bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Study of p53 Expression in Thermal Burns of Human Skin for Determination of Wound Age
Authors: TARRAN SARAH , DZIEWULSKI PETER , SZTYNDA TAMARA , LANGLOIS NEIL E I 
Published: February 2010

Early expression of p53 protein in thermal burns of guinea pig skin has been reported. This study sought to determine if expression occurred in thermal burns of human skin and if immunohistochemical demonstration of p53 protein could be utilised to distinguish ante-mortem from post-mortem injuries as well as indicating the age of a lesion in the living subject. Biopsy samples were obtained from live patients and post-mortem examinations. Immunohistochemistry was used to demonstrate the presence of p53 protein. Staining was assessed by field counting of epithelial cell nuclei. In live subjects there was a tendency for early (six hour to five day) expression, with peak levels occurring around one to two days. Late samples (13 to 23 days) demonstrated minimal or no expression. In contrast, burn wounds from post-mortem examination demonstrated greater staining for p53 protein in the late (28 to 77 day) samples than in the early ones. It appears that expression of p53 protein may assist in the ageing of ante-mortem, but not post-mortem, burn wounds. This implies that results obtained from live subjects may not be applicable to post-mortem material and that any putative method for determining the age of a wound should be tested in both situations.
The Detection and Treatment of Substance Abuse in Offenders with Major Mental Illness: An intervention study
Authors: RITCHIE GORDON , BILLCLIFF NATASHA , McMAHON JOHN , THOMSON LINDSAY 
Published: February 2010

Previous research demonstrated that alcohol and drug misuse prior to admission to special (high and medium) security psychiatric care in Scotland was high. Evidence from clinical practice subsequently suggested that the situation was worsening. In response, a three-pronged strategy was implemented: staff were trained in alcohol and drug issues in mentally disordered offenders, an admission screening programme was introduced to detect those at risk, and specific interventions were developed. This paper presents data on the admission screening programme and on a specific intervention. Study 1 describes the admission data on 86 male patients admitted to the State Hospital, Carstairs. It confirmed that alcohol (81%) and drug (75%) misuse were rising in this population. Combined drug and alcohol abuse was common resulting in the development of joint treatment interventions. Study 2 describes an eight-week drug and alcohol education and awareness programme. An evaluation of this intervention showed that subjects' knowledge of alcohol and drug issues rose significantly pre to post-intervention. However no difference was found in the stage of change or locus of control measures. A number of possible explanations for this finding are discussed, including the validity of the instruments and the effect of detainment in a high security psychiatric environment on the opportunity to change. In spite of the limitations of the environment, the prevalence of alcohol and drug misuse and its association with violence emphasise the need for specific programmes.
Factors Associated with the Recent Decline in Suicide Rates in the Elderly in England and Wales, 1985-1998
Authors: Lodhi Lubbaba Mahmood , Shah Ajit 
Published: February 2010

Elderly suicide rates have declined in recent years in several countries including England and Wales. This study examined the association between a trend of decline in age-specific suicide rates in the elderly in England and Wales and changes in various health and social factors for the period 1985 to 1998. Data on age-specific suicide rates was ascertained from the annual mortality statistics for the years 1985 to 1998. Data on the various health and social variables was ascertained from both the Statistics Division at the Department of Health and the Health and Personal Social Services Statistics, the yearly publications of the Department of Health from 1985 to 1998. The main findings of this study were (i) a significant negative correlation between the number of general practitioners and all categories of whole-time-equivalent (WTE) hospital medical staff and suicide rates for each of the four five-year age bands for males and females after the age of 65; (ii) a significant negative correlation between the number of new outpatient appointments for mental illness and suicide rates in males and females for each of the four five-year age bands between the ages 65-85 years; (iii) a significant positive correlation between the average daily number of available beds for mental illness and elderly suicide rates, for all five-year age bands between the ages 65-85 years; (iv) a significant negative correlation between the number of field social work staff and day centre staff and elderly suicide rates for each of the four five-year age bands after the age of 65 for males and females; and, (v) a significant positive correlation between the total number of elderly in all residential homes and the number of elderly in local authority residential homes and elderly suicide rates for each of the four five-year age bands between the ages 65-85 years for males and females. A trend of decline in age-specific suicide rates in the elderly in England and Wales from 1985 to 1998 was significantly associated with changes in various health and social variables. These included the number of general practitioners and hospital medical staff, the hospital psychiatric services, the number of local authority staff and the number of elderly residents in accommodation supported by a local authority. The results of this study suggest that changes in these variables may be important factors contributing to the recent decline in suicide rates but this effect should be viewed in the context of other health and social factors.
Elderly Suicide: An analysis of coroner's inquests into two hundred cases in Cheshire 1989 - 2001
Authors: Salib Emad , Rahim Sahar , El-Nimr George , Habeeb Bassem 
Published: February 2010

