Did COVID-19 Bring a Higher Risk of Abuse?
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic people have been told to stay at home for their own safety and the safety of others. Could there be a higher risk of abuse? What about those people who are victims of domestic violence? How are they faring at home? Is home a safe place for victims […]
Physical Abuse or Easy Bruising?
PHYSICAL SIGNS OF ABUSE When searching “physical signs of abuse,” many journals and websites list the following physical characteristics: Bruises Cuts Burns Restraint or grip markings Black eyes Unusual pattern of injury Repeated trips to the Emergency Department ….with “bruises” often listed first since most are caused by physical injury. However, there are underlying conditions […]
Infection, Delirium, and Homicide
In April, I covered delirium and noted that there are many underlying etiologies that can cause it. One such etiology is infection. Infection and our body Our bodies are constantly fighting infections. Our skin is the first barrier, but we are often exposed to pathogens through open wounds, our respiratory system, or our mouths. Most […]
5 things criminal attorneys should know about…Bruises
This is the last in the “5 things criminal attorneys should know about…” series where I highlight some areas of medicine that often cross into the criminal fields. This is not meant to be an in-depth review, but rather just bullet pointed facts. If you have any subject requests let me know! [sep]For this month […]
5 Things Criminal Attorneys Should Know About…Pressure Ulcers
We’ve been republishing a series called “5 things criminal attorneys should know about …” where we highlight some areas of medicine that often cross into the criminal fields. The topic of Pressure ulcers was not originally in the series but it is definitely relevant. Cases in which Elder abuse and neglect is charged can be […]
When does in-home caregiving turn into Elder Abuse/Neglect?
In many criminal cases, Adult Protective Services and the police are called because a patient arrives at the hospital with multiple and severe wounds called pressure ulcers. They often are septic because the wounds have gotten infected and in the elderly it leads to an altered mental state very rapidly. This leads to an investigation […]
Two Black Eyes But He Swears He Didn’t Hit Her {Assault/Trauma}
Two Black Eyes, also known as Raccoon’s eyes, is a sign of a skull fracture and does not necessarily indicate blunt force trauma to the face. Because this type of skull fracture is often missed on radiology studies, a medical expert is needed to review the records and determine the cause of the bruising. […]
Considering abuse in SIDS
Findings that raise suspicion for abuse include malnutrition or neglect and injuries to the skin such as bruising, traumatic lesions, and abnormalities of the head and/or body. In the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Policy on Distinguishing SIDS from Child Abuse Fatalities, it is stated that the death of an infant may be attributed to SIDS […]
SIDS: Physical/Autopsy Findings
Three common autopsy findings in the pathophysiology of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome are unclotted blood in the heart, intrathoracic petechiae (small red spots inside the thoracic cavity caused by bleeding), and fluid-filled heavier organs. Other findings that are consistent with SIDS include the following: Serosanguineous watery, frothy, or mucous-like drainage from the mouth or nose; Reddish-blue […]
SIDS: Causes & Risk Factors
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is typically associated with a period of sleep, and in most cases no signs of distress are apparent. Some of the causes of SIDS include low birth weight, recent respiratory infection, side or stomach sleeping, sleeping on a soft surface, hyperthermia, and sleeping with parents. Research examination of the brain stems of […]
