Journal of forensic and legal medicine
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Post-mortem determination of biochemical parameters, especially for obscure cases, has been recognized useful in diagnosis of the underlying causes of death. Procalcitonin (PCT) is known to rise in a response to any proinflammatory stimulus. The present study aims to estimate postmortem PCT levels in serum and kidney, liver, brain; and whether it is similar in different causes of death models (trauma, drowning and freezing) models or not. ⋯ The least model which showed increased PCT levels was the freezing model mainly in liver samples. Post Hoc multiple comparisons test showed significant differences between groups in most of liver, brain and kidney samples, while PCT serum blood samples were significant only between trauma and infection groups. It was concluded that PCT can differentiate between sepsis and non-sepsis related deaths and that organs like liver, kidney and brain PCT levels could be an alternative to serum PCT for the diagnosis of postmortem sepsis.
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Studies that provide accurate descriptions of the occurrence of fatal strangulation events are limited, both in South Africa and elsewhere in the world. The current study describes the extent and distribution of female and male homicidal strangulation in the City of Johannesburg for the period 2001-2010. The study is a register-based cross sectional study of homicidal strangulation that draws on data recorded by the National Injury Mortality Surveillance System. ⋯ When the scene of death was considered by race and age group, results indicated the victimisation of white females and males in private places, and the elderly in private settings. The majority of strangulation victims tested negative for alcohol. The results highlight the need for multi-level prevention strategies that target specific risk groups and situations.
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The incidence of suicide and homicide is on the increase worldwide, including India. One million people die annually due to suicides and homicides alone. Thus this study had been undertaken to find out the material and social causes of burn and to assess the socio-demographic characteristics between suicide and homicide. ⋯ Hence, this study was planned with a purpose to know the magnitude and the socio-cultural factors of the problem of burns to more clearly understand the dynamics surrounding these deaths, so that a sound prevention programme could be suggested, planned and implemented for reducing the incidence of fatal burns.
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Review Case Reports
Mimics of child abuse: Can choking explain abusive head trauma?
Choking is one of the alternative explanations of abusive head trauma in children that have been offered in courtroom testimony and in the media. Most of these explanations - including choking - are not scientifically supported. This article highlights four points. (1) The origins of choking as an explanation for intracranial and retinal hemorrhages are speculative. (2) Choking has been used in high profile court testimony as an explanation for the death of a child thought to have been abused. (3) A case report that proposes choking as an alternative explanation for the death of a child diagnosed with abusive head trauma includes omissions and misrepresentations of facts. (4) There was a decision by the editor of the journal that published the case report that it was not necessary to include all the facts of the case; moreover, the editor indicated that facts are not required when presenting an alternative explanation. The use of scientifically unsupported alternative explanations for abusive head trauma based on inaccurate and biased information constitutes further victimization of the abused child and represents a travesty of justice.