examination after six months was recommended to reassess the possibility of permanent facial scars or permanent facial changes. Only a small fraction (1.5%; n=4) had permanent facial scars or permanent changes (Table 4).

Assessment of cases for permanent weakening or loss of sensory or organ function showed that most cases (90.9%; n=250) had neither weakening nor loss. However, permanent weakening was found in 0.7% (n=2) and permanent loss in 1.1% (n=3) of cases. Additionally, 7.3% (n=20) of cases required completion of medical treatment before a definitive evaluation could be made, indicating that they were not currently suitable for assessment (Table 4).

DISCUSSION

Trauma is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity during childhood, and a significant proportion of these cases have forensic implications.^[13] Age-dependent anatomical characteristics, activity patterns, and physical mobility levels result in different origins and clinical presentations of trauma in children. Additionally, factors such as cultural influences, socioeconomic status, seasonality, gender, and age significantly shape the frequency of trauma exposure.^[13]

In our study, among the causes of traumatic injuries in children, physical assault-related incidents accounted for the highest proportion (43.3%), followed by in-vehicle (19.6%) and out-of-vehicle (17.8%) traffic accidents. These results indicate that physical violence remains the primary source of injury in children, while traffic accidents, although relatively lower, still constitute a significant risk. The literature presents varying results according to regional, socioeconomic, and study scope differences. Some studies.^{[1,5,8,13-17]} reported traffic accidents as the leading cause of forensic traumatic injuries, whereas others^[7,18] reported assault injuries as the most prevalent. This discrepancy may result from differences in age group distributions of research populations, urban-rural residential characteristics, prevalence of traffic safety measures, and healthcare utilization patterns. For instance, children in rural areas are often in unsupervised play areas and thus may have an increased risk of exposure to violence as adult supervision decreases.^[19] Conversely, in urban regions, dense traffic and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure can increase both in-vehicle and out-of-vehicle accident rates, with factors such as seatbelt usage and infrastructure modifications playing key roles in altering these rates. Hence, preventive strategies aimed at improving trauma injury profiles should thoroughly evaluate local dynamics and risk factors.

In this study, 77.9% of cases were within the 11-18 age group, with a mean age of 13.01 years. The distribution of traumatic incidents by age groups was statistically significant (χ²=61.06; p<0.001); specifically, out-of-vehicle traffic accidents were more frequent among the 3-10 age group, whereas injuries from assault, sharp objects, and firearms were more prevalent in children aged 14 years and above. The literature generally reports an average age of forensic trauma cases ranging between 8.91 and 11.82 years, with a notable increase in traumatic injuries among adolescents.^[1,3,15,18] The differentiation in trauma causes by age group is likely associated with developmental characteristics, behavioral tendencies, and environmental risk factors. For example, adolescents may be more vulnerable to violent incidents due to increased social mobility, peer influences, risk-taking behaviors, and resistance to authority. In this age group, factors such as increased time spent outdoors, school-related conflicts, and individual weapon carrying increase the risk of assault and firearm-related injuries.^[5,7,8,1] Conversely, younger children have limited independent mobility and underdeveloped motor skills, making them more susceptible to accidents, particularly those involving traffic-related external factors. These children frequently face traffic exposure as pedestrians and are at increased risk due to inadequate safe play areas and unsupervised roaming. Thus, these findings underscore the importance of developing age-specific preventive measures that consider the unique risk dynamics of childhood and adolescence. Age-targeted intervention strategies, such as violence prevention programs for school-aged children, mental health support programs for adolescents, and environmental safety measures for younger age groups, could effectively reduce trauma injury rates.

Our study found that forensic traumatic injuries predominantly occurred in males (72.4%). The distribution of injury causes by gender was statistically significant (χ²=11.65; p=0.040), notably with injuries caused by sharp and penetrating blades (95%) and gunshot wounds (100%) almost exclusively observed in male children. This finding aligns with numerous studies in the literature. Prior research has shown that forensic traumatic incidents are significantly more frequent among male children, with males more often subjected to physically violent injuries compared to females.^{[13,15,16,20]} Similarly, studies by Ökçesiz et al.^[18] and Korkmaz et al.^[21] have reported a higher incidence of physical assault, sharp and penetrating blade, and gunshot wound injuries among males, whereas non-traumatic forensic situations were more common in females. These differences can be explained within the framework of gender roles, behavioral patterns, and social expectations. Male children’s greater exposure to outdoor environments, higher tendencies toward risky behaviors, and more frequent involvement in physical altercations make them more vulnerable to traumatic injuries.

In our study, the distribution of traumatic injuries throughout the year was fairly balanced across seasons (spring 25.8%; summer and autumn each 25.1%; winter 24.0%). However, the literature reports significant variations in the seasonal distribution of forensic traumatic cases. Demir et al.^[16] and Kang and Kim^[22] noted significant increases in cases during the summer months. Conversely, Büken and Yaşar^[23] reported most cases in spring, while Ersoy et al.^[5] observed peak incidences in autumn. Nevertheless, some studies, like ours, have found no statistically significant differences in seasonal distributions. These discrepancies can largely be attributed to geographic and climatic variations. For instance, increased outdoor activities and unsupervised play during summer in certain areas can elevate injury risk, while heightened school interactions during transitional seasons (spring or autumn) may increase violence-related incidents. Additionally, higher physical activity and exposure during agricultural periods in rural areas can influence case numbers.

