The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology
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Am J Forensic Med Pathol · Mar 2012
Comparative StudyFracture of the cricoid as a potential pointer to homicide. A 6-year retrospective study of neck structures fractures in hanging victims.
The distinction of a suicidal hanging from a simulated hanging following a homicidal strangulation is highly challenging. The present study evaluates the fracture of the cricoid cartilage as a potential pointer toward homicide. Despite the numerous studies on neck structures fractures in hanging, this is the first study to concentrate on the cricoid cartilage. ⋯ The general incidence of fractures in homicidal no-hanging strangulation was 65.4% (34 cases),with an incidence of fracture of the cricoid cartilage of 20.6%. By compiling studies from the literature, only one cricoid cartilage over 2700 suidical hanging cases was found, whereas an incidence of 5 to 20% is found for homicidal strangulation. It is therefore proposed that the presence of a fracture of the cricoid in an apparent suicidal hanging should be considered highly suspicious.
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Accidental electrocution during working activities account for a considerable amount of morbidity and mortality. Workers often misjudge the danger of electric wires or high-tension power cables, thereby exposing themselves to electrocution hazard. This article describes a nonfatal case of injuries by arcing from high-tension power-line cables involving a young farmer who was thrashing an olive tree by means of aluminum ladder. The circumstances surrounding the manner of electrocution and the features of electric injuries are presented and discussed.
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Am J Forensic Med Pathol · Sep 2011
Case ReportsForeign body penetration of the fontanelle: mechanisms and manner of death.
Penetrating injuries of the anterior fontanelle are exceedingly uncommon and are most often associated with inflicted injury. This report of an 11-month-old boy, who fell backward onto a lamp-shade strut that penetrated his anterior fontanelle and left frontal lobe, demonstrates that accidental injuries may also rarely occur. ⋯ Careful evaluation of the death scene with reconstruction incorporating the autopsy findings was required to establish the veracity of the history and the credibility of the proposed sequence of events. Mechanisms of death after penetrating injuries of the fontanelle include immediate effects from direct damage to cerebral vital structures or blood vessels with hemorrhage or delayed effects from either cerebral edema with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or sepsis.
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Am J Forensic Med Pathol · Sep 2011
Case ReportsKneePR--Substantial injuries caused by unorthodox resuscitation technique.
We report a case of cardiopulmonary resuscitation involving chest compressions performed with the rescuer's knee. The substantial injuries caused by this unorthodox technique could have been mistaken for the cause of death were it not for careful scene investigation and documentation.
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Am J Forensic Med Pathol · Sep 2011
Case ReportsA rare case of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis presenting to the medical examiner.
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a rare and dramatic complication of hyperthyroidism. Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis classically presents with proximal lower limb weakness in the setting of hypokalemia and thyrotoxicosis. ⋯ We report a case of undiagnosed fatal thyrotoxic periodic paralysis presenting to the medical examiner. The diagnosis was made primarily by review of the clinical history.