Legal Medicine最新文献

Innovative approaches to future expenses: integrating multidisciplinary methodologies 未来费用的创新方法：整合多学科方法

IF 1.3 4区医学

Legal Medicine Pub Date : 2025-07-12 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102676

Giovanni Galeoto , Ilaria Ruotolo , Giovanni Sellitto , Emanuele Amadio , Aniello Maiese , Umberto Guidoni , Gianpietro Volonnino , Raffaele La Russa , Paola Frati

{"title":"Innovative approaches to future expenses: integrating multidisciplinary methodologies","authors":"Giovanni Galeoto , Ilaria Ruotolo , Giovanni Sellitto , Emanuele Amadio , Aniello Maiese , Umberto Guidoni , Gianpietro Volonnino , Raffaele La Russa , Paola Frati","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102676","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102676","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Accidents and injuries are a leading cause of disability among young people. Currently, in forensic medicine practice, the Italian legal-insurance system relies on internationally established methodologies. ANIA (National Association of Insurers), asked for an innovative medical-legal evaluation system aimed at ensuring the correct financial compensation for biological damage. The study aims to investigate the correlation between the compensation proposed on the basis of a rehabilitation assessment and the functional deficit of patients.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Patients had to be able to hold a colloquium in Italian, have a litigation that is still being discussed; to be clinically stable so that the functional impairment resulting from the accident could be objectively analyzed. All individuals were assessed through a multidisciplinary evaluation: forensic evaluation that was performed by a forensic physician; physiotherapy evaluation performed by a physiotherapist and occupational therapy evaluation performed by an occupational therapist.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The statistical analysis revealed several significant correlations between functional deficits, remaining life expectancy, and the proposed compensations for different types of rehabilitation interventions (hydrotherapy, motor rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and the use of aids).</div><div>The total scores from the DASH, BERG, KOOS, LEFS-I, TSK, FSS, and SF-36 scales showed significant positive correlations with total functional deficit and total compensation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In conclusion, the study suggests that adopting integrated, multidisciplinary evaluation methodologies in the future could ensure compensation that is more appropriate, based not only on the severity of the pathology but also on the residual functional damage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"77 ","pages":"Article 102676"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144623602","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

Dental age estimation of northern Pakistani children using 3D surface area analyses of canine apices 利用犬齿尖三维表面积分析估计巴基斯坦北部儿童的牙龄

IF 1.3 4区医学

Legal Medicine Pub Date : 2025-07-08 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102675

Muhammad Khan Asif , Phrabhakaran Nambiar , Iqra Muhammad Khan , Yee Fan Choon , Norliza Ibrahim

引用次数: 0

Unexpected death from air embolism during routine dental Procedure: A case report 常规牙科手术中空气栓塞意外死亡1例

IF 1.3 4区医学

Legal Medicine Pub Date : 2025-07-05 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102674

Haruki Fukuda , Kazunori Fukushima , Yoichiro Takahashi , Akira Hayakawa , Hiroyuki Tokue , Yuta Obana , Kaori Iwahara , Tamiyuki Tsuzuki , Satoshi Yokoo , Rie Sano

{"title":"Unexpected death from air embolism during routine dental Procedure: A case report","authors":"Haruki Fukuda , Kazunori Fukushima , Yoichiro Takahashi , Akira Hayakawa , Hiroyuki Tokue , Yuta Obana , Kaori Iwahara , Tamiyuki Tsuzuki , Satoshi Yokoo , Rie Sano","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102674","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102674","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Air embolism during dental treatment is a rare but severe complication. We report a woman in her 70 s who died of an air embolism. The patient experienced sudden stiffness and loss of consciousness while undergoing restorative treatment for cervical caries of the lower right second molar. Despite resuscitation efforts, the patient died 2 h later. Postmortem computed tomography revealed subcutaneous emphysema from the right mandible to the cervical area; gas within the right mandibular canal; and expansion of the right submental vein extending to the right anterior jugular vein, brain, cervical vessels, and heart chambers. An autopsy revealed mucosal abrasions and bleeding around the gingival mucosa, gas in the cerebral and cervical vessels, and an open oval foramen in the atrial septum. Histopathological examination revealed emphysematous and exudative changes in the granulation tissue and empty veins, indicating the presence of air surrounding the lower right second molar. In this case, routine dental treatment resulted in a fatal outcome, which was attributed to the following. First, the patient had fragile periodontal tissue, which made it prone to air infiltration. Second, the patent foramen ovale allowed air to pass from the venous to the arterial system, leading to systemic and cerebral air embolisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"77 ","pages":"Article 102674"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144581004","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

