Maxillofacial injury in gender violence: Descriptive study of cases from Valparaíso, Chile

Abstract

Violence against women is one of the most widespread violations of human rights globally. In these cases, it is common to find injuries in the maxillofacial area, which can leave various types of sequelae.

Objective

To characterize maxillofacial injuries from the examinations carried out under the Gender Protocol at the Valparaíso Legal Medical Service, Chile.

Methodology

A qualitative retrospective study was conducted using data collected from maxillofacial injury reports conducted between 2020 and 2023.

Results

A total of 51 examinations were analyzed: the age of the victims ranged from 21–73 years, with the majority being homemakers and unmarried. In most cases, the aggressions were perpetrated by the women's current partners at their shared residence. In nearly a third of the cases, the aggression occurred in the presence of minors. The most commonly used injurious mechanisms were blunt and asphyxiation. There were injuries to soft tissues and hard tissues. The medicolegal prognosis in the majority of cases was less severe.

Discussion

The evaluation of maxillofacial injuries by a dentist is fundamental, especially to assess intraoral injuries. Dentists should be familiar with forensic dentistry in these contexts, in order to accurately document injuries and contribute to the administration of justice. Professionals who tend to these victims should do so in an environment that provides support and comfort to the female victims, as the verification of injuries is often their first interaction with institutional authorities and can be decisive in their decision to proceed with legal action.