Revista Espanola de Medicina Legal最新文献

{"title":"Ahogamientos mortales de menores en Cataluña: diferencias según la nacionalidad de las víctimas","authors":"Sofia Bernad,&nbsp;Josep M. Suelves,&nbsp;Josep Maria Casadesús,&nbsp;Eneko Barbería","doi":"10.1016/j.reml.2026.500515","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reml.2026.500515","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Drowning is a preventable cause of infant mortality. In Catalonia, a high proportion of fatal drownings occur among people of non-Spanish nationality. The objective of this study was to describe fatal drownings of children under 18 years of age in Catalonia during the period 2019-2023, analyzing the differences between those who died with Spanish nationality and those of other nationalities.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This was a retrospective observational study based on the autopsy records of the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences of Catalonia, including all cases of drowning deaths in children under 18 years of age between 2019 and 2023. Variables such as age, sex, nationality, location of drowning, and origin of the body were analyzed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Thirty-nine deaths were identified, with a mean age of 6.5 years; 74.4% were male. 56.4% of the deceased had foreign nationality, mainly from African countries. Drownings in swimming pools were more frequent among Spanish children, while drownings in natural waters predominated among foreign children.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The high proportion of children of non-Spanish nationality reflects sociocultural and gender inequalities in access to safer aquatic environments and in the acquisition of aquatic skills. Along with other measures, health counseling can promote family supervision of children's swimming and encourage participation in swimming learning programs, especially in populations with less access to safe educational and recreational resources.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":35705,"journal":{"name":"Revista Espanola de Medicina Legal","volume":"52 2","pages":"Article 500515"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148557196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experiencias traumáticas a edades tempranas: un estudio comparativo entre un grupo de mujeres privadas de la libertad y un grupo de mujeres víctimas de violencia en México y Ecuador","authors":"Verónica Molina-Coloma,&nbsp;Rosario Lara-Machado,&nbsp;Beatriz López-Vallejo,&nbsp;Sandra Vargas-Núñez,&nbsp;Doménica Bonilla Pacheco","doi":"10.1016/j.reml.2026.500514","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reml.2026.500514","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Traumatic events ocurring during childhood and adolescence have severe consequences, envolving into a significant social and public health issue. The objective of this study is to compare, by nationality and across groups, incarcerated women and women who are victims of intimate partner violence, regarding the types of traumatic events experienced in childhood and adolescence.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>In this study, a cross-sectional descriptive and comparative design was used, and quota and participation sampling of 215 women from Mexico (n = 106) and Ecuador (n = 109) was applied to them, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF) was applied. A 2 x 2 MANOVA was performed to compare groups. Following the global analyses, two tests of inter-subject effects were reported.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The results show significant differences in the different types of traumatic events assessed by the CTQ-SF, both by country and by group of women.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>It is concluded that the group of Ecuadorian women and the group of incarcerated women from both countries have experienced a greater number of traumatic events at younger ages.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":35705,"journal":{"name":"Revista Espanola de Medicina Legal","volume":"52 2","pages":"Article 500514"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148557195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"El suicidio en Argentina. Un estudio basado en el Sistema Nacional de Información Criminal (2017–2023)","authors":"Eleonora Rojas Cabrera,&nbsp;Federico Cruceño,&nbsp;Ambar Pepermans Rojas","doi":"10.1016/j.reml.2026.500505","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reml.2026.500505","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction and Objective</h3><div>Suicide is a serious public health problem associated with multiple individual and social-contextual factors. This paper aimed to analyze suicide trends in Argentina during the period 2017–2023, considering sex, age and seasonality.</div></div><div><h3>Material and methods</h3><div>A quantitative and descriptive study from a sociodemographic perspective was carried out, based on data from National Criminal Information System (NCIS). Mortality rates (MR) by sex and age were calculated, and their trends were analyzed by applying joinpoint regression models. Then, the seasonal index (SI) was calculated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>During the period of study, the MR due to suicide was higher among men (first semester of 2017: 5.3 and 1.7 per 100,000 men/women, respectively; second semester of 2023: 7.1 and 1.9 per 100,000 men/women, respectively), mostly at younger stages (9.1 and 11.1 per 100,000 men aged 15–24 years in the first semester of 2017 and the second semester of 2023, respectively). Male MR increased significantly till 2018, decreased till 2020 and then increased again; female MR did not vary significantly; and suicides were more common in summer months. However, suicide trends and its seasonality vary according sex and age group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>In Argentina, suicide rates behave differently by sex, age and season. Therefore, actions for reducing them must take into account the characteristics of each population group.