bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sexual assault statistics from the Republic of Ireland for 2004-2005
Authors: McDermott Seán D. , McBride Bríd Martina , Lee-Gorman Marce 
Published: February 2010

The Republic of Ireland, like all other countries, has strict laws governing the crimes of rape and sexual assault. Victims of such assaults are treated in sexual assault treatment units where evidential material is gathered and forwarded to the forensic science laboratory (FSL). This paper represents the first published study from the Republic of Ireland of the time, day and month most frequently encountered in sexual assault cases presented to the FSL. In addition, the study examines the location and nature of the assault, together with such factors as the age of the victim, relationship to the suspect and degree to which the victim has a clear recollection of the events. The study covers information from 890 cases submitted to the FSL in the time period January 2004 to December 2005. The most common age category of victim was 16-30, the most likely time of occurrence was Saturday night/Sunday morning during the summer months of June, July or August. The assailant will most likely be known to the victim even if only recently met. Loss of memory mainly associated with the consumption of alcohol was a significant factor in many of the cases. The figures were compared to international studies with no significant differences between our findings and other studies. We also compared our results to a similar study in 1995-1996 and found little difference except for the number of the victims who were non-Irish nationals: 3% in the 1995-1996 study but by 2004-2005 that figure had risen to 11%.
The use of section 5(2) of the Mental Health Act 1983: an audit
Authors: Gangaram Poornima , Kumar Palanivelu S. 
Published: February 2010

Section 5(2) of the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) deals with the compulsory detainment of a mentally unwell inpatient in hospital for a period of 72 hours. During this time the Responsible Medical Officer (RMO) must review the patient and either increase the duration of compulsory stay by converting it to a section 2/section 3, or discharge the patient if appropriate or make the patient's stay informal. Section 5(2) can be implemented by either the RMO or his deputy (duty doctor). An audit of the use of section 5(2) MHA within a psychiatric hospital was carried out between October 2000 and September 2001. The medical case notes of those patients identified were used to obtain data on patient demographics, date of implementation of section 5(2), date of reassessment after section 5(2) and outcome of the assessment. We also looked at reasons for the use of section 5(2), and the documentation standards. Section 5(2) was implemented 55 times during this period. Nearly 83% of cases were in the age group 21 to 60 years. Most were implemented out of working hours. Seventy-five per cent of the patients were assessed within the next 48 hours by the RMO. Forty-one per cent of the patients who were placed under 5(2) were re-graded to informal, 32% were put under section 3 of MHA and 27% placed under section 2 of MHA. When compared with similar studies, this study showed a higher conversion rate from section 5(2) to section 2/3 suggesting that section 5(2) may have been used appropriately (Table I). Many current areas of practice do not meet with standards recommended by the Code of Practice as suggested in a cross sectional survey on the use of section 5(2) (Jacob and Freer, 2005). Higher conversion rates of section 5(2) to a further section may indicate appropriate use of Section 5(2), and also increasing psychiatric inpatient morbidity.
An audit of basic record keeping standards: lessons learnt from the Royal College of Physicians
Authors: Galappathie Nuwan , Jethwa Krishma , Andonovska Biljana 
Published: February 2010

This paper describes an audit of the basic standard of record keeping for inpatient clinical records. Following an initial audit, the Royal College of Physicians' inpatient record keeping standards 6 and 7 were adopted. The standard was then reassessed in a second audit. During the first audit, 189 medical entries were assessed and 274 were assessed on repeat audit. A significant improvement was achieved in many areas including recording of time (19-82%), name of author (60-89%), location of patient (58-94%) and identity of the most senior doctor present (68-89%), (p<0.001). The Royal College of Physicians' record keeping standards through the use of audit can lead to considerable improvement in the standard of record keeping within psychiatric practice.
An audit of the quality of reports to Mental Health Review Tribunals
Authors: O'Muirithe Barry , Shankar Rohit 
Published: February 2010

The Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) Rules 1983 place a statutory responsibility on the Responsible Authority to provide the tribunal with a formal medical report. Such reports are valuable records providing a systemic and evidence-based viewpoint for detaining an individual under the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA). The reports allow the treating team to present its concerns and subsequent care package to the tribunal, whose members could be from a non-mental health background. There is evidence that the majority of the MHRT reports do not satisfactorily meet the tribunal's requirements. Recent literature has indicated that the circulation of structured guidelines has resulted in improved quality of the reports. The authors undertook an audit cycle to test the above hypothesis. A preliminary audit ascertained the current practice of MHRT report-making in Cornwall. The reports were objectively assessed against “gold standards” of a comparative framework of eighteen criteria laid out by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The guidelines were circulated in the form of a template and a re-audit carried out to ascertain any change in practice. The subsequent re-audit demonstrated significant improvements in the quality of reports.
Firearm fatalities in Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al Madni Osama , Kharosha Magdy Abdel Azim , Shotar Ali M. 
Published: February 2010

This paper provides a database representing injury mortality in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, with the aim of establishing a system which will record information about the incidence of such deaths, identify new trends and give priority to violence prevention. The retrospective study was carried out on 64 fatalities from gunfire injuries at the Forensic Medicine Centre in Dammam, Saudi Arabia during the period from January 2002 — December 2006. The deaths included 55 cases of homicide, seven cases of suicide and two accidental shootings. Twenty-six victims were aged between 16-30 years and 24 victims were between 31-45 years. Fifty-nine of the cases were male. A handgun was the weapon used in 49 cases. The most common sites for the firearm entrance wounds were the head (45 cases) and the chest (35 cases). In the majority of cases (56.3%) a single shot was fired while in 15.6% of cases there were two shots. In 51.5% of cases no bullet was recovered from the body while a single bullet was recovered in 31.5% and two bullets in 6.2% of the cases. Distant range fire was observed in 65.6% of cases. Exit wounds were found on the head in 36.7% and on the chest in 28.7% of cases. The majority of victims were young males living in urban areas. This result should help in forming a strategy to improve the livelihoods of this group. The low incidence of alcohol abuse (one case, 1.56%) and only three cases (4.68%) of amphetamine abuse is significant.
Should doctors who make clinical errors be charged with manslaughter? A survey of medical professionals and members of the public
Authors: Kay Natasha , Green Alexis , McDowell Sarah E. , Ferner R.E. 
Published: February 2010

If a doctor is grossly negligent and the patient dies as a result, the doctor can be charged with manslaughter. We have investigated the difference in opinion between medical professionals and the public on whether doctors should face criminal charges following different fatal medical errors. We conducted a survey of 40 medical professionals and 40 members of public, using a set of questions about negligence and manslaughter relating to four real-life cases of doctors charged with manslaughter where eventual outcomes were known. Medical professionals and the public agreed that lessons could be learnt from all four cases and that an independent review of each case should be carried out. However, across all cases, the public were more likely to respond that the doctor should be charged with manslaughter (OR=2.1; 95% CI=1.3-3.2). The public and, to a lesser extent, medical professionals still hold individuals responsible following a death due to medical error. This has implications for those who advocate a systems-based approach for assessing the root causes of medical errors, where there is a limited focus on individual accountability.
Sudden infant death syndrome/unexplained infant deaths in Sri Lanka
Authors: Fernando Ravindra , Abeyasinghe Nilukshi 
Published: February 2010

