Iranian Journal of Forensic Medicine
Year:2003 | Volume:8 | Issue:28|Papers Count:16

Background: The present study was conducted to compare the prevalence and severity of crimes as well as risk factors in crime incidents in two groups of patients with schizophrenia and antisocial personality disorder in order to determine the high-risk group for further preventive approaches.Methods: We have included 74 criminals suffering from antisocial personality disorder and 47 schizophrenia criminal cases, who had been referred during a one-year period by the court in order to receive psychiatric consultation for criminal responsibility. A conformed interview was achieved and a questionnaire was filled including initial data regarding the demographic factors, their victims, type of crimes and the way they had planned. Finally, SPSS software was used for data analysis.Results: The most violent criminals had been attempted by schizophrenic patients (p=0.001). In these patients, there was a significant correlation between crime prevalence and factors like male gender, single hood, noncompliance and financial dependence to the family. In other words their relatives were the major victims of their crimes. However, in patients with antisocial personality disorder unemployment was not a predisposing factor and they mainly committed crime against strangers. These crimes were committed in the early stages of their disorder. Committing crimes 5-10 years later after beginning of their sickness indicated that unemployment was the most important factor made schizophrenic patients does the illegal actions.Conclusion: Patients with antisocial personality disorder commit further crimes; however, schizophrenic patients commit more severe crimes. Trend of schizophrenic patients to their relatives necessitates further family support and patients acceptance by relatives in addition to rehabilitation. Meanwhile, finding a solution for their unemployment could be of great help.

Background: Committing suicide is a worldwide problem. Previous reports have revealed the high prevalence of committing suicide in Iran.Nowadays, drugs, chemical agents, and poisons are widely available. Drugs are more commonly used for committing suicide. The present study was carried out to determine the frequency of poisoning with chemical agents or drugs in hospitalized patients referring to Loghman Hakim hospital in winter 1999.Methods: In winter 1999, we have randomly selected 500 patients, including 313 females and 187 males, hospitalized in Loghman Hakim hospital due to poisoning. A questionnaire was filled.Results: Patients have used the following materials for committing suicide: drugs (83.3%) poison for rodents (4%), chemical agents (3.8%), opium (7.6%), and alcohol (7.7%). Of drugs, benzodiazepines (17%) and TCAs (6%) were more frequently used. Meanwhile, ratsbane was used by 17%. Conclusion: Of hospitalized patients, 10.3% had required intensive cares. Almost all the patients aged 15-77 years. 75.8% had informed their family in advance, thus, threatening to committing suicide should be taken serious.

Background: Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a common cause of death due to trauma. Of cases referring to LMO, skull trauma is a common cause of death. Results of the present study could pave the way for further preventive and therapeutic approaches. Methods: We have studied 745 cases of death due to ICH referring to LMO in a 3-month period. Initial data including sex, age, job, marital status, cause and location of trauma, type of ICH and skull fractures were all recorded. Results: The study population included 619 males and 127 females, most of which were in their thirties. 59% were married and 41% were single. Vehicle accident was, by far, the most common cause of trauma-induced death (75%). Most of these accidents were taken place in city streets (67.4%). Different types of ICH and cranial injuries were as follow: subarachnoid hemorrhage (80.1%), cranial contusion (75.3%), cranial cut (50%), subdural hemorrhage (43.3%), and intracranial hematoma (70.3%). Lesions were more commonly found in temporal lobe. Conclusion: High prevalence of vehicle accidents and is associated death, especially at the accident site or during transporting the victim to the hospital aware us to schedule for educational programs and improving first aid availability. Meanwhile, our emergency departments must be equipped well.

Background: Neurologic consultation in Legal Medicine patients for determining the course and prognosis and prognosis and finally grade of disability and organ defect is of utmost importance. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and type of central and peripheral neurologic lesions and also their cause as well as percent of disability. Methods: This cross- sectional study was carried out in 2000-01, on 845 cases referring to Legal Medicine in Isfahan province for neurological consultation. Initial data including sex, age, type and cause of lesions, and organ defect degree were all considered. Results: The study population included 718 males and 127 females, with the mean age of 32 years (ago range, 7-86). Lesions were more commonly caused by conflict (67%), then car accidents (32%) and marriage- and divorce- associated problems represent 1% of all lesions. Skull, head and face, and upper limbs were the most common area of injury. Disability was not found in 50% of the victims, and Medico- Legal physician have just determined the duration of treatment. However, for the remaining 50%, disability was occurred with the mean of 36%. Conclusion: Regarding the slow improvement course of neurologic lesions during the early stages, organs defect degree should usually be determined 6 months following the incident. Sometimes, degenerative and demyelinative diseases such as MS are encountering after trauma or stress. These environmental factors should not be considered as the cause of organ defect. For brain lesion, especially in old patients, examiner has to consider the delayed side effects of head trauma, such as subdural hematoma, in the first days after trauma.

