Between July 1983 & June 1985 there were 563 cases of fatal head injuries in people over 15 years recorded at the Salt River Police Mortuary, Cape Town. In this study, the demographic character of these cases was reviewed according to: age, race, & sex; date, day, & timing of injury; cause of death e.g. falls, suicide; & positive blood alcohol tests. Assaults & transport-related accidents in association with a positive blood alcohol test in coloured males aged 40-60 were a major characteristic.