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":35705,"journal":{"name":"Revista Espanola de Medicina Legal","volume":"52 2","pages":"Article 500505"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148557605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modificación legislativa y controversias médico-legales con relación a la incapacidad permanente como causa de extinción del contrato de trabajo","authors":"M. Teófila Vicente-Herrero ,&nbsp;Pilar Moreno-Torres ,&nbsp;Carmen Muñoz Ruipérez ,&nbsp;Luisa Capdevila García ,&nbsp;M. Victoria Ramírez Iñiguez de la Torre ,&nbsp;José Ignacio Torres Alberich ,&nbsp;Alfonso Torres Vicente ,&nbsp;Santiago Delgado Bueno","doi":"10.1016/j.reml.2025.500498","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reml.2025.500498","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The recent amendment to Article 49 of the Workers' Statute, driven by a ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union, eliminates the automatic termination of the employment contract due to permanent disability. Companies must now assess and document the possibility of making reasonable accommodations or reassigning the worker to a compatible position, unless this represents an undue burden. The occupational physician plays a central role by evaluating work capacity and proposing adaptations. Termination of the contract will only be lawful if it is demonstrated that no viable alternatives exist and the entire process is properly justified. This reform aims to prevent discrimination based on disability, protect the rights of affected workers, and balance employer obligations with labor inclusion, requiring preventive and coordinated management between medical services and human resources.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":35705,"journal":{"name":"Revista Espanola de Medicina Legal","volume":"52 1","pages":"Article 500498"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147418463","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pregabalin use in drug-facilitated sexual assault cases","authors":"Lokmane Dali Braham ,&nbsp;Feriel Hadji ,&nbsp;Abderrahmane Kori Yahia ,&nbsp;Imane Bekkouche ,&nbsp;Souad Nagoudi ,&nbsp;Dalanda Benchrik ,&nbsp;Nour El Yakine Keraghel ,&nbsp;Mohamed Amine Kerdoun ,&nbsp;Djamil Azzouz ,&nbsp;Rachid Belhadj","doi":"10.1016/j.reml.2025.500492","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reml.2025.500492","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Pregabalin, a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analog, is increasingly misused for its sedative, euphoric, and disinhibitory effects. Although not traditionally listed among classic drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) agents, its pharmacological profile raises concerns about its potential use in chemical submission.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To describe and analyze a series of DFSA cases in which pregabalin was identified through forensic toxicological investigations, and to evaluate its implications as a chemical submission agent.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This case series includes nine DFSA victims assessed at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Mustapha Pasha University Hospital, between September 2023 and September 2024. Biological samples were collected promptly and analyzed using immunoassays followed by confirmatory gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The qualitative GC–MS method was validated according to SFBC-SFTA 2019 recommendations.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Pregabalin was detected in all urine samples and in one blood sample. It was the only common substance across all cases, though MDMA and tramadol were also identified in three and one cases, respectively. Victims (aged 13–18) were predominantly female, and all presented with marked drowsiness and confusion. Genital injuries were observed in 55% of cases, and anal or other bodily injuries in 100%. In six cases, the substance was administered without consent.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This is the first documented case series in North Africa implicating pregabalin as a primary agent in DFSA. Its psychoactive effects including sedation, confusion, amnesia, and disinhibition make it particularly conducive to chemical submission. These findings support the systematic inclusion of pregabalin in DFSA toxicology screenings and highlight the need for heightened clinical and forensic awareness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":35705,"journal":{"name":"Revista Espanola de Medicina Legal","volume":"52 1","pages":"Article 500492"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147418462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perspectiva médico-legal de la imputabilidad penal en personas con trastornos mentales","authors":"Ruth Salmón Maroto","doi":"10.1016/j.reml.2025.500499","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reml.2025.500499","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To analyze, from a medico-legal perspective, the relationship between mental disorders and criminal responsibility, identifying clinical-criminal patterns and judicial assessments in cases involving serious offenses.</div></div><div><h3>Material and methods</h3><div>A descriptive study was conducted, combining a specialized literature review with the analysis of judicial decisions. The study included rulings issued in Spain in which the presence of a clinically diagnosed mental disorder was recognized. Each case was examined in relation to the type of offense, psychiatric diagnosis, degree of criminal responsibility, and the penalty imposed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Psychotic disorders were more frequently associated with homicide, while personality disorders predominated in sexual offenses. Most defendants were deemed fully responsible, even in the presence of severe mental disorders. Semi-responsibility did not lead to a significant reduction in sentences, and psychiatric hospitalization was applied only in cases of non-responsibility. Although psychopathy could be identified in some clinical-criminal profiles, it did not appear as a formal diagnosis in any of the rulings.