Improving medicolegal death investigative gaps of fatal elder abuse.

Improving medicolegal death investigative gaps of fatal elder abuse.
J Elder Abuse Negl. 2018 Oct 30;:1-10
Authors: Drake SA, Pickens S, Wolf DA, Thimsen K
Abstract
The purpose of this brief is to present several case vignettes that illustrate omissions in the investigation of elder deaths. These vignettes demonstrate the need for a standardized approach in the conduct of medicolegal investigations of fatal elder abuse. For each of the described oversights, a recommendation is offered to address the gap in investigation processes, which in turn could improve the determination of cause and manner of elder death. Inherent limitations of resources and practical realities of death investigation are discussed and recommendations are made for future research. Viewed broadly, deficiencies in elder death investigations can lead to the underreporting of elder abuse and the reduction of legal options for victims, which may reflect a systemic pattern of social injustice.
PMID: 30375941 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect - October 31, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Tags: J Elder Abuse Negl Source Type: research