Ethico-legal issues related to ovarian tissue transplantation
This study focuses on such dilemmas and attempts to review them. The role of virtue ethics, which may be combined with principlism, is essential to solve such dilemmas coherently and reasonably. Dealing with conflicts of ethical principles equivalent between them, or moral dilemmas without available answers and mind-sharing in a difficult interpersonal process of decision making, requires a virtue-based ethical approach. Besides, ethico-legal issues related to OTC/OTT are complex issues requiring a multidisciplinary approach (ethical considerations, medical, psychological and social evaluations etc.). We stress the crucial...
Source: Medicine, Science and the Law - October 9, 2016 Category: Medical Law Authors: Voultsos, P., Raikos, N., Vasileiadis, N., Spiliopoulou, C., Tarlatzis, B. Tags: Law and Science Source Type: research
Mental capacity of those in immigration detention in the UK
Asylum seekers and migrants can be detained in immigration removal centres (IRCs) or, post sentence, in prison while the Home Office makes decisions on their immigration status and/or arrangements for their removal or deportation. Currently, there is no process for identifying detainees who lack the mental capacity to participate in decision making relating to their immigration situation. Mental illness and distress are common among detainees. There are often cultural and language barriers; there is no consistent system of advocates, and many detainees are without legal representation. Mental capacity is decision specific....
Source: Medicine, Science and the Law - October 9, 2016 Category: Medical Law Authors: Grant-Peterkin, H., Pickles, H., Katona, C. Tags: Viewpoint Source Type: research
Bolam with the benefit of hindsight
The aims of this article are to consider the effects of hindsight bias on findings of negligence in medico-legal litigation and of the potential of the original Bolam direction to eliminate bias from the decision-making process. The Bolam test may have been expanded beyond its appropriate scope in the past, but these excesses have now largely been undone. It will be shown that Bolam still has an important role to play in tort cases. By considering breach of duty cases in which the Bolitho ‘gloss’ has been applied, attention is drawn to the potential dangers of disregarding practices within the medical professio...
Source: Medicine, Science and the Law - October 9, 2016 Category: Medical Law Authors: Barton-Hanson, J., Barton-Hanson, R. Tags: Review article Source Type: research
Vascular lesions simulating bruising
Careful examination of the skin and soft tissues is a routine part of the forensic autopsy to identify and characterise traumatic lesions. Three cases are reported where benign vascular lesions presented as bruises. In case 1, a 44-year-old man with a history of epilepsy was found dead on the floor. Dissection of the neck revealed a haemorrhagic area 15 mm x 1.5 mm, deep to the left thyrohyoid muscle. In case 2, an 87-year-old man was found dead with a plastic bag over his head attached to an opened cylinder of nitrogen gas. On the mucosal surface of his upper lip, there was an apparent 5 mm blue/purple bruise. In case 3, ...
Source: Medicine, Science and the Law - October 9, 2016 Category: Medical Law Authors: Byard, R. W., Bellis, M., Langlois, N. E. Tags: Case reports Source Type: research
Unintentional deaths from carbon-monoxide poisoning due to a traditional practice observed during the post-partum period
Deaths resulting from carbon-monoxide poisoning have been reported in the medical literature under diverse circumstances. Here, we report four deaths due to carbon-monoxide poisoning as a result of a traditional practice involving the application of heat to the abdomen to facilitate uterine involution during the immediate post-partum period. Four people died due to carbon-monoxide poisoning in two separate incidents, including two women in the post-partum period. In both instances, the women slept beside a stove with burning charcoal, which was supposed to provide warmth to the lower abdomen. (Source: Medicine, Science and the Law)
Source: Medicine, Science and the Law - October 9, 2016 Category: Medical Law Authors: Telisinghe, P., Colombage, S. M., Pg Hj Aliuddin, P. M. B. Tags: Case reports Source Type: research
Attempted suicide by snake bite: A case study
We report a case where a snake charmer had attempted suicide by inflicting a bite by a monocled cobra. (Source: Medicine, Science and the Law)
Source: Medicine, Science and the Law - October 9, 2016 Category: Medical Law Authors: Mallik, S., Singh, S. R., Mohanty, M. K., Padhy, N. Tags: Case reports Source Type: research
Trend of homicide-suicide in Kanagawa Prefecture (Japan): Comparison with western countries
We examined 169 deceased persons and 76 homicide–suicide cases reported in Japan’s Kanagawa Prefecture from 1999 to 2011. The relationships between homicide–suicide perpetrators and homicide victims; the numbers of victims; their age, sex, causes and places of death; motivation; and the presence or absence of a suicide note were extracted and examined. The relationship between homicide–suicide perpetrators and homicide victims was examined based on findings from the following: 24 married couples (31%), 22 parents and children aged ≥18 years (29%), 19 parents and children aged ≤17 years (25%), ...
Source: Medicine, Science and the Law - October 9, 2016 Category: Medical Law Authors: Satoh, F., Osawa, M. Tags: Original articles Source Type: research
Fatal corrosive ingestion: A study from South and South-East Delhi, India (2005-2014)
The study presents a retrospective analysis of 64 cases of death resulting from ingestion of corrosive substances. The cases represented approximately 0.4% of all autopsies conducted and 13.6% of all fatal poisonings studied during the 10-year period from January 2005 to December 2014 at the Department of Forensic Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. The data was analyzed with regard to age, sex, nature and source of corrosive substance used, survival period, cause and manner of death. Males (64.06%) outnumbered females (35.94%), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.78:1. The most common age gr...
