International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine
Year:2017 | Volume:7 | Issue:4|Papers Count:7

Background: Pelvic bone has important sex determining features. However, anthropometric reference values vary by study population. This study aimed to determine the accuracy of subpubic angle for sex determination and height estimation in Iranian adults.Methods: In this study, the subpubic angle in the digital pelvic radiographs of 325 Iranian adults (199 males and 126 females) and their standing heights were measured. Then, the relation of subpubic angle with sex and stature was evaluated.Results: The mean (SD) subpubic angle of the studied population was 116.3 (23.7) degrees.Subpubic angle was significantly wider (P<0.001) in females [140.5 (14.3) degrees] compared to males [101.0 (13.3) degrees]. Moreover, we observed a significant decrease (P<0.001) in females’ subpubic angle with an increase in age. A significant reverse correlation (P<0.01) was also observed between the subpubic angle and height (r=0.416).Conclusion: This study showed that the mean subpubic angle in Iranian adults is different from the average in other populations. Our reference values can be used in forensic identification.

Background: In forensic medicine, sex can be determined by studying human skeletal remains. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of metatarsal bones in sex determination in Iranian population.Methods: A total of 184 healthy individuals (103 males and 81 females) were enrolled in the study. The sample was divided into three age groups: 20-34, 35-49, and³50 years. The length, width, length to width ratio (L/W), and length by width (L´W) product of sample’s right foot metatarsal bones were measured using their radiographic images.Results: The differences of length, width, L/W ratio, and L´W between two sexes were significant in all age groups (P<0.001). First metatarsal L´W had sensitivity and specificity of 85.4% and 88.8%, respectively, but the mean total L´W value of metatarsal bones had sensitivity and specificity of 94.2% and 78%, respectively.Conclusion: The first and the mean L´W values of all metatarsal bones had the highest accuracy for discriminating sexes (86.9% and 85.2%). The first metatarsal width and mean width of all metatarsal bones had an accuracy of 82.6% and 84.2%, respectively. In forensic medicine, these indexes can be used for sex-differentiation.

Background: Some skeletal criteria especially for bones of lower limbs are considerably different between men and women that may help in identifying the gender. We studied two lower limbs parameters, i.e. bicondylar width and vertical diameter of the femoral head based on radiographic assessment in gender identification.Methods: Bicondylar width and vertical diameter of the femoral head of 280 radiographs taken from people aged 30 to 75 years were measured. Additionally, gender and age subgroups were recorded and added to the measured anthropometric parameters in the checklist of the study.Results: The mean width of both left and right bicondylar bones as well as vertical diameter of both left and right femoral heads were significantly different between men and women. Considering two parameters of bicondylar width and vertical diameter of femoral head, the measurements could differentiate gender, with 96.7% sensitivity, 72.2% specificity, and 96.0% accuracy.Conclusion: By measuring bicondylar width and vertical diameter of the femur head, it is possible to determine gender with a high discriminative capability.

Background: Timely and correct diagnosis of poisoning is an important part of the management of poisoned patients. This study aimed to investigate the abnormal findings of brain CT scans of patients with drug overdose poisoning.Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with poisoning admitted to Baharloo Hospital, Tehran, Iran during 2015. Moreover, they underwent radiological assessment as a result of their decreased level of consciousness. For the purpose of the study, we examined patients’ Computerized Tomography (CT) scan reports. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS 16. Frequency and percentage frequency were calculated for qualitative variables, and mean and standard deviation were calculated for the quantitative variables.Results: Overall, 191 patients admitted with poisoning were evaluated. Of them, 119 (62.3%) had normal brain CT scans and the remaining had pathologic findings. The most common pathologic findings in the brain CT scans comprised cerebral edema (24.6%) followed by infarction (5.2%). The least common pathologic finding was cerebral herniation (0.5%).This pattern was similar in both genders and in different subtypes of poisonings, with the exception of poisoning with cardio-respiratory drugs. The most common finding in the latter type of poisoning was herniation. In cases of simultaneous head trauma, the most common pathological brain CT scan findings were cerebral edema and hemorrhage.Conclusion: The radiological assessment of the brain following poisoning and decreased level of consciousness can help in the diagnostic evaluation of patients. It can be a life-saving measure, through timely detection of the type of poisoning and brain damage.

Background: Death by electrocution may not be a major cause of unnatural deaths, but still accounts for a sizeable number of deaths around the world. It is usually accidental in manner.In a developing country like India, electrocution continues to be a significant cause of unnatural deaths. This study was designed to identify the trends and characteristics of electrocution deaths in Ballari region of South India.Methods: The relevant data were obtained from the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (V.I.M.S), Ballari, Karnataka, India from 2010 through 2016.Results: Based on our study, males aged from 21 to 30 years were the most victims of fatal electrocution. These deaths were highest during the months of September to December and commonly occurred during the day time. The limbs were the most commonly effected body parts. Most cases were accidental in nature while contact with the electric pole being the main source of those accidents.Conclusion: The study may help enhance public awareness of electrocution deaths. It will also help the enforcement agencies implement strategies to avert such unnatural deaths.

Background: “Body packing” is concealing illegal substances in the digestive system for smuggling or transfer across borders and “body packers” are those who carry these substances.Illegal substances are wrapped in packages that are swallowed by body packers and delivered at destination by defecation. The most common fatal consequence of body packing is intoxication due to rupture of packages in the body. Due to secret nature of this form of smuggling, accurate statistics on its prevalence and complications are lacking. Iran is a big consumer of opioids, located in the route of transfer of illicit substances from Afghanistan to other parts of the world, and also implement tight restrictions on the carriage and distribution of opioids; thus rate of body packing is expected to be high in this country (especially for opioids). In this report we present a young man’s sudden death with unknown cause in central part of Iran that was referred for autopsy.Results: In the autopsy, 2237 g of opioid was found in his gastrointestinal system in the form of wrapped packages of which three were ruptured and caused fatal acute intoxication. The victim had no criminal records, however, he had psychological problems and was in low socioeconomic position.Conclusion: This report underlines the importance of primary prevention programs with focus on susceptible groups which are usually people from low socioeconomic groups and are unaware of health risks of body packing and take part in this trade for financial benefits.

Background: Traditional herbal drink, Jamu, is popular among Javanese. This paper reports two cases of death after taking a slimming Jamu. Interestingly, an illegal love affair was involved in this the case too.Case Report: The first victim (victim 1), a female, rapidly convulsed and died after taking a slimming Jamu drink. However, her brother (victim 2), after tasting just a small amount of that Jamu, rapidly became convulsive and unconscious. Although, he was immediately brought to hospital, he died before receiving any treatment. Because the death was unnatural, he was sent to the Department of Forensic Medicine for investigation. His sister was buried without any medico-legal examination, but later on the exhumation was performed. In autopsy, the victim 1 was found pregnant. Both victims had no injury on their bodies. Evidence of cyanide was positive in tissue samples, but negative in the control sample (soil).Conclusion: Both victims had the same cause of death, which was cyanide poisoning. The manner of death was suspected as homicide.