{"title":"A rare case of the coexistence of injuries typical of a fall from height.","authors":"Tomasz Cywka","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.025.21224","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.025.21224","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Falls from heights constitute the second most common cause of suicides in Poland, often resulting in multiple organ injuries. This paper describes a rare case of a 32-year-old man who died after jumping from a four-story building. The autopsy and post-mortem computed tomography analysis revealed a unique coexistence of injuries characteristic of a fall onto extended lower limbs, such as a circular fracture of the base of the skull as well as multiple fractures of the spine, pelvis, and lower limbs. The geodetic analysis enabled the determination of the fall height and flight range, which facilitated further conclusions regarding the active phase of movement and the verification of the circumstances of the event. This case highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach in evaluating the mechanisms of injuries caused by falls from heights. The use of post-mortem computed tomography, supplemented by geodetic data and traditional biomechanical methods, allows for a detailed assessment of the nature of injuries and the circumstances of the event. This type of multidimensional analysis enables more precise differentiation of injury mechanisms and reasoning about the cause of the fall, which is crucial in forensic practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"74 4","pages":"324-336"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144083106","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}
Dorota Samojłowicz, Sylwia Tarka, Aleksandra Borowska-Solonynko, Paulina Felczak
{"title":"Osmotic demyelination syndrome - an example of using neuropathological examination in forensic medical practice.","authors":"Dorota Samojłowicz, Sylwia Tarka, Aleksandra Borowska-Solonynko, Paulina Felczak","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.25.005.21540","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4467/16891716AMSIK.25.005.21540","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>The aim of the study: </strong>Presentation of the practical application of neuropathological examination in forensic medical practice. Emphasizing the usefulness of rarely utilized neuropathological examinations, particularly in cases of deaths with unclear neurological etiology.</p><p><strong>Case description: </strong>A 46-year-old woman with alcohol addiction passed away due to encephalopathy, clinically identified as toxic encephalopathy. A standard autopsy did not allow for a definitive determination of the cause of death. Thanks to the conducted neuropathological examination, which revealed extensive demyelination, and the analysis of the treatment course, the toxic cause of death was ruled out, leading to the diagnosis of osmotic demyelination syndrome resulting from overly rapid correction of hyponatremia. .</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This case highlights the crucial role of neuropathology in post-mortem diagnostics and underscores the need for developing guidelines and educating prosecutors on its application in forensic autopsies.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"75 1","pages":"55-66"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144593737","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":"Development of a method for determining xenobiotics in the form of dried blood spots on cotton material and Whatman® 903 cards.","authors":"Kamila Komajda, Dominika Przygodzka","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.023.21222","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.023.21222","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>The aim of the study: </strong>The aim of this study was to develop and validate a quantitative analysis procedure for four benzodiazepines (alprazolam, diazepam, flunitrazepam, clonazepam) and one Z-drug (zolpidem), applied to cotton material and Whatman® 903 cards in the form of blood spots.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>The extraction was conducted using a mixture of phosphate-carbonate buffer pH=6, acetonitrile, and methanol. The blood spots were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All calibration curves maintained linearity (R²>0.995) in the concentration ranges of 1-50 ng/ml on cotton material and Whatman ® 903 cards. The Limit of Detection (LOD) and Limit of Quantitation (LOQ) for the analyzed substances were in the ranges of 0.04- 0.40 ng/ml (LOD) and 0.12-1.08 ng/ml (LOQ) isolated from Whatman® 903 cards, and 0.06-1.15 ng/ml (LOD) and 0.17-2.04 ng/ml (LOQ) isolated from cotton. Accuracy for concentrations of 5 ng/ml, 10 ng/ml, and 50 ng/ml was comparable in both groups, ranging from 76-101% for Whatman® 903 cards and 73-117% for cotton. No significant matrix effect was observed on the quantitative results of the analyzed benzodiazepines.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In the presented study, a qualitative and quantitative analysis procedure for four xenobiotics from the benzodiazepine group and zolpidem, applied as dried blood spots on cotton material and Whatman® 903 cards, was developed and validated. The extraction method presented focused on isolating xenobiotics from blood spots of known volume. Sample extraction using a simple liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) technique creates opportunities for applying the described method to real samples secured on cotton material or stored on Whatman® 903 cards.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"74 4","pages":"296-307"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144083107","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":"Competencies of court experts in bloodstain pattern analysis.","authors":"Angelika Jaroń","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.25.003.21538","DOIUrl":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.25.003.21538","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The court experts and the opinions prepared by them, play an important role in criminal proceedings, especially in connection with the intensive development of forensic science and forensic techniques. In such conditions, evidence obtained from expert opinions often plays the inglorious role of resolving important trial issues. It should be noted that the average judge do not have knowledge of all scientific fields. By extension, they must base their judgments on knowledge and someone else's experience. These people are called court experts. Currently, there are over 19 440 court experts in Poland listed on the lists kept by the presidents of district courts. To draw up opinions, judges also appoints ad hoc experts due to their specialized knowledge. As a result, the number of people who draw up opinions for courts increases to 20,000. Out of so many people drawing up opinions for courts, there are only six from the bloodstain pattern analysis. Moreover, only four of them were renewed by courts in 2024.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"75 1","pages":"30-47"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144593733","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}