Elderly suicide is an index of more widespread disorder and discontent among the elderly, and furthermore is a potentially preventable cause of death. This study used coroner's inquest records of 200 elderly in Cheshire who killed themselves, and in which their unexpected deaths attracted a verdict of suicide. Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical aspects of the suicidal process and health care contact before death are reviewed. Unlike most available studies, cases of unexpected death in which an open verdict was given were not included in this study, which covered a 13 year period. The findings are interpreted and compared to the currently available literature on suicide in the elderly. Late life suicide is characterised by less warning, higher lethality and greater prevalence of depression and physical illness. However, suicide risk often remains undetected. All suicidal behaviour in the elderly should be taken seriously by psychiatric and primary care services, in order to reduce suicide rates in the elderly.
Factors Influencing Treatment Entry in Sex Offenders Against Children
Authors: Dolan Mairead , Fullam Rachael 
Published: February 2010

The study examined the psychosocial characteristics of 99 sex offenders against children referred for treatment to a forensic community sex offender programme. The subjects had high levels of substance misuse problems and personality disorder but low rates of Axis I disorder. Subjects accepted for treatment could not be distinguished from those rejected as unsuitable on the Child Sex Questionnaire (CSQ) (Beckett et al., 1994), apart from the question on whether or not subjects believed it was wrong to have sexual contact with children. Substance misuse, antisocial personality disorder and past criminal history did not determine whether subjects were accepted or rejected. Differences in scores on actuarial measures of risk (STATIC-99) were also not significant. Clinicians' ratings of motivation, level of denial and poor social skills were the key factors determining rejection for treatment. Reconviction rates in the treatment group were low (7%) at five-year follow-up.
2. An Autopsy Case of Sudden Death in a Boy with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Kawato Hitoshi , Hitosugi Masahito , Kido Masahito , Yufu Tetsuo , Nagai Toshiaki , Tokudome Shogo 
Published: February 2010

We report a rare autopsy case of sudden death due to primary pulmonary hypertension. A seven-year-old boy, who had been diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension at the age of four years, died suddenly. Forensic autopsy and histopathologic examination revealed extensive obstruction of small muscular pulmonary arteries by plexiform lesions and concentric intimal thickenings, compatible with primary pulmonary hypertension. We concluded that plexiform lesions of pulmonary arteries produced right ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation, decreased the preload of the left ventricle and subsequently led to biventricular failure. This autopsy and histopathologic examination suggested a possible pathophysiologic mechanism of sudden death due to primary pulmonary hypertension in a child.
Homicide in the Canadian Prairies: Spousal killers and recidivism
Authors: MENZIES ROBIN P D 
Published: February 2010

This prospective study identifies the rate of recidivism in spousal homicide offenders after release from their sentences for homicide and explores factors associated with re-offending. A non-selective sample of 131 released spousal killers was studied, using the CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre) to access post-release criminal convictions. The mean follow-up period was ten years, and ranged from eight months to 37 years. Fifty-one offenders (38.9%) re-offended. Violent crimes were committed by 27 (20.6%) offenders. Several factors were associated with recidivism but older age at release was the most significant. Violent recidivism in released spousal killers occurred at the rate of 21%. Ageing was a mitigating factor and should be considered in forensic assessments and given more weight in parole decisions involving any release.
Corporate Manslaughter
Authors: BERRY CHRISTOPHER 
Published: February 2010

