THE IMPORTANCE OF CORRECT IDENTIFICATION OF TRAUMATIC LESIONS IN FORENSIC CASES: A CASE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Abstract. In the examination of forensic cases, incomplete or incorrect identification of lesions caused by trauma may adversely affect the medico-legal evaluation process and may prevent correct decisions from being made at the judicial stage. Article 86/3-e of the Turkish Penal Code states that if the offense of intentional injury is committed with a weapon, the penalty to be imposed will be increased by half without the need for a complaint. Tramline bruising can be defined as the formation of two parallel ecchymosis areas on both surfaces of the object as a result of the stretching of the skin in contact with the surface of the object in injuries caused by sticks, hoses and similar objects. It is important to recognize and correctly describe this lesion when it is seen because of its value in determining the use and type of weapon. The aim of this case report is to draw attention to the errors in lesion identification by physicians performing the initial examination of forensic cases and to contribute to the literature with our views on the prevention of these errors. A 30-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency department of an outer central district state hospital in 2023 due to blunt trauma caused by domestic violence. Imaging studies revealed a fracture in the right nasal bone and pneumothorax in the left hemithorax. There were significant differences between the examination performed in the outer center and the examination performed one day later in our department. In addition, tramline bruising in the lower extremities were defined by our department.

Keywords: “Domestic violence”, “Tramline bruising”, “Medicolegal assessment”, “Physical examination”