Foreign citizen mortality in Iceland January 2006 - December 2016.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, tourism has become the number one account for foreign exchange income in Iceland, overtaking the fisheries industry and aluminium production. The rise of tourism has strongly affected Icelandic society in various sectors. With the increase of tourists visiting Iceland, the number of foreign citizens that died and were autopsied also rose. METHOD: Data were collected from the Department of Forensic Pathology at Landspitali University Hospital in Reykjavik for the period January 2006 - December 2016. RESULT: During this time there were 109 autopsies performed on foreign citizens of which 58 died from natural causes, 49 were injury deaths and in 2 cases no certain cause of death could be determined. Most represented were citizens from North America, United Kingdom and Germany (each 11%). The main causes of death were cardiovascular events (41%) followed by unintentional injuries (34%). CONCLUSION: The research at hand shows the significant influence of tourism on Forensic Medicine and provides an update on deaths of overseas travellers. Furthermore this study points out variable risks of travel-related injuries and deaths in Iceland.

Analyzing the Dynamics and Morphology of Cast-off Pattern at Different Speed Levels Using High-speed Digital Video Imaging.

During a bloodstain pattern analysis, one of the essential tasks is to distinguish between different kinds of applied forces as well as to estimate their level of intensity. In this study, high-speed digital imaging has been used to analyze the formation of cast-off patterns generated by a simulated backswing with a blood-bearing object. For this purpose, 0.5 mL blood was applied evenly over the last 5 cm of a blade simulant. Bloodstains were created through the controlled acceleration of a backswing at different speed levels between 1.1 m/sec and 3.8 m/sec. The flight dynamics of blood droplets were captured with an Olympus® i-Speed 3 high-speed digital camera with a Nikon® AF Nikkor 50 mm f/1.8 D lens and analyzed using the Olympus i-Speed 3 Viewer software. The video analysis showed that, during the backswing, blood droplets would move toward the lower end of the knifepoint and would be tangentially thrown off. These droplets impacted on the horizontal surface according to the arc of the swing. An increase in velocity led to longer cast-off patterns with distinct morphological characteristics. Under laboratory conditions, bloodstain pattern analysis allows certain conclusions about the intensity of a backswing and provides instructions on the position of the offender. However, due to the number of unknown variables at a crime scene, such interpretation of cast-off patterns is extremely limited and should be performed with extreme caution.

[Possibilities and limitations of forensic bloodstain pattern analysis]. / Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der forensischen Blutspurenmusterverteilungsanalyse.

Forensic bloodstain pattern analysis includes the detection, shape analysis, classification and interpretation of relevant traces of blood at a crime scene with the aim of reconstructing the sequences of the events that occurred. Mathematical calculation of impact and cast-off patterns are the center of the analytical reconstruction, when predicting the position of the source of blood stain at the moment of impact. Taking into consideration the limits of this method, it is possible to verify reconstructions of criminal acts and reconstruct a possible sequence of events that occurred. The present article is intended to give a brief introduction to various aspects of the forensic bloodstain pattern analysis as well as to point out the application possibilities and limitations of this forensic subdiscipline.

[Alleged assault in a forest: An unusual case of self-inflicted blunt injury]. / Angeblicher Überfall im Wald--ein ungewöhnlicher Fall von Selbstverletzung durch stumpfe Gewalt.

The medico-legal assessment of potentially self-inflicted injuries is an important field of clinical forensic medicine. Compared with sharp force injuries, it is much more difficult to distinguish blunt injuries caused by another party from self-inflicted lesions. We present a case of a young female doctor, who was allegedly attacked by an unknown stranger during her evening walk in the woods. She claimed to have been hit repeatedly on the head and arms with a stone. During the forensic investigation, blunt injuries could be confirmed on her head and forearms. Based on the arrangement and intensity of the injuries, together with the result of a bloodstain pattern analysis of the weapon, the victim's statement could be disproved. After being confronted with the results of the investigation, the woman admitted to have inflicted the injuries herself. This case is an unusual and rare example of self-inflicted blunt injury. It shows that the criteria of self-inflicted injuries can also be applied to blunt trauma. However, due to the small number of cases, a high degree of caution is required from the forensic expert.

[Medical aspects of common non-lethal weapons]. / Medizinische Aspekte gängiger nicht-letaler Wirkmittel.

The development and provision of non-lethal weapons (NLW) allow military and law enforcement personnel to exploit gradual engagement in countering potentially hazardous threats. Chemical, kinetic and electrical weapons systems are used to curb violence in civilian crowds. With inappropriate usage, these technologies can cause potentially fatal injuries that are not only of clinical, but also of legal relevance. In this context, the practicing physician is faced with treatment as well as assessment issues of new forms of injuries. In order to assure medical care and to be able to draw competent expert's conclusions, a detailed knowledge of the medical effects of these NLW is necessary. The review at hand presents today's most popular NLW and gives an overview of their possible injury potential and required treatments.

[Forensic aspects of gunshot suicides in Germany]. / Gerichtsmedizinische Aspekte suizidaler Schussverletzungen--eine Übersichtsarbeit am Beispiel Deutschlands.

Suicidal gunshot wounds are a common appearance in forensic casework. The main task of the coroner lies in the detection of typical pathomorphological correlates, thus differentiating between homicide, suicide and accident. Apart from characteristic bloodstain patterns on the gun and shooting hand, the localisation of the entrance wound and the position of the weapon, additional details such as family background or medical history are important aspects of forensic investigation. An uncommon choice of weaponry and its unusual morphological manifestation often complicate the examination and reconstruction of such cases. Furthermore, due to social stigmatisation, the possibility of secondary changes by relatives at the crime scene should be considered. In addition to autopsy findings, a careful crime scene investigation and bloodstain pattern analysis, a ballistic reconstruction can be an essential tool to gain knowledge of the shooting distance and position of the gun.