Where a vehicle driver has multiple conditions or a condition that affects multiple body systems, there may be an additive or a compounding detrimental effect on driving abilities. An 81-year-old male motorcyclist was admitted to a tertiary care hospital following a road traffic accident. He has sustained only minor injuries. No significant past medical history. He has monocular vision since 1960 following accidental trauma to the right eye. He had obtained a heavy and light vehicle driving license in 1958, which is valid for life. Driving with monocular vision is permitted in many European countries and Sri Lanka. However, an important question remains - should the ability of driving be reviewed in an accident or any other condition which affects driving. This paper attempts to propose a referral mechanism to reduce morbidity and mortality in people with driving disabilities. Monocular vision affects vision in many ways. This might have serious implications both on the safety of the patient and the public. Driving with monocular vision is allowed in many countries. However proper evaluation of subsequent illnesses and referral mechanism is important in cases like this to reduce morbidity and mortality. In Sri Lanka there is no proper referral system for this. Therefore, we propose to introduce 1. Mandatory renewal of all driving licenses. 2. Mandatory notification system in conditions that affect driving 3. Issue a restrictive license and frequent review in relevant cases. This would be important in reducing injury risk to both the individual concerned and the public.
{"title":"Safe Driving - Assessment Mechanism to Reduce Morbidity and Mortality: A concept paper with reviewing a clinical case","authors":"N. Mendis","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7440","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7440","url":null,"abstract":"Where a vehicle driver has multiple conditions or a condition that affects multiple body systems, there may be an additive or a compounding detrimental effect on driving abilities. An 81-year-old male motorcyclist was admitted to a tertiary care hospital following a road traffic accident. He has sustained only minor injuries. No significant past medical history. He has monocular vision since 1960 following accidental trauma to the right eye. He had obtained a heavy and light vehicle driving license in 1958, which is valid for life. Driving with monocular vision is permitted in many European countries and Sri Lanka. However, an important question remains - should the ability of driving be reviewed in an accident or any other condition which affects driving. This paper attempts to propose a referral mechanism to reduce morbidity and mortality in people with driving disabilities. Monocular vision affects vision in many ways. This might have serious implications both on the safety of the patient and the public. Driving with monocular vision is allowed in many countries. However proper evaluation of subsequent illnesses and referral mechanism is important in cases like this to reduce morbidity and mortality. In Sri Lanka there is no proper referral system for this. Therefore, we propose to introduce 1. Mandatory renewal of all driving licenses. 2. Mandatory notification system in conditions that affect driving 3. Issue a restrictive license and frequent review in relevant cases. This would be important in reducing injury risk to both the individual concerned and the public.","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"46 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128598116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: It is mandatory for Forensic Pathologists (FPs)/Judicial Medical Officers (JMOs) in Sri Lanka to handle the disposal procedure of unidentified dead bodies, and it is not unusual for these doctors to face many hardships during this process. It requires the help of many stakeholders to fulfil all legal requirements before the proper disposal process. This retrospective data analysis was performed to study the demography of such decedents and also to address evidentially the prevailing issues surrounding the disposal of unidentified decedents. Based on the study the deficiencies and strengths of the present procedure of disposal of decedents were studied. The existing legal procedure of inquest in relation to the unidentified decedents was also studied. Methodology: The details of the unidentified decedents available in the registers of the Colombo South Teaching Hospital were perused and analysed from August 2016 to August 2020. The communication file with police and the records pertaining to the mortuary coolers were also perused. The present law of the country related to the disposal of unidentified decedents and prevailing procedural circumstances are also scrutinized. Results: One-hundred and forty-one (141) unidentified dead bodies were autopsied (03% of all dead bodies) during the four years. The male to female ratio was 13:1, and the majority of victims (n= 81 and 57%) were of 61-80 years age range. The cause of death was natural in 81%. After receiving the dead body, the meantime to perform the autopsy was 90 days and 5 days to dispose of the dead body. The Police had handed over 50% (n=71) of decedents to the hospital. Conclusion: The duration to perform the post-mortem examination from the date of handover was lengthy, and it revealed that this delay was due to the slow progression of essential initial steps that to be followed by the police. One recommendation to rectify this delay is utilizing the hospital web page to display details of the unidentified decedents. There is no “specified” procedure for the disposal of unidentified decedents in Sri Lanka. But it is covered under the inquest procedure and with the Departmental Orders of the Department of Police for a certain extent.
