Evolution of a Molecular Autopsy Program from within a Death Investigation System

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristopher S. Cunningham ◽  
Michael Pollanen
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Autopsy ◽  
Death Investigation

Review of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and its Implications for Death Investigation

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-39
Author(s):  
Owen L. Middleton ◽  
Michel A. Cramer Bornemann
Keyword(s):  
Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽  
Sleep Apnea ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Death Investigation

Using Biomedical Ethics Model to Explore Use of Postmortem Specimens in Tissue Research

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 234-237
Author(s):  
Stacy A. Drake ◽  
Erica T. Yu
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Biomedical Ethics ◽  
Human Tissues ◽  
Next Of Kin ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
Tissue Procurement ◽  
Tissue Research ◽  
Death Investigation ◽  
Medicolegal Death Investigation

Researchers often have a need to conduct human tissue research using postmortem specimens. Medicolegal death investigation organizations are untapped areas for obtaining postmortem human tissues. Because death investigation organizations are not required by law to conduct or support research, an ethical dilemma exists in whether or not researchers should use cadaver tissues for research purposes. This paper analyzes the ethical issues of using human tissues through discussion of principles of biomedical ethics, respect for autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice. Policy makers, organ and tissue procurement organizations, medicolegal death investigation organizations, and scientists should be aware of these principles when considering researchers requests. The authors conclude that with Institutional Review Board approval and next of kin consent, there are prevailing reasons for using postmortem tissue for research.

Forensic Pluralism and the Dead Body in Early 20th-Century China

2021 ◽  
pp. 192536212110025
Author(s):  
Daniel Asen
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
Forensic Medicine ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Early 20Th Century ◽  
13Th Century ◽  
The Qing Dynasty ◽  
Forensic Practice ◽  
Local Officials ◽  
Examination Methods ◽  
Death Investigation

Modern forensic medicine was introduced into China during the first decades of the 20th century. The members of China’s first generation of medicolegal experts were soon advocating that medical expertise play a greater role in police and judicial officials’ investigations of suspicious death and homicide cases. While forensic reform in China had parallels with developments in other contemporary societies in which physicians were pushing for a greater role in the law, this process unfolded in China in unique ways, against the backdrop of an older tradition of forensic science that had developed under the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Central to this tradition was the Records on the Washing Away of Wrongs, a handbook of forensic practice that was written in the 13th century and saw numerous editions and expansions over subsequent centuries. Death investigation in early 20th-century China was defined by “forensic pluralism,” a situation in which the different body examination methods and standards of forensic proof associated with the Washing Away of Wrongs and modern forensic medicine were both accepted by officialdom and society. This article untangles the complexities of forensic practice during this period through the rather unexceptional exchange over a case of suspected drowning that occurred between local officials in Hebei province and Lin Ji (1897-1951), director of the Beiping University Medical School Institute of Legal Medicine. This case reveals the different regimes of forensic knowledge and practice that were used in China during this period as well as the sites at which they interacted.

scholarly journals Minimally Invasive Autopsy Practice in COVID-19 Cases: Biosafety and Findings

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 412
Author(s):  
Natalia Rakislova ◽  
Lorena Marimon ◽  
Mamudo R. Ismail ◽  
Carla Carrilho ◽  
Fabiola Fernandes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Cause Of Death ◽  
Diffuse Alveolar Damage ◽  
The Body ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Safe Alternative ◽  
Minimally Invasive Autopsy ◽  
Postmortem Studies ◽  
Death Investigation ◽  
Insight Into

Postmortem studies are crucial for providing insight into emergent diseases. However, a complete autopsy is frequently not feasible in highly transmissible diseases due to biohazard challenges. Minimally invasive autopsy (MIA) is a needle-based approach aimed at collecting samples of key organs without opening the body, which may be a valid alternative in these cases. We aimed to: a) provide biosafety guidelines for conducting MIAs in COVID-19 cases, b) compare the performance of MIA versus complete autopsy, and c) evaluate the safety of the procedure. Between October and December 2020, MIAs were conducted in six deceased patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19, in a basic autopsy room, with reinforced personal protective equipment. Samples from the lungs and key organs were successfully obtained in all cases. A complete autopsy was performed on the same body immediately after the MIA. The diagnoses of the MIA matched those of the complete autopsy. In four patients, COVID-19 was the main cause of death, being responsible for the different stages of diffuse alveolar damage. No COVID-19 infection was detected in the personnel performing the MIAs or complete autopsies. In conclusion, MIA might be a feasible, adequate and safe alternative for cause of death investigation in COVID-19 cases.

Inconsistencies in Overdose Suicide Death Investigation Practice and Potential Remedies Using Technology: A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Consultation Meeting Summary

2021 ◽  
pp. 192536212110224
Author(s):  
Melissa C. Mercado ◽  
Deborah M. Stone ◽  
Caroline W. Kokubun ◽  
Aimée-Rika T. Trudeau ◽  
Elizabeth Gaylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
System Integration ◽  
Data Privacy ◽  
Burden Of Proof ◽  
The United States ◽  
Privacy And Security ◽  
Death Scene ◽  
Undetermined Intent ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Scene Description ◽  
Death Investigation

Introduction: It is widely accepted that suicides—which account for more than 47 500 deaths per year in the United States—are undercounted by 10% to 30%, partially due to incomplete death scene investigations (DSI) and varying burden-of-proof standards across jurisdictions. This may result in the misclassification of overdose-related suicides as accidents or undetermined intent. Methods: Virtual and in-person meetings were held with suicidologists and DSI experts from five states (Spring-Summer 2017) to explore how features of a hypothetical electronic DSI tool may help address these challenges. Results: Participants envisioned a mobile DSI application for cell phones, tablets, or laptop computers. Features for systematic information collection, scene description, and guiding key informant interviews were perceived as useful for less-experienced investigators. Discussion: Wide adoption may be challenging due to differences in DSI standards, practices, costs, data privacy and security, and system integration needs. However, technological tools that support consistent and complete DSIs could strengthen the information needed to accurately identify overdose suicides.

Phenotype-driven molecular autopsy for sudden cardiac death

2016 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Cann ◽  
M. Corbett ◽  
D. O'Sullivan ◽  
S. Tennant ◽  
H. Hailey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sudden Cardiac Death ◽  
Cardiac Death ◽  
Molecular Autopsy

Differences between postmortem CT and autopsy in death investigation of cervical spine injuries

2017 ◽  
Vol 281 ◽  
pp. 44-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yohsuke Makino ◽  
Hajime Yokota ◽  
Eiji Nakatani ◽  
Daisuke Yajima ◽  
Go Inokuchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Postmortem Ct ◽  
Cervical Spine Injuries ◽  
Spine Injuries ◽  
Death Investigation
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