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also known as ‘unexplained deaths under one year’, is rarely reported in Sri Lanka as a cause of post-neonatal mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the opinion of paediatricians and pathologists regarding the reasons for this rarity. Members of the Colleges of Paediatricians, Pathologists and Forensic Pathologists who met the inclusion criteria were selected as the study population. A brief self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Results were analysed using standard statistical methods. The sample consisted of 50 paediatricians, 15 histopathologists and seven forensic pathologists with a mean career span of 26.3 years. SIDS was reportedly diagnosed by only nine (12.5%) of the respondents while the other 63 (87.5%) have never encountered SIDS during their careers. Of the nine doctors, three (33.3%) based their diagnosis on autopsy findings but histological and toxicological studies had not been performed. The other six doctors (66.6%) relied on clinical history alone. Twenty-five doctors (34.7 %) believed that keeping babies under close adult supervision was the reason SIDS is so rare in Sri Lanka. Twenty paediatricians (40%) and four histopathologists (26.7%) agreed with this view while five forensic pathologists (71.4%), believed the reason was under-diagnosis. In conclusion, the majority of doctors believe the most likely reason for the rarity of SIDS in Sri Lanka is that babies are kept under close adult supervision, in comparison with developed countries. By contrast, most forensic pathologists are of the opinion that SIDS is under-diagnosed.
Drowning deaths in Mthatha area of South Africa
Authors: Meel B.L. 
Published: February 2010

Deaths by drowning are a serious public health problem worldwide. They are under-investigated and hence under-estimated. Drowning is an important and preventable cause of death. This paper aims to estimate the deaths by drowning in Mthatha area of South Africa. Records of the medico-legal autopsies in Umtata General Hospital (UGH) were reviewed from 1993 to 2004. All cases of unnatural death are brought by the police to UGH mortuary. Three hundred and forty-three cases of death as a result of drowning were recorded over a period of 12 years (1993-2004). There was an increased trend of drowning from 2.7 per 100, 000 in 1993 to 12 per 100, 000 in 2004. Males outnumbered females by 2.6:1. The incidence of drowning declines as age advances. The highest number (96) of victims was under ten years of age. Deaths due to drowning are increasing especially among male children and young adults.
Who are sexual offenders? A survey of pre-trial psychiatric reports
Authors: Balasundaram Bharathi , Frazer John B. , Wood Peter J. W. 
Published: February 2010

Sexual offending is a serious and growing problem in our society. The aim of the study was to investigate the main characteristics of people charged with sexual offences who presented before the criminal courts. The survey was conducted retrospectively between August 2001 and August 2006 on pre-trial court reports stored in a computer database shared by forensic psychiatrists using The Grange consulting rooms in West Yorkshire. A data collection form was used to gather the characteristics of sexual offenders. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics. Our survey revealed the following results. Out of 78 cases evaluated, the commonest sexual offence was against children (68.8%). Thirty-two per cent of those with paedophilic behaviour had a history of childhood sexual abuse. Rape was alleged as the main sexual offence in 27.27% cases. Substance abuse (30.76%) and sexual motivation (42.30%) were the predominant motives for offending behaviour. Low rates of sexual fantasy and sadistic behaviour (8.97%) in our sample could be due to the nondisclosure by sexual offenders. Mental disorder was observed in 7.69 % cases. Significant personality factors were observed in 14.10% of the sample. A sexual offending treatment programme was recommended in 57.69% cases. A very high risk of re-offending was recorded in 32.25% cases. Of the total sample, 93.50% were deemed fit to plead.
Aftercare under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983: awareness and practice
Authors: Dibben Claire , Khandaker Golam , Ramana Rajini 
Published: February 2010

The aim of this study is to investigate the level of awareness amongst consultants regarding Mental Health Act (MHA) Section 117 aftercare, their responsibilities and current practice. We conducted a cross-sectional survey alongside a retrospective study of the Trust Section 117 aftercare registers. Seventy-four per cent of the consultants were aware of the Section 117 aftercare registers and the need for review of aftercare. Ninety-four per cent were aware of the financial implications of Section 117. However, only 52% of the consultants regularly contributed to the review process to identify patients who were no longer in need of aftercare under Section 117. Over a five-year period, 150 patients were discharged from Section 117, of whom only 4% were officially discharged following review of the care plan. Health and social services have a legal obligation to provide aftercare to all eligible patients free of charge under Section 117. With the new Mental Health Act 2007 this will now include patients on Supervised Community Treatment Orders. It is important to have a clear understanding of Section 117 to ensure patients' needs are met and to allow effective use of resources.
A petition to Mr Peel: Gideon Mantell and the trial of Hannah Russell
Authors: Flanagan R.J. , Watson K.D. 
Published: February 2010