{"title":"A Study on Disposal of Unidentified Dead Bodies in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Sri Lanka Along with Legal Provisions and Procedural Circumstances","authors":"H. Ariyarathna","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7436","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7436","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: It is mandatory for Forensic Pathologists (FPs)/Judicial Medical Officers (JMOs) in Sri Lanka to handle the disposal procedure of unidentified dead bodies, and it is not unusual for these doctors to face many hardships during this process. It requires the help of many stakeholders to fulfil all legal requirements before the proper disposal process. This retrospective data analysis was performed to study the demography of such decedents and also to address evidentially the prevailing issues surrounding the disposal of unidentified decedents. Based on the study the deficiencies and strengths of the present procedure of disposal of decedents were studied. The existing legal procedure of inquest in relation to the unidentified decedents was also studied. Methodology: The details of the unidentified decedents available in the registers of the Colombo South Teaching Hospital were perused and analysed from August 2016 to August 2020. The communication file with police and the records pertaining to the mortuary coolers were also perused. The present law of the country related to the disposal of unidentified decedents and prevailing procedural circumstances are also scrutinized. Results: One-hundred and forty-one (141) unidentified dead bodies were autopsied (03% of all dead bodies) during the four years. The male to female ratio was 13:1, and the majority of victims (n= 81 and 57%) were of 61-80 years age range. The cause of death was natural in 81%. After receiving the dead body, the meantime to perform the autopsy was 90 days and 5 days to dispose of the dead body. The Police had handed over 50% (n=71) of decedents to the hospital. Conclusion: The duration to perform the post-mortem examination from the date of handover was lengthy, and it revealed that this delay was due to the slow progression of essential initial steps that to be followed by the police. One recommendation to rectify this delay is utilizing the hospital web page to display details of the unidentified decedents. There is no “specified” procedure for the disposal of unidentified decedents in Sri Lanka. But it is covered under the inquest procedure and with the Departmental Orders of the Department of Police for a certain extent.","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"342 2","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"120875919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Substance abuse is a global problem. The types of drugs, patterns of abuse and other demographic characters change over time. Five incidences including two case series are discussed here. They involve teenagers and young adults including fist-time users of cocktails of drugs including relatively newer substances of abuse in Sri Lanka such as amphetamines and methamphetamines. Illegal gatherings organized through the internet such as Facebook parties are becoming commoner in Sri Lanka providing a safe platform for experiencing illegal drugs and casual sex for teenagers including school children. Recreational abuse of these drugs in the dance culture by teenagers and young adults poses many medical, social and psychological problems. Young female substance abusers are on the rise. Chemsex or the abuse of psychoactive substances to enhance sexual desire, performance and to achieve a ‘carefree and relaxed mind-set’ during casual sex is a relatively newer entity in Sri Lanka which is reported in these case series. Rave parties, beach parties and Facebook parties pose many new challenges to the law enforcement, Government Analyst and the Judicial Medical Officer in Sri Lanka. Multi-disciplinary research and infrastructure development are necessary to successfully face these challenges.
{"title":"Changing Patterns in the Types and Methods of Abuse of Illegal Drugs in Sri Lanka: A Study Based on Five Recent Case Series","authors":"S. Raveendran, S. Hulathduwa","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7439","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7439","url":null,"abstract":"Substance abuse is a global problem. The types of drugs, patterns of abuse and other demographic characters change over time. Five incidences including two case series are discussed here. They involve teenagers and young adults including fist-time users of cocktails of drugs including relatively newer substances of abuse in Sri Lanka such as amphetamines and methamphetamines. Illegal gatherings organized through the internet such as Facebook parties are becoming commoner in Sri Lanka providing a safe platform for experiencing illegal drugs and casual sex for teenagers including school children. Recreational abuse of these drugs in the dance culture by teenagers and young adults poses many medical, social and psychological problems. Young female substance abusers are on the rise. Chemsex or the abuse of psychoactive substances to enhance sexual desire, performance and to achieve a ‘carefree and relaxed mind-set’ during casual sex is a relatively newer entity in Sri Lanka which is reported in these case series. Rave parties, beach parties and Facebook parties pose many new challenges to the law enforcement, Government Analyst and the Judicial Medical Officer in Sri Lanka. Multi-disciplinary research and infrastructure development are necessary to successfully face these challenges.","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"26 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133430978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The case under discussion highlights two important laws in the Penal Code (PC) of Sri Lanka namely, section 32, liability for actions/ offences carried out with common intention, and section 78 and 79, offences done under a state of intoxication. An infuriated first accused who had started a brawl with the victim over a fence and in the midst of the struggle had asked the second accused to bring him a ‘cement’ stone to hit the victim with. The second accused had promptly found and handed the first accused a heavy stone by which the victim was forcefully assaulted. The victim died as a result of blunt force trauma with cranio-cerebral injuries. The indictment was issued against both the first and the second accused under the Section 32 (chapter II, general explanations), of the Penal Code making both the accused liable as if the act was done by the one and same person. The second accused tried to defend himself stating that he was under the influence of alcohol and pleaded that he was not in a state to thinking clearly because he was forcefully drunk by the first accused and he defended under the Section 78 of Penal Code (Ordinance No. 2 of 1883). The author performed the medico-legal investigation of the deceased and the second accused. In this article, the importance of having the legal knowledge surrounding this scenario is discussed.
