Feasibility and Reliability of a Developed and Validated Forensic Recording Form for Firearm Injury

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a forensic recording form for firearm injuries and test the feasibility and reliability of its application. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The first version was developed using knowledge from the literature search and was checked for validity by 3 forensic physicians using the Content Validity Index (CVI). Feasibility was tested among physicians working at 4 district hospitals. Its reliability was analyzed by 2 forensic physicians using prevalence-adjusted and bias-adjusted kappa. Results: The validity of a developed recording form for firearm injuries was good, with a CVI of 0.8. All items were rated to be feasible, and the format of the recording was rated from good to excellent. The reliabilities ranged from poor agreement to perfect agreement. After considering the validity, feasibility and reliability tests, a final, forensic recording form was established. Conclusion: A systematically constructed forensic recording form for firearm injuries, for any physicians, with less experience in the field of gunshot cases, was developed. This form will be helpful in assisting physicians in the completion of information for any gunshot cases, which may decrease the consequences from incomplete information.