Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii最新文献

{"title":"Stability of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in blood: the effect of the preservative agent.","authors":"Kaja Tusiewicz, Paweł Szpot, Olga Wachełko, Marcin Zawadzki","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.022.21221","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.022.21221","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fluoride anions are believed to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity, thus there is a possibility that the activity may be affected by blood sampling into vials containing sodium fluoride as an anticoagulant. The paper aims to draw attention to the effect of the anticoagulant used in blood collection tubes on acetylcholinesterase activity. A stability study was conducted for 176 days on blood samples collected into tubes containing sodium fluoride or sodium EDTA. An improved Ellman procedure, utilizing spectrophotometric determination at 436 nm, was employed in order to determine acetylcholinesterase activity. An immediate decrease in acetylcholinesterase activity was observed in blood samples containing sodium fluoride. A significant decrease was evident immediately after blood collection and on the first day, after which the activity stabilized at 84% of the initial value. Subsequently, the activity increased to a level comparable to the initial value. In samples collected with EDTA, acetylcholinesterase activity was comparable to that in the sample without anticoagulant, and the activity remained constant for about 2 months. In conclusion, it is recommended that acetylcholinesterase activity be tested immediately after blood collection to reduce enzyme inhibition by fluoride anions, or that tubes with another anticoagulant, such as EDTA, be used.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"74 4","pages":"289-295"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144083138","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":"The COVID-19 pandemic and suicides in Warsaw.","authors":"Daniel D Jońca, Cezary Orzechowski, Aleksandra Borowska-Solonynko, Karolina Hanusz, Paulina Konopka, Natalia Wolanowska, Aleksandra Zaremba","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.25.002.21537","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4467/16891716AMSIK.25.002.21537","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>The aim of the study: </strong>The aim of this study was to analyze changes in the number of suicides, the methods of their occurrence, the age and gender structure of individuals committing suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the period before the pandemic.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>The data for the study came from a manually created ledger in which deceased individuals sent to the Department and Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Medical University of Warsaw (WUM) were registered. The first stage of the work required manually transcribing the ledger into an Excel program. The preliminary analysis covered all registered deceased individuals in 2019 (the year before the pandemic) and 2020 (the year of the outbreak) - n=2939. A detailed analysis was conducted on cases of suicide deaths. Statistical significance was examined using the Chi-Square test and the Proportion Test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall number of suicides in 2020 was slightly higher (n=208) compared to 2019 (n=197), with the most significant increase observed among children and adolescents (age group 0-19 years) - 2019: n=6, 2020: n=14. However, these differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). A statistically significant increase in suicide deaths caused by intentional poisoning was observed (2019: n=5, 2020: n=17). During the pandemic, there was a slight increase in the number of suicides among men (2019: n=152, 2020: n=162), while the number of suicides among women remained practically stable (2019: n=45, 2020: n=46).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In the first year of the pandemic in Warsaw and the surrounding areas, no significant increase in the number of suicides was observed. However, there was a noticeable rise in the number of individuals in the youngest age group. The change in suicide numbers did not affect women. A significant shift was related to the chosen method of suicide-there was an increase in the number of intentional fatal poisonings.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"75 1","pages":"16-29"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144593738","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":"The so-called Mongolian spots and suspected child abuse - difficulties in differential diagnosis.","authors":"Szymon Rzepczyk, Paweł Świderski, Damian Rusek, Jakub Czerwik, Ryszard Żaba, Czesław Żaba","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.017.20815","DOIUrl":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.017.20815","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The assessment of physical violence against children is an important issue in forensic medicine, particularly in the case of infants and toddlers, who, due to their stage of development, are unable to communicate the violence inflicted upon them. This case describes a two-week-old girl of Roma origin, who was transferred from a temporary to a foster family. While changing the child, the foster parents noticed bruises in the sacral area. Based on the initial assessment of these changes at the hospital, the authorities were