{"title":"Criminal Acts Committed With a Common Intention and Under Intoxication: A Case Scenario Highlighting Their Legal Implications","authors":"H. Ariyarathna","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7428","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7428","url":null,"abstract":"The case under discussion highlights two important laws in the Penal Code (PC) of Sri Lanka namely, section 32, liability for actions/ offences carried out with common intention, and section 78 and 79, offences done under a state of intoxication. An infuriated first accused who had started a brawl with the victim over a fence and in the midst of the struggle had asked the second accused to bring him a ‘cement’ stone to hit the victim with. The second accused had promptly found and handed the first accused a heavy stone by which the victim was forcefully assaulted. The victim died as a result of blunt force trauma with cranio-cerebral injuries. The indictment was issued against both the first and the second accused under the Section 32 (chapter II, general explanations), of the Penal Code making both the accused liable as if the act was done by the one and same person. The second accused tried to defend himself stating that he was under the influence of alcohol and pleaded that he was not in a state to thinking clearly because he was forcefully drunk by the first accused and he defended under the Section 78 of Penal Code (Ordinance No. 2 of 1883). The author performed the medico-legal investigation of the deceased and the second accused. In this article, the importance of having the legal knowledge surrounding this scenario is discussed.","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"133 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116266174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: There was no uniformity in measuring the anthropological measurements of the heart in the literature. It varies from study to study, country to country, region to region within the same country and author to author according to the material and methodology of the study. So measurements of the heart also vary according to the methods used by different authors in their study. The normality standard for organ anthropometric measurements must be established in a specific reference sample for each population, as the normality values may be different under genetic and environmental influences. This study is aimed to determine the average size of mitral and aortic valves of the adult heart in autopsies done in Teaching Hospital, Colombo South of Sri Lanka. Assess the average circumferential length of the mitral and aortic and also determine the relationship with socio-demographic factors such as body weight, sex, and age and body length. Methodology: This study was designed as a descriptive cross-sectional study done in fresh formalin unfixed adult hearts recovered from deceased died due to traumatic and unnatural causes. Samples were collected for one-year period between the periods of September 2018 to September 2019. Results: Hundred and twenty-two (122) samples (68 males and 54 females) were included in this study among 282 adult hearts collected during this period due to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. The average circumferential length of the mitral and aortic valves were in cm for male and females 9.49, 8.76 and 7.05, 6.88. Conclusion: This pilot study revealed that intermingling findings with western studies and eastern studies. Especially male mitral valve annular circumferences were compatible with western studies and other findings were compatible with eastern studies. A significant association was demonstrated in the circumference of MV with age and body length (p value = 0.029, 0.034). We recommend large scales multi-centered studies to find out the normality standard for heart measurements in Sri Lankan population.