In the summer of 1826, Hannah Russell was tried for petty treason, viz. the murder of her husband, Benjamin Russell, by poisoning. Their lodger, Daniel Leney, was indicted as her accomplice. The exact circumstances surrounding the death were unclear but Hannah was known to have purchased white arsenic (arsenious oxide). A local surgeon, Thomas Evans, supported at the post-mortem examination by two further surgeons, not only reported severe corrosion of the gastrointestinal tract, but also the recovery of nearly an eighth of an ounce of arsenic from the victim's stomach. Both accused were convicted and sentenced to death. Leney was executed, but Hannah Russell was respited because the trial judge, Sir Robert Graham, had doubts as to a direction he had given to the jury. The surgeon and paleontologist Gideon Mantell took up her case, stressing that death from arsenic could not have taken place as quickly as was alleged and maintaining that the chemical evidence of arsenic poisoning was inconclusive. He gained the support of some eminent chemists and physicians. Subsequently, forensic toxicologists [Sir] Robert Christison and Alfred Swaine Taylor pointed out that Mantell's arguments as to the possible time to death in arsenic poisoning were quite wrong. Moreover, Evans gave details of the analyses he and his colleagues had undertaken to Christison, who pronounced the findings sound, as indeed did Mantell after Evans and his colleagues published details of their investigations in the Sussex Advertiser. Papers in The National Archives show that Hannah was pardoned for the offence for which she was indicted, leaving it open to prefer a lesser charge. That this was never done may have been due to Mantell's campaign, at least in part, but the pardon she did receive was due to the concern of the trial judge as to the implications of the evidence presented at trial.
An audit of parents'/guardians' wishes recorded after coronial autopsies in cases of sudden unexpected death in infancy: issues raised and future directions
Authors: Cohen M.C. , Blakey S. , Donn T. , McGovern S. , Parry L. 
Published: February 2010

In the UK, cases of sudden unexpected death in infancy are under the jurisdiction of the Coroner and consent for a post-mortem is not required. Prior to the Human Tissue Act 2006 (HTA) there was also no requirement to request retention of tissue (blocks and slides). The HTA stipulates that parental/guardian consent is mandatory to retain or dispose of all tissues after the Coroners' purposes have been fulfilled. In 2007, in order to avoid confusion with the consent needed for hospital post-mortems, a new form was introduced by Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (SCH) called Record of parents'/guardians' wishes regarding samples taken at a Coroner's post mortem. This version specifically asks if blocks and slides may be retained as part of the medical record, or are to be disposed of, and for parental agreement (or not) for the frozen tissue, blocks and slides to be used for education, audit, quality control and medical research. One hundred and nineteen Coroners' postmortems covering the years 2006-2007 were reviewed. All parents/guardians (P/G) were contacted and the outcomes of P/G wishes recorded by SCH staff, Coroners' Officers (CO) and Police Family Liaison Officers (PFLO) were analysed and compared (44% from CO were outstanding at the time of audit). Any delay in recording P/G wishes by these three groups was also compared. In 2006, parental agreement to the use of blocks and slides for education, audit, quality control and medical research was 94%, 77% and 75% for SCH, CO and PFLO, respectively. In 2007 it was 84%, 37% and 100% for the same groups. Permission for the retention of frozen tissue given to SCH, CO and PFLO was 90%, 62% and 100% in 2006 and 90%, 44% and 100% in 2007, respectively. Cases where parents did not wish for the retention or use of tissue (including blocks and slides) were 3%, 15% and 0% in 2006 for SCH, CO and PFLO respectively, and 0% for all groups in 2007. Training of staff in all aspects of post-mortem and bereavement care is essential for ascertaining parental wishes. Families should be provided with the knowledge that allows them to make informed choices. The analysis of the results of the audit supports this view.
Organ donation in France: legislation, epidemiology and ethical comments
Authors: Jousset Nathalie , Gaudin Arnaud , Mauillon Damien , Penneau Michel , Rougé-Maillart Clotilde 
Published: February 2010

