Journal of forensic and legal medicine最新文献

Analysis of suicide-related deaths among children aged 0–14 years in Türkiye 日本0-14岁儿童自杀相关死亡分析

IF 1.2 4区医学

Journal of forensic and legal medicine Pub Date : 2025-09-05 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102969

Erdem Hösükler, Zehra Zerrin Erkol

{"title":"Analysis of suicide-related deaths among children aged 0–14 years in Türkiye","authors":"Erdem Hösükler, Zehra Zerrin Erkol","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102969","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102969","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Child suicide is a significant public health issue that profoundly impacts not only parents but also society. Each country needs to analyse child suicide rates to formulate effective prevention strategies. This study retrospectively analyses suicide deaths among children under 15 years in Türkiye between 2013 and 2023, focusing on demographic characteristics, methods, and reasons for suicide, using data from the Turkish Statistical Institute. A total of 868 child suicides were detected. More than half of the child suicides (51.5 %) were female. Child suicide rates remained significantly lower than those in the general population. The highest suicide rate occurred in 2014, and the lowest in 2020. A significant decreasing trend in child suicides was detected over time, and this decrease was replaced by an increase in 2020, the start of the pandemic. Hanging and firearms were the most common methods across genders, while jumping from height (OR: 2.18, p < 0.001) and chemical poisoning (OR: 6.50, p < 0.001) were more frequent among females. Illness was a more common suicide reason in females (OR: 2.03, p < 0.01), whereas family incompatibility predominated among males. Although child suicides represent a small proportion of overall suicides in Türkiye, gender-specific differences in methods and reasons were observed. The temporal fluctuations, particularly the peak in 2014 and the post-2020 increase, underscore the importance of monitoring child suicide trends and implementing preventive mental health strategies tailored to children.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"115 ","pages":"Article 102969"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145044777","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Regarding “Wischnewski spots and ethylene glycol fatal poisoning: a case report” 关于《维什纽斯基斑与乙二醇致死性中毒1例报告》

IF 1.2 4区医学

Journal of forensic and legal medicine Pub Date : 2025-09-05 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102970

Aleksa Leković , Slobodan Nikolić

引用次数: 0

A case report on the reconstruction of arson, corpse burning, and postmortem relocation based on burn trace characteristics 基于烧痕特征的纵火案、焚尸案及尸后安置重构案例报告

IF 1.2 4区医学

Journal of forensic and legal medicine Pub Date : 2025-09-02 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102965

Xiaotong Wang , Jing Jin , Gang Wang , Jinzhuan Zhang

{"title":"A case report on the reconstruction of arson, corpse burning, and postmortem relocation based on burn trace characteristics","authors":"Xiaotong Wang , Jing Jin , Gang Wang , Jinzhuan Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102965","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102965","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Forensic identification at fire scenes faces three core challenges: distinguishing cause of death (antemortem burning versus postmortem corpse burning), reconstructing criminal behavior (arson versus accident), and preserving evidence (thermal destruction versus artificial tampering). This case study systematically demonstrates the application value of burn trace characteristics in arson investigation through a typical intentional homicide and corpse burning case. Based on a three-dimensional analytical framework of human burn-behavioral characteristics, a systematic pathway incorporating reconstruction of arson/corpse burning processes and identification of body relocation behavior was established. For arson reconstruction, spatial mapping relationships formed between the suspect's clothing charring gradients and bodily burn distribution, enabling reconstruction of the ignition sequence (left-hand ignition source → left-leaning ignition → exit path reconstruction) through integration with left-handed behavioral traits; this kinematic trajectory exhibits complete behavioral-burn correspondence with burn morphological distribution patterns. Regarding body relocation identification, critical evidence including absence of transition zones in corpse charring areas, stratigraphic inversion between remains and combustion residues, intact preservation of buttock skin in supine position, and protective preservation characteristics of occipital hair collectively constructed spatiotemporal evidence of relocation. This case interlinks burn morphology and human behavioristics to establish a technical paradigm for reconstructing criminal processes in complex fire scenes, providing a replicable empirical model for solving “corpse burning-evidence destruction” cases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"115 ","pages":"Article 102965"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144996901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Characteristics of alleged sexual assaults involving non-fatal strangulation at a Sydney metropolitan emergency department: a prospective descriptive study 悉尼市区急诊科涉及非致命勒死的性侵犯指控的特征：一项前瞻性描述性研究

IF 1.2 4区医学

Journal of forensic and legal medicine Pub Date : 2025-08-29 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102967

Rachael Thomas , Kate Willmot , Radhika Seimon , Naomi Derrick , Michael M. Dinh , David J. Templeton

