Strangulation and Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Why Strangulation Occurs Since 1987, October has been declared Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) in order to raise awareness and connect individuals and organizations who work with this issue on a daily basis. This year, the theme is “We Are Resilient.” In the United States alone, an average of 20 people per minute are physically […]
The Many Implications of Asphyxiation
Death By Asphyxiation The Greek used the term asphyxia when referring to a stopping of the heart rate or pulse. When the body doesn’t get enough oxygen, its organs cannot function, either by inadequate delivery of the oxygen, or poor uptake or utilization of the oxygen by the body’s tissues and organs. This is sometimes […]
The Importance of Forensic Pathology Part 2
Getting It Right – The History of Forensic Pathology in America The earliest investigations into death involving methodical inquiries were mostly concerned with suicide. The coroner system dates back to medieval England. At that time a coroner was called a crowner because he served as a royal judicial representative. The term coroner evolved from there. […]
One Deadly Punch Leads To Prison
Our faithful readers may remember that I wrote a newsletter back in 2011 called “Can One Punch Kill” but it has been many years since then and I asked one of my nurses to write up a newsletter. Ironically, she dug through some of my ideas and came across the same article. Her take […]
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…Gunshot Wounds
I did this series a few years ago and I think it’s time to do a little refresher. For the next few months I’ll post “5 things criminal attorneys should know about …” and highlight some areas of medicine that often cross into the criminal fields. This is not meant to be an in-depth review, […]
Can One Punch Kill? {Assault/Trauma}
A review of medications and medical history can play a critical role in any case with traumatic injuries.
Gunshot Wounds: 5 Things Every Criminal Attorney Should Know
1. MD’s get entrance/exit wrong about 50% of the time, per research – don’t go off of medical charts. Most doctors still go off of size of the wound, which is inaccurate. 2. Range of Fire can generally be determined by wound characteristics: Soot indicates the gun was fired within 0-6 inches; Tattooing indicates a range […]
Legal Implications – Fetus (Drug Use During Pregnancy)
It has long been discussed if the unborn child had any rights. Criminalization of drug use during pregnancy opens a can of worms for the legal community.
Legal Implications – Mother (Drug Use During Pregnancy)
In 2007, a young Mississippi woman was indicted by a grand jury for “depraved heart murder” which is defined as an act that results from the gross negligence of an individual. Read more about the case and the controversy around it.
