Practice Of Forensic Medicine Research Articles

A CONTEXTUAL APPROACH TO THE ADMISSIBILITY OF THE STATE'S FORENSIC SCIENCE AND MEDICAL EVIDENCE

This article examines the admissibility of forensic science and medicine in criminal proceedings. In Part ii, we explain how reliability-based admissibility standards in the United States have been unevenly applied to expert evidence in civil and criminal cases and have not prevented wrongful convictions. In Part iii, we review a recent Consultation Paper (and report) issued by the Law Commission of England and Wales. Though focused on the need for ‘sufficiently reliable’ expert opinion evidence, we challenge its contemplation of easier admissibility for experience-based forensic sciences and techniques traditionally admitted. In Part iv we examine the evolving law on the admissibility of expert evidence in Canada. In response, we argue that while front-end reforms to the organization and practice of forensic science and medicine, advocated by the Goudge Inquiry and the American National Academy of Sciences, appear more promising than reliance on the adversary system, the gate-keeping role of trial judges should be strengthened. In the concluding section, we contend that threshold reliability standards should be grounded in criminal-justice system values, emerging empirical insights about the weakness of the adversarial trial and be sensitive to the particular evidence and its use, rather than applied mechanically using simplistic models of science and expertise.

Adana’da Otopsileri Yapılan Ası ve Bağla Boğma Olgularının Boyun Bulguları

Boyun bölgesine uygulanan mekanik kuvvetlere bağlı ölümlerle adli tıp uygulamalarında sıklıkla karşılaşılmaktadır. Bunlar arasında, en sık karşılaşılan adli ölüm olgu grubunu asılar oluşturmaktadır. Sık olmamakla birlikte bağla boğma olguları ile karşılaşılmaktadır. Bu çalışma adli tıp uzmanlarının sıklıkla karşılaştıkları ası ve bağla boğma olgularında ki boyun lezyonlanmn çeşitliliğini ve sıklığını göstermek, bunları literatür bilgileri ile tartışmak içinyapıldı. Adli Tıp Kurumu Adana Grup Başkanlığında otopsileri yapılan olgulara ait 2008-2009 yıllan kayıtları retrospektif olarak incelendi. 2726 olgu içerisinde boyun bölgesine mekanik kuvvet uygulanması (ası ve bağla boğma) sonucu öldüğü saptanan 159'u ası, 11 i bağla boğma olan 170 (%6.2) olgu çalışma kapsamına alındı. Olguların 104'ü (%61.2) erkek 66'sınm kadın olduğu, çalışma kapsamındaki toplam olguların %93.5'ini asıların, 6.5%'ini ise bağla boğmaların oluşturduğu, asıların tümünün intihar, bağla boğmaların ise cinayet olduğu görüldü. Olguların yaş aralıklarına bakıldığında 4 ile 86yaş arasında, en çok olgunun 37 (%21.7) ile 21-30 yaş aralığında olduğu, 32 olgunun 11 -20 yaş aralığında olduğu, 0-10 yaş aralığında ki iki olgunun kız çocuğu olduğu, bununda bağla boğma sonucu öldürüldüğü saptandı. Asıların 121'nin tipik lokalizasyonlu, 38'nin atipik lokalizasyonlu ası olduğu görüldü. Ası ve bağla boğmalarda 43(%25.3) olguda troid kıkırdakda kırık olduğu, 25(%14.7) olguda ise hyoid kemik kmğı olduğu, 11(%6.5) olgu da ise hem hyoid kemik hem de troid kıkırdakta birlikte kırık olduğu saptandı. 7 olguda servikal vertebrada kırık veya dislokasyon olduğu görüldü. Troid kıkırdak, hyoid kemik ve servikal vertebralarda bulgu veren olguların toplam 86(%50.6) olduğu görüldü.Anahtar kelimeler: Ası, bağla boğma, boyna bası, otopsi, adli tıp.

Practice of forensic medicine and pathology in Sri Lanka.