Piotr Engelgardt, Maciej Krzyżanowski, Marta Perkowska
{"title":"Genital injuries in girls aged 1-2 years - description of 2 cases.","authors":"Piotr Engelgardt, Maciej Krzyżanowski, Marta Perkowska","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.026.21225","DOIUrl":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.026.21225","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Blunt perineal trauma can result from a variety of mechanisms, depending on the child's development and activity level. The younger the child, the greater the risk that the perineal trauma is related to sexual assault. The problem with young children is obtaining reliable information from them regarding the circumstances of the injury. The younger the child, the more severe the problem. Therefore, this type of injury can pose a challenge in determining the actual mechanism of its occurrence. Case study Case 1. A 16-month-old girl was admitted to the hospital with injuries to the perineum. The examination revealed bruising and abrasions of the epidermis around the vaginal vestibule, and a ruptured mucosa of the posterior commissure. The injuries were said to have occurred when the child was with the caregiver and her partner, including approximately 30 minutes in the presence of the man alone. The man denied touching the child, stating that the injuries were supposed to have occurred accidentally following a fall in the bathroom. The confrontation of the explanations of the caregiver and her partner with the child's injuries allowed these explanations to be dismissed.</p><p><strong>Case 2: </strong>A 22-month-old girl was admitted to the hospital with a single bruise in the posterior commissure area. The mother suspected that the child may have accidentally sustained a perineum injury while trying to enter or exit a decorative flowerpot. To verify the mother's explanations, at the request of the expert, the flowerpot in question was inspected and the minor's behavior was observed when entering and exiting the flowerpot. This allowed the mother's explanations to be deemed credible.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>In the first case, the presence of multiple injuries (at least 4) located around the entrance to the vagina, characterized by bruising and tears in the mucous membrane, was significant. The number and arrangement of these injuries around the entrance, rather than in a straight line, made the possibility of a fall improbable, particularly given the caregiver's explanations of the circumstances. The nature of the injuries also clearly contradicted the accounts of the caregiver and her partner. In the second case, despite the location of the injury raising suspicions of a possible sexual assault, the additional data provided above substantiated the mother's version.</p><p><p>Wprowadzenie . Tępe urazy krocza mogą wynikać z różnych mechanizmów, w zależności od rozwoju i aktywności dziecka. Im młodsze dziecko tym większe ryzyko, że uraz krocza związany był z napaścią seksualną. Problemem w przypadku małych dzieci jest uzyskanie od nich wiarygodnych informacji odnośnie okoliczności powstania obrażeń, im młodsze dziecko tym problem jest bardziej nasilony. W związku z powyższym tego typu urazy mogą stanowić wyzwanie odnośnie ustalenia rzeczywistego mechanizmu ich powstania. Omówienie przypadków Przypadek 1 – dot","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"74 4","pages":"337-347"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144083113","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}
Aleksandra Haenel, Tomasz Grzybowski, Katarzyna Skonieczna
{"title":"Oral microbiome dynamics in Postmortem Interval estimation: research standards and guidelines.","authors":"Aleksandra Haenel, Tomasz Grzybowski, Katarzyna Skonieczna","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.25.004.21539","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4467/16891716AMSIK.25.004.21539","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Determination of the postmortem interval (PMI) is a crucial aspect of forensic investigations as it verifies an alibi or narrows down suspects. Nevertheless, PMI estimation remains one of the most challenging problems in forensic science. Currently used methods are influenced by various biotic and abiotic factors affecting decomposition. Thus, determining the time of death largely depends on the skills and experience of the forensic experts. Consequently, currently used procedures are prone to inaccuracies. Lately, gut microbiome analysis has proven useful in determining the time of death. Furthermore, emerging evidence indicates that profiling the oral microbiome may also provide valuable insights into PMI estimation. In this review, we examine published reports on oral microbiome and highlight the methodological limitations that diminish their scientific value. Therefore, we summarize the research standards and guidelines for oral microbiome studies to enhance the accuracy and reproducibility of PMI studies. Consequently, standardization of this type of research could lead to the development of innovative approaches that may be implemented into routine forensic genetics practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"75 1","pages":"48-55"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144593736","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":"Unusual greenish tissue discoloration in fatal aluminium phosphide poisoning: clinical and forensic perspectives.","authors":"Jayeshkumar Kanani, Mohammed Iliyas Sheikh","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.027.21226","DOIUrl":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.027.21226","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>The aim of the study: </strong>Aluminum phosphide poisoning poses significant challenges both in clinical and forensic settings due to its high fatality rate and diverse clinical manifestations. While the clinical symptoms of aluminum phosphide toxicity are well-documented, certain autopsy findings, particularly a rare greenish discoloration of organs, remain poorly understood.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A prospective observational study was conducted over an eight-month period to analyze the occurrence of unusual green discoloration of tissues during autopsies in aluminum phosphide poisoning cases. This study aimed to document the frequency, distribution, and potential mechanisms behind this rare phenomenon, providing insights into its clinical and forensic implications.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 110 suspected poisoning cases were examined, of which 47 were confirmed as aluminum phosphide poisonings. Among these, three cases demonstrated gradual greenish discoloration of organs such as the heart, stomach, brain, and kidneys. Despite the presence of this unique discoloration, histopathological examination revealed no microscopic pigmentation or histological anomalies. The discoloration varied in terms of the organs involved, intensity, and the speed of onset, presenting distinct patterns across the cases.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The etiology of this discoloration remains unknown, suggesting that biochemical or metabolic processes might play a role. This rare phenomenon underscores the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, and highlights the importance of documenting such observations in forensic reports.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"74 4","pages":"348-354"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144083139","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}
