Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Head injury is the single most common cause of mortality in road traffic accidents; head being the most vulnerable part of the body. Hence, this study was planned for evaluating in detail, pattern of head injury and skull fractures in victims of road traffic accidents undergoing autopsy. Materials & methods: The current research was planned in the department of Forensic medicine and Toxicology and it involved evaluation of 200 subjects that died in road traffic accidents and underwent post-mortem examination in department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. Dead bodies were examined in detail during post-mortem for the presence of external injuries, internal injuries including bone and joints. Compilation of all the results was done using SPSS software. Analysis was further done using statistical analysis. Results: Head injury alone or in combination with other organs was seen in 95 percent of the cases. Linear fracture of vertex was seen in 16.84 percent of the cases while communized fracture was seen in 15.26 percent of the cases. Depressed vertex fractures were seen in 30.53 percent of the cases while basal fracture was seen in 21.58 percent of the cases. Conclusion: Head injury is a recognized public health problem causing death and disability. It is essential from concerned government authority to take appropriate steps for reducing the incidence of head injury.