The practice of forensic medicine and pathology in Sri Lanka is based on the British model. Medical students during their third and fourth years receive approximately 50 hours of lectures and tutorials in forensic medicine and pathology and then undergo an examination. After completing an internship, these doctors are sent to various hospitals throughout Sri Lanka where they may be asked to perform medicolegal examinations on victims and suspects in rape cases, persons suspected of being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, and, injured live patients. As well, they may be asked to perform medicolegal autopsies. Depending upon their experience, some medical officers may be designated as judicial medical officers and appointed full time to do medicolegal work. Up until 1980, judicial medical officers with at least 2 years of work experience were allowed to obtain their postgraduate qualifications in the United Kingdom. However, since 1981 and the establishment of its own Postgraduate Institute of Medicine in Colombo, Sri Lanka, medical officers are offered 2 postgraduate programs in forensic medicine and pathology, a diploma in legal medicine and a doctorate in medicine (forensic medicine). After completing the doctorate in forensic medicine, doctors are allowed to train abroad for a further year in an approved center. Upon return they can then be appointed as consultant judicial medical officers. The practice of forensic medicine and pathology in Sri Lanka is unique and vibrant. However, due to the country's prevailing civil war, the practice of forensic medicine and pathology is suboptimal.

Practice of Forensic Medicine and Pathology in Sri Lanka

The practice of forensic medicine and pathology in Sri Lanka is based on the British model. Medical students during their third and fourth years receive approximately 50 hours of lectures and tutorials in forensic medicine and pathology and then undergo an examination. After completing an internship, these doctors are sent to various hospitals throughout Sri Lanka where they may be asked to perform medicolegal examinations on victims and suspects in rape cases, persons suspected of being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, and, injured live patients. As well, they may be asked to perform medicolegal autopsies. Depending upon their experience, some medical officers may be designated as judicial medical officers and appointed full time to do medicolegal work. Up until 1980, judicial medical officers with at least 2 years of work experience were allowed to obtain their postgraduate qualifications in the United Kingdom. However, since 1981 and the establishment of its own Postgraduate Institute of Medicine in Colombo, Sri Lanka, medical officers are offered 2 postgraduate programs in forensic medicine and pathology, a diploma in legal medicine and a doctorate in medicine (forensic medicine). After completing the doctorate in forensic medicine, doctors are allowed to train abroad for a further year in an approved center. Upon return they can then be appointed as consultant judicial medical officers. The practice of forensic medicine and pathology in Sri Lanka is unique and vibrant. However, due to the country's prevailing civil war, the practice of forensic medicine and pathology is suboptimal.

Practice of Forensic Medicine - Then and Now

The Sri Lanka Journal of Forensic Medicine, Science & Law (SLJFMSL) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published biannually in May and December each year by the Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.The mission of the SLJFMSL is to stimulate, encourage and empower researchers to publish high quality research in order to promote evidence based practice and provide a platform for researchers to share experiences and knowledge in the fields of forensic medicine, forensic sciences, medical ethics and relevant law. This journal publishes original research papers, reviews, points of view, case reports, technical notes and letters to the editor. The SLJFMSL is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.SLJFMSL was assessed by the Journal Publishing Practices and Standards framework and was placed at level four (of six) and is currently listed in SLJOL, DOAJ, IMSER, NLM Catalogue.

Some Common Pit-falls in the Practice of Forensic Medicine in Sri Lanka. A Review of International Literature

The Sri Lanka Journal of Forensic Medicine, Science & Law (SLJFMSL) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published biannually in May and December each year by the Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.The mission of the SLJFMSL is to stimulate, encourage and empower researchers to publish high quality research in order to promote evidence based practice and provide a platform for researchers to share experiences and knowledge in the fields of forensic medicine, forensic sciences, medical ethics and relevant law. This journal publishes original research papers, reviews, points of view, case reports, technical notes and letters to the editor. The SLJFMSL is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.SLJFMSL was assessed by the Journal Publishing Practices and Standards framework and was placed at level four (of six) and is currently listed in SLJOL, DOAJ, IMSER, NLM Catalogue.