notified and an investigation was initiated. The first court expert assessing the changes indicated that the image resembled resorbing haemorrhages resulting from trauma. Another team of experts, consisting of specialists in forensic medicine, dermatology and pathology, was appointed. Based on the analysis of medical records and a physical examination using a dermatoscope, pale-blue spots characteristic of the Mongolian spot were found in the lumbar and buttock areas. Mongolian spots are congenital developmental abnormalities classified as melanocytic naevi. In most cases, the changes appear immediately after birth or shortly thereafter. Clinically, a lesion appears as single or multiple spots on the lower back, sacrum, or buttocks. These lesions can range in colour from dark grey to blue-green and take on various shapes, such as round, oval, or irregular. Lesions on the skin of children can morphologically resemble bruises, so their evaluation requires special attention. In case of doubt as to the nature of the lesion, additional examination should be performed. Furthermore, the analysis of medical records and the evaluation by a dermatologist can be helpful.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"74 3","pages":"221-227"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144063846","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":"Artificial intelligence in forensic medicine and related sciences - selected issues.","authors":"Michał Szeremeta, Julia Janica, Anna Niemcunowicz-Janica","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.005.19650","DOIUrl":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.005.19650","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>The aim of the work is to provide an overview of the potential application of artificial intelligence in forensic medicine and related sciences, and to identify concerns related to providing medico-legal opinions and legal liability in cases in which possible harm in terms of diagnosis and/or treatment is likely to occur when using an advanced system of computer-based information processing and analysis.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>The material for the study comprised scientific literature related to the issue of artificial intelligence in forensic medicine and related sciences. For this purpose, Google Scholar, PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were searched. To identify useful articles, such terms as \"artificial intelligence,\" \"deep learning,\" \"machine learning,\" \"forensic medicine,\" \"legal medicine,\" \"forensic pathology\" and \"medicine\" were used. In some cases, articles were identified based on the semantic proximity of the introduced terms.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Dynamic development of the computing power and the ability of artificial intelligence to analyze vast data volumes made it possible to transfer artificial intelligence methods to forensic medicine and related sciences. Artificial intelligence has numerous applications in forensic medicine and related sciences and can be helpful in thanatology, forensic traumatology, post-mortem identification examinations, as well as post-mortem microscopic and toxicological diagnostics. Analyzing the legal and medico-legal aspects, artificial intelligence in medicine should be treated as an auxiliary tool, whereas the final diagnostic and therapeutic decisions and the extent to which they are implemented should be the responsibility of humans.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"74 1","pages":"64-76"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142516225","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":"Analysis of cases concerning assessment of the correctness of orthodontic treatment in the material of the Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine of the Medical University of Lodz.","authors":"Paweł Machała, Anna Smędra, Jarosław Berent, Katarzyna Wochna","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.018.20816","DOIUrl":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.018.20816","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In assessing the correctness of dentist's proceedings, the expert opinion plays a crucial role and forms the basis for the decision-making process of the procedural authority. Experts, using their knowledge and experience, while also relying on medical standards and recognized international indicators of orthodontic treatment effectiveness, evaluate the medical proceedings. The aim of the study was to analyse the opinions concerning orthodontic treatment in the material of the Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine of the Medical University of Lodz. During the examined period from 2016 to 2023, 14 such opinions were issued. These opinions were analysed in terms of case characteristics and primarily examined whether there is a correlation between the orthodontic specialization of the dentist conducting the treatment and the expert's assessment of their proceedings. Our analysis indicates that the qualifications of the dentist, understood as holding a specialization, affect the objective quality of orthodontic treatment. In cases where an opinion indicated incorrect proceedings, the error was most often made at the stage of orthodontic diagnosis, leading to the implementation of incorrect treatment. Therefore, dentists without a specialization - although no regulation prohibits them from providing orthodontic treatment - should realistically assess their capabilities before undertaking such treatment. This is particularly important because if they do undertake such treatment, their actions will be judged in the same way as those of specialists.