The Government published its long-awaited draft Bill on the creation of a new criminal offence of corporate manslaughter shortly before the May 2005 general election. The Bill was included in the Queen's Speech after the general election and, with a Labour government back in power, the new offence could be on to the statute book as early as 2006. The Home Affairs Committee and the Work and Pensions Committee announced a joint inquiry to consider and report on the Bill. This is expected to be completed by the end of 2005. Pressure for reform of the law relating to manslaughter and corporate killing arose out of a series of high profile fatal accidents, including several rail crashes. There has been said to be an increasing concern amongst the public that companies and organisations are not being held sufficiently accountable for deaths caused by their criminal negligence. The author acted in the first of the major cases, representing the directors accused of manslaughter following the Herald of Free Enterprise capsize disaster in 1987.
Prison Suicides and Self-harming Behaviours in Italy, 1990-2002
Authors: PRETI ANTONIO , CASCIO MARIA TERESA 
Published: February 2010

Data on suicides, attempted suicides and other self-harming behaviours that occurred in Italian prisons from 1990 to 2002 was studied on official records, as documented by the Ministry of Justice. Over the study interval, completed suicide rates in Italian prisons were constantly about ten times higher than among the general population, but over time they did not increase significantly despite nearly a doubling in the absolute number of inmates. The rate of completed suicides in overcrowded prisons was about ten times higher than in non-overcrowded ones. Attempted suicides were about ten times higher than completed suicides, with females being significantly more likely to attempt to take their own lives and males being more likely to complete suicide. Self-injuring acts without the intent to die involve about one in every ten individuals, with foreigners (non-EU citizens mostly) being twice as likely to self-harm than residents. A better identification of the people suffering from mental disorders and a reduction in prison overcrowding are two key issues that need to be implemented to reduce the impact of suicide and self-harming behaviours among convicts.
An Introduction to Computer Forensics
Authors: FURNEAUX NICK 
Published: February 2010

This paper provides an introduction to the discipline of Computer Forensics. With computers being involved in an increasing number, and type, of crimes the trace data left on electronic media can play a vital part in the legal process. To ensure acceptance by the courts, accepted processes and procedures have to be adopted and demonstrated which are not dissimilar to the issues surrounding traditional forensic investigations. This paper provides a straightforward overview of the three steps involved in the examination of digital media: • Acquisition of data • Investigation of evidence • Reporting and presentation of evidence Although many of the traditional readers of Medicine, Science and the Law are those involved in the biological aspects of forensics, I believe that both disciplines can learn from each other, with electronic evidence being more readily sought and considered by the legal community and the long, tried and tested scientific methods of the forensic community being shared and adopted by the computer forensic world.
Muti Killing
Authors: BHOOTRA B L , WEISS E. 
Published: February 2010

Muti killings are a form of murder committed by certain African tribes in South Africa and other African countries. Body parts for medicinal and ritualistic purposes are removed whilst the victims, mostly women and children, are still alive. The authors report the case of a 10-year-old boy who was found in an unconscious state in the undergrowth near a rural village in Limpopo, South Africa. He had several injuries which included the removal of his private parts and severe head injuries. The incidence, etiological and cultural factors, predisposing conditions and legal questions arising from such deaths are discussed.
Outcome of Referral to a Prison Mental Health Team
Authors: FRIEL ANDREA , WHITE TOM 
Published: February 2010

