新冠肺炎疫情期间公安法医应当加强尸体甄别和个体防护

因鉴定体制特点,公安法医除参与尸体有关的现场勘查工作外,还需进行尸体检验工作。在此过程中,可能面对很多风险,受伤和中毒等事件时有发生。然而,国内公安法医对新冠肺炎等传染病流行期间死亡的尸体如何甄别进行尸体检验鉴定,对现场勘查及尸体检验工作的防护只有少量规定,且内容不够详尽。本文对法医在现场勘查中遇到的尸体及尸体检验中实验室建设、职业现状、风险评估及防范措施等进行了论述。最后,建议出台相关的制度规定等具体约束规范措施,以保障公安法医现场勘查及尸体检验工作的顺利进行,以解除基层鉴定机构和鉴定人的后顾之忧。     

生物气溶胶在法医尸体检验中的危害与防护

生物气溶胶是指悬浮于大气中含有细菌、病毒、真菌等生物大分子并具有传染性和致敏性的气溶胶。目前我国各级医院已经能够通过多种预防措施减少疾病通过生物气溶胶途径的传播,而生物气溶胶在法医尸体检验中产生的危害常常被多数法医所忽略,本文从尸体检验中生物气溶胶的形成、传播、危害以及可行防护措施方面进行综述,以期提高法医工作者对生物气溶胶的职业防护意识。     

犯罪现场勘验中法医的职业安全

因鉴定体制特点,国内法医除鉴定工作外,还需进行犯罪现场勘验工作。在此过程中,可能面对很多风险,受伤和中毒等事件时有发生。然而,国内对现场勘验工作的防护只有少量规定,且内容不够详尽。本文对法医在现场勘验中的职业健康现状进行了分析,并将危害因素分为人、物、环境和管理四类进行论述。最后,从组织和技术两方面提出了具体防范措施。     

法医出庭作证现状及对策探讨

近五年来,我省公安机关鉴定人出庭作证88例,其中法医55例,占绝对多数。在命案、非正常死亡、轻重伤鉴定等案(事)件的刑事、民事庭审过程中,法医的出庭为正确处理案(事)件提供了科学证据保障,同时也给法医工作带来了前所未有的挑战。法医出庭作证存在着不容乐观的现状和困境,现就有关问题进行探讨。     

法医出庭作证现状及对策探讨

正近五年来,我省公安机关鉴定人出庭作证88例,其中法医55例,占绝对多数。在命案、非正常死亡、轻重伤鉴定等案(事)件的刑事、民事庭审过程中,法医的出庭为正确处理案(事)件提供了科学证据保障,同时也给法医工作带来了前所未有的挑战。法医出庭作证存在着不容乐观的现状和困境,现就有关问题进行探讨。     

新冠肺炎尸检:法医工作者面临的挑战与对策

新型冠状病毒肺炎(简称"新冠肺炎")病例于2019年12月出现,疫情在短时间内蔓延,已导致数千名患者死亡。目前我们对新冠肺炎的致病、转归、致死的病理学机制了解甚少,尽早开展新冠肺炎死亡病例的尸体检验尤为重要,这给法医工作者带来了挑战。新冠肺炎尸检应在可以维持负压的独立解剖室进行,检验人员应严格按照三级防护标准穿戴防护用具,注重环境、器械、耗材的消毒以及废液废弃物处理。解剖及检验过程应规范、谨慎,尽量减少切割操作,并避免体液流出或组织飞溅导致病毒传播。本文将就法医工作者面临新冠肺炎尸检的挑战与对策做一述评。     

法医学高危尸检的风险识别与防护

高危尸检(High Risk Autopsy)是指对患有或者可能患有严重传染性疾病的尸体进行解剖检验,该传染性疾病可能传染给尸体解剖检验的法医及其他高危人群,从而导致严重疾病或引起死亡。本文对高危尸检中的感染风险、风险识别方面进行论述,在个人防护、解剖室防护、虚拟影像方面提出安全预防措施。     

苯乙烯生产工艺中主要职业病危害风险分析

对苯乙烯生产工艺过程存在的有毒物质职业暴露健康风险及急性中毒事故风险进行风险分析,是实现建设项目风险管理的重要部分,是为了预防、控制和消除职业病危害,保护劳动者健康安全促进经济发展的需要。有毒物质职业暴露健康风险采用风险矩阵为基础的定性及半定量的方法,在危害等级及暴露等级的基础上评估风险等级;急性中毒事故风险运用定量方法,分析事故造成的人员伤害的范围、程度及概率等。针对我国职业卫生的现状和需求,风险分析作为职业病危害预评价的方法是非常必要的。根据风险评估的结果进行综合分析,可科学的对建设项目的职业病危害进行分类,并根据不同水平的风险等级,决定相应风险的防控措施优先级,以采取有效的防护控制措施,指导企业进行风险管理;通过风险分析推断职业病危害事故产生的后果及发生的概率,为应急救援管理提供理论依据,将有利于建设项目全过程风险管理,提高应急救援的能力。通过实例应用也证明所采用方法的科学性、实用性,可操作并易于推行。     

