Journal of forensic and legal medicine
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Medical responsibility in the United Arab Emirates was formerly defined and governed according to Law 7 of 1975 for the practice of medical professions, which had been a part of civil law. The passing of Law 10 of 2008, namely the "Law on Medical Responsibility in UAE", enacted on 16th December 2008 created a new framework to deal with this issue. One of its provisions required medical practitioners to hold insurance policies, so that insurance companies pays damages to the plaintiff (patient) injured as a result of a physicians' negligence. ⋯ The objective of this paper is to provide medical practitioners with basic information about the subject in general and to this legislation in particular. It is mandatory for doctors to realize inherent risks involved in the course of their practice. A basic knowledge of the law is required to avoid pitfalls and to safeguard oneself against errors arising from ignorance of the duties and rights of the professional person.
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A 36-year old male was found dead inside a pub bath lying in a pool of blood. A small single-edged knife was discovered on the top of the water cistern. Multiple sharp weapon wounds at the usual sites of self-inflicted injuries were reported. ⋯ Death was attributed to haemorrhagic shock following left radial artery injury. On the basis of circumstantial evidences and autopsy findings, there was no doubt that this was a suicide. The authors suggest that a complete forensic approach by means of scene investigation, autopsy as well as toxicological analysis is fundamental in discriminating between homicide and suicide.
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Firecracker display is used worldwide for celebrating religious festivities, New Year celebrations and various other occasions. Explosion during the manufacture of firecrackers can result in serious injuries. ⋯ Superficial to deep burns, traumatic amputation of right upper limb, and multiple abrasions and lacerations were present on various parts of the body with contusion of internal thoracic and abdominal organs. Also, multiple punctured circumscribed wounds with burnt floor and margins were present over the body.
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Attacks on humans by domestic animals causing fatal injuries are not uncommon in rural areas of India. But injuries due to buffalo gore are rarely observed in villages and are different from other casualties like stab injuries, road fatalities, etc. As the victims of buffalo attack are usually recovered from the fields or forest, the investigating officer could be mislead as to the nature of infliction of fatal injuries to a possible homicide. ⋯ The wound sustained may be contusions, lacerations, criss-cross wounds, penetration of body cavities, and sometimes fractures. In the absence of any eye witness, it becomes very difficult to believe the unsuspecting domestic water buffalo as attacker. This case is reported for its rarity, for the awareness of the possible injuries in such unnatural deaths, and factors predisposing to a buffalo attack.