摘要:

Summary:During a 10-year period (1980-1989), at least 43 cases of self-incineration with lethal outcome took place in Denmark. The incidence seems to be increasing: 11 cases took place in the first 5 years and 32 cases in the last 5 years. An even sex ratio was found (male:female = 23:20). The median age was 43 years, with a broad age range (20-87). Many incidents of self-incineration as a form of political protest were reported in the press especially during the 1960s and 1970s, and the press reports often inspired others to commit suicide in the same way. None of the cases in our investigation were politically motivated or reported in the press, and only one case could have been inspired by another similar case. Other investigations have shown that self-incineration is more common in some cultures than in others, and many have found that a religious motivation was common. In our investigation, all victims were of Danish origin, and a religious motive played no significant role. Most of the victims were suffering from mental illness, and a majority had tried to commit suicide before. None of the victims left a suicide note. The scene was most often at home and indoors-only a minority committed suicide in remote areas of the countryside. Most were found dead at the scene, and the cause of death was usually heat exposure. Only a minority had a lethal carboxy-hemoglobin (CO-Hb) concentration. It is concluded that close cooperation between police, fire experts, and the forensic pathologist is necessary to permit a correct classification of the mode of death in these cases.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

A data base search through Westlaw was conducted to ascertain lawsuits in which a medical examiner or coroner (ME/C) was sued because of the cause or manner of death stated on the death certificate. Sixteen reported cases were found between 1948 and 1995, with 10 of the cases occurring since 1985. The frequency of reported cases is approximately 1/400,000 ME/C death certificates, but based on certain assumptions, the actual frequency may be estimated at 1/40,000 ME/C death certificates. Nine cases involved plaintiffs who contested when the manner of death was indicated as suicide. In 15 of the 16 cases, the lower court decision favored the ME/C viewpoint. Five of the 15 decisions were ultimately reversed by a higher court, but the ultimate outcomes of these cases were not available. Overall, it appears that most courts and decisions have recognized ME/C actions as discretionary or immune and that ME/Cs have been at low risk for such suits to date. This seems especially true if the ME/C position is defensible and the ME/C has acted in accordance with statute and without evidence of corruption, incompetence, arbitrariness, capriciousness, abuse of discretion, or outrageous conduct.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Summary:Forensic pathologists (FPs) form opinions in homicide trials and often are key witnesses for the prosecution. Early access to the FP by defense counsel may be strategically important, but state statutes differ regarding pretrial availability of the autopsy report to the defense, and the degree of pretrial communication that is permissible or desirable between the FP and defense is unclear. We surveyed a sample of FPs to determine their practices and opinions regarding pretrial communication with the defense. We compared responses with years of training, early professional role models, local autopsy report disclosure statutes, and reasons for practices. All respondents indicated a willingness to informally communicate with the defense, but many would notify the prosecutor and some wanted prosecutor's presence or permission. Prosecutorial involvement correlated with work load and with stated reasons for practices. Case law in most states prohibits the prosecutor from interfering with defense communication with witnesses, including experts. However, witnesses are free to refuse to talk informally to the defense. Some states limit publication of the autopsy report outside formal trial discovery procedures. Only one state, Arkansas, does not allow the medical examiner to give out any information, thereby precluding informal communication with the defense in that state.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

