[The investigation of frequency of cystic echinococcosis in the autopsies committed in the Speciality Department of Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute]. / Istanbul Adli Tip Kurumu Morg Ihtisas Dairesi'nde Yapilan Otopsilerde Kistik Ekinokokkozis Görülme Sikliginin Arastirilmasi.

Cystic echinococcosis, which is caused by a parasite called Echinococcus granulosus, is a disease frequently find in the liver and in the lungs. In many countries, it is an important public-health problem. This study was done to find out the prevalence of Cystic echinococcosis in forensic autopsies performed for sudden death cases. This investigation was realized between July 2003-January 2004 at Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institution. During this six month period, total of 1687 autopsies were performed. Of those, 56 autopsy cases had macroscopic unknown cysts. The sera obtained from these 56 autopsy cases were examined by IgG Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and IgG Indirect Hemaglutination (IHA) methods. In the end of the serologic evaluation, of 56 cases with macroscopic unknown etiology cysts, 34 cases (60.7%) were serologically positive for cystic echinococcosis, of those 8 were females (14.2%) and 26 were males (46.4%). This study shows that cyst echinococcosis may be find frequently in postmortem cases. The fact that the people who perform autopsies must work carefully and in hygienic conditions is another important lesson obtained from the study.

Handmade guns in Trabzon, Turkey.

A wide variety of handmade firearms have been involved in criminal cases in the city of Trabzon, Turkey. Although they are often very similar to commercially manufactured firearms in terms of design, loading and locking mechanisms, and cocking and firing arrangements, these guns are constructed from cheap materials and are not safe for firing. Handmade firearms manufactured in the Black Sea region of Turkey, particularly in the city of Trabzon, are similar to pistols manufactured by Browning, Luger, Star, Smith and Wesson, Berretta, and MAB. A total of 201 handmade guns referred to the Criminal Police Laboratories for examination from 2003 to 2005 were evaluated with respect to type, number of barrels, size and caliber, rifling, design, mechanism, operability, legality, and similarity to commercial models. We found that most of these handmade guns resembled commercial models in several aspects.

Mole guns in Turkey in 2003-2005.

This study describes the frequency of mole guns in Turkey by examining the cases sent to the Council of Forensic Medicine of Turkey between 2003 and 2005. In total, 11 mole guns were examined. Mole guns are manufactured to be used as a trap against detrimental animals. Although they are not meant to be used as a firearm, they are able to cause death. Mole guns appearing in regular casework were evaluated in terms of type of the gun, number of barrels, size and caliber, rifling, design, mechanism, fitness for use, legality, and geographical distribution. Ninety-one percent of the guns were 12 gauge. Most commonly they originate from Inner Anatolia. Mole guns are typically handmade. Some examples of injuries and deaths caused by mole guns are also offered.