Evaluation of Foreign National Cases from a Forensic Medicine Perspective

Background: Global migration has increased the number of foreign nationals residing in Türkiye, creating challenges for healthcare services, particularly in forensic medicine. Cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic barriers often hinder migrants’ access to appropriate trauma care, emphasizing the need for culturally competent approaches in forensic practice.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the sociodemographic characteristics and trauma histories of foreign nationals in Türkiye, addressing the limited research on forensic cases involving migrants from a transcultural nursing perspective.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on hospital records between October 10, 2021 and August 30, 2024. The sample included 120 foreign nationals who presented to the emergency department, had forensic notifications filed, and subsequently attended the same hospital’s forensic medicine polyclinic. Data were collected using an "Individual Information Form" and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests with KNIME software.

Results: The sample consisted of 120 foreign nationals, including 78 males and 42 females, with mean ages of 37.6 years (standard deviation [SD]=12.3) and 41.0 years (SD=14.8), respectively. Among the cases, 50.83% were related to traffic accidents and 31.67% to physical assaults. Significant differences in trauma types were observed across nationalities and genders (p<0.05). Sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, and nationality influenced the nature and context of trauma.

Conclusion: Nationality and other sociodemographic variables significantly shape traumatic experiences. Integrating transcultural nursing principles, interpreter support, and cultural sensitivity training into forensic medical practice can improve the accuracy of evaluations and enhance the quality of trauma care for migrant populations.

Keywords: Cultural sensitivity, forensic medicine, foreign nationals, migration, transcultural nursing, trauma