Archiwum Medycyny Sadowej i Kryminologii最新文献

Stature estimation is an important early step during forensic analysis of human skeletal remnants. The aim of the present study was to obtain a linear regression formula for estimating stature from foramen magnum measurements of a central Indian population. The study includes 81 male and 55 female cadavers brought for medicolegal autopsies. The linear regression equations were derived from length (FML), breadth (FMB) and area (FMA) of foramen magnum. The regression model provided a 95% confidence interval of ± 11.1 cm, ± 10.4, and ± 10.5 cm and a correlation coefficient of 0.69, 0.75, and 0.74 for length, breadth, and area of male foramen magnum, respectively. Similarly, the regression model provided a 95% confidence interval of ± 13.4 cm, ± 11.4 cm, and ± 12.8 cm and a correlation coefficient of 0.45, 0.68, and 0.57 for length, breadth, and area of female foramen magnum. Compared to other studies, regression formulae based on the measurements of the foramen magnum provided slightly larger standard errors than that based on long bone lengths. The study indicates that foramen magnum measurements in relation with body stature show strong positive correlation, relatively moderate reliability in estimating stature, and some forensic value.

In the novel "The Name of the Rose" by Umberto Eco, a fanatical monk laced the pages of a book with a poison, which led to the death of several monks in a medieval monastery. Based on modern toxicological knowledge, an attempt can be made to determine whether there exists a substance meeting the criteria of the poison described in the novel. To this end, toxicological literature on the lethal doses of plant-derived poisons and their duration of action was reviewed. Cowbane (Cicuta virosa), a plant used for preparing poisonous potions, contains cicutoxin which kills at a dose of 500 mg. Similar toxicity is displayed by water dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) and Cerbera odollam growing in India and Madagascar. Hemlock (Conium maculatum) contains coniine which is able to kill a victim after exposure to a dose as low as 100 to 200 mg. Morphine found in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) and colchicine contained in autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) produce lethal effects at similar doses. So do more exotic plants such as Calabar bean (Physostigma venenosum) which contains physostygmine. Two other exotic plants that need to be mentioned in this context are far more poisonous. They include Saint Ignatius's bean (Strychnos ignatii) and strychnine tree (Strychnos nux-vomica). Both contain strychnine, the lethal dose of which is 30 mg. Death cap (Amanita phalloides) might also be considered in this context, but despite being lethal at a dose of 20 mg, amanitin contained in this fungus takes a few days to kill a victim, so the effect is considerably slower than that experienced by the monks in Eco's novel. A dose of 10 mg is sufficient to kill a human with any of four other plant-derived poisons: antiarin, atropine, digoxin and strophantin. Aconitum (Aconitum napellus), also known as monkshood, contains aconitine and is an even more deadly plant, with the lethal dose for humans being only 2 mg. Ricin and abrin are ranked even higher in the list of plant-derived toxins, as they are able to kill in doses lower than 1 mg. However, they could not have been used by the murderer in "The Name of the Rose", as they cause death only several days after ingestion. To conclude, the plant that best matches the criteria mentioned in the novel is Aconitum.

Zakład Medycyny Sądowej w Lublinie od 1967 r. mieści się przy ul. Jaczewskiego 8b, z krótką przerwą na czas remontu ze środków unijnych w latach 2013-2015, kiedy to został przeniesiony do budynku Bursaki Grey Office przy ul. Związkowej. W historii naszego Zakładu szczególnie zapisali się Roman Mądro i Piotr Kozioł.

The paper discusses the gauge ammunition used in shooting sports, dedicated for Olympic and non-Olympic shooting disciplines. The following disciplines are addressed: trap, skeet, parcour, shooting animal silhouette targets (stationary or moving) and western competition. Ammunition used in these disciplines, especially produced in Poland, is discussed as well.

Y chromosome typing has been performed in forensic genetic practice for more than 20 years. The latest recommendations of the DNA Commission of the International Society of Forensic Genetics (ISFG) concerning the application of Y-chromosomal markers in forensic genetics were published in 2006. The aim of this report is to recapitulate, systematise and supplement existing recommendations on the forensic analysis of polymorphism of the Y chromosome with standards already implemented in practice, new capabilities linked to the development of research techniques as well as current solutions used in statistical analysis. The recommendations have been adapted specifically to aspects related to the preparation of expert opinions in the field of forensic genetics in Poland. The Polish Speaking Working Group of the ISFG believes that the presented guidelines should become a standard implemented by all Polish laboratories performing Y chromosome typing for forensic purposes.

Despite the great strides made in fundamental and applied research, forensic entomology is constantly growing and considered to be an interconnected scientific discipline. Indeed, there is shortage in the available scientific literature in comparison to many other legal and biological subjects as well as in the number of forensic entomologists. The main goal of this work is to clarify the importance of forensic entomology by demonstration of their applications; it can provide important information about when, where, and how a particular death occurred. It can also identify the assailant and/or the victim or might highlight in some cases, the victim's state of neglect prior to death. It also aimed to demonstrate the impact of new emerging technologies; encouraging researchers to further pursue this line of research. More multidisciplinary research would lead to better understanding and identifying novel research areas. Consequently, that could meet scientific and legal expectations.

Despite the fact that the rules for obtaining reference material for handwriting expert opinion are specified in the literature and remain unchanged for years, the judicial authorities often do not use them. The experts themselves also do not attach due importance to the quality and quantity of reference material and remain contented with material diverging from the recommended one. The described case demonstrates that such an approach can lead to mistakes and the rules for collecting reference material should be observed not only in complicated cases but also in seemingly uncomplicated ones.

The available literature on traces characterised by a suboptimal amount of DNA, as well as expert research practice, show the complex nature of LT-DNA traces: from their detection and collection, through genetic analysis, up to the interpretation of final results. The aims of this paper are to systematise the current state of knowledge on handling LT-DNA traces and develop examination guidelines, as recommended by the Polish Speaking Working Group of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG-PL). The proposed guidelines should be followed by all Polish laboratories conducting forensic genetic analyses for the purpose of judicial proceedings.

Aim of the study: Analysis of forensic medical opinions in the field of obstetrics prepared at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow, in 2010-2016, in order to evaluate changes in the number of filed cases involving an alleged medical error over the years, and determine the most common situations where medical errors are suspected by patients, and the most prevalent types of medical errors in obstetrics.

Material and methods: The opinions were divided into two groups. In the first group, the medical management was appropriate, while in the second group medical errors were identified. The medical errors were categorised as diagnostic/therapeutic, technical, and organisational. The effects of medical errors were classified as death, impairment to health, exposure to death, and exposure to impairment to health, by considering them separately for post-natal women, and for foetuses and neonates (during the first days of life).

Results: A total of 73 forensic medical opinions were analysed. In 25 cases, a medical error was identified. The most common situations in which a medical error was committed, and in which the suspicion of medical error proved to be unfounded, were listed. Overall, there were 17 diagnostic/therapeutic errors, 7 organisational errors, and 4 technical errors. In cases where a medical error was identified, there were 15 deaths, and in cases without a medical error - 31 deaths.

Conclusions: It was found that 66% of the analysed forensic medical opinions involved no medical errors. In most of these cases, a therapeutic failure occurred, including perinatal haemorrhage, tight wrapping of the umbilical cord around the foetal neck (nuchal cord), premature birth, and septic complications. A few cases involved uncooperative patients. The most prevalent medical error was failure to perform or delaying a caesarean section when it was needed (because of emergency or urgent indications). The second most common medical error was related to incorrect CTG interpretation.