Description

Book Synopsis

Forensic medicine is a broad and evolving field with areas of rapid progress embracing both clinical and pathological aspects of practice, in which there may be considerable overlap. This is the second volume in a series that provides a unique, in-depth and critical update on selected topics of direct relevance to those practising in the field of clinical forensic medicine and related areas including lawyers, police, medical practitioners, forensic scientists, and students.

The chapters endeavour to maintain a relevance to an international, multi-professional audience and include chapters on:

  • DNA decontamination,
  • The toxicity of novel psychoactive substances,
  • The relevance of gastric contents in the timing of death,
  • The effects of controlled energy devices,
  • The main risk factors for driving impairment,
  • The risk factors for harm to health of detainees in short-term custody,
  • Autoerotic deaths,
  • Child mal

    Table of Contents

    List of Contributors ix

    Preface xix

    Chapter One: DNA contamination – a pragmatic clinical view 1

    Contamination considerations 1

    DNA profiling 6

    DNA deposits 10

    Decontamination 11

    General approach to DNA decontamination 20

    Contamination 20

    Cleaning and the DNA laboratory 22

    Cleaning and decontamination of forensic examination suites – the way forward 26

    References 31

    Chapter Two: The toxicity of the novel psychoactive substances 35

    Introduction 35

    Acute toxicity 35

    Chronic toxicity 40

    Deaths 41

    References 44

    Chapter Three: Postmortem gastric content analysis: its role in determining time since death 47

    Introduction 47

    The physiology of gastric emptying 48

    Gastric motility and emptying 49

    Methods for measuring gastric emptying 52

    Experimental studies 52

    Factors affecting gastric emptying (in adults) 53

    Analysis of gastric contents 56

    Usefulness of gastric contents in time of death estimations 61

    Conclusion 62

    Acknowledgments 63

    References 63

    Chapter Four: Conducted energy devices 67

    Overview 67

    What are conducted energy devices? 67

    Modes of use of the TASER ® X26, TASER ® X26P and TASER ® X2 68

    The electrical outputs of the TASER ® X26, X26P and X2 68

    Operationally exploited effects of TASER ® CEDs: pain and neuromuscular incapacitation 70

    Adverse effects associated with use of the TASER ® X26 71

    Conclusions 76

    References 77

    Chapter Five: Autoerotic deaths 81

    Historical context 81

    Definition 83

    Incidence 85

    Investigation of autoerotic deaths 86

    Typical methods of autoerotic death 88

    Atypical methods of autoerotic deaths 91

    Typical and atypical victims 92

    Summary 94

    References 94

    Chapter Six: Excited Delirium Syndrome: aetiology, identification and treatment 97

    Introduction 97

    Aetiology 101

    Diagnosis 103

    Initial approach and work‐up 104

    Medication treatment options for ExDS 106

    Supportive treatment 110

    Conclusions 112

    References 114

    Chapter Seven: Automatism – wading through the quagmire 119

    Introduction 119

    Definitions of automatism 120

    The law 121

    Medical conditions capable, or possibly capable, of founding a defence of automatism 123

    Sentencing and mitigation 134

    Proposals for reform in England and Wales 135

    Acknowledgments 135

    Law reports 135

    References 136

    Chapter Eight: Classification of personality disorders, clinical manifestations and treatment 139

    Introduction 139

    What is personality disorder? 139

    Dimensional or categorical diagnostic approaches? 141

    Prevalence 142

    The hybrid model 143

    Assessment 143

    Specific issues in forensic medicine settings 149

    References 150

    Chapter Nine: Driving impairment: the main risk factors 153

    Introduction 153

    Legislative approaches 155

    Sobriety assessment 158

    Specific drugs 162

    Forensic specimens in drug driving cases 168

    Medical conditions and fitness to drive 169

    Sleep deprivation 171

    Conclusions 172

    References 172

    Chapter Ten: Risk factors for death or harm to health for detainees in short‐term police custody 179

    Introduction 179

    The background to healthcare in police custody 179

    The nature of health problems of detainees 180

    Deaths and harm in police custody 185

    Excited Delirium Syndrome 190

    Broad principles of care 191

    Identification and diversion 197

    Prevention of death and harm in police custody 202

    References 203

    Chapter Eleven: The utility of radiological investigation of suspected abusive head trauma in children 207