Source: Medicine, Science and the Law - October 9, 2016 Category: Medical Law Authors: Swain, R., Behera, C., Gupta, S. K. Tags: Original articles Source Type: research
Factors associated with suicides in Wolverhampton: Relevance of local audits exploring preventability
Suicide rates and associated risk factors are known to change over time. The periodic evaluation of suicides in a particular locality may identify specific issues that may help in prevention efforts. The profile of 146 consecutive cases with suicide, open and narrative verdicts between January 2004 and July 2011 in Wolverhampton was studied in order to explore associated factors. Specific information about methods, mental health issues and stressors was collected. There was considerable variation in suicides in different wards of the city, with higher occurrences in inner-city areas. Male suicides were three times more com...
Source: Medicine, Science and the Law - October 9, 2016 Category: Medical Law Authors: Kar, N. Tags: Original articles Source Type: research
Follow-up calls to next of kin relating to coronial autopsies
It might be expected that follow-up telephone communication with next of kin relating to coronial autopsies would be distressing, particularly when made months or even years after the death. However, our experience has indicated that this is not the case in the majority of calls. (Source: Medicine, Science and the Law)
Source: Medicine, Science and the Law - June 25, 2016 Category: Medical Law Authors: Langlois, N. E., Smith, K. Tags: Original article Source Type: research
Response to letter from Steven B Karch re: "Excited delirium: a psychiatric review"
(Source: Medicine, Science and the Law)
Source: Medicine, Science and the Law - June 25, 2016 Category: Medical Law Authors: Lipsedge, M. Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
Severe craniocerebral trauma with sequelae caused by Flash-Ball(R) shot, a less-lethal weapon: Report of one case and review of the literature
The use of Flash-Ball® as a non-lethal weapon by several special units within the police and police forces started in France in 1995. Little literature is available concerning injuries caused by Flash-Ball® shooting. However, we report the case of a healthy 34-year-old male victim of a Flash-Ball® shooting during a riot following a sports event. This young man presented serious craniocerebral injuries with a left temporal fracture, moderate cerebral oedema, fronto-temporal haemorrhagic contusion along with an extra-dural hematoma and subarachnoid hemorrhage requiring neurological and rehabilitation care for two...
Source: Medicine, Science and the Law - June 25, 2016 Category: Medical Law Authors: Hiquet, J., Gromb-Monnoyeur, S. Tags: Case reports Source Type: research
Non-terrorist suicidal death by oral explosion: A rare case from India
We report here a rare case from India of non-terrorist suicidal death involving explosives. The victim was around 25 years old, a blaster by occupation. He committed suicide by detonating dynamite in his mouth. The materials he used to operate this explosion were found near his body at the crime scene. There was characteristic bilateral symmetrical laceration around the oral cavity. Considering all the facts of the case in relation to history, location, nature, distribution and extent of injuries and recovered material at crime scene enables the cause and manner of death to be ascertained. (Source: Medicine, Science and the Law)
Source: Medicine, Science and the Law - June 25, 2016 Category: Medical Law Authors: Farooqui, J. M., Farooqui, A. A. J., Mukherjee, B. B., Manjhi, S. N. Tags: Case reports Source Type: research
Incidental radiographic finding of the concealed art of susuk
Susuk, or charm needles, are small, metallic needles inserted under the skin, considered to enhance beauty, health and luck. This hidden secret of inserting susuk is a traditional superstitious ritual, widely practiced among women of Southeast Asia. Here, we present an interesting case of incidental radiographic finding of the concealed art of susuk, which was exposed on a panoramic radiograph taken on a routine basis as a part of diagnostic work up at our centre. An orthopantomogram revealed bilateral metallic foreign bodies in the maxillo-facial region. Anamnestic data affirmed the practice of the body art of susuk. The ...
Source: Medicine, Science and the Law - June 25, 2016 Category: Medical Law Authors: Devang Divakar, D., Mavinapalla, S., Al Kheraif, A. A., Ramakrishnaiah, R., Abd Rahim, M. F. B., Khan, A. A. Tags: Case reports Source Type: research
Child homicide or natural death? A case report of unexpected death of unusual asymptomatic acute laryngotracheobronchitis
Cases involving the unexpected deaths of children are always a concern for the police and medical examiners alike. In particular, unexpected deaths due to asphyxia without obvious injuries sometimes make decisions regarding the manner of death more difficult. In the present case, a 2-year-old boy was found dead at home, and his mother was initially believed to have killed him. A complete autopsy and forensic investigation were performed, and no injuries were found on the body; however, marked laryngeal edema was observed. Histology showed extensive inflammatory infiltration of the mucosa and submucosa of the larynx, trache...
Source: Medicine, Science and the Law - June 25, 2016 Category: Medical Law Authors: Zhuo, L., Liu, L., Ren, L., Liu, Q. Tags: Case reports Source Type: research