Background: Road accident is a worldwide health issue. In Iran, road accidents are thirteen times more frequent than those of the whole world. These accidents are associated with many injuries and even deaths. Methods: this cross- sectional study was conducted to determine the epidemiological profile of road accidents resulted in death in Lorestan Province, between 1999 and 2001. Data were gathered from medical files of the dead individuals due to road accidents and were analyzed by SPSS. Results: Results have shown that 1457 were killed, of these, 449 in 1999, 470 in 2000 and 538 in 2001. Most of the victims were males. Most of the victims were 21-40 years old and were killed at accident site because of brain injuries. Most of the accidents took place during Norooz Holiday. Conclusion: Road accidents- induced death was increased during the studied period. Prior investigators have demonstrated a 13% increment in road accidents- induced death, however, reports published by Iranian LMO revealed a 10% increment. This is mainly due to unsafe road architecture.

Background: Determining the true characteristics and dimensions of the pelvis is utmost importance in gynecology, and forensic medicine as well. It can be used to anticipate sex and race. The aim of the present study is to introduce an approach to estimate pelvic dimensions by means of a clinical index. Methods: For this descriptive study, radiographic clichés of 108 healthy females referring to Talaghani Hospital were studied. Radiographs were obtained from the antero-posterior standard view and the skeleton landmarks were obvious. The following dimensions were measured: 1- transverse diameter of the inlet, 2- oblique diameter of the inlet, 3- the distance between two ischial spines, 4- largest diameter of the head of femur, 5- the distance between the highest point of the left and right iliac crest, 6- infrapubic angle, 7- height of the symphysis pubis, 8- diameter of the pubic disk, 9- sacral width, 10- sacral length, 11- the distance between two anterio-superior iliac spines, 12- height of the sacroiliac joint, 13- acetabular diameter, 14- distance between the acetabular anterior margin and symphysis pubis, and 15- conjugate diagonal. Results: The mean and standard deviation of different parameters were clarified and regression method was applied for data analysis. Results have revealed that most parameters are predictable in accordance to the distance between the anterior- superior iliac spines (p<0.05). Conclusion: Results have shown a good correlation between the anterior- superior iliac spines distance, however, we still require further investigations.

Background: Anthropological measurement such as brain weight and cranial capacity are useful in practice for health evaluation of the newborns and also a base for alterations in future years of life. This research is accomplished For determining of brain weight and cranial capacity and effects of racial factor on Them. Methods: 423 normal female newborn infants in Turkman (n=211) and Native Fars (n=212) groups were evaluated by classic cephalometry. Results: The mean (SD) of brain weight and cranial capacity in Fars and Turkman groups were 453.5 ± 65.7 grand 438.2 ± 63.5ml and 433.5 ± 34.4 grand 418.8 ± 33.2ml, respectively. These differences are statistically significant. Conclusion: Results have revealed that racial factors could influence brain weight and cranial capacity in normal female newborns.

Background: During the present study, we have surveyed alterations in knee joint range of motion following the selective interruption of anterior cruciate ligamentregarding the anterior drawer sign, internal and external rotations at flexion, extension and between 45 and 90 degrees. This study could help the physician to reach a better understanding of anterior cruciate ligament performance. Methods: We have exposed cadaver knee joint and interrupted anterior cruciate ligament selectively. Then, articular capsule and other anatomical elements were sutured. Results: Results have revealed a significant difference in anterior drawer sign, internal and external rotations and total extension as compared to control subjects. Thus, knee joint range of motion has altered following the injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament. Conclusion: Our study has rejected the previous concept of "anterior cruciate ligaments have just joined femoral and tibial bones". Meanwhile, examination of anterior drawer sign, and internal and external rotations following the injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament could be helpful.

Echinococcous granolousus, belonging to cestode family, is the main cause of hydatid cyst. If matured parasites taken by human, they man penetrate the intestinal lumen. Cysts are more commonly found in liver, lungs and occasionally bones. In this report, we have presented a rare case of hydatid cyst in sacrum. Patient had undergone operation thrice; however, complete treatment has not achieved.

Prior reports have demonstrated that there is a rising trend in the number of fire death over the recent decades. This is mainly due to the quality and quantity of the fire gases that is associated with thematerials used for furnishing, decoration and construction. Reports have shown that combustion of different materials, especially the modernsynthetic materials, has released fire gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, organic nitrites, carbonyls, alcohols, and other organic elements. The study of fire gases in fatal casualties and toxicological investigations of acute and chronic poisoning implies a branch of "toxicology" which is called "Fire Toxicology".