Decoding death on roads: A forensic evaluation of injury patterns and associated factors in road traffic accident fatalities in Peshawar.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the frequency, pattern of injuries and its associated contributory factors in road traffic accidents cases at Peshawar. Study Design: Descriptive Cross sectional study. Setting: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar. Period: 01^st Jan 2024 to 31^st Dec 2024. Methods: Included a total of188 candidates presented for autopsy at forensic medicine department, Khyber medical college from 01 jan 2024 to 31^st Dec 2024.all cases with complete documentation and underwent RTA were included in study and cases with incomplete documentation were excluded from study. Results: The subjects' ages ranged from 2 to 80 years, with a mean of 36.9 ± 20.7. The majority of the people were from urban areas, from low-income families, and had no education. 96.8% of subjects had multiple injuries, compared to 3.2% who had only one. Overall, 188 cases resulted in 606 injuries, with 90.76% being little, 7.92% being medium, and 1.32% being large, including all types of injuries. The most common presenting injury was laceration (87.2%), followed by abrasion (59.6%), contusion (51.1%), fracture (23.4%), and haematoma (2.1%). The most common region involved in RTA was the head and neck, accounting for 86.17%. Maximal deaths occurred within 3-6 hours of an RTA. The most common cause of death was harm to the brain and its related arteries. Conclusion: The study hereby identifies that the prevalence of RTAs in Peshawar is alarming, mainly in young adult males, including both urban and lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The majority of victims suffered from multiple types of injuries. The head and neck were the most frequently implicated. Major cause of death was due to injury to brain and related arteries-a lethal consequence of head trauma. These findings go in accordance with national and international research, pointing to critical preventive initiatives addressing behavioural, infrastructure, and enforcement aspects.