ABSTRACT
A case of a suicidal gunshot wound of the head where the projectile ricocheted within the calvarium and exited through the entrance wound is reported. Findings at the scene and from examination of the victim and the suspect weapon are presented and discussed.
Subject(s)
Forensic Medicine , Wounds, Gunshot/pathology , Adult , Female , Humans , SuicideABSTRACT
A case of suicide by ingestion of cyanide salts provided an opportunity to determine whether personnel involved in postmortem examination of such cases are exposed to any significant degree of biohazard from cyanide remaining in body cavities or tissues of the decedent or both. It was found that potentially toxic concentrations of cyanide can develop in personnel so exposed. These findings have implications not only for the safety of pathologists and pathology assistants, but also for first responders (for example, police, firemen, emergency medical technicians [EMTs], paramedics, R.N.s) and emergency room personnel who may be involved in resuscitation efforts or removal of gastric contents or both in cyanide poisoning victims. Symptoms of cyanide toxicity and recommendations for reducing the potential for clinically significant cyanide exposure in medical settings are briefly reviewed.
Subject(s)
Cyanides/poisoning , Forensic Medicine , Hazardous Substances/poisoning , Adolescent , Humans , Male , SafetyABSTRACT
A case of artefactual injury from cardiac defibrillation simulating a bite mark is presented. The case history and autopsy findings are described, and the importance of obtaining full information and of not overinterpreting suspicious injuries is emphasized.
Subject(s)
Abdominal Injuries/diagnosis , Bites and Stings/diagnosis , Bites, Human/diagnosis , Child Abuse/diagnosis , Electric Countershock/adverse effects , Electric Injuries/diagnosis , Abdominal Injuries/etiology , Abdominal Injuries/pathology , Bites, Human/pathology , Child, Preschool , Diagnostic Errors , Female , HumansABSTRACT
Two cases of aortoesophageal fistula are presented. The etiology, symptoms, and diagnosis of aortoesophageal fistula are reviewed. Signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal hemorrhage followed by sudden collapse hours to days later should prompt consideration of an aortoesophageal fistula. Accidental ingestion of foreign bodies, particularly by children, is a frequent etiology.
Subject(s)
Aortic Diseases/complications , Death, Sudden/etiology , Esophageal Fistula/complications , Esophagus , Fistula/complications , Foreign Bodies/complications , Adult , Aorta, Thoracic/injuries , Aortic Diseases/pathology , Child, Preschool , Esophageal Fistula/pathology , Esophageal Perforation/etiology , Fistula/pathology , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
The effects of age and sex have been studied on the proximate composition and inorganic constituents in breast, thigh, drumstick and skin from a commercial British broiler strain (Ross 1). Protein content generally increased with age in all muscles and decreased in skin. Protein content in skin of males was always higher than that in females. Moisture content in all muscles decreased with age. In the skin, moisture decreased with age considerably more in females than in males. Fat content increased with age in all tissues, while ash content of breast, thigh and skin decreased with age. Phosphorus, chloride, magnesium and potassium all decreased with age in all the tissues. Thigh and skin calcium content were affected by age, as was the sodium content of drumstick and skin. The sex effect on the inorganic constituents was variable.
