Elderly deaths in Ankara, Turkey

•In our study, 1017 cases were living with family members or their spouses before death, 300 cases were living alone, while only seven were living in a nursing home before death.•A great number (642 cases) of presented elderly deaths were due to unnatural causes, followed by natural deaths as in 561 cases. However, the cause of death of remaining 121 cases could not be determined despite of detailed autopsies, histopathological and toxicological analyses.•Out of unnatural deaths, overwhelming majority (406 cases) were related to accidents, 152 were suicides, and remaining 84 were homicides.•More than half (86 cases) of all suicidal deaths were due to hanging. However, 43 cases preferred firearms, and ten used toxic agents as methods of suicide.•Out of all natural deaths, the overwhelming majority (464 cases) were due to cardiovascular system diseases, which followed by cerebrovascular system diseases in 36, and respiratory system diseases in 24 cases.

According to World Health Organization, the life expectancy at birth is increasing. An increase in life expectancy might result in increased morbidity and mortality in elderly. The increase in the elderly population also leads to an increase in medico-legal problems, as well. Autopsy is of high importance for determination of cause of death in clinical and forensic cases. The purpose of this study was to find out general characteristics elderly deaths by examining forensic autopsy records.Out of 7033 forensic autopsies performed between years of 2007 and 2011, 1324 were elderly deaths and were included in the scope of the study. The records of public prosecutor office, crime scene investigation and autopsy findings were examined.The majority of victims (70.6%) were male, while 29.4% were female, with a male to female ratio of 2.4/1. Victims’ ages ranged between 65 and 96 years, and the mean age was 74.8 years. A great number of presented elderly deaths were due to unnatural causes, followed by natural deaths cases. Out of unnatural deaths, 63.2% were related to accidents, 23.7% were suicides, and remaining 13.1% were homicides. More than half (56.6%) of all suicidal deaths were due to hanging. Of natural deaths, the majority (82.7%) were due to cardiovascular system disease.In the presented series the cause of death was determined in 90.9% of all elderly deaths, which validates the need for a forensic autopsy. Data obtained through autopsy procedures is of high importance for death statistics.