The aim of the study is to analyse causes of fatal cases of falls from height focusing on the occurrence of addictive substances. The authors performed a retrospective analysis of cases dealing with falls/jumps autopsied at the Institutes of Forensic Medicine in Bratislava in the years 2005-2014 accounting for a catchment area with approximately 1.2 m population. Selection criteria were met in 360 cases, i.e. approximately 4 % of all cases autopsied. There were 68 % of men and 32 % of women involved. The age interval ranged from 10 up to 93 years (mean age 50 years). Addictive substances were found in a total of 32 % of cases, ethanol alone in 22 % of cases. The cases were divided into groups according to the cause as follows: accidental falls (24%) also involving occupational accidents (11 %), jumps in suicidal ideation (63 %) and cases with the unspecified cause of falling (13 %). Most of the cases with detected addictive substances were in the group of suicidal jumps (35 %). In this group, 32 % of patients were treated for psychiatric disorders. The most common diagnosis was a depressive disorder and schizophrenia. In the group of occupational accidents, ethanol was found in 25 % of cases. The results of the study show that it is essential to pay more attention to psychiatric patients as not even regular psychiatric care and treatment can always prevent suicide. Accordingly, there is a need to strictly monitor the ban on alcohol consumption at work and the observance of safety regulations for working at heights, and thus to minimise the occurrence of falls with fatal outcomes.
Keywords: fall/jump from height - addictive substances - ethanol - autopsy - toxicological analysis..