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Findings reveal a restrictive application of mental disorder exemptions within the Spanish judicial system, consistent with the mixed (biological-psychological) model of criminal responsibility. Despite the recognition of psychopathology, ordinary imprisonment was prioritized over therapeutic measures. The results highlight the need for more specific diagnostic tools and adequate forensic and penitentiary resources to integrate both clinical and legal perspectives in the assessment of criminal responsibility.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":35705,"journal":{"name":"Revista Espanola de Medicina Legal","volume":"52 1","pages":"Article 500499"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147418464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Estudio comparativo entre la tomografía computarizada post mortem y la autopsia: experiencia en un instituto de medicina legal y ciencias forenses","authors":"David Martínez-Esquiva ,&nbsp;Juan Pedro Hernández del Rincón ,&nbsp;Cristina Sánchez Pérez ,&nbsp;Eulalia Moya Cánovas ,&nbsp;Úrsula María Gil Martínez ,&nbsp;Eduardo Osuna","doi":"10.1016/j.reml.2026.500503","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reml.2026.500503","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div><em>Post mortem</em> computed tomography (PMCT) is a non-invasive complementary tool that enables triage and three-dimensional reconstruction in forensic pathology. The objective of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of PMCT compared to traditional autopsy at the IMLCF of Murcia, the first center in Spain with a dedicated forensic computed tomography unit.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>A retrospective observational study (2020–2023) was conducted, analyzing 44 cases where PMCT was performed prior to the necropsy. A total of 560 forensic findings were categorized, and statistical analysis was applied using the McNemar test, with significance set at a value of <em>p</em> &lt; 0.05.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>PMCT demonstrated statistically significant superiority in detecting skeletal injuries (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), with particular relevance in the skull (<em>p</em> = 0.001) and the pelvic ring (<em>p</em> = 0.031). However, autopsy maintained a significant advantage in identifying pathology in soft tissues, parenchyma, the vascular system, and fluids in cavities (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). A progressive improvement in the accuracy of PMCT reports was observed, linked to the team’s learning curve.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>PMCT is superior for diagnosing bone trauma, especially in anatomical regions that are difficult to dissect. Its routine integration requires the implementation of standardized reporting protocols and specialized technical training in forensic imaging for medical examiners.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":35705,"journal":{"name":"Revista Espanola de Medicina Legal","volume":"52 1","pages":"Article 500503"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147418471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Estrategias de éxito para la transformación digital en los Institutos de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses","authors":"Mar Pastor-Bravo ,&nbsp;Ezequiel Domínguez-Lucena ,&nbsp;Marta Grijalba-Mazo ,&nbsp;Eneko Barbería-Marcalain ,&nbsp;Rosana Marcos-Ramos ,&nbsp;Alfonso Colorado-Casado de Amezua ,&nbsp;Carmen Negre-Muñoz","doi":"10.1016/j.reml.2025.500502","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reml.2025.500502","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Digital transformation represents a strategic opportunity to modernize the Institutes of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (IMLCF) and align them with the current challenges of the Administration of Justice. This article proposes a generalizable model to drive such transformation from a comprehensive perspective, not only technological but also organizational, cultural, and data-oriented. Based on an internal and external analysis of the institutional environment, which each institute must undertake, the main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats can be identified, as well as the possibilities that technological advances offer to legal medicine and forensic sciences. This diagnosis enables the definition of the digital strategic vision of each institute. A progressive roadmap is proposed, grounded in best practices and focused on leadership, staff involvement, and sustainability of actions. Digital transformation is not an end in itself but a means to deliver a more effective, human, transparent, and citizen-centered forensic public service.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":35705,"journal":{"name":"Revista Espanola de Medicina Legal","volume":"52 1","pages":"Article 500502"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147418465","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Calidad en los institutos de medicina legal y ciencias forenses","authors":"Rosa Ana Marcos Ramos ,&nbsp;Mar Pastor Bravo ,&nbsp;Marta Grijalba-Mazo","doi":"10.1016/j.reml.2026.500507","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reml.2026.500507","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35705,"journal":{"name":"Revista Espanola de Medicina Legal","volume":"52 1","pages":"Article 500507"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147402281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Suicidio con propofol. A propósito de un caso","authors":"Esperanza Navarro Escayola ,&nbsp;Clara Vega Vega","doi":"10.1016/j.reml.2026.500506","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reml.2026.500506","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35705,"journal":{"name":"Revista Espanola de Medicina Legal","volume":"52 1","pages":"Article 500506"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147418466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}