The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology
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Am J Forensic Med Pathol · Sep 2019
Case ReportsMedicolegal Investigations in Cases of Double Suicidal Gunshots to the Head Using 2 Different Handguns: A Report of an Unusual Case.
Suicides committed by firing 2 gunshots to the head are rare events and pose a significant challenge for coroners and forensic pathologists. The evaluation of the victim's ability to fire 2 shots simultaneously, or to act after a first gunshot, is crucial for the reconstruction of the death scene and to differentiate between homicide and suicide. ⋯ The medicolegal investigations hypothesized that the victim had either fired 2 shots near simultaneously or he suffered from rapid incapacitation after the first gunshot but was still able to fire a second consecutive and fatal shot to the head. This article focuses on the diagnostic difficulties involved, together with analysis of the death scene and autopsy findings, in cases where the courts demand confirmation that a double gunshot to the head is in fact a case of suicide.
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Am J Forensic Med Pathol · Mar 2018
Case ReportsDecline in 2 Serial Postmortem Tryptase Measurements Beyond 72 Hours After Death in an Antibiotic-Related Anaphylactic Death.
Anaphylaxis can be difficult to diagnose in the postmortem setting. Postmortem tryptase is a widely used ancillary test in aiding the diagnosis in which an elevation supports a death from anaphylaxis. Postmortem tryptase can be difficult to interpret, and the effects of postmortem kinetics are not fully understood. ⋯ The declination appears to be slower than what is expected in the clinical setting. This case highlights yet another example of the difficult and complex interaction of postmortem interval on postmortem tryptase, especially in an anaphylactic death. We suggest that early blood sampling and serial tests be performed if possible in suspected anaphylactic death.
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Am J Forensic Med Pathol · Dec 2017
Case ReportsDeath by "Snow"! A Fatal Forensic Case of Cocaine Leakage in a "Drug Mule" on Postmortem Computed and Magnetic Resonance Tomography Compared With Autopsy.
This forensic case presents unique postmortem imaging of a "drug mule" with fatal intoxication due to cocaine leakage on postmortem computed and magnetic resonance (MR) tomography compared with autopsy. Imaging by postmortem computed and MR tomography was performed before autopsy, histology, and toxicology were commissioned. Forensic imaging revealed 91 hyperdense, uniformly shaped body packs with signs of leakage, which was confirmed by autopsy. ⋯ Toxicology stated the dosage of cocaine intoxication as lethal. This case provides an opportunity to image internal cocaine drug containers on postmortem computed and MR tomography. The cause of death could be determined based on imaging and the radiological morphology of these packs by both imaging methods.
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Am J Forensic Med Pathol · Sep 2017
Posttraumatic Stress and Burnout Symptoms in Forensic Doctors and Staff in a Mortuary.
We aimed to investigate burnout and posttraumatic stress symptoms in mortuary staff members who work for the Council of Forensic Medicine where more than 4500 autopsies are annually performed. The data were collected from 142 mortuary staff members from the Council of Forensic Medicine, Turkey. ⋯ Forensic medicine staff members are at risk for developing psychological health symptoms, such as burnout or posttraumatic stress, due to work-related stressors. We observed that autopsy technicians seemed to have more emotional exhaustion and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, whereas resident doctors had a lower sense of personal accomplishment.
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Am J Forensic Med Pathol · Sep 2017
Case ReportsGunshot Wound in an 18-Year-Old Woman, Inflicted With a Hunting Weapon Through an Obstacle (Mobile Phone): Reconstruction of Events.
The article presents a case of an 18-year-old woman wounded by a shot fired from a distance with a hunting weapon. Because the location of the entrance and exit wounds initially seemed inconsistent with the reports (both wounds were described as "large and irregular in shape") and no photographs documenting the inflicted injuries were taken, the case was referred for an opinion to the Department of Forensic Medicine in Lodz. ⋯ Before hitting the body, the projectile pierced a mobile phone that was in the pocket of the woman's jacket, subsequently causing a large atypical secondary entrance wound. The experiment confirmed that, when the projectile passed through an obstacle with consequent deformation, it caused more extensive gunshot wounds, both at the entrance and at the exit, as well as more severe damage to the bones.