Analysis on forensic pathology of water intoxication: A review 水中毒的法医病理学分析综述

IF 1.3 4区医学

Legal Medicine Pub Date : 2025-07-04 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102660

Treglia Michele , Volonnino Gianpietro , Huan Wan , Del Duca Fabio , Ping Yan , Maiese Aniello

{"title":"Analysis on forensic pathology of water intoxication: A review","authors":"Treglia Michele , Volonnino Gianpietro , Huan Wan , Del Duca Fabio , Ping Yan , Maiese Aniello","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102660","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102660","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Post-mortem diagnosis of water intoxication should be confirmed through analysis during an autopsy. Demonstrating typical tissue changes in accordance with the clinical history is useful for assessing the reliability of a hyperhydrated state. A review of current literature on autopsy cases involving excessive liquid intake was conducted, and a definition of pathological death due to water intoxication is proposed.</div><div>Analyzed cases revealed general cerebral and lung abnormalities along with significant right ventricular heart dilation. Histological findings included neuronal degeneration characterized by lax core chromatin, enlarged nerve cells, and perivascular spaces, often associated with neuronal necrosis. Cardiac findings included the absence of cardiomyocyte striations and vacuolation of cardiomyocytes.</div><div>Post-mortem blood examination (n = 5) showed a mean ± SD serum sodium concentration of 90.4 ± 12.8 mmol/L (Median = 85, IQR = 20.5; IQ1–3 = 81.5–102). Post-mortem blood sodium level appears to be a specific marker of recent excessive liquid intake. Post-mortem examination is necessary to evaluate the effects of electrolyte imbalance in cases of an anarcatic state.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"77 ","pages":"Article 102660"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144563019","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

Integrating forensic pathology and toxicology for in-depth analysis of performance-enhancing substance misuse: Insights into injury, death, and broader implications 整合法医病理学和毒理学，深入分析提高成绩的药物滥用：对伤害、死亡和更广泛影响的见解

IF 1.3 4区医学

Legal Medicine Pub Date : 2025-07-04 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102666

Maria Paola Bonasoni , Francesca Rossi , Elena Piva , Elena Giovannini , Arianna Fornasari , Paolo Fais , Jennifer P. Pascali

{"title":"Integrating forensic pathology and toxicology for in-depth analysis of performance-enhancing substance misuse: Insights into injury, death, and broader implications","authors":"Maria Paola Bonasoni , Francesca Rossi , Elena Piva , Elena Giovannini , Arianna Fornasari , Paolo Fais , Jennifer P. Pascali","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102666","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102666","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The death of a non-professional bodybuilder with a history of performance-enhancing drug (PED) use was thoroughly investigated. At the decedent’s residence, investigators found four boxes of methylprednisolone tablets, one galenic preparation of sibutramine, and two unlabelled galenic compounds. Blood and hair samples were collected during autopsy. Toxicological analysis revealed the presence of methylprednisolone (19 ng/mL), methandrostenolone (27 ng/mL), and sibutramine (29 ng/mL) in blood. Hair analysis confirmed sibutramine (80 pg/mg) and methandrostenolone (1.28 ng/mg). GC-MS analysis of the seized substances detected methylprednisolone, sibutramine, and methandrostenolone in varying concentrations, highlighting cross-contamination during preparation.</div><div>Death was related to a right cerebral endoventricular hemorrhage secondary to a ruptured subarachnoid arteriovenous malformation (AVM). The hypertensive peaks associated with weightlifting likely contributed to rupture of the weakened AVM walls. Indeed, histopathological analysis revealed myxoid parietal degeneration which was related to chronic hypertension induced by prolonged use of anabolic–androgenic steroids (AAS) and sibutramine.</div><div>Evidence suggested that sibutramine was consumed both from labelled products and inadvertently from unlabelled compounds, highlighting safety concerns regarding the unregulated and poorly labelled substances. This case underscores the significant health risks associated with PED use, particularly in non-professional contexts where anti-doping measures are absent.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"77 ","pages":"Article 102666"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144571454","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

