scholarly journals Explosion fatalities in Sweden, 2000–2018

2021 ◽  
pp. 002580242110252
Author(s):  
Mensura Junuzovic
Keyword(s):  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Forensic Medicine ◽  
National Study ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Manner Of Death ◽  
National Board ◽  
Swedish Study ◽  
Study Material ◽  
Child Deaths ◽  
Comprehensive Knowledge

Epidemiological aspects of explosion-related deaths in a civilian setting may bring comprehensive knowledge that is important for prevention efforts. This Swedish national study aimed to describe the extent of such deaths, circumstances and fatal injuries. Data, including all explosion-related deaths in Sweden from 2000 through 2018, were retrieved from the register of the National Board of Forensic Medicine. Among all 87 cases found, accidental deaths accounted for 62%, suicides for 21%, homicides for 7% and undetermined manner of death for the remaining 10% of cases. Most victims died on site. Adult males dominated in the study material, but explosions also killed four children. Explosives were most commonly involved in occupational blast deaths, suicides and homicides, followed by flammable gases and fluids. The incidence showed a significant decrease since the 1980s, based on the incidence rate from this study and a previous Swedish study (1979–1984). As already rare occurrences, blast-related deaths are challenging to prevent. Prevention efforts are needed to restrict the availability of explosives and focus on lowering the occupational risk for injury. In addition, child deaths must not be neglected. A vision of no fatalities is an appropriate goal for acting against explosion-related deaths in a civilian setting.

scholarly journals Rubella outbreak in Poland in 2013 – an analysis of surveillance data at the national and province level

2015 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-71
Author(s):  
Dorota Mrozek-Budzyn ◽  
Renata Majewska ◽  
Agnieszka Kiełtyka ◽  
Małgorzata Augustyniak
Keyword(s):  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Vaccination Strategy ◽  
Disease Outbreak ◽  
Surveillance Data ◽  
Good Time ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Laboratory Confirmation

Abstract Introduction. Poland is a member of the WHO European Region where a complete eradication of measles and rubella is planned to be finished by 2015. Poland accounted for 99% of all reported rubella cases in 27 EU/EEA countries in 2013. It is a good time to evaluate whether the established Polish vaccination strategy was sufficient to reach the goal of rubella elimination in the near future. Aim. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiology of rubella in Poland when the disease outbreak took place in 2013, to determine the reasons of that situation and to find the solution for future rubella elimination strategies. Material and methods. To analyze the epidemiology of rubella in Poland during the disease outbreak in 2013 the authors used rubella surveillance data collected by the Provincial and National Notifiable Disease Reporting System in 2004-2013. The information at the provincial level derived from one of the 16 provinces (Malopolska). The data on MMR vaccination coverage in 2003-2012 derived from the National Surveillance System. The percentages of rubella cases and vaccine coverage between Poland with Malopolska province were compared. Results. The outbreak started in late 2012 and continued through 2013, when 38548 rubella cases (incidence rate 100.1/ 100 000) were notified. Geographically, rubella cases were reported from the entire country, with the highest incidence rate in Malopolska province (254.9/100 000). Only 5 cases from Malopolska and 120 in whole country were laboratory confirmed, the remaining 99.7% were reported solely on the basis of clinical signs. The vaccination coverage was not sufficient to protect the population against rubella outbreak in Poland, especially among adolescents and young adult males. Conclusions. The strengthening of routine immunization program and implementation of some additional vaccination campaigns in young adults as well as laboratory confirmation of all suspected cases are the challenges that will have to be met to eliminate rubella in Poland

scholarly journals LIGATURE MARK ON THE NECK

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (06) ◽  
pp. 798-803
Author(s):  
Mariam Arif
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Forensic Medicine ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Thyroid Cartilage ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Manner Of Death ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Male Female Ratio

Introduction: There are three types of compression of neck which are of primeforensic importance – (1) Manual strangulation (2) Hanging (3) Ligature strangulation. Ligaturemark is found in the latter two types.1 Ligature mark is a pressure mark on the neck underneaththe ligature. Initially it appears as a pale groove which on drying becomes yellowish brownparchment like.2,5 Objective: The aim is to study the information provided by a ligature markin ligature asphyxial deaths. Methodology: Study Design: A retrospective study on ligatureasphyxial deaths. Setting: Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Departments of King EdwardMedical University, Lahore and Nishtar Medical College, Multan. Period: January, 2012 toDecember, 2013. Results: The incidence of violent ligature asphyxial deaths was 4.21% of thetotal medicolegal deaths autopsied. Age group 21 to 30 years accounted for the maximumcases (37.6%). Male: female ratio was 1.02. Nylon rope (44.7%) was the most common ligaturematerial used. Ligature mark was single in all cases and was situated above thyroid cartilage in82.92% cases of hanging. In ligature strangulation deaths, mark was one in number in 93.18%cases and was below thyroid cartilage in 97.72% cases. The manner of death in hangingwas mostly suicidal (90.24%) as compared to homicidal in all cases of ligature strangulation.Ligature mark was incompletely encircling the neck in 85.36% cases and obliquely present in100% cases of hanging. In all deaths due to ligature strangulation, it was completely encirclingand transversely present around the neck. Underlying soft tissues of neck were glisteningwhite in all hanging deaths while it showed extravasations of blood in all ligature strangulationcases. Conclusions: A meticulous examination of the ligature mark during autopsy, though notconclusive, can give valuable information that can be very helpful in diagnosing deaths due tohanging and ligature strangulation.