{"title":"Characteristics of alleged sexual assaults involving non-fatal strangulation at a Sydney metropolitan emergency department: a prospective descriptive study","authors":"Rachael Thomas , Kate Willmot , Radhika Seimon , Naomi Derrick , Michael M. Dinh , David J. Templeton","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102967","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102967","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Non-fatal strangulation (NFS) has the potential to cause serious harm and is increasingly common in sexual assault. The incidence may be higher than previously thought, underscoring the importance of screening. The aim of this study was to explore factors related to NFS in sexual assault presentations in a metropolitan Emergency Department (ED) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A prospective review of the Medical and Forensic Examination Record (MFER) was used to retrieve data from patients at a metropolitan ED in NSW, Australia who underwent forensic examination for an alleged sexual assault, who reported NFS, between July 2021 and May 2024. Data were collected on these patients at the time of their review in the ‘NFS Checklist’ as well as the MFER. Parallel electronic medical records (eMR) were used to obtain information collected in the ED.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of 802 sexual assault presentations between July 2021 and May 2024, 113 (14%) cases involved NFS. 105 (92.9%) were female and 72 (63.7%) patients presented with ‘red flags’, the most common being dyspnoea (n = 43, 38.1%). Almost half of all cases (n = 49, 43.4%) had related physical examination findings. Over half (n = 64, 56.6%) of cases were referred to the ED, where 36 images were ordered, of which only one was abnormal. 25.6% of perpetrators were intimate partners.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>NFS is common in sexual assault. More robust follow-up systems are essential. ED and Sexual Assault Services would benefit from implementing a protocolised triage and referral system which screens for red flags and domestic violence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"115 ","pages":"Article 102967"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145044776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Reliability of fingerprint experts in extracting and evaluating minutiae in individualization tests of fingerprint traces 指纹专家在指纹痕迹个性化测试中提取和评估细节的可靠性

IF 1.2 4区医学

Journal of forensic and legal medicine Pub Date : 2025-08-26 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102943

Marta Nawrocka-Świętkowiak , Piotr Banasiak , Jędrzej Wydra

{"title":"Reliability of fingerprint experts in extracting and evaluating minutiae in individualization tests of fingerprint traces","authors":"Marta Nawrocka-Świętkowiak , Piotr Banasiak , Jędrzej Wydra","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102943","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102943","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examines the reliability of fingerprint experts in assessing the individualization value of minutiae during the analysis of latent fingerprint traces. Despite the widespread use of fingerprint evidence in criminal investigations, growing concerns about examiner variability and the lack of verification protocols have prompted critical scrutiny of forensic practices. In this study, 30 Polish fingerprint experts were asked to identify and evaluate seven minutiae in two fingerprint traces of differing quality. Experts classified each minutia and rated its individualization value on a five-point scale. Inter-rater reliability was assessed using Krippendorff’s alpha, and the relationship between selection frequency and individualization value was analyzed via linear regression and correlation.</div><div>Results revealed low inter-expert agreement in both minutiae selection and value assessment, with alpha coefficients of 0.39 for the trace of high-quality and 0.42 for the traces of a lower-quality. A strong negative correlation was found between how often a minutia was selected and its perceived individualization value (r = –0.84 for the trace of a high-quality and r = –0.89 for the trace of a lower-quality), suggesting that commonly selected features were viewed as less discriminative. These findings indicate that while experts may converge on general patterns at the group level, their individual assessments are often inconsistent.</div><div>The study underscores the need for systematic verification of expert conclusions. Given the variability observed, relying on a single unverified fingerprint opinion poses a substantial risk of error. Requiring that initial reports be prepared by multiple independent experts could enhance the reliability of conclusions and reduce vulnerability to evidentiary challenges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"115 ","pages":"Article 102943"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145010120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Beyond the sexual assault: A comprehensive service model for forensic and medical care 超越性侵犯：法医和医疗护理的综合服务模式

IF 1.2 4区医学

Journal of forensic and legal medicine Pub Date : 2025-08-22 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102956

Vanita Parekh , Janine McMinn , Anna Brkic , Catherine Sansum , Brooke James , Cassandra Noble

{"title":"Beyond the sexual assault: A comprehensive service model for forensic and medical care","authors":"Vanita Parekh , Janine McMinn , Anna Brkic , Catherine Sansum , Brooke James , Cassandra Noble","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102956","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102956","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>To describe the characteristics of patients, the elements of medical care, evidence collection and service provision in a forensic medical sexual assault service.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>A retrospective observational study of 2329 patients aged from 12 years presenting after sexual assault over an 18-year period.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Most victims were females of reproductive age. Perpetrators were males in 88 % with single assailants in 80.5 % of cases. Reported alcohol and substances consumed were 53.9 % and 14.2 % of cases respectively. Forensic and medical examination was undertaken in 75.1 %, with forensic evidence collected in 72.2 % and forensic photography in 23.2 %. On-site storage of the medical evidence kit occurred in 61.2 % of cases. Healthcare provision included STI screening (79.4 %), and emergency contraception (33.7 %). Delayed presentation after 7 days occurred in 11.4 % of cases, with over 86 % of cases seen within 7 days of the sexual assault. Most consultations (85 %) took under 3 h, 55.4 % of assessments were callouts out of business hours. Support persons attended the examination in 66.2 % of cases.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>In a well-resourced setting, both medical and forensic elements of care can and should be provided following sexual assault. However, medical needs must take priority with consideration for the collection of forensic evidence. Some victims present to a medical setting after sexual assault which should minimise barriers to reporting. However, this service should be provided in a DNA minimal clinical space, by forensically trained clinicians ideally in an Emergency Department. Data collection and analysis are critical in auditing for continual service improvement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"115 ","pages":"Article 102956"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144889302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Meningioma: A silent cause of suicide -case study 脑膜瘤：一个沉默的自杀原因-个案研究

