ABSTRACT
We present the case of a 91-year-old woman lived alone at her home with two domestic dogs, that is,, a Labrador Retriever and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and found dead. The investigation of the scene revealed that the Bull Terrier's jawbone and chest were covered with blood. The autopsy revealed multiple, histologically confirmed, life-threatening skin and bone lacerations without scavenging marks. The punctures and tearing of each of the wounds on the skin were compatible with bites. A left humeral fracture and multiple fractures of the right facial bones were observed. The death was attributed to external hemorrhages due to several dog bites. A veterinary physical and behavioral examination indicated that the Bull Terrier was involved in the attack. A domestic predation hypothesis was deemed here most likely due to the presence of food supplies at the scene, the dog's previous history of attack, and the breed of the dog.
Subject(s)
Bites and Stings/pathology , Dogs , Aged, 80 and over , Animals , Facial Bones/injuries , Facial Bones/pathology , Fatal Outcome , Female , Fractures, Multiple/pathology , Hemorrhage/etiology , Humans , Humeral Fractures/pathology , Predatory Behavior , Skull Fractures/pathologyABSTRACT
A case of death attributed to methadone acute poisoning in an infant aged 11 months is reported. A sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) was suspected, whereas a traumatic cause of death was excluded regarding autopsy findings. Specimens were submitted to a large toxicological analysis, which included ethanol measurement by HS-GC-FID, a targeted screening for drugs of abuse and various prescription drug classes followed by quantification using UPLC-MS/MS methods. Methadone and its metabolite (EDDP) were detected in all the tested fluids, as well as in hair, with a blood concentration of methadone considered as lethal for children (73 ng/mL). The cause of death was determined to be acute "methadone poisoning", and the manner of death was "accidental". A discussion of the case circumstances, the difficulties with the interpretation of toxicological findings in children (blood concentration and hair testing), and the origin of exposure are discussed.
Subject(s)
Hair/chemistry , Methadone/analysis , Methadone/poisoning , Narcotics/analysis , Narcotics/poisoning , Breast Feeding/adverse effects , Child of Impaired Parents , Female , Forensic Toxicology , Humans , Infant , Male , Maternal-Fetal Exchange , Opiate Substitution Treatment , PregnancyABSTRACT
In France, families of the deceased raised concerns as regards to the conditions of restoration of body. If scientists hospital autopsies are organized by the Bioethics Law of August 6, 2004, the forensic autopsies were so far not provided with such a legal framework. The legislator has proposed the creation of a new chapter in the Code of Criminal Procedure institutionalizing forensic activities. This legislative evolution allows the harmonization of practices; forensic pathologists must be involved in these changes by bringing their scientific expertise, notably through improving their autopsy techniques.