Right ventricular cardiac myxoma. Histopathology diagnosis in forensic autopsy case

Primary cardiac neoplasms are very rare as compared to metastatic tumors. Myxomas are the most common of the primary cardiac tumors. Myxomas represent almost 50% of cardiac masses with an incidence reported at one in 10000 autopsies. A greater percentage (75%) are located in the left atrium, of these, 90% originate from an area in the atrial septum near the fossa ovalis. Right atrial myxoma are un common beign three to four time less frequent that those located in the left atrium. The incidence of those arising in the left and right ventricles is 2.5-4%. We report on case of right ventricular cardiac myxoma, confirmation with histopathological examination, what is first case in forensic medicine practice.

A Contextual Approach to the Admissibility of the State's Forensic Science and Medical Evidence

This article examines the admissibility of forensic science and medicine in criminal proceedings. In Part ii, we explain how reliability-based admissibility standards in the United States have been unevenly applied to expert evidence in civil and criminal cases and have not prevented wrongful convictions. In Part iii, we review a recent Consultation Paper (and report) issued by the Law Commission of England and Wales. Though focused on the need for ‘sufficiently reliable’ expert opinion evidence, we challenge its contemplation of easier admissibility for experience-based forensic sciences and techniques traditionally admitted. In Part iv we examine the evolving law on the admissibility of expert evidence in Canada. In response, we argue that while front-end reforms to the organization and practice of forensic science and medicine, advocated by the Goudge Inquiry and the American National Academy of Sciences, appear more promising than reliance on the adversary system, the gate-keeping role of trial judges...

Mismatched Multiplex PCR Amplification and Subsequent RFLP Analysis to Simultaneously Identify Polymorphisms of ErythrocyticESD,GLO1, andGPTGenes*

ESD (esterase D), GLO1 (glyoxalase I), and GPT (glutamate pyruvate transaminase) are human erythrocytic isoenzymes and have previously been applied in forensic medicine caseworks. The molecular bases of the polymorphic gene expression products have been demonstrated to be because of SNPs in respective coding regions. However, it has not been revealed whether the SNPs conferring the polymorphisms to the aforementioned erythrocytic isoenzymes could be simultaneously detected by using a simple PCR method. In this study, we used mismatched primers to simultaneously amplify three common isoenzyme loci so that all amplified products contained the same Hph I cleavage sites. The products were then digested with Hph I and electrophoretically separated and stained so that alleles were identified. The accumulated values for the probability of discrimination power and excluding the probability of paternity to the aforementioned systems attained 90.41% and 41.72%, respectively, in the Chinese Han population. This assay could be extremely valuable for future forensic medicine practices.

A case of shotgun injury which occurred while an unconventional home security alarm system was being checked

Installation of devices involving shotguns is rarely encountered in forensic medicine practice. In this case report, authors aimed to present an unusual and rare case of shotgun injury due to a home security alarm system and its legal assessment. An electrical technician was invited to a summer house to check a home security alarm system installed by another firm which he worked for previously. It was an unconventional home security alarm system attached to a shotgun. The technician was injured with 18 buckshot pellets (no: 4) while checking the system. The host was convicted of a possible intent to cause a life-threatening injury to the technician. We think that this verdict will set a precedent for similar cases.