    Introduction 207

    Injury patterns 207

    Anatomy of the head 208

    Scalp injury 209

    Skull injury 209

    Estimate of time of injury of skull fractures 213

    Mimics of skull fractures 214

    Tips for investigating suspected skull fracture 217

    Intracranial manifestations of head injury 218

    Subdural haemorrhage 219

    Subarachnoid haemorrhage 233

    Extradural haemorrhage 234

    Cortical contusions 235

    Diffuse axonal injury (shear injury) 235

    Brain oedema, swelling and hypoxic ischaemic brain injury 236

    Conclusion 240

    References 240

    Chapter Twelve: Child maltreatment: detection and diagnosis 243

    Introduction 243

    Defining child abuse and neglect 244

    The physician’s role in detecting child abuse 244

    Contributing and risk factors for child abuse 246

    General signs and symptoms of child abuse 246

    Physical signs of child abuse 247

    Fabricated or induced illness 257

    Specific clinical presentations suspect for child abuse 259

    Recognizing neglect 260

    Screening instruments for detection of child abuse in Emergency Departments 260

    Medical conditions that mimic child abuse 262

    Summary and conclusion 262

    References 265

    Chapter Thirteen: Recovery of remains in potential crimes against humanity investigations – a forensic anthropological approach 269

    Forensic anthropology and investigations into human rights violations and crimes against humanity 269

    The characteristics of forensic anthropological investigations into human rights violations and crimes against humanity 272

    The main mistakes made in forensics 274

    Phases of the forensic anthropological investigation in the context of human rights violations 275

    A multidisciplinary approach 281

    Complex cases 282

    Lessons learned and considerations 283

    Conclusions 284

    Acknowledgments 284

    References 285

    Chapter Fourteen: Field missions 287

    Introduction 287

    S: Situation 288

    M: Mission 289

    E: Execution 289

    A: Administration and logistics 291

    C: Communications and command 295

    S: Security 295

    Other mission‐related matters 296

    Strategic security assessments 297

    Conclusion 311

    Appendix A-Mission plan template 312

    Appendix B-Example of team functions for personnel required for the exhumation of human remains from a mass grave 314

    Index 317

Current Practice in Forensic Medicine Volume 2

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    A Hardback by John A. M. Gall, Jason Payne-James

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      View other formats and editions of Current Practice in Forensic Medicine Volume 2 by John A. M. Gall

      Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd
      Publication Date: 30/09/2016
      ISBN13: 9781118455982, 978-1118455982
      ISBN10: 1118455983

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Forensic medicine is a broad and evolving field with areas of rapid progress embracing both clinical and pathological aspects of practice, in which there may be considerable overlap. This is the second volume in a series that provides a unique, in-depth and critical update on selected topics of direct relevance to those practising in the field of clinical forensic medicine and related areas including lawyers, police, medical practitioners, forensic scientists, and students.

      The chapters endeavour to maintain a relevance to an international, multi-professional audience and include chapters on:

      • DNA decontamination,
      • The toxicity of novel psychoactive substances,
      • The relevance of gastric contents in the timing of death,
      • The effects of controlled energy devices,
      • The main risk factors for driving impairment,
      • The risk factors for harm to health of detainees in short-term custody,
      • Autoerotic deaths,
      • Child mal

        Table of Contents

        List of Contributors ix

        Preface xix

        Chapter One: DNA contamination – a pragmatic clinical view 1

        Contamination considerations 1

        DNA profiling 6

        DNA deposits 10

        Decontamination 11

        General approach to DNA decontamination 20

        Contamination 20

        Cleaning and the DNA laboratory 22

        Cleaning and decontamination of forensic examination suites – the way forward 26

        References 31

        Chapter Two: The toxicity of the novel psychoactive substances 35

        Introduction 35

        Acute toxicity 35

        Chronic toxicity 40

        Deaths 41

        References 44

        Chapter Three: Postmortem gastric content analysis: its role in determining time since death 47

        Introduction 47

        The physiology of gastric emptying 48

        Gastric motility and emptying 49

        Methods for measuring gastric emptying 52

        Experimental studies 52

        Factors affecting gastric emptying (in adults) 53

        Analysis of gastric contents 56

        Usefulness of gastric contents in time of death estimations 61

        Conclusion 62

        Acknowledgments 63

        References 63

        Chapter Four: Conducted energy devices 67

        Overview 67

        What are conducted energy devices? 67

        Modes of use of the TASER ® X26, TASER ® X26P and TASER ® X2 68

        The electrical outputs of the TASER ® X26, X26P and X2 68

        Operationally exploited effects of TASER ® CEDs: pain and neuromuscular incapacitation 70