{"title":"An Autopsy Study Conducted in Colombo South of Sri Lanka to Identify Average Sizes of Aortic and Mitral Valves of the Heart","authors":"Raveendran Sathasivam, M. Vidanapathirana","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7437","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7437","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: There was no uniformity in measuring the anthropological measurements of the heart in the literature. It varies from study to study, country to country, region to region within the same country and author to author according to the material and methodology of the study. So measurements of the heart also vary according to the methods used by different authors in their study. The normality standard for organ anthropometric measurements must be established in a specific reference sample for each population, as the normality values may be different under genetic and environmental influences. This study is aimed to determine the average size of mitral and aortic valves of the adult heart in autopsies done in Teaching Hospital, Colombo South of Sri Lanka. Assess the average circumferential length of the mitral and aortic and also determine the relationship with socio-demographic factors such as body weight, sex, and age and body length. Methodology: This study was designed as a descriptive cross-sectional study done in fresh formalin unfixed adult hearts recovered from deceased died due to traumatic and unnatural causes. Samples were collected for one-year period between the periods of September 2018 to September 2019. Results: Hundred and twenty-two (122) samples (68 males and 54 females) were included in this study among 282 adult hearts collected during this period due to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. The average circumferential length of the mitral and aortic valves were in cm for male and females 9.49, 8.76 and 7.05, 6.88. Conclusion: This pilot study revealed that intermingling findings with western studies and eastern studies. Especially male mitral valve annular circumferences were compatible with western studies and other findings were compatible with eastern studies. A significant association was demonstrated in the circumference of MV with age and body length (p value = 0.029, 0.034). We recommend large scales multi-centered studies to find out the normality standard for heart measurements in Sri Lankan population.","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"6 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115597104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Forensic Research in Sri Lanka: Is the Magistrate’s Authority Essential to Use Medico-Legal Records Retrospectively?","authors":"S. Kodikara","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7441","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7441","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"174 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123001193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wallenberg syndrome which is also known as lateral medullary syndrome (LMS) and posterior inferior cerebellar artery syndrome ((PICA syndrome) is detected relatively rarely among young adults. A 42-year-old apparently healthy male presented with headache, vomiting and vertigo. He was diagnosed to have severe hypertension and type-2 diabetes mellitus. During his first admission his first non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) scan of the brain had confirmed a cerebellar infarction. With clinical findings, the patient was treated as a possible case of LMS. With the repeat NCCT on the third day, he was diagnosed to have progressive cerebellar infarction and a medullary infarction. In the following day the patient was discharged with reserved dates for vertebral artery duplex and ultrasound scan of abdomen (USS). On the seventh day of the illness he had collapsed and died. Subsequent autopsy revealed a left-sided cerebellar and a brain stem infarction along with generalized cerebral oedema. Important findings deduced by forensic pathologists should be conveyed to the clinicians in order to broaden the treatment options and to prevent premature deaths.
{"title":"The Death of a Young Adult due to Wallenberg Syndrome: A Case Report","authors":"H. Ariyarathna","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7426","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7426","url":null,"abstract":"Wallenberg syndrome which is also known as lateral medullary syndrome (LMS) and posterior inferior cerebellar artery syndrome ((PICA syndrome) is detected relatively rarely among young adults. A 42-year-old apparently healthy male presented with headache, vomiting and vertigo. He was diagnosed to have severe hypertension and type-2 diabetes mellitus. During his first admission his first non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) scan of the brain had confirmed a cerebellar infarction. With clinical findings, the patient was treated as a possible case of LMS. With the repeat NCCT on the third day, he was diagnosed to have progressive cerebellar infarction and a medullary infarction. In the following day the patient was discharged with reserved dates for vertebral artery duplex and ultrasound scan of abdomen (USS). On the seventh day of the illness he had collapsed and died. Subsequent autopsy revealed a left-sided cerebellar and a brain stem infarction along with generalized cerebral oedema. Important findings deduced by forensic pathologists should be conveyed to the clinicians in order to broaden the treatment options and to prevent premature deaths.","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"95 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125982800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Kodikara, G. Kumarasinghe, D. Rambukwella, S. Chandradasa
The cause of death was given as acute posterior wall myocardial infarction due to right coronary artery atherosclerosis following a death of a previously healthy, chronic smoker who was found dead following a brief altercation. It was commented that “There were non-fatal, non-grievous injuries and in a setting of acute myocardial infarction and chronic ischemia with fatty metamorphosis, the stress induced by the said altercation could have led to an arrhythmic status causing sudden death”. The prima-facie question arising from a trial of such a case is the degree of culpability, namely (1) whether the alleged assailant has caused the death of the deceased? (2) If so, whether he/she qualify for the charge of (2a) culpable homicide not amounting to murder, (2b) culpable homicide amounting to murder or (2c) compete exoneration. This review discusses said vexing questions in a context of the penal law of the said jurisdictions.