An unusual case of traumatic basal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to a mechanical tear of the basilar artery is reported. A 70-year-old man who had been suffering from cerebrovascular dementia was found dead in a ditch. Externally, subcutaneous hemorrhage with abrasions was observed on the left side of the forehead, face, and lower jaw, together with small contusions in the left superciliary arch. Internally, a 3-mm-long transversal tear of the basilar artery was observed, and dislocations of both C6-C7 and T1-T2 as well as a small fracture of the processus spinosus of C5 were found. No pathological vascular lesions such as aneurysms and vasculitis, other than arteriosclerosis, were observed in the vertebral-basilar system. Ethanol was not detected in the intracardiac blood or in the urine. These findings indicate that when the man fell into the ditch, severe hyperextension occurred as a result of minor blunt forces to the face, and that the traumatic tear of the basilar artery was mechanically caused by overstretching due to hyperextension of the head. It is also suggested that due to his advanced age the muscle tone of the neck might have declined, impairing its defense action, and that head hyperextension might, therefore, occur rather more readily under such conditions.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Studies of four male victims who were killed in an accidental tunnel gas explosion on urban reclaimed land are described. The studies were judicial autopsy examinations to determine the precise causes of death. Two men died of carbon monoxide intoxication, one died of massive brain damage, and the fourth died of drowning. The concentrations of methane in several organs were much lower than the lethal level, whereas those in adipose tissue were relatively high. These findings indicated that a low concentration of methane was almost always present in the atmosphere at the construction site. Recently, coal mine accidents have been decreasing in Japan. However, there is still a possibility of underground explosions or gas leaks in confined spaces other than coal mines. To determine the precise cause of death in such cases, careful autopsies and other examinations should be performed using methods similar to those used in coal mine accidents.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Solvent inhalation is a well-documented form of drug abuse that can cause euphoria and hallucinations. Sudden death involving a volatile substance is most commonly caused by cardiac arrythmias, asphyxia, direct drug effects, and trauma.The victim in this paper suffered superficial partial thickness (12% total body surface area) burns from a flash fire that occurred when lighting a match after inhaling butane in an enclosed vehicle. The victim was admitted to the hospital for 2 days of observation but did not develop any respiratory symptoms until 2 days following her release. The victim died during her readmission, 9 days after the flash fire. Postmortem examination showed extensive epithelial injury from the upper airway and trachea to the terminal bronchioles, most likely due in part to both the initial inhalation injury and the resulting adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and staphylococcal infection.Many victims with superficial burn injuries may not seek medical attention owing to either embarrassment or fear of legal prosecution. Even those who do seek medical assistance may not reveal solvent abuse as the cause of their injuries. It is possible that delayed death may occur at home following volatile substance abuse but may remain unrecognized even with a thorough scene investigation.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

To describe the features of railway-related deaths in Cape Town, South Africa, we reviewed demographic, autopsy, and accident report data on all such deaths between 1 April 1992 and 30 September 1994. Of the 379 railway-related deaths, 227 were among pedestrians or commuters who were hit by a train while crossing the track, 38 were among commuters who fell from moving trains, 32 were suicides, 43 were the result of criminal violence on trains or at railway stations, and 38 were due to other causes. Most railway fatalities were among men between the ages of 25 and 44 years. About half of all railway fatalities occurred at peak commuting times, with high levels of violence (often robbery related) recorded during the evening peak. A blood alcohol concentration >0.1 g/100 ml was found in 35% of the people who died from crossing the track or falling from moving trains. Fatal railway injury is characterized by extensive disruption of more than one body region. The high levels of fatal railway injury make a strong case for a range of injury control interventions, including ticket control, surveillance, law enforcement, and safety engineering.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

This is the first reported case of human fatality associated with zinc intoxication following a massive ingestion of coins. Four hundred and sixty-one coins were removed from the gastrointestinal tract of a schizophrenic patient during the course of hospitalization. Many of the post-1981 pennies, which consist primarily of zinc, showed severe corrosion due to their prolonged contact with acidic gastric juice. The patient presented with clinical manifestations consistent with the local corrosive as well as systemic effects of zinc intoxication and died 40 days after admission with multi-system organ failure. Tissue samples of the kidneys, pancreas, and liver obtained at autopsy revealed acute tubular necrosis, mild fibrosis, and acute massive necrosis, respectively, and contained high levels of zinc. The overall effects of zinc intoxication on the various organ systems, possible hematological derangement, and the impairment of copper absorption as well as the outcome with treatment are discussed.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We discuss the Israeli medicolegal system, which is rooted in remnants of British jurisprudence. Forensic services for the entire country and the occupied territories (Judea and Samaria), and now the Palestinian Autonomy (Gaza Strip and Jericho), are supplied by one central institute located in Tel Aviv. That organization, the L. Greenberg Institute of Forensic Medicine, is a department of the Ministry of Health and has academic affiliation with the University of Tel Aviv. About 2,000 necroscopic examinations are performed annually, and the types of cases encountered in the forensic practice in Israel are noted. The academic and research activities of the Institute's staff are described, with emphasis on collaboration with overseas forensic scientists. The modern history of the country is reflected in the chronicle of the evolution of its forensic medicine.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Estimation of postmortem interval (PMI) by analyses of vitreous humor has certain advantages over analyses of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Certain substances, including potassium and hypoxanthine (Hx), have been shown to exhibit postmortem increase in concentration in vitreous humor in a linear fashion. In the present study, potassium and Hx concentrations were measured in 100 subjects with known PMIs. Three previously published equations were used to estimate the PMI using these measurements, and the accuracy of the equations was assessed. Simple linear regression analyses were performed on the data collected, and new equations for estimation of PMI were constructed. Estimates made using these equations were of comparable or better accuracy than those made using the published equations. It was observed that using both potassium and Hx measurements to estimate the PMI were associated with increased accuracy in all circumstances.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID