Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii
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Arch Med Sadowej Kryminol · Apr 2003
Review[Sobriety testing in case of lack of cooperation of the examined person--the legal basis of the physician's activities].
The legal aspect of blood sample taking for alcohol concentration from suspicious, uncooperative persons is described in this paper. The Polish law allows for a possibility to take blood samples for alcohol concentration from suspects only by a physician or another skilled medical worker and only when consent is given to the medical procedure. ⋯ Taking blood samples is the medical worker' obligation in accordance with the law. The physician can refuse to do this only when the procedure threatens the life or health of the suspect.
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Arch Med Sadowej Kryminol · Apr 2003
[Routine examination of cervical spinal cord and spinal column during forensic autopsies].
Examination of the cervical spinal cord is a rare additional autopsy technique applied in forensic autopsies. Injuries of the neck region are fatal in a considerable number of cases. However, such technique is neglected especially while a different cause of death is found. ⋯ There were about 40% gross anatomy and about 46% microscopic (blood suffusions) changes giving evidence of trauma of that region in groups of victims of traffic accidents. Techniques of examination of the cervical spinal cord and spinal column with the addition of microscopy in selected cases can prove the cause and mechanism of death. While neglected, especially in obscure autopsy cases, could give the reason that possible medical malpractice occurred.