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"74 3","pages":"228-243"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144038074","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":"Analysis of suicide cases in post-mortem examination files of the Department of Forensic Medicine at the Medical University of Białystok in the years 2016-2021.","authors":"Anna Francuziak, Paulina Kulasza, Kinga Kozłowska, Julia Janica, Urszula Cwalina, Anna Niemcunowicz-Janica, Michał Szeremeta","doi":"16891716AMSIK.24.010.20339","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/16891716AMSIK.24.010.20339","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>The aim of the study: </strong>The aim of the study is the analysis of suicides based on forensic autopsies and case files from the Department of Forensic Medicine at the Medical University of Białystok.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>The number of forensic autopsies conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine in Białystok in the years 2016-2021 equaled 2365. On the basis of post-mortem examinations and circumstances of deaths contained in the case files, 391 cases were qualified as suicides. The analysis accounted for gender, age, time, the dynamics of changes in the number of suicides over the years, the place of suicide, the method of committing suicide, and the state of sobriety. The data were subjected to statistical analysis using the following tests: Chi-square test of independence, Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann-Whitney U test, non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA by ranks with post hoc multiple comparisons of mean ranks for all samples. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The calculations were performed using the Statistica 13.3 package from StatSoft.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the studied years, suicides accounted for 16.54% of all autopsies. In 82.09% of cases, the suicides were committed by men, and in 17.91% by women. It was found that individuals who chose suicide by poisoning were statistically significantly younger than those who chose suicide by jumping from a height (p=0.0035). A statistically significant correlation was found between gender and the preferred location for committing suicide (p=0.033). A statistically significant correlation was also found between gender and sobriety or the state after alcohol consumption (p=0.00008).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The study shows that the main group of suicides still consists of men (82.09%). The age of women and men committing suicide did not differ significantly. Women were more likely to commit suicide in urban areas than men. Women were statistically significantly more likely to be sober or in a state after alcohol consumption at the time of committing suicide. The most commonly chosen method of suicide was death by hanging.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"74 2","pages":"106-123"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142550024","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":"Fatal poisoning by dietary supplements accompanied by massive rhabdomyolysis and multiple organ failure.","authors":"Oskar Fogiel, Małgorzata Rak, Małgorzata Rak, Sebastian Picheta, Paulina Wachholz, Rafał Skowronek, Jacek Sein Anand, Natalia Pawlas","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.012.20341","DOIUrl":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.012.20341","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Obesity epidemic and prevailing standards of desired body shape encourage society to use weight loss aids. Thermogenics, which are dietary supplements aimed at increasing energy expenditure, are particularly gaining popularity. These preparations can be easily purchased without prescription and have a complex composition, which means they can interact with numerous substances. The article describes the case of a 31-year-old female patient who, in a suicide attempt, ingested significant amounts of the dietary supplements 'Blue Magic' and 'Purim'. Both supplements contain, among other ingredients: caffeine, yohimbine, reserpine, and synephrine. The patient developed multiple organ failure, which led to her death on the second day of hospitalization. Poisoning by dietary supplements, due to their diverse composition and the lack of correlation between the content and the composition declared by the manufacturer, can pose a significant threat to the health and life of consumers.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"74 2","pages":"134-146"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142550025","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":"Evaluation of gunshot injuries to long bones from pneumatic weapons using a human thigh model. Part II. Presentation and discussion of the detailed results of tests of gunshots of the anterior surface of the femur with 5.5 mm and 6.35 mm caliber shot.","authors":"Mateusz Wilk, Elżbieta Chowaniec, Małgorzata Chowaniec, Czesław Chowaniec","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.003.19648","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.003.19648","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The development of pneumatic shooting has led to the construction of technologically advanced devices with discharge energies similar to those of firearms. The pneumatic weapons ammunition market offers a variety of shot which varies in penetration properties and the extent of gunshot damage. In view of the ease of \"tuning\" of air rifles, a study was conducted of the inlet damage to the anterior femoral surface after pneumatic gunshots. The paper shows the differences in damage parameters depending on the type of shot.