Our research identified traumatic soft tissue injuries in 92.4% of cases, highlighting the prevalence of soft tissue injuries in pediatric forensic trauma. Literature-reported rates vary from 34% to 92%, with our study presenting a figure near the upper limit.^[24] Demirel and Akpınar^[20] reported soft tissue injuries in 50.6% of pediatric blunt trauma cases, rising to 92.5% in violence-related incidents. Similarly, Sever et al.^[18] reported normal physical examination findings in only 12.1% of pediatric forensic cases. These findings suggest that childhood trauma predominantly involves soft tissue injuries, leaving physical marks. Our study identified abrasions (56%) and edema (56%) as the most common soft tissue injuries, consistent with previous research.^[17,20,24] Abrasions and localized edema typically result from mechanical forces such as assault, falls, or blunt object impact, explaining their frequency in assault-related incidents. The prevalence of soft tissue injuries may also relate to children’s physiological traits, such as weaker musculoskeletal structures and thinner subcutaneous fat, rendering them more vulnerable to traumatic impacts. Limited reflex responses and risk perception abilities in children may further increase susceptibility to soft tissue injuries. Consequently, soft tissue injuries should be considered critical diagnostic indicators in pediatric forensic evaluations, with thorough physical examinations and documentation through forensic photography as necessary.

In our study, the most frequently observed trauma pattern involved injuries affecting multiple anatomical regions (39.3%). Among isolated injuries, the most commonly affected area was the head and neck region (33.5%), followed by the lower extremities (10.9%) and upper extremities (10.5%). This distribution varied significantly based on the etiology of the trauma (χ²=91.25; p<0.001). In cases of physical assault, the head and neck region was most commonly affected (53.8%), whereas in in-vehicle traffic accidents (42.6%) and out-of-vehicle traffic accidents (46.9%), injuries typically involved multiple anatomical regions. Similarly, multi-region involvement was frequently observed in injuries caused by sharp and penetrating objects (30.0%) and in blunt trauma cases (71.4%). These findings reflect the influence of the kinetic energy generated by different trauma mechanisms on the anatomical distribution of injuries. Data from the literature are consistent with our findings. Several studies^[22,23,25] have reported that, in pediatric forensic trauma cases, the head and neck region is most commonly affected, followed by injuries to the upper and lower extremities. Sever et al.^[17] demonstrated that injuries involving multiple anatomical regions were predominant in forensic cases, with the head and neck region being the most frequently affected area among localized injuries. Demirel and Akpınar^[20] similarly found that the head and neck region was the most frequently targeted anatomical site in assault-related trauma, whereas traffic accidents were more commonly associated with multi-region injuries. The anatomical exposure and relatively unprotected structure of the head and neck, combined with the fact that this region is more likely to be deliberately targeted during an assault, may explain its high injury rate. Additionally, children’s limited capacity to defend themselves may contribute to the increased susceptibility of this region. In high-energy trauma, such as traffic accidents, simultaneous involvement of multiple body regions is expected due to the systemic impact.

In our study, bone fractures or dislocations were identified in 21.1% of forensic trauma cases, and nearly half of these cases (9.8%) involved severe fractures (scored 4-5-6). A statistically significant association was found between trauma etiology and fracture severity (p<0.001). Notably, both in-vehicle (40.7%) and out-of-vehicle (40.8%) traffic accidents were associated with high rates of fractures. Previous studies^{[3,5,15,20,22,26]} have reported the presence of bone fractures or dislocations in 11.5% to 42.1% of forensic trauma cases. In the study by Basa et al.,^[3] traffic accidents and falls from height were the most common causes of presentation, with most fractures resulting in moderate to severe injury. Similarly, Ersoy et al.^[5] reported that 83.1% of trauma cases involving bone fractures were classified as moderate to severe. Demirel and Akpınar^[21] also found a significantly higher fracture rate in cases related to traffic accidents. The relatively lower overall fracture rate in our study may be attributable to the predominance of physical assault-related cases in the sample. Nevertheless, the moderate and severe fracture rates in traffic accident-related cases align with the existing literature.

CONCLUSION

This study evaluated the sociodemographic characteristics, types of trauma, and medicolegal outcomes of pediatric cases subjected to forensic traumatic injuries. The findings revealed significant differences in childhood trauma patterns based on age and sex. Physical assault, sharp and penetrating object injuries, and firearm-related injuries were more frequently observed in male children, whereas blunt trauma was more prevalent among females. Moreover, as age increased, the proportion of violence-related injuries rose, while traffic accidents were more prominent in younger age groups.

The results also showed that most injuries consisted of soft tissue trauma, frequently involving the head and neck region or affecting multiple anatomical regions simultaneously. The high incidence of moderate-to-severe fractures in traffic accidents highlights the critical importance of traffic safety measures. Although permanent facial changes and sensory or organ function impairments were relatively rare, their clinical and legal implications remain significant.

For future research, comprehensive studies that investigate the underlying causes of trauma and explore socioeconomic and environmental risk factors in greater depth are recommended. Additionally, developing region-specific intervention strategies and educational programs aimed at preventing pediatric trauma and enhancing healthcare professionals’ awareness is essential. The data presented in this study may serve as a valuable reference for improving forensic procedures and guiding the development of public health policies aimed at the prevention of childhood trauma.

Ethics Committee Approval

This study was approved by the Health Sciences of Çankırı Karatekin University Ethics Committee (Date: 28.04.2025, Decision No: 20).

Peer-review

Externally peer-reviewed.

Authorship Contributions

Concept: E.G.B., B.K.; Design: E.G.B., B.K.; Supervision: E.G.B., B.K.; Resource: E.G.B., B.K.; Materials: E.G.B., B.K.; Data collection and/or processing: E.G.B., B.K.; Analysis and/or interpretation: E.G.B., B.K.; Literature review: E.G.B., B.K.; Writing: E.G.B., B.K.; Critical review: E.G.B., B.K.

Conflict of Interest

None declared.

Financial Disclosure

The author declared that this study has received no financial support.