The Bioethics Laws revised in 2004 have defined rules concerning organ donation and transplantation. They have also permitted the creation of the French Biomedicine Agency which guarantees the right of enforcement. In France there are three situations in which organs may be harvested: from cadaveric donors, from living donors and, since 2005, from non heart beating donors. Organ harvesting from cadaveric donors is permissible if the deceased did not make known his refusal during his lifetime (this may be recorded in the national registry set up for this purpose). The rule of presumed consent also applies in the case of organs taken after cardiac arrest. With regard to organ harvesting from living persons, a panel of experts is required to give approval. The recipient's spouse, brothers or sisters, sons or daughters, grandparents, uncles or aunts and first cousins may be authorised to donate organs, as well as the spouse of the recipient's father or mother. The donor may be any person who provides proof of having lived with the recipient for at least two years. Some ethical questions will need to be resolved; for example the relevance of maintaining the EEG for brain death diagnosis, enforcement of the law on presumed consent, the real nature of the will of living donors and the definition of death.
Autopsy findings of suicidal deaths committed by firearms in Ankara, Turkey
Authors: Canturk Gurol , Canturk Nergis , Odabasi Aysun Balseven , Erkol Zerrin , Bosgelmez Memnune 
Published: February 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine autopsy findings from suicidal deaths using firearms in Ankara, Turkey, and to compare the results with those reported from other studies. We retrospectively evaluated suicidal deaths by firearms referred for autopsy to the Morgue Department, Institute of Forensic Medicine, between 2002 and 2004. Results were subjected to discriminant analyses using SPSS 11.5 package program. One hundred and fifteen cases (83.3%) were male, the ratio of male to female was 5 to 1 and the mean age was 31.96 years (range:12-85 years). Forty cases were aged between 12 years and 20 years, 28 were aged between 0 and 18 (20.29%). One hundred and thirty-three cases (96.4%) had one bullet entry and five cases (3.6%) had two bullet entries. Out of 143 bullet entries, 116 (81.12%) were caused by gunshots fired from contact or near contact range. Regarding bullet entry sites, 103 (72.03%) were on the head with 56 (54.37%) located on the right temporal region. Gunshot related crimes are an increasing cause for concern in Turkey. However, a simple preventive measure may prevent the suicidal deaths of many young people.
Non-fatal injuries to the cervical spine facet joints after a fatal motor vehicle crash
Authors: Uhrenholt Lars , Nielsen Edith , Charles Annie Vesterby , Gregersen Markil 
Published: February 2010

Injuries to the lower cervical spine facet joints may be identified in people killed in road traffic crashes. However, many of these injuries are not identified on diagnostic imaging procedures despite histological evidence of injury. This case report illustrates possible non-lethal pathological conditions in the facet joints following fatal road traffic trauma. The cervical spine segments C4 to C7 were removed en bloc and examined with magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and conventional radiology. The specimen was fixated in alcohol, embedded in methylmethacrylate, and divided into 3 mm thick parasaggital slices from where 10μm thick sections were produced and evaluated with light microscopy. Injuries identified on microscopy included haemarthrosis, capsular avulsion, synovial fold contusions and subchondral fractures. None of the injuries were detected on diagnostic imaging or at routine autopsy. Discrete injuries to the cervical spine facet joints were identified using supplemental histological procedures in this case report. Post-mortem diagnostic imaging did not reveal these injuries and future studies should investigate the nature, prevalence and clinical relevance of such lesions.