        Adverse effects associated with use of the TASER ® X26 71

        Conclusions 76

        References 77

        Chapter Five: Autoerotic deaths 81

        Historical context 81

        Definition 83

        Incidence 85

        Investigation of autoerotic deaths 86

        Typical methods of autoerotic death 88

        Atypical methods of autoerotic deaths 91

        Typical and atypical victims 92

        Summary 94

        References 94

        Chapter Six: Excited Delirium Syndrome: aetiology, identification and treatment 97

        Introduction 97

        Aetiology 101

        Diagnosis 103

        Initial approach and work‐up 104

        Medication treatment options for ExDS 106

        Supportive treatment 110

        Conclusions 112

        References 114

        Chapter Seven: Automatism – wading through the quagmire 119

        Introduction 119

        Definitions of automatism 120

        The law 121

        Medical conditions capable, or possibly capable, of founding a defence of automatism 123

        Sentencing and mitigation 134

        Proposals for reform in England and Wales 135

        Acknowledgments 135

        Law reports 135

        References 136

        Chapter Eight: Classification of personality disorders, clinical manifestations and treatment 139

        Introduction 139

        What is personality disorder? 139

        Dimensional or categorical diagnostic approaches? 141

        Prevalence 142

        The hybrid model 143

        Assessment 143

        Specific issues in forensic medicine settings 149

        References 150

        Chapter Nine: Driving impairment: the main risk factors 153

        Introduction 153

        Legislative approaches 155

        Sobriety assessment 158

        Specific drugs 162

        Forensic specimens in drug driving cases 168

        Medical conditions and fitness to drive 169

        Sleep deprivation 171

        Conclusions 172

        References 172

        Chapter Ten: Risk factors for death or harm to health for detainees in short‐term police custody 179

        Introduction 179

        The background to healthcare in police custody 179

        The nature of health problems of detainees 180

        Deaths and harm in police custody 185

        Excited Delirium Syndrome 190

        Broad principles of care 191

        Identification and diversion 197

        Prevention of death and harm in police custody 202

        References 203

        Chapter Eleven: The utility of radiological investigation of suspected abusive head trauma in children 207

        Introduction 207

        Injury patterns 207

        Anatomy of the head 208

        Scalp injury 209

        Skull injury 209

        Estimate of time of injury of skull fractures 213

        Mimics of skull fractures 214

        Tips for investigating suspected skull fracture 217

        Intracranial manifestations of head injury 218

        Subdural haemorrhage 219

        Subarachnoid haemorrhage 233

        Extradural haemorrhage 234

        Cortical contusions 235

        Diffuse axonal injury (shear injury) 235

        Brain oedema, swelling and hypoxic ischaemic brain injury 236

        Conclusion 240

        References 240

        Chapter Twelve: Child maltreatment: detection and diagnosis 243

        Introduction 243

        Defining child abuse and neglect 244

        The physician’s role in detecting child abuse 244

        Contributing and risk factors for child abuse 246

        General signs and symptoms of child abuse 246

        Physical signs of child abuse 247

        Fabricated or induced illness 257

        Specific clinical presentations suspect for child abuse 259

        Recognizing neglect 260

        Screening instruments for detection of child abuse in Emergency Departments 260

        Medical conditions that mimic child abuse 262

        Summary and conclusion 262

        References 265

        Chapter Thirteen: Recovery of remains in potential crimes against humanity investigations – a forensic anthropological approach 269

        Forensic anthropology and investigations into human rights violations and crimes against humanity 269

        The characteristics of forensic anthropological investigations into human rights violations and crimes against humanity 272

        The main mistakes made in forensics 274

        Phases of the forensic anthropological investigation in the context of human rights violations 275

        A multidisciplinary approach 281

        Complex cases 282

        Lessons learned and considerations 283

        Conclusions 284

        Acknowledgments 284

        References 285

        Chapter Fourteen: Field missions 287

        Introduction 287

        S: Situation 288

        M: Mission 289

        E: Execution 289

        A: Administration and logistics 291

        C: Communications and command 295

        S: Security 295

        Other mission‐related matters 296

        Strategic security assessments 297

        Conclusion 311

        Appendix A-Mission plan template 312

        Appendix B-Example of team functions for personnel required for the exhumation of human remains from a mass grave 314

        Index 317

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