%0 Journal Article
%T The contribution of alcohol to fatal traumatic head injuries in the forensic setting
%J Irish medical journal
%D 2010
%A Cryan, J.
%A Catháin, N. O.
%A Curtis, M.
%A Cassidy, M.
%A Brett, F. M.
%V 103
%N 10
%P 303-305
%X Excessive drinking increases the risk of dying unnaturally. In the Republic of Ireland such deaths are referred to the State Pathologist. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is routinely measured. We created a database of cases presenting to the State Pathologist over a nine year period (2000-2008 inclusive) to evaluate the relationship between alcohol and fatal traumatic brain injuries (FTBI). Of a total of 1778 cases, 332 (275 Male [M]; 57 Female [F]) died of head injuries. Fatalities were highest in males aged 36-50 (N = 97) and 26-35 (N = 73). Assaults (N = 147), falls (N = 95), road traffic accidents (RTA) (N = 50) and suicide (N = 15) were the commonest modes of presentation. A positive blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was found in 36% of assaults, 41% of falls and 40% of suicides. In the RTA group BAC was positive in 59% of pedestrians, 33% of drivers and 14% of passengers. Alcohol clearly plays a significant role in FTBI in the forensic setting.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Winstone Publishing
%@ 0332-3102
%U http://dx.doi.org/