Abstract: Objective To analyze the characteristics and mechanisms of pelvic fractures in the cases of road traffic accident deaths. Methods Total 65 cases of road traffic accident deaths with pelvic fracture were collected, and the sites, characteristics and injury mechanisms of pelvic fracture were statistically analyzed. Results Among the 65 cases of pelvic fracture, 38 cases of dislocation of sacroiliac joint were found, and most combined with pubis symphysis separation or fracture of pubis. In the fractures of pubis, ischium and acetabulum, linear fractures were most common, while comminuted fractures were most common in sacrum and coccyx fractures. There were 54 cases combined with pelvic soft tissue injury, and 8 cases with pelvic organ injury and 44 cases with abdominal organ injury. In the types of pelvic ring injury, 32 cases were separation, 49.32%, followed by compression, 26.15% and only one case was verticality, 1.54%. Conclusion Detailed and comprehensive examination of the body and determination of the pelvic fracture type contribute to analyze the mechanisms of injury.

Key words: forensic pathology, road traffic accident, pelvic fracture, pelvic ring, injury mechanism, cases analysis