The Causes of Unreceipted Unnatural Death Report in BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital

Abstract

The Causes of Unreceipted Unnatural Death Report in BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital

Charoonsak Nualchaem MD

Department of Forensic Medicine, BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital

Objectives: To study the prevalence and causes of unnatural death reports being unreceipted in BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital.

Study design: Descriptive study.

Subjects: The death reports from unnatural causes in BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital and the inquiry officials at Samsen police station.

Methods: Data from the unnatural death reports during January 1996 - December 2005 and the records in which the inquiry officials had signed upon the receipt of death reports were searched for the unreceipted reports. Qualitative data to evaluate the knowledge and recognition of the importance of a death report was obtained from 12 inquiry officers from Samsen police station by an in-depth interview.

Results: From 1,935 unnatural deaths of the five causes, the most common cause was unknown (48.5 %). The rate of unreceipted death reports was 74.4%. The most common type of unnatural causes with the highest prevalence of unreceipted death reports was also the unknown cause (98.5%). From the interview with the inquiry officials, most of them had good knowledge in forensic medicine, but 83.3% had insufficient time. The recognition of the inquiry officials regarding the importance of death reports was fair. The problems in the receiving of the death reports was marked. The main problem was the working process of the inquiry officials themselves especially their insufficient working hours.

Conclusion: The rate of unreceipted death reports was 74.4%. The most important cause of unreceipted death reports was insufficient working hours of the inquiry officials.

Vajira Med J 2008 ; 52 : 209-218