Forensic science, medicine, and pathology
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Forensic Sci Med Pathol · Sep 2013
Multicenter StudyToward a standardized investigation protocol in sudden unexpected deaths in infancy in South Africa: a multicenter study of medico-legal investigation procedures and outcomes.
South Africa manifests a socio-economic dichotomy that shows features of both a developed and developing country. As a result of this, areas exist where a lack of resources and expertise prevents the implementation of a highly standardized protocol for the investigation of sudden and unexpected deaths in infants (SUDI). Although the medico-legal mortuaries attached to academic centers have the capacity to implement standardized protocols, a previous study conducted at two large medico-legal mortuaries indicated otherwise. This study also revealed that the exact number and incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) cases was unknown. These findings prompted a multicenter study of the medico-legal investigation procedures and outcomes in five academic centers in South Africa. ⋯ This study indicated that the admission criteria (to medico-legal mortuaries) and the investigative process/protocols in cases of SUDI differ greatly among 5 of the largest academic medical institutions in South Africa. Establishing and implementing standardized admission criteria (to medico-legal mortuaries) and implementing uniform investigative and autopsy protocols would appear to be an essential prerequisite to gain better understanding of the mystery of SIDS in South Africa.
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Forensic Sci Med Pathol · Sep 2013
Comparative StudyAn evaluation of two conducted electrical weapons and two probe designs using a swine comparative cardiac safety model.
Despite human laboratory and field studies that have demonstrated a reasonable safety profile for TASER brand conducted electrical weapons (CEW), the results of some swine studies and arrest related deaths temporal to the use of the CEWs continue to raise questions regarding cardiac safety. TASER International, Inc., has released a new CEW, the TASER X2, touted to have a better safety profile than its long-standing predecessor, the TASER X26. ⋯ Our results suggest that the TASER X2 has an improved safety margin over the TASER X26. The new probe design also has promise for enhanced cardiac safety, although may have some disadvantages when compared to the existing design which would make field use impractical.
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Forensic Sci Med Pathol · Sep 2013
Effects of a TASER® conducted energy weapon on the circulating red-blood-cell population and other factors in Sus scrofa.
In previous studies hematocrit has been consistently increased in an anesthetized animal model after exposures to TASER(®) conducted energy weapons (CEWs). In the present study we analyzed changes in blood cell counts and red blood cell membrane proteins following two 30-s applications of a TASER C2 device (which is designed for civilian use). Hematocrit increased significantly from 33.2 ± 2.4 (mean ± SD) to 42.8 ± 4.6 % immediately after CEW exposure of eleven pigs (Sus scrofa). ⋯ The total time of CEW exposure in the present study was relatively long compared with exposures in common law-enforcement scenarios. Despite statistically significant changes in red blood cell counts (and other measures directly related to RBCs), the alterations were short-lived. The transient nature of the changes would be likely to counteract any potentially detrimental effects.