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>In the study, Air Arms Hi-Power Xtra FAC cal. 5.5 mm and FX Bobcat Mk II cal. 6.35 mm pneumatic carbines were used and lead shot by Haendler&Natterman's Spitzkugel type, Hollow Point and Baracuda cal. 5.5 mm and 6.35 mm, as well as lead-free shot Excite Apollo cal. 5.5 mm and Black Max Lead-Free cal. 6.35 mm. Measurements were taken of the extent of inlet damage to the anterior surface of the femoral shaft with X-ray and CT imaging.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>HollowPoint shot caused the greatest range of gunshot penetration damage in both bone and periosteum, Apollo lead-free shot caused the least. At the same time, HollowPoint shot showed the greatest susceptibility to ricocheting.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>1. The type of shot used influences diversified morphology of the holes and the nature of gunshot damage to the femoral shaft. The differences concern both the gunshot holes and the nature, course and extent of associated fractures. 2. The smallest inlet holes and damage to the periosteum with a regular shape are caused by gunshots with pointed and pointed tip pellets. The greatest extent of bone and periosteum inlet damage was observed in gunshots with Hollow Point type shot due to its predisposition to deformation and fragmentation. 3. Radio-imaging studies are a valuable complement to macroscopic visual assessment providing a useful value for identifying the type of shot used.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"74 1","pages":"28-49"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142516227","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":"The Return of Inorganic Substance Poisoning as a Method of Suicide. An Analysis of Autopsy Reports from 2018-2023 with a Discussion of the Phenomenon.","authors":"Łukasz Marczyk, Marcin Skorupa, Kacper Gil, Bartłomiej Cytlau, Joanna Augustyn, Aleksandra Łach, Tomasz Konopka","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.016.20814","DOIUrl":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.016.20814","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>The aim of the study: </strong>To describe autopsy findings of suicide victims who used inorganic compounds over the past five years and to attempt to explain the resurgence of these substances as a method of suicidal poisoning.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>The study is based on a retrospective analysis of autopsy reports from the Department of Forensic Medicine in Cracow, covering the years 2018-2023. Cases of death resulting from suicide by ingestion of inorganic compounds were collected based on toxicological analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Between 2018 and 2023, 23 cases were identified (19 men and 4 women at an average age of 30 years). In 15 victims, poisoning with methemoglobin-forming substances was confirmed; in 7 of these cases, toxicological tests determined the substance to be sodium nitrite. In 13 individuals from this group, livor mortis was cyanotic or grayish in color. In 7 cases, brown blood discoloration was noted. Six more victims chose potassium cyanide as the method of suicide; all displayed congestion of internal organs as well as pulmonary edema. Intensely or moderately reddened stomach mucosa was found in 3 victims. Two individuals committed suicide by ingesting sodium azide.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in suicides involving inorganic compounds. Key factors contributing to this upward trend include easy availability of these poisons and the widespread access to information online regarding their effective use. The relatively young age of the victims can be attributed to their proficiency in using this medium.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"74 3","pages":"206-220"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144063841","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":"The role of computed tomography in post-mortem examinations.","authors":"Wojciech Modzelewski, Jacek Janica","doi":"10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.011.20340","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.011.20340","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the study, data from the literature regarding the use of computed tomography in post-mortem examinations (post-mortem computed tomography - PMCT) were analyzed. Literature data indicate that PMCT should be used as a complementary tool rather than an alternative to autopsy, detecting additional changes that may have been unnoticed due to anatomical location or the need to extend traditional autopsy techniques. The ability to save, create and reconstruct images is very helpful in creating documentation and final opinions. There is a need to develop standards for the evaluation of post-mortem computed tomography images, which will enable further development of virtual autopsy techniques in the field of forensic medicine, supported by artificial intelligence.</p>","PeriodicalId":520255,"journal":{"name":"Archiwum medycyny sadowej i kryminologii","volume":"74 2","pages":"124-133"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142550039","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}