Anthropometric analysis of the palpebral fissure using superimposition of 3D CBCT models and photographs for forensic facial reconstruction in young Korean adults 使用3D CBCT模型和照片叠加对韩国年轻人眼睑裂进行法医面部重建的人体测量学分析

IF 1.3 4区医学

Legal Medicine Pub Date : 2025-07-02 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102665

Seok-Ju Choi , Dong-Ho Kim , Won-Joon Lee , Myeung Ju Kim , Kwan Hyun Youn , Scott Lozanoff , U-Young Lee , Yi-Suk Kim

{"title":"Anthropometric analysis of the palpebral fissure using superimposition of 3D CBCT models and photographs for forensic facial reconstruction in young Korean adults","authors":"Seok-Ju Choi , Dong-Ho Kim , Won-Joon Lee , Myeung Ju Kim , Kwan Hyun Youn , Scott Lozanoff , U-Young Lee , Yi-Suk Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102665","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102665","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Facial reconstruction in forensic anthropology is a technique to identify individuals from skeletal remains. This process is heavily reliant on accurately estimating facial features, particularly the eyes, which are the most distinctive features for facial recognition. This study aimed to analyze the anatomical relationship between the palpebral fissure and the orbit in Koreans to enhance the accuracy of facial reconstruction in 105 participants (55 males, 50 females) with a mean age of 26.0 years for males and 26.5 years for females. Measurements were obtained by superimposing 2D photographs obtained using a Head Posture Aligner with 3D skull models scanned via Cone Beam Computed Tomography. The study analyzed various anatomical landmarks on the eyelids, pupils, irises, and orbits for sex-based differences and left–right asymmetry. Results indicated more significant structural variability in the horizontal plane than in the vertical, with males exhibiting larger differences than females. Notable left–right asymmetry was observed across all horizontal variables. High regression coefficients were noted for both sexes along the reference line through the supraorbitale, whereas landmarks along the medial orbit showed lower regression coefficients. This study underscores the importance of precise landmark identification and measurement in facial reconstructions, where superimposition is crucial for estimating soft tissue placement over skeletal frameworks. The insights gained from the measurements of the palpebral fissure contribute valuable information to improving the accuracy and applicability of facial reconstruction in forensic anthropology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"77 ","pages":"Article 102665"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144549514","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

The screening and validation of lnc-SLC25A39 and lnc-LINC00279-202 for distinguishing tissue origins of peripheral blood and semen samples by RT-qPCR lnc-SLC25A39和lnc-LINC00279-202用于外周血和精液样本组织来源的RT-qPCR筛选和验证

IF 1.3 4区医学

Legal Medicine Pub Date : 2025-07-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102655