{"title":"Murder and Culpable Homicide versus Trauma and Disease: A Case-Based Forensic Pathological Review from the Perspectives of Penal Law in Selected South/South-East Asian Jurisdictions","authors":"S. Kodikara, G. Kumarasinghe, D. Rambukwella, S. Chandradasa","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7433","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7433","url":null,"abstract":"The cause of death was given as acute posterior wall myocardial infarction due to right coronary artery atherosclerosis following a death of a previously healthy, chronic smoker who was found dead following a brief altercation. It was commented that “There were non-fatal, non-grievous injuries and in a setting of acute myocardial infarction and chronic ischemia with fatty metamorphosis, the stress induced by the said altercation could have led to an arrhythmic status causing sudden death”. The prima-facie question arising from a trial of such a case is the degree of culpability, namely (1) whether the alleged assailant has caused the death of the deceased? (2) If so, whether he/she qualify for the charge of (2a) culpable homicide not amounting to murder, (2b) culpable homicide amounting to murder or (2c) compete exoneration. This review discusses said vexing questions in a context of the penal law of the said jurisdictions.","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"53 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134540828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Legally, consensual sexual relationships between adults are a right in our society. However, sexual activity is often prohibited by-laws for psychiatric patients in Sri Lanka. Unless medically contraindicated, all people, whether competent or incompetent or, single or married, should have the right to engage in consensual sexual activities. A 32-year-old female who was on regular treatment and follow-up in the clinic for fifteen years for epilepsy and psychosis was admitted to a tertiary care hospital with a sudden loss of consciousness following severe vomiting. Her medical findings confirmed a 23 weeks intrauterine live foetus. She lived in a separate home for the last three years and had consensual sexual intercourse with her sound-mind long-term partner for one year. Medico-legal investigations excluded the physical forces or donations as contributory factors to request consent for sex, and the circumstantial evidence confirmed that the patient had consented sex. However, the psychiatrist’s opinion was that she had severe mental retardation and had no capacity to give consent for sex. According to the law, after the clinical forensic examination, the assailant was arrested and remanded. The sexual rights of the psychiatric patients in Sri Lanka are discriminatory and there is the legal vulnerability of partners who engaged in sex with psychiatric patients. Therefore, local and national policies should be created to provide sexual and reproductive health, education, counselling, and family planning among psychiatric patients. Similar to other countries, the laws of Sri Lanka should be amended with the help of medical professionals and other stakeholders.
{"title":"Sexual Rights of the Psychiatric Patients, Consenting Capacity and Contradiction with Local and National Policies and the Law of Sri Lanka: A Case Report","authors":"Raveendran Sathasivam, M. Vidanapathirana","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7431","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7431","url":null,"abstract":"Legally, consensual sexual relationships between adults are a right in our society. However, sexual activity is often prohibited by-laws for psychiatric patients in Sri Lanka. Unless medically contraindicated, all people, whether competent or incompetent or, single or married, should have the right to engage in consensual sexual activities. A 32-year-old female who was on regular treatment and follow-up in the clinic for fifteen years for epilepsy and psychosis was admitted to a tertiary care hospital with a sudden loss of consciousness following severe vomiting. Her medical findings confirmed a 23 weeks intrauterine live foetus. She lived in a separate home for the last three years and had consensual sexual intercourse with her sound-mind long-term partner for one year. Medico-legal investigations excluded the physical forces or donations as contributory factors to request consent for sex, and the circumstantial evidence confirmed that the patient had consented sex. However, the psychiatrist’s opinion was that she had severe mental retardation and had no capacity to give consent for sex. According to the law, after the clinical forensic examination, the assailant was arrested and remanded. The sexual rights of the psychiatric patients in Sri Lanka are discriminatory and there is the legal vulnerability of partners who engaged in sex with psychiatric patients. Therefore, local and national policies should be created to provide sexual and reproductive health, education, counselling, and family planning among psychiatric patients. Similar to other countries, the laws of Sri Lanka should be amended with the help of medical professionals and other stakeholders.","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"14 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130749189","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Forensic Photography is the fair and accurate recording of a scene or object, of legal interest, by a camera. “Photography is a valuable tool for recording the crime scene and explaining the evidence to others”. The objective of forensic photography is to record an event, a scene, or an object correctly. It is always better to go for a good digital camera with an interchangeable lens. The physical size and quality of the image sensor along with the corresponding optics play a much bigger role in image quality than megapixels alone. Basic idea about exposure, depth of field and framing a shot is important to take a proper photograph. Photography is an important tool in most forensic examinations. Equipping all medico-legal units with necessary photographic equipment and providing a trained photographer is a very important action regarding the development of the field.
{"title":"Forensic Photography: Concepts and Applications for better crime scene examination","authors":"Mendis Ndna","doi":"10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7429","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/mljsl.v9i1.7429","url":null,"abstract":"Forensic Photography is the fair and accurate recording of a scene or object, of legal interest, by a camera. “Photography is a valuable tool for recording the crime scene and explaining the evidence to others”. The objective of forensic photography is to record an event, a scene, or an object correctly. It is always better to go for a good digital camera with an interchangeable lens. The physical size and quality of the image sensor along with the corresponding optics play a much bigger role in image quality than megapixels alone. Basic idea about exposure, depth of field and framing a shot is important to take a proper photograph. Photography is an important tool in most forensic examinations. Equipping all medico-legal units with necessary photographic equipment and providing a trained photographer is a very important action regarding the development of the field.","PeriodicalId":446761,"journal":{"name":"Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka","volume":"210 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122637242","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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