Morphologic characteristics of sacra associated with assimilation of the last lumbar vertebra.

BACKGROUND: The impact of lumbosacral transitional states on biomechanics of load transmission between the spine and the legs has been sporadically reported. The aims of the study were to identify morphostructural alterations of sacra associated with assimilation of the last lumbar vertebra and to analyse them in the light of their biomechanical impact. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Linear dimensions of sacrum, its body and base and articular surfaces were measured in 31 normal and 41 transitory sacra. Nineteen sacra presented articular and 22 osseous fusion of the last lumbar vertebra. Measured parameters were compared between normal sacra and the two variations of transitory sacra. RESULTS: Sacra with articular fusion of the last lumbar vertebra showed more pronounced concavity of the sacral curvature and wider than long sacral bodies. The first sacral segment was modified, broaden, ventrally wider and elevated. Almost the whole segment bore at its sides auricular surfaces. Very small portion of the segment was non-articular with less pronounced wedging. Sacra with osseous fusion of the last lumbar vertebra showed similar concavity of the sacral curvature as normal sacra, but longer than wide sacral bodies. The ventral sloping half of the newly formed first segment bore auricular surfaces. The non-articular part was enlarged with pronounced wedging. CONCLUSIONS: The term "sacralisation" includes both types of transitory sacra with mutually different morphostructural characteristics in contrast to the normal sacra. Analysis of these morphologic variations may help in understanding the different biomechanical properties and patterns of load transmission.

Estimation of time since death through electric and chemical excitability of muscles.

Electric and chemical excitability of muscles present a supravital reaction which is of major importance in achieving a more precise estimating of the time since death in the early post-mortem period. The purpose of this paper is to examine the electric and chemical excitability of the muscles in cases with a known time of death, in order to determine their importance in the estimation of time since death. Electric excitability and chemical stimulation have been analysed in 50 cases with a known time of death, taken for autopsy at the Institute of Forensic Medicine and Criminology in Skopje in the course of the year 2005. Testing of electric excitability of the muscles was done with a device for electric stimulation, providing a direct current of 50 mA intensity and 50 Hz frequency. Testing of chemical excitability of the eye pupils was done by injecting miotic Carbahol into the front eye chamber of the right eye and mydriatic Adrenalin HCl into the front eye chamber of the left eye. By analysis and processing of the obtained results, it was determined that the electric excitability of the muscles is of a major importance in determining the time since death within a post-mortem period of up to 10 hours and chemical excitability for a post-mortem period of up to 12 hours.

Expertise of body injuries in criminal procedure.

In the every day practice of answering questions from the area of medicine, today there is growing need for forensic medical expertise of body injuries in the criminal procedure. Furthermore, when qualifying the body injury, the expert must possess knowledge and experience not only medical, but also he/she must be aware of the legal requirements and norms from the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Criminal Code of R. Macedonia. This will enable the expert to contribute to explanation and clarification of certain facts and issues related to the body injury. In this paper, by citing Articles 255 and 256 from the Code of Criminal Procedure, it is explained how expert can be adequately selected by the court. In addition to this, by citing Article 271 from the aforementioned Code, a way of analysing body injuries is defined; and finally, defining of body injuries is explained through citing of Article 130 and 131 from the Criminal Code of R. Macedonia, which is regarding body injury and grave body injury. The aim of this paper is to outline the method of performing these forensic medical expertises, i.e. by who and when can expertise of body injuries be asked and moreover, what is the legal and ethical responsiblity of the expert during the execution of the expertise. Additionally, the steps that the expert should follow when preparing a written statement and opinion for the type of the body injury are explained. More specifically, emphasis is placed on expert's requirements after examination of injured individual; after revision of the medical documentation during expertise of body injuries in criminal subjects; and providing oral statement and opinion during the criminal procedure.

Expertise in bodily injuries in criminal procedure.

In the day-to-day practice of answering questions from the area of medicine today, there is a growing need for forensic medical expertise in bodily injuries in criminal procedure. Furthermore, when qualifying a bodily injury, the expert must possess knowledge and experience not only medical, but s/he must also be aware of the legal requirements and norms of the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Criminal Code of R. Macedonia. This will enable the expert to contribute to the explanation and clarification of certain facts and issues relating to the bodily injury. In this paper, by citing Articles 255 and 256 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, it is explained how an expert can be appropriately selected by the court. In addition to this, by citing Article 271 of the afore-mentioned Code, a way of analysing bodily injuries is defined; and finally, the definition of bodily injuries is explained through citing Articles 130 and 131 of the Criminal Code of R. Macedonia, relating to bodily injury and grave bodily injury. The aim of this paper is to outline the method of performing this forensic medical expertise, i.e. by whom and when can expertise in bodily injuries be sought and, moreover, what is the legal and ethical responsibility of the expert during the execution of the expertise. Additionally, the steps that the expert should follow when preparing a written statement and opinion on the type of the bodily injury are explained. More specifically, emphasis is placed on the expert's requirements after examination of the injured individual; after revision of the medical documentation during expert assessment of bodily injuries in the case of criminal subjects; and providing oral statements and opinions during the criminal procedure.