Xuebing Chen, Yifeng Lin, Xiaolian Wu, Bofeng Zhu

{"title":"The screening and validation of lnc-SLC25A39 and lnc-LINC00279-202 for distinguishing tissue origins of peripheral blood and semen samples by RT-qPCR","authors":"Xuebing Chen, Yifeng Lin, Xiaolian Wu, Bofeng Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102655","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102655","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>RNA markers have attracted widespread attention in the field of body fluid identification due to their tissue specificity and relative stability. Long RNAs including message RNA (mRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have a higher probability of containing more polymorphic sites and can be used to identify specific body fluid samples of the donors, however, people suspect that these long RNAs may not be conducive to the identification of degraded samples. The mRNA markers have been reported in multiple studies to be used to identify the tissue origins of forensic body fluids. However, few studies have shown the forensic application of the lncRNA in identifying tissue origins of body fluid samples. In this study, two lncRNAs (lnc-SLC25A39 and lnc-LINC00279-202) were screened out and combined with two previously popular mRNA markers (HBB and PRM1) to distinguish the peripheral blood (PB) from other kinds of body fluids, or semen (SE) from other kinds of body fluids. RT-qPCR validation experiments revealed that lnc-SLC25A39 was the PB-specific marker; and lnc-LINC00279-202 was the SE-specific marker in both single- and mixed-origin samples, and this is consistent with the results of ten machine-learning models. Furthermore, the stability of these selected RNAs was demonstrated when the PB and SE samples have exposed to room temperature for a period of one year. The results of this study indicate that the application of lncRNA may offer a novel approach for the tissue origin identifications of different kinds of body fluids.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"76 ","pages":"Article 102655"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144513575","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

Fatal, Acute Subdural Hematoma Following Spinal Anesthesia In A Postpartum Patient: A Case Report With A Mini Literature Review 产后腰麻致死性急性硬膜下血肿1例，并附文献回顾

IF 1.3 4区医学

Legal Medicine Pub Date : 2025-07-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102657

Beáta Ágnes Borsay , Barbara Dóra Halasi , Gergő Harsányi , Róbert Kristóf Pórszász , Péter Attila Gergely

{"title":"Fatal, Acute Subdural Hematoma Following Spinal Anesthesia In A Postpartum Patient: A Case Report With A Mini Literature Review","authors":"Beáta Ágnes Borsay , Barbara Dóra Halasi , Gergő Harsányi , Róbert Kristóf Pórszász , Péter Attila Gergely","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102657","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102657","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The authors report a case of fatal postpartum acute subdural hematoma after multiple attempts at spinal anesthesia related to cesarean delivery. A 22-year-old primigravida was admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department due to the throes of childbirth. The presence of threatening intrauterine hypoxia indicated a C-section with the usual lumbar anesthesia. However, the anesthesia proved insufficient, necessitating the administration of intratracheal narcosis, which occurred without complication. A healthy, mature boy was born with Apgar scores of 10/1 and 10/5. During the first 8 h of the postpartum period, the primipara exhibited stable vital parameters without neurological symptoms. After 8.5 h, a grand mal seizure was observed following a period of consciousness and spontaneous breathing that soon ceased. The CT scan examination revealed a significant left fronto-temporo-parietal acute subdural hematoma. All brainstem reflexes were absent, lacking corneal, trigemino-facial, and oculo-vestibular reflexes, with submaximal dilated pupils, and unresponsive to direct and consensual light stimuli. Despite an urgent neurosurgery operation and 4 days of intensive therapy, follow-up brain CT examinations showed a massive midline shift and compression of the supratentorial ventricle system. No trauma or other malformations of the brain were detected. According to the primary brain damage protocol, after a 12-hour observation period, brain death was declared, and she was deemed suitable for organ donation. Our mini-review identified 12 published cases of postpartum subdural hematoma following spinal anesthesia between 1995 and 2021. The data highlight the importance of early neuroimaging and multidisciplinary assessment when postpartum headaches or seizures occur.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"76 ","pages":"Article 102657"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144513576","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

Fast determination of valproic acid in plasma samples from poisoning cases using HybridSPE-precipitation and LC-MS/MS 采用hybridspe -沉淀法和LC-MS/MS快速测定中毒患者血浆样品中的丙戊酸

IF 1.3 4区医学

Legal Medicine Pub Date : 2025-07-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102662

Juliana Blume de Oliveira , Bruno Pereira dos Santos , Viviane Cristina Sebben , Tiago Franco de Oliveira , Marcelo Dutra Arbo

