Godoy Medical Forensics

How Alternative Light Sources Are Used In Forensics

Alternative Light Sources and Their Effectiveness in Enhancing the Visibility of Injuries History of ALS A fairly new science has emerged within the past 70 years regarding the use of alternative light sources (ALS) to enhance the visibility of injuries, being used in forensics starting around 1990. There has been research done on this topic, […]

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…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 […]

IHSS Neglect cases – legal implications

Regardless of whether the case is criminal or civil, there must be proof that the caregiver was negligent and that the negligence was what caused the patient to become ill. Whether the caregiver was a family member or an IHSS provider or both will play a role in the case. What training did they receive, […]

IHSS Neglect Case Review and Analysis

  What if there is a delay in care and the patient is taken to the emergency department severely ill?   When does the culpability of their illness fall on the IHSS caregiver or family members?   I have had two recent cases asking just that question: In both cases, the issue was that pressure ulcers […]

Neglect by IHSS Providers for Elderly/Disabled

Care provided in home for elderly and dependent people is often through a governmental program called IHSS or similar. For a description of the care provided and what tasks are permitted by these caregivers check out our blog post here.