Marcin Zuwała, Natalia Rogowicz Garay, Zuzanna Buś, Katarzyna Klimaszewska, Tomasz Szabliński, Julia Radzikowska, Tomasz Konopka
{"title":"Fatal falls from standing height - analysis of skull fracture patterns in autopsy materials from the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Kraków.","authors":"Marcin Zuwała, Natalia Rogowicz Garay, Zuzanna Buś, Katarzyna Klimaszewska, Tomasz Szabliński, Julia Radzikowska, Tomasz Konopka","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.25.001.21536","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4467/16891716AMSIK.25.001.21536","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>The aim of the study: </strong>Falls from standing height are understood as incidents where a person in an upright or nearly upright position collapses, striking a hard surface. The aim of the study was to verify the hypothesis that skull fractures resulting from such events typically manifest as a single crack, while the presence of other types of fractures may indicate a different injury mechanism than a simple fall.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>Autopsy reports from a 10-year period (2000-2009) from the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Kraków were analyzed. The study included 272 cases that met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected regarding the injury mechanism, place of death, and sustained injuries, with a particular focus on the presence and pattern of skull fractures.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 272 cases of fatal falls from standing height, 181 (66.54%) exhibited skull fractures in the autopsy examination. Within the analyzed group, 91.71% were male, and an interesting age disparity emerged between genders: an average age of 53.1 years for men and 70.6 years for women. Simple fractures (single, non-branching) were the most common category, accounting for 64.85% of cases. Additionally, branching fractures were observed in 15.38%, multiple fractures in 15.93%, and comminuted fractures in 3.84%.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In two-thirds of analyzed cases of fatal intracranial injuries resulting from falls from standing height, skull fractures were present. Skull fractures caused by such incidents are most commonly single and linear, though complex fractures are occasionally observed. The most frequent locations of fractures resulting from falls from standing height include the posterior cranial fossa and the cranial vault.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"75 1","pages":"5-15"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144593734","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}
Magdalena Nowakowska, Marcin Tomsia, Michał Szczepański, Stanisława Kabiesz-Neniczka, Krystian Rygol, Rafał Skowronek
{"title":"Forensic medical findings in the postaccident investigation of an aviation disaster in the village of Topolów (Silesian Voivodeship) - a case study.","authors":"Magdalena Nowakowska, Marcin Tomsia, Michał Szczepański, Stanisława Kabiesz-Neniczka, Krystian Rygol, Rafał Skowronek","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.25.006.21541","DOIUrl":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.25.006.21541","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The study presents the results of forensic medical findings in the post-accident investigation of an aviation disaster that took place in the village of Topolów. Due to an emergency landing, the aircraft crashed and subsequently caught fire. As a result of the incident, 11 people died, and one was seriously injured. During autopsy examinations, all victims were found to have multi-organ injuries, and in six of them, histopathological studies confirmed the presence of inhaled fire smoke in the respiratory tract, indicating they were alive when the fire spread. Due to the severe damage to the bodies, genetic identification was necessary to establish their identities. Thanks to the established cooperation between the Prosecutor's Office and the Police, as well as the efficient work of various laboratories of Department and Institute of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Medical Toxicology at the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice - through autopsy examinations and genetic analyses - all victims were identified within two weeks, allowing their families to proceed with burial. This case demonstrates that experience in handling disasters and good collaboration between forensic institutions enable the swift and comprehensive formulation of expert opinions.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"75 1","pages":"67-79"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144593735","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":"Female violence against men.","authors":"Anna Więcek-Durańska","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.024.21223","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.024.21223","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The phenomenon of violence against men is a significantly less researched topic compared to violence against women. The issue of female violence against men is often overlooked, marginalized, and sometimes even considered less harmful or important. Established social patterns frequently depict women as weaker and defenseless individuals, and men as attackers and aggressors. In reality, there are situations where women become the initiators and perpetrators of acts of violence, and their victims are men. The phenomenon of violence against men is also a shameful topic, which results in a strong reluctance of men to report acts of violence by women to the appropriate authorities. This, in turn, lowers the statistics and fails to show the true scale of the occurrence of the problem of violence against men. The article presents the results of gender-based violence studies involving men. It turns out that the scale of violence against men is significant, with one in three men (34%) experiencing psychological violence from their current partner, 1% experiencing physical violence, and 0.5% experiencing sexual violence. Nearly 8% of the surveyed men indicated physical violence in a relationship from former partners.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"74 4","pages":"308-323"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144083111","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}