Medico-Legal Journal最新文献

Kite flying is a popular recreation in many countries. However, the use of synthetic manja string has led to increased injuries, particularly among motorcyclists and pedestrians. We present the case of a 17-year-old male motorcyclist who sustained a deep cut-throat injury from a manja kite string. Despite emergency surgical intervention, which included vascular reconstruction and tracheostomy, the patient remained unresponsive and died two days later. Autopsy findings revealed extensive damage to the carotid arteries, internal jugular vein, thyroid gland and trachea, with cerebral infarction due to shock and haemorrhage as the cause of death. In motorcycle accidents, the high relative momentum of the rider increases the severity of injuries which occur due to the lack of enforcement of regulatory bans on manja in India. Medico-legal challenges arise when classifying these wounds as either blunt or sharp force trauma, complicating forensic investigations. Strict enforcement of regulations, public awareness campaigns, and improved disposal practices are essential to prevent further injuries and fatalities.

Rabies, a lethal zoonotic viral disease, continues to pose a significant public health threat worldwide. Caused by lyssaviruses, primarily transmitted through the bite of infected animals, rabies manifests as an acute encephalitis with a nearly universal fatality rate once clinical symptoms appear. The hallmark of rabies infection is its unique neurotropism, targeting the central nervous system and inducing characteristic neurological signs and symptoms. Early diagnosis and prompt administration of post-exposure prophylaxis remain crucial for preventing disease progression and mitigating the risk of transmission. Despite the availability of effective vaccines and immunoglobulins, rabies remains endemic in many regions, particularly in low-resource settings where access to healthcare services is limited. This case provides a comprehensive overview of rabies epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic modalities, and current prevention and control strategies. Additionally, it highlights the ongoing challenges in rabies elimination and the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to combat this deadly disease.

The assessment of neurocritical patients may be complex; they are a vulnerable population, according to the Helsinki Declaration. Currently, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in critical care settings may pose a dilemma for medico-legal reasons (lack of legal liability, privacy of data protection, difficulty in accessing medical records in judicial proceedings, no official medical guidelines on critical care promoting its use, and others). This paper considers the ethical-legal issues regarding its current medical use.

Through a review of papers and study reports we researched different nations' approaches and views on patients with delusional disorder and looked at the liability of criminals with this disorder, in hope of finding a more appropriate approach, revision of law and creating fairer law regarding these cases in our country. We used PRISMA standards to select related papers from the following databases: Web of Science, Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, as well as SID and Irandoc (national databases). We found 10 cases of delusional disorder and folie à deux, whose process of the crime, geographical location and finally verdicts and sentences were clearly presented and discussed in the literature. Most societies have acquitted criminals with delusional disorder, based on an insanity verdict, and they are on parole or hospitalised for treatment. This could indicate a need for a more carefully diagnostic review and greater interaction between forensic psychiatrists and the courts in the Iranian judicial system.

Fire-related deaths are usually accidental; self-immolation is a rare means of suicide with fire-related homicides usually a consequence of arson or direct immolation. In homicide investigations, it is important to establish whether heat injuries occurred while the victim was still alive, particularly if traumatic injuries are also present. This assessment can have a significant impact on the offender's sentence, as forensic findings may explain aggravating circumstances. We present a case involving a partially charred body with sharp-force injuries to the neck. Through forensic examination, autopsy, and toxicological analysis, we concluded that the victim was first injured and then exposed to fire while still alive. These findings affected the determination of aggravating factors in the subsequent murder trial.

This study examined autopsy records of suspicious unexpected childhood deaths. The cadavers included were of children investigated in the Zeinhom morgue in Cairo, Egypt, from 2018 to 2022. The data was analysed in respect of cause, manner of death, and the relationship between the pattern of death and the offender's relationship with the victim. Out of a total number of 9621 autopsies, 596 (6.2%) were children. Boys outnumbered girls (59.1% to 40.9%). The majority of deaths occurred in adolescence (195, 32.7%) and late childhood (142, 23.8%). Homicide and suicide were established in 20.1% and 6.9% of victims, with abuse and negligence established in 12.7%. The abuse was predominantly attributed to the bio-father (46.9%), followed by the stepfather (25%), The bio-father and family members were usually responsible for female violations, while the bio-mother was the main offender in cases of male victims.

Contrary to what people generally assume, patients leave mental hospitals, not just via self-discharge (in the case of informal patients) or discharge by the hospital (responsible clinician, hospital managers, etc.). Rather, there are other modes of leaving hospital, such as being given leave of absence, absconding or going absent without leave and transfer to another hospital. This paper briefly looks at all these modes, according to whether they are temporary or permanent, unofficial or official.