IF 1.2 4区医学

Journal of forensic and legal medicine Pub Date : 2025-08-21 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102957

Rahul Panwar , Meena Suresh Kumar , Devendra Jadav , Abhishek Purohit , Tanuj Kanchan

引用次数: 0

Traumatic in-cerebration due to conveyor machine accident - A distinctive injury pattern case report 传送带机械事故所致的创伤性脑内损伤——一例独特的损伤模式病例报告

IF 1.2 4区医学

Journal of forensic and legal medicine Pub Date : 2025-08-20 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102952

Pooja Gupta , A. Varun Chandran , K. Karthi Vignesh Raj , D.N. Bhardwaj

引用次数: 0

A fatal case of gastropericardial fistula due to a benign gastric ulcer 良性胃溃疡致胃心包瘘1例死亡

IF 1.2 4区医学

Journal of forensic and legal medicine Pub Date : 2025-08-11 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102948

Koichi Uemura, Kana Unuma

{"title":"A fatal case of gastropericardial fistula due to a benign gastric ulcer","authors":"Koichi Uemura, Kana Unuma","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102948","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102948","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gastropericardial fistula caused by a benign gastric ulcer is a rare condition, with few fatal cases documented in forensic medicine. A healthy man in his 40s presented with chest pain and fever. Pericardiocentesis produced exudative fluid with a markedly elevated adenosine deaminase level, leading to an initial diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis and initiation of antituberculous therapy. Despite treatment, the patient deteriorated. On hospital day 43, gastric contents were observed draining from a mediastinal tube. Upper endoscopy revealed a large gastric ulcer that had perforated the diaphragm and communicated directly with the pericardial cavity. The patient died of multi-organ failure on day 55. Forensic autopsy revealed a 7-cm chronic gastric ulcer penetrating the left hemidiaphragm and forming a 1-cm fistula with the pericardial sac, and no evidence of tuberculosis. This case highlights the need to consider gastropericardial fistula in patients with unexplained pericarditis, especially if atypical effusions or alimentary material are noted in thoracic drains. Early recognition followed by urgent surgical intervention may be life-saving. Furthermore, from a forensic perspective, it highlights the need to consider gastropericardial fistulas in healthy adults with unexplained chest pain in the context of sudden death.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"115 ","pages":"Article 102948"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144858414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Knowledge and perception of forensic science among junior police officers in Ghana 加纳初级警察的法医学知识和认知

IF 1.2 4区医学

Journal of forensic and legal medicine Pub Date : 2025-08-11 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102949

Jeffery Kweku Dadson, Elizabeth Wiafe, Solomon Asiedu, Benjamin Agyin, Afia Pinamang Owusu Ansah, Adriana Natekie Tetteyfio, Charlotte Agyemang

{"title":"Knowledge and perception of forensic science among junior police officers in Ghana","authors":"Jeffery Kweku Dadson, Elizabeth Wiafe, Solomon Asiedu, Benjamin Agyin, Afia Pinamang Owusu Ansah, Adriana Natekie Tetteyfio, Charlotte Agyemang","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102949","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102949","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Forensic science is crucial in criminal justice administration, and relies on the contributions of law enforcement for its successful implementation. Global reports suggests that knowledge and perception significantly influence the use of forensic techniques by these agencies. In many developing countries like Ghana, where forensic expertise is limited, police officers often serve as first responders as well as crime scene managers. This study evaluated the knowledge and perception of forensic science among junior police officers through a cross-sectional survey using self-administered questionnaires. Responses were gathered from 180 junior police officers who were randomly selected from the Ashanti region. The findings indicated that only 14 % of the police officers had received formal forensic education, while 37 % have participated in training in forensic science. Furthermore, 54 % of the officers indicated that they have never employed any forensic procedures in their work. However, majority of the officers (99 %) had positive perception of forensic science, and advocated for enhanced training opportunities. The study also revealed that years of service, educational qualification, and unit affiliation significantly impacted the officers’ knowledge of forensic science. Additionally, the practical application of forensic science was found to play a vital role in shaping their perceptions of the field. The findings indicate that despite the low levels of formal education and training, majority of junior police officers in Ghana, view forensic science positively. It is therefore recommended that officers who also serve as crime scene investigators are offered opportunities for continuous education and training in forensic science.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"115 ","pages":"Article 102949"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144829215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0