This retrospective case note study describes the demographic, offence and diagnostic characteristics of 115 referrals made to a psychiatric service within HMP Perth between May 2003 and April 2004. Twenty per cent of referrals were diagnosed with a major mental illness with remand prisoners having a higher overall prevalence. Nearly 70% had previous contact with psychiatric services, a similar percentage had previous substance misuse. Over 8% were transferred out of prison and over a quarter continued to be followed up at the end of the study period. A wide range of index offences was seen. Over two-thirds had a previous history of offending and nearly 60% had a previous custodial sentence, reflecting a high degree of recidivism. This study supports the high degree of psychiatric morbidity in the prison population shown in other studies. The role of a prison psychiatric service is discussed in the context of services to mentally disordered offenders.
Artificial Penile Nodules – A Forensic Pathosociology Perspective
Authors: WILCHER GLENN 
Published: February 2010

The article reports on four cases of penile modifications, known in medico-social literature as artificial penile nodules, observed during the external coronial autopsy examinations of three males of South-east Asian origin, admitted over a five-week period, and a Australian youth admitted 30 months previously as a death in custody. Fang muk, bulletus, chagan balls, tancho balls, and penis marbles are terms synonymous with the ethno-sexual practices of various sub-cultural groups of South-east Asian males, the terminology being specific to the geographic region. It describes the implanting of firm spherical foreign objects, in the form of beads, in the subcutaneous tissue of the shaft of the penis proximal to the glans to allegedly enhance the sexual pleasure of females during sexual intercourse. Non-Asian nationalities such as Romanians (Wolf and Kerl, 1991), Russians (Serour, 1993) Fijians (Scott and Norton, 1993) and Middle Eastern males have also adopted this practice within sub-cultural groups of society. The article provides a brief historical account and the social, motivational, and occupational characteristics of individuals adopting this sexual practice and the surgical and health side effects of the implantation of artificial penile nodules, relating these aspects to the forensic cases observed.
Trends in fatal motor vehicle accidents in Transkei region of South Africa
Authors: Meel B.L. 
Published: February 2010

This paper aims to estimate the incidence of motor vehicle accident (MVA) related deaths and identify the factors associated with the causes of the high road death toll in Transkei region. A retrospective review and analysis was performed of all medico-legal autopsies (n=6181) between January 1993 and December 1999, of which 39% (1,778/4,525) were deaths as a result of MVAs. During the seven-year period (January 1993-December 1999), MVA deaths in Transkei region accounted for an average of 63 deaths per 100,000 population per year. It reached a peak of 80 deaths per 100,000 in 1997, and then slowly came down to 48 deaths per 100,000 in 1999. MVA deaths have come down from 39% (248) of all trauma-related deaths in 1993 to 29% (193) in 1999. The male/female ratio is 3.3:1; and 50% of victims were between 21 and 40 years of age. In conclusion, there are high motor vehicle accident-related deaths in Transkei region of South Africa.
Sudden unexpected death associated with lymphocytic thyroiditis
Authors: Vestergaard Vibeke , Drostrup Dorthe Høj , Thomsen Jørgen L. 
Published: February 2010

A forensic autopsy study comprising 125 cases was carried out retrospectively in order to evaluate pathological changes in the thyroid gland in different groups of death. The five groups selected consecutively were: (i) opiate addicts who died from an overdose, (ii) alcoholics who died as a result of their alcohol abuse, (iii) cases of fatal poisoning other than opiate addicts, (iv) unknown cause of death and (v) controls without prior disease. Tissue samples from the thyroid gland were cut and stained with haematoxylin and eosin and van Gieson. Histology examinations were subsequently performed blind with semiquantitative assessment of the following six parameters: (a) height of the follicular epithelium, (b) the amount of lymphocytes, (c) the presence of plasma cells, (d) hyperplastic follicular changes, (e) oxyphilic changes, and (f) fibrosis. The most striking result was the finding of extensive lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid parenchyma in five of the 124 cases, of which four belonged in the group of `unknown cause of death'. This discovery leads to reflections regarding lymphocytic thyroiditis as a cause of death, either by itself or in combination with other disorders. Silent (painless) thyroiditis, especially, is easily overlooked at autopsy as there are no macroscopic changes and often no prior symptoms or history of thyroid disease pointing towards this condition. Analyses of thyroid hormones are unreliable in predicting endocrine status in life. Routine microscopy of the thyroid gland is therefore advocated in cases of sudden unexpected death in order to diagnose thyroid disease, in particular silent (painless) thyroiditis.
Sudden natural deaths in Edirne, Turkey, from 1984 to 2005
Authors: Azmak Ali Derya 
Published: February 2010