Cholesteatoma in Danish children – A national study of changes in the incidence rate over 34 years

2015 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bjarki Ditlev Djurhuus ◽  
Axel Skytthe ◽  
Kaare Christensen ◽  
Christian Emil Faber
Keyword(s):  
Incidence Rate ◽  
National Study

scholarly journals Virtopsy: New Dimension in the Field of Forensic Medicine communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (Number 1) ◽  
pp. 30-33
Author(s):  
Utpal Kumar Biswas ◽  
Mohammad Ahad Hossain ◽  
K. M. Moinuddin ◽  
Nashid Tabassum Khan
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Medicine ◽  
Work Flow ◽  
Forensic Sciences ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Manner Of Death ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Routine Work ◽  
One Step ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
Radiological Procedures

Forensic medicine aims for the documentation of medical and other forensic findings in living and deceased persons, for the police and the judiciary system. An Autopsy is a highly surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present. Though in other branches of the specialty, newer techniques are part of daily routine, in autopsy, the same century old techniques are still being used. Virtopsy is one step ahead in this field which literally means virtual autopsy. New methods like 3D-surface scanning and modern radiological procedures like computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are becoming more and more part of scientific research in forensic sciences and are today part of the routine work flow in a some institutes of legal medicine. This paper is aimed to discuss a few points in the field of Virtopsy.

Undetermined Drowning

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Lunetta ◽  
Gordon S Smith ◽  
Antti Penttila ◽  
Antti Sajantila
Keyword(s):  
Cause Of Death ◽  
Forensic Medicine ◽  
Causes Of Death ◽  
Diagnostic Approach ◽  
Death Certification ◽  
Manner Of Death ◽  
Borderline Cases ◽  
Initial Opinion ◽  
Level Of Training ◽  
Legal Training

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death when the manner of death remains undetermined. In the present study, we examined the epidemiological and medico-legal profile of 276 undetermined deaths (M:F = 3.4:1; mean age 41.9 ± 16.0 SD) among 1,707 consecutive bodies found in water and autopsied at the Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, from 1976 to 2000. We also describe the differences between the police investigator's initial opinion and the forensic pathologist's death certification, and the different approaches among forensic pathologists when determining the cause of death. There was considerable variation among individual pathologists in the percentage of deaths considered undetermined but these differences were not significantly related to their level of training. Medico-legal training should focus on a standardised diagnostic approach to borderline cases, in which essential factors in determining the manner of death are often ambiguous.

Contribution by Departments of Forensic Medicine to Tissue Donation for Transplant Purposes

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 378-380
Author(s):  
Torsten Malm ◽  
Åsa Sandgren Åkerman ◽  
Jesper Greby ◽  
Björn Odö ◽  
Bengt-Åke Henriksson
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Medicine ◽  
Tissue Donation ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Positive Serology ◽  
Tissue Quality ◽  
National Board ◽  
Cardiovascular Tissue ◽  
Technical Errors ◽  
Tissue Procurement

Background: A department of forensic medicine (DFM) can be a valuable source for tissue donation, but logistics can prove difficult to overcome as it pertains to obtaining tissues for donation. This article describes the potential of tissues that can be procured for transplantation. Materials and Methods: Sweden has 9.7 million inhabitants, with an annual mortality rate of 90 000 and 5500 medicolegal autopsies per year. Cooperation between tissue banking and 2 DFMs began in the mid-1980s. Recently, cooperation has expanded to include all six DFMs. All tissue establishments (TEs) were asked to complete a questionnaire concerning their cooperation with DFMs from 2011 through 2013. Results: A total of 298 actual donors were identified; 1090 tissues were procured including cardiovascular tissue, cornea, sclera, ear bones, and skin for transplantation. Of the tissues distributed, 553 were for transplantation and 72 for other medical purposes. Twenty-three percent of the tissues were discarded. Reasons for tissue rejection included deficient tissue quality (65%), positive serology tests (9%), positive bacteriology tests after decontamination procedures (7%), technical errors (<1%), and other reasons (18%). Conclusion: Nineteen percent of all tissues distributed for transplantation came from donors in DFMs. The cooperation between DFMs and TEs was described as well functioning and excellent. Education and national courses in tissue procurement for employees in DFMs are contributing factors to such positive interactions. The support from the National Board of Forensic Medicine is an important factor for sustainable progress.