{"title":"Fast determination of valproic acid in plasma samples from poisoning cases using HybridSPE-precipitation and LC-MS/MS","authors":"Juliana Blume de Oliveira , Bruno Pereira dos Santos , Viviane Cristina Sebben , Tiago Franco de Oliveira , Marcelo Dutra Arbo","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102662","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102662","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug for epilepsy, as well as other neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as seizures, bipolar disorders, and migraines. It acts as a central nervous system depressant and is linked to overdose cases, often intentionally for suicidal purposes. Toxic plasmatic levels of VPA can result in various clinical manifestations, including drowsiness, ataxia, coma, and liver and kidney dysfunction. The rising cases of poisoning underscore the importance of identifying toxic agents for effective patient management and treatment, ensuring a positive prognosis. This study developed and validated an LC-MS/MS method to analyze VPA in plasma samples in emergency toxicology scenarios. Sample preparation was carried out using HybridSPE-PPT and used 100 μL of plasma. The total chromatographic run time was 4 min. The method was validated following the recommendations of the ANSI/ASB Standard 036 Guideline. The lower limit of quantification was 20 μg/mL and the method proved to be linear (<em>r</em><sup>2</sup> > 0.999) up to 500 μg/mL. The developed method proved to be precise and accurate, with within-run and between-run precision CV% lower than 9 % and bias within −10.4 %. The matrix effect ranged from 113.3 to 128.5 % and the HybridSPE-PPT recovery rate was greater than 90 %. As proof of applicability, thirteen plasma samples from suspected poisoning cases were analyzed. The concentration found in the samples ranged from 21.1 μg/mL to > 500 μg/mL. A fast and simple LC-MS/MS method using the HybridSPE-PPT technique for quantifying VPA in plasma samples was successfully developed and validated.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"76 ","pages":"Article 102662"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144523491","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

Combined use of microscopic and molecular techniques to detect aquatic microorganisms in drowning-related cases and exploring the risk factors over a 6-year period (2018–2023) in Hungary 在匈牙利，结合使用显微镜和分子技术检测溺水相关病例中的水生微生物，并探索6年期间（2018-2023年）的风险因素

IF 1.3 4区医学

Legal Medicine Pub Date : 2025-07-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102663

Dominika Szűcs, Vivien Fejes, Katalin Sipos, Gábor Simon, Viktor Soma Poór

{"title":"Combined use of microscopic and molecular techniques to detect aquatic microorganisms in drowning-related cases and exploring the risk factors over a 6-year period (2018–2023) in Hungary","authors":"Dominika Szűcs, Vivien Fejes, Katalin Sipos, Gábor Simon, Viktor Soma Poór","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102663","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102663","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional injury deaths. To deepen the comprehension of drowning epidemiology in our retrospective study, we analyzed 263 drowning cases across 12 distinct counties of Hungary in a six-year period.</div><div>The epidemiological data of our study showed many similarities to other countries worldwide, except for the age distribution among drowning victims. In Hungary, the most susceptible age groups for both sexes were from 51 to 70, and a small number of children died from drowning. Males have a three times higher death rate than women. We can observe most drowning cases during the summer period. Concerning the different waterbody types, most drowning incidents occurred in rivers and lakes.</div><div>An age-old problem of forensic medicine is the diagnosis of true drowning, respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid. The presence of waterborne microorganisms in the systemic circulation can corroborate this diagnosis. The traditional method is the microscopic identification of diatom shells, but recently, PCR-based techniques have also been employed. Our investigation compares the results of these methods.</div><div>Combining the two methods improved detection, yielding a 2.6-fold increase in positive results (from 63 to 164 cases). Overall, the diatom test was positive in 23.95 % of systemic organ samples but using both methods together increased positive detection to 62.36 %, significantly reducing cases considered as negative.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"76 ","pages":"Article 102663"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144523378","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