Journal of forensic sciences
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We reviewed all 87 deaths from the Happy Land Social Club fire. All deaths were due to smoke inhalation. The carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) concentrations ranged from 37 to 93% with a mean of 76.5%. ⋯ Carboxyhemoglobin concentrations corresponded well with deaths from smoke inhalation. Cyanide concentrations did not correspond with the extent of smoke inhalation, and the role of cyanide in contributing to these deaths is doubtful. Hydrogen chloride inhalation, as evidenced by comparison of the pH of tracheal mucosa to controls, was not a factor.
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After a review of the literature on inflicted burns in children, we present a case of caustic burns in a child aged 6 months. Its interest lies in the causative agent (concentrated bleach) and in discussion of the intentional nature of the burn.
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The ability to accurately determine the number of syringe needle penetration holes through the rubber stoppers in pharmaceutical vials and rubber septa in intravenous (i.v.) line and bag ports has been a critical factor in a number of forensic cases involving the thefts of controlled substances or suspected homicide by lethal injection. In the early 1990s, the microscopy and microanalysis group of the U. S. ⋯ In a joint project and investigation using the FCC's needle hole location method and applying a method of puncture site mapping developed by the ISPL, a systematic method was developed to locate, identify, count, and map syringe punctures in rubber bottle stoppers or i.v. bag ports using microscopic analysis. The method requires documentation of punctures on both sides of the rubber stoppers and microscopic analysis of each suspect puncture site. The final result of an analysis using the method is a detailed diagram of puncture holes on both sides of a questioned stopper and a record of the minimum number of puncture holes through a stopper.
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Between 1976 and the middle of 2001, approximately 718 human executions occurred in the U. S. (a small segment of worldwide executions). Data regarding the medical aspects of these executions are not readily available. ⋯ These data suggest that human executions are difficult to carry out. Human executions are associated with significant physical complications. These data may help inform future discussions on human executions.
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An evaluation of the criminal responsibility of an offender who has consumed cannabis necessitates knowledge of the effect of the product on the offender's mental state at the time of the alleged offense. However, the effects induced by cannabis are numerous and the forensic psychiatrist should base his diagnosis and his evaluation on facts which are as objective as possible. ⋯ Eight major categories which can be used in the domain of forensic psychiatry are detailed in this review: Acute usual effects, acute adverse effects, mood disturbance, acute toxic confusion, acute psychotic reaction, chronic paranoid psychosis, amotivational syndrome or other long term effects, and flashbacks. For each of these categories the effects of cannabis intoxication on cognitive and volitional capacities are analyzed, and guidelines for the evaluation of criminal responsibility are proposed.