scholarly journals Comparison of pattern of death during Pre-lockdown period and COVID 19 lockdown period in Central Kerala – An Autopsy Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 17-21
Author(s):  
Shilpa S Babu ◽  
Renju Raveendran ◽  
Anwar KA
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Forensic Medicine ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Government Medical College ◽  
Autopsy Study ◽  
Manner Of Death ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Travel Restrictions ◽  
Near Future

Background: The coronavirus pandemic is one of the deadliest pandemic in history. The authorities worldwide responded to this pandemic by implementing business closures, travel restrictions, lockdowns and quarantines. Aims and Objectives: To determine the type of cases and compare the patterns of deaths which came for autopsy to Department of Forensic Medicine, Government Medical College, Kottayam during the Pre lockdown period in 2019 and COVID-19 Lockdown Period in 2020. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Kottayam. The study data was collected from postmortem reports of Department of Forensic Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Kottayam. Pre-lockdown period was taken as from 21 March to 31 May 2019.There were total 424 cases in 2019,whereas in the Lockdown period taken as from 21 March 2020 to31 May 2020,no: of cases reduced to 270. All these cases were grouped according to cause of death, manner of death and modalities of natural and unnatural deaths. Details of cases were entered utilizing a proforma. Results: There were total 424 cases in the pre-lockdown period in the year 2019, whereas in the lockdown period in 2020, number of cases declined to 270. Among the manner of deaths, accidents accounted for most of the deaths in the year 2019, i.e. 44.6% deaths due to accidents, whereas in the year 2020, deaths due to natural diseases topped the list, 46.3%. These differences in the manner of deaths were found statisticallysignificant. Conclusion: Two months into lockdown, statistically significant differences were noted in patterns of deaths. Further study should be conducted in the near future, when more data will become available. Providing early warning in patterns of mortality within the community could prove to be an invaluable public health asset.

scholarly journals Circumstances of death and pattern of fatal railway injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-268
Author(s):  
Kiran Kumar Patnaik ◽  
Hemanta Panigrahi ◽  
Sudeepa Das
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Medicine ◽  
Causes Of Death ◽  
The Other ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Study Material ◽  
History Of ◽  
Rapid Industrialization ◽  
Present Case Study

The progressive extension of railway networking and increasing number of passengers as well as goods train to meet the demands of rapid industrialization and growing urbanisation, results in an increase in the various modes of railway fatalities. To evaluate the pattern and distribution of fatal railway injuries in relation to the circumstances of death in cases of railway related deaths. The study was conducted at Forensic Medicine and Toxicology department of M.K.C.G. Medical College & Hospital, Berhampur for medico legal autopsy on selected cases of death due to alleged railway injuries, were subjected to thorough post mortem examination and the pattern of injuries noted.A total number of 1314 cases were brought for medico-legal autopsy during the study period, out of which 94 cases were selected for the present study having clear history of railway related deaths (in which either a train caused death or in which a body was found on the track) excluding all other causes of death (even the cases brought by the GRPS having natural deaths were not considered as study material). The study conducted in the department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology revealed that the number of railway related deaths, both accidents and suicides is substantial in the locality. Amongst these, accidental railway deaths (63.83%) outnumber the other manners of death. The ante mortem nature of the railway injuries could be well established in the present case study material.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Smoking among Iranian Adults: Findings of the National STEPs Survey 2016

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 369-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi Varmaghani ◽  
Farshad Sharifi ◽  
Parinaz Mehdipour ◽  
Ali Sheidaei ◽  
Shirin Djalalinia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
World Health ◽  
National Study ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Survey Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Secondhand Smoking ◽  
Steps Survey ◽  
Health Organization

Background: Tobacco smoking is one of the most important avoidable causes of mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study aimed to report the crude and standardized prevalence of current, ever, and secondhand smoking at national and provincial levels. Methods: This study was performed through an analysis of the results of the STEPs survey 2016, which was conducted as a cross-sectional national study. The samples were selected via multistage cluster sampling and they were representative of general population aged ≥18 years in all provinces of Iran. All the data were analyzed via survey analysis while considering population weights. Age-standardized prevalence was also calculated for the Iranian national population in 2016 and the World Health Organization (WHO) Population 2000-2025. Results: A total of 29963 subjects aged ≥18 years from all provinces of Iran, except for Qom, participated in this study. The age standardized prevalence of current tobacco smoking among adult males and females were 24.4% (95% CI: 23.6%–25.1%) and 3.8% (95% CI: 3.5%–4.1%), respectively. Among the participants, the majority of the current smokers were among those aged 45-54 years (14.5%; 95% CI: 13.6%–15.5%). With increase in age, the prevalence of secondhand smoking decreased to 34.8% (95% CI: 33.3%–36.7%) among people aged 18–24 years and to 22·6% (95% CI: 21.0%–24.3%) among subjects over 70 years. Conclusion: The result of the study can be used to inform policy makers about the status of smoking and help them to design policies for setting rules on and limiting the import of cigarettes and their components to the country.

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