Infection Control Implementations at Forensic Medicine Practice

Because forensic medicine workers have a greater occupational risk for infectious diseases, strict rules and measures against infections must be implemented at every stage of forensic medicine practices. In this study, we aim to evaluate the infection control implementations in forensic medicine practices in Turkey.A questionnaire survey was mailed to forensic medicine specialists and residents between April and June 2005. The questionnaire consisted of 36 questions whose designed was based on standard precautions and protective barriers against infectious risks.In all, 111 doctors from 27 different cities responded to the questionnaire. Of those doctors who responded, 43.2% reported performing external examination anywhere. The percentage of doctors performing external examinations who regularly wore gloves, masks, and gowns, and washed hands with a disinfectant were 81.5%, 24.7%, 30.9%, and 81.5%, respectively. The percentage of doctors performing autopsies who regularly wore masks, protective eye-wear, gloves, special gloves, and special boots were 59.6%, 10.6%, 98.9%, 71.3%, and 36.2%, respectively. Only 2 negative pressure rooms were reported.According to these results, precautionary measures against infectious risks in forensic medicine practice in our country are insufficient. Conditions to facilitate and to improve the compliance with infection control procedures must be prepared.

A tribute to the professors of forensic medicine at the University of Chile

The outstanding work of professors of the chair of Forensic Medicine at the School of Medicine of the University of Chile is highlighted. This chair is divided in three periods, that are paralell to the history of Chilean medicine. During these periods, the chair initiated, developed and fortified its teaching activities. The practice of forensic medicine was institutionalized and spread throughout the country. Its field of action and knowledge areas also increased.

Homenaje a los profesores de la Cátedra de Medicina Legal de la Universidad de Chile

The outstanding work of professors of the chair of Forensic Medicine at the School of Medicine of the University of Chile is highlighted. This chair is divided in three periods, that are paralell to the history of Chilean medicine. During these periods, the chair initiated, developed and fortified its teaching activities. The practice of forensic medicine was institutionalized and spread throughout the country. Its field of action and knowledge areas also increased.

Students who wish to specialize in forensic medicine vs. their fellow students: motivations, attitudes and reactions during autopsy practice

To investigate the particular features of students who express the desire to follow a forensic career. Three hundred and four 6th-year students attending the compulsory practice in forensic medicine in the academic year 2005-2006 were asked to fill in a self-administered questionnaire at the end of the course. The predominant motivation for following forensics was the scientific interest (39.7%). Gender, marital status, religion, place of residence, number of siblings, father/mother being a health professional, being a religious individual were not associated with forensics. Higher grades were a negative predictor for the forensic specialty. A trend linking rejection of an afterlife and orientation towards forensic medicine was found. The fear of death was more intense in students rejecting forensics. Feelings of fear, aversion and grief during the last day of autopsy seemed to be important negative predictors. Stereotypes about forensic doctors (such as "forensic doctors have a peculiar character") significantly modified the decision of students, but the beliefs about the role of the autopsy practice (cause of anxiety for death, stimulus to live every moment in life) did not. Medical students who want to follow forensics present only small differences concerning their inherent features, beliefs, reactions, emotions and attitudes, compared with the rest of their fellow students.

Polymorphism of 7 Y-STR loci in Chinese populations by multiplex PCR genotyping using fluorescein-labeled primers

We reported the multiplex-PCR-based genotyping method for 7 Y-STR loci, including DYS456, DYS464a/b/c/d, DYS527a/b labeled with FAM (blue) and DYS531, DYS709, DYS448, DYS522 labeled with JOE (green). We investigated the haplotype distribution of these 7 Y-STR loci among 151 unrelated Han males in the Guangdong Province and 106 unrelated males in the Henan Province, and evaluated this method for forensic practice. The results showed that this method could successfully determine the genotypes using as little as 0.02 ng genomic DNA, and the male's Y-STR genotypes could be detected in a DNA mixture in which the ratio of male/female components was 1:150 (160 ng in total amount of DNA template). There were 150 and 105 haplotypes found of these 7 Y-STR loci in these two Chinese populations, out of them 149 and 104 haplotypes appeared only once, respectively. The haplotype diversity in the two populations were 0.999912 and 0.999820, respectively. The distribution variation of the 7 Y-STR haplotypes between Guangdong and Henan Chinese populations was statistically significant (P<0.001). Thus, the fluorescein-labeled multiplex-PCR genotyping of 7 Y-STR loci is a valuable tool for forensic medicine practice and for human anthropology study.