The aim of this study is to evaluate the characteristics of sudden natural deaths (SND) in forensic autopsy cases which were performed in Trakya University Department of Forensic Medicine, Edirne, Turkey. For each case, a complete autopsy, toxicological screening and histological examination were performed. Deaths due to unnatural causes, alcohol, drug overdose and undetermined causes (negative autopsy) were excluded from the study. Autopsy reports of 959 consecutive forensic cases performed in a 22-year period were reviewed. Two hundred and seventy-eight (278) SNDs were identified, involving 232 males (83.4%) and 46 females (16.6%). The age group of 50-59 years accounted for 21.58% of the cases. In the majority (55%) the cause of death was related to the cardiovascular system – principally ischemic heart disease. The second most common cause of SND was related to the respiratory system (19.1%), especially pneumonia. Most of the SNDs occurred in the winter months. Ethyl alcohol was detected in 5.3% of cases. In conclusion, sudden natural deaths related to the cardiovascular system are shown to be a significant problem in the Trakya region of Turkey.
Recognition by French courts of compensation for post-vaccination multiple sclerosis: the consequences with regard to expert practice
Authors: Rougé-Maillart C.I. , Guillaume N. , Jousset N. , Penneau M. 
Published: February 2010

Over the past few years, despite scientific uncertainties, French courts have awarded compensation to sufferers of multiple sclerosis (MS) which occurred following vaccination against hepatitis B. These legal decisions have aroused fierce criticism in the medical world. Both a judgment given on 25 May 2004 by the Court of Cassation and a new publication in the journal Neurology have encouraged us to look once more at this controversial issue. French judges began compensating patients with MS at the end of the 1990s. One of the first judgments was given in 2001 by the Court of Appeal of Versailles when a pharmaceutical laboratory was held liable for the onset of MS following vaccination against hepatitis B. On appeal, the Court of Cassation overturned the judgment in September 2003, finding that the Court of Appeal judges had based their decision on a hypothetical causal link. However, the only reason why the Court of Appeal judgment was quashed was the contradictory evidence on which the judges had based their presumptions. Several of the judgments given since that date seem to confirm this hypothesis. On 25 May 2004, the 2nd civil law chamber recognized that MS which occurs following a vaccination against hepatitis B (a vaccination carried out for work-related purposes) could be considered as an accident at work, without questioning the possible causal link between the illness and the vaccine. This jurisprudence in the matter of hepatitis B vaccination shows the need for great care in expert practice. Effectively, when confronted with drug related imputability, the expert usually bases his reasoning on three points: the causal role of the generating factor, the chronology and other causes of damage. In terms of MS, all these factors are modified. More than ever, an expert must, in terms of imputability, be objective, prudent and clear in his conclusions.
Unplanned complex suicide by self-strangulation associated with multiple sharp force injuries
Authors: Palmiere Cristian , Risso Enrico , van Hecke Oliver , La Harpe Romano 
Published: February 2010

In cases of ligature strangulation, the importance of distinguishing self-inflicted death from homicide is crucial. This entails objective scene investigation, autopsy and anamnesis in order to elucidate the manner of death correctly. The authors report a case of unplanned complex suicide by means of self-strangulation and multiple sharp force injury. The use of more than one suicide method, consecutively — termed unplanned complex suicide — gives this case particular significance. A brief discussion on this uncommon method of suicide is presented, particularly relevant to the attending forensic physician. In addition, a short overview of the entity of complex suicide is given.