Abstract
A retrospective review was undertaken of 287 unnatural deaths undergoing medicolegal investigation over a 10-year period from January 2008 to December 2017 in Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. There were 219 males and 68 females, age range 7 months to 88 years (average 38.4 years). The 135 accidental deaths (47%) were due mainly to vehicle crashes (N = 62) and carbon monoxide toxicity from fires (N = 31). The 115 cases of suicides (40.1%) were predominantly due to hanging (N = 75) and gunshot wounds (N = 20). The 37 cases of homicide (12.9%) were mainly due to stabbing/sharp force injury (N = 20) and blunt force trauma (N = 9). Carbon monoxide toxicity from faulty heating accounted for a substantial percentage (8.1%) of the accidental deaths. Firearm homicides and suicides related to drug toxicity and carbon monoxide inhalation were relatively uncommon medicolegal cases in this centre.
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