Research Progress on X Chromosome STR loci in Forensic Medicine

This article summarizes the structure and hereditary characteristics of X chromosome, research progress of using multiplex PCR system to amplify X-chromosome specific short tandom repeat (X-STR) loci and its forensic applications. It also presents the advantages and disadvantages of X-STR loci in the practice of forensic medicine, with an aim to promote wider use of X-STR loci in forensic science.

Insectos de importancia forense en cadáveres de ratas,Carabobo - Venezuela

Objectives: To determine the composition of entomological fauna associated to rat carcass, in that allows to establish the species of forensic importance in Carabobo, Venezuela. Materials and methods: Insects were studied in nine carcasses of laboratory rats’. Every day each rat (carcass and trays with soil substrate) was picked up in order to obtain associated fauna. With the abundance data indexes of diversity and evenness were calculated, and the principal component analysis was used. Results: 13 590 insects were collected; 14,8% from the carcasses and 85,2% from the trays. Diptera were the most abundant insects (94,2%), followed by Coleoptera and Hymenoptera. Most important Diptera species were: Calliphoridae: Lucilia cluvia (Walker), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), and C. megacephala (Fabricius), and Muscidae: Musca domestica Linnaeus. Some Coleoptera were found, such as Dermestes ater DeGeer (Dermestidae), and Staphylinidae. Conclusions: Evenness and diversity were low, because the greater species abundance, and the poor sensitivity of diversity indexes was due to the presence of unusual species. Species succession was also observed; L. cluvia was found during the first days, followed by C. albiceps and C. megacephala. We recommend continuing with this type of studies, so they may be used as a tool in forensic medicine practice in Venezuela.

Loss of Facial Identification of the Survivor after Firearm Injury to the Head

Firearm wounds to the head are often fatal and are routinely encountered in the practice of forensic medicine. Herein we presented a patient who was wounded with a military rifle. This condition is unique and interesting for forensic medicine because none of the vital structures or major vessels were injured although the patient had a firearm injury to his head. In contrast to many other cases, the vital signs of our patient were normal and he was conscious on admission. Although the patient was considered lucky because he was still alive, he now had an unrecognizable face.

Human pentastomiasis discovered postmortem

The autopsy of an 18-year-old girl who had died suddenly at home revealed generalised pentastomiasis. The location of this disease in the intestines was responsible for death by hemorrhagic enterocolitis. This discovery constituted an atypical case in our daily practice of forensic medicine.

Rapid analysis of pesticide components, xylene, o-dichlorbenzene, cresol and dichlorvos, in blood and urine by pulse heating–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Analysis of the pesticide components, xylene, o-dichlorbenzene (DCB), cresol and dichlorvos (DDVP, an organophosphate), was attempted using 3 μl of biological samples by pulse heating (Py)–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) without pretreatment. Xylene, DCB, cresol and DDVP were separately detected by Py-GC-MS. The regression lines for these four substances in the blood were shown to be linear between the peak height and their concentrations, 0.1/0.2–20 μg/ml. Recoveries of DDVP, cresol, DCB and xylene at the concentration of 1.0 μg/ml by Py-GC-MS ranged from 78.8 to 89.0% in blood, and from 84.2 to 91.2% in urine. For within-run precision, the coefficient of variation values at the concentration of 1.0 μg/ml ranged from 7.9 to 10.6% in blood, and from 5.8 to 9.4% in urine. The lower detection limits of xylene, DCB, cresol and DDVP in blood were 50, 50, 50 and 150 ng/ml, respectively. In comparison with the measured value in blood that was added to these four substances, Py-GC-MS showed good accuracy similar to GC-MS after the extraction method. DDVP and xylene could be successfully determined by Py-GC-MS in blood and urine in emergency medical and autopsy cases. From these results, Py-GC-MS can be performed in a short analytical time (15 min) and is a useful method to determine pesticide components in forensic medicine and emergency medical practice.