法医临床鉴定细节问题的探讨

随着社会的发展以及人们的观念越来越先进化,法医这个职业也慢慢的受到了人们的普遍关注。但是,也存在一些人对法医的工作不了解,对法医临床鉴定细节问题的重要性不够重视。法医的临床鉴定在处理法律案件、医学以及其他方面显示出了独特的作用。本文将从四大方面解读法医临床鉴定细节问题,解开法医工作者的神秘面纱,让法医临床鉴定这个学科,这个职业更加的大众化,让人们对法医临床鉴定细节问题有个深刻的认识。     

要重视和加强法医学专业学生的职业道德教育

法医学是应用医学、生物学及其他自然科学的理论与技术 ,研究并解决法律实践中有关医学问题的一门医学科学。随着我国社会主义法制建设的不断加强 ,法医在依法治国的历史进程中和在具体的工作实践中发挥着日益重要的作用。要做好法医学鉴定工作 ,必须严格遵守国家的法律法规 ,忠于事实真相 ,维护法医学鉴定的公正性。鉴定的公正性来源于法医工作者良好的职业道德和职业素养。法医工作者在工作中应自觉遵守职业道德 ,尊重科学 ,尊重事实 ,廉洁奉公 ,秉公办案。然而在实际工作中 ,有个别法医粗心大意 ,不负责任 ,造成严重错误和后果。如某县一…     

Occupational exposure to traumatic evidence and posttraumatic stress symptoms in forensic science professionals: Prevalence and patterns

Forensic science professionals are routinely exposed to potentially traumatizing evidence. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of occupational posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among forensic science professionals, identify job-related correlates of PTSD symptoms, and examine the role of social support in mitigating PTSD symptomology. In response to recruitment through the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, and Evidence Technology Magazine, 449 forensic science professionals participated in the current study. Results found that 73.5% (n = 330) of the overall sample experienced at least one work-related traumatic event consistent with meeting Criterion A for PTSD, and these rates were higher for field-based respondents (n = 203, 87.9%). The prevalence of past-month provisional PTSD was 21.6% for the full sample. Disaggregated PTSD rates were 29.0% and 14.5% for field-based and non-field-based respondents, respectively. These rates were 6- to 8-fold higher than the past-year prevalence of PTSD in the general US population, estimated to be 3.5%, and were found to be at least as high as those observed in prior epidemiological research with non-treatment seeking members of the US military deployed to war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Results further showed that social support was protective against PTSD symptomology. The high rates of occupational exposure to trauma and consequent PTSD symptomology observed in this large sample of forensic science professionals highlight the under-acknowledged psychological risks of these occupations and the need for enhanced attention to mental health resources for these professionals.     

Forensic occupational therapy to reduce risk of reoffending: a survey of practice in the United Kingdom

Forensic services are required to reduce an individual’s risk of reoffending. Despite being integral to forensic mental health services, the contribution of forensic occupational therapy to achieving this aim is unclear. This study describes current forensic occupational therapy practice to reduce reoffending risk in the United Kingdom. Responses to a cross-sectional survey consisting of multiple choice and free-text questions were analysed using frequency counts and percentages, and thematic analysis respectively. Of the 58 participants, 83% actively addressed reoffending risk. Participants informed practice with occupation-focused theories, models and assessment tools. Five themes described forensic occupational therapy to reduce reoffending risk: an occupational perspective of risk assessment and formulation; volitional realignment; increasing protective factors; community integration; and enhancing understanding of forensic occupational therapy. Forensic occupational therapists perceive their practice to contribute to reducing reoffending risk, but are yet to establish routine outcome measurement in this area. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.     

Medicolegal death investigator workplace safety hazards: A scoping review of the literature

In the United States, medicolegal death investigation practices and policies pertaining to sudden unexpected deaths are mandated by state government. Practices vary across states, which contributes to inconsistency in job prerequisites and training. In preparation for a study focused on occupational safety and health of medicolegal death investigators in their on-scene and follow-up activities, a scoping review was conducted to document known occupational safety risks and health-related conditions associated with death investigation. Searches used Boolean and subject heading operators both broad and narrow in scope, and search terms included scene responder, hazard, investigator, forensic pathology, injury, and safety. Twenty-five articles met inclusion criteria, which included seventeen survey-mixed method designs, two systematic reviews, five quasi-experimental designs, and one case study. Twelve articles addressed mental health and eleven focused on risks associated with infectious disease. One article addressed the risk of chemical exposure from cyanide among autopsy personnel (including forensic pathologists) and nine included a wide range of employees within the setting of medical examiner or coroner offices. One article, addressing burnout, included employees in a forensic science laboratory setting as well as medicolegal death investigators and two articles included forensic pathologists and medicolegal death investigators. Only one article addressed medicolegal death investigators specifically. Articles addressing occupational and environmental hazards of medicolegal death investigators associated with musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, radiological, nuclear, electrical, or explosive threats were not identified. There is little published about safety risks inherent in conducting death investigations. Research is needed to adequately inform health promotion and injury prevention strategies.     

毒物鉴定信息资源介绍及法医毒物学数据库构想

信息资源作为现代社会的一种重要资源,在各专业领域中显示出其无可替代的价值。毒物鉴定同样需要专业信息的强有力支持。根据法医毒物鉴定实践的信息需求,对可能涉及的相关信息资源来源,尤其是网络在线数据库资源进行综述和评价。同时,探究了建立适合毒物鉴定专业需求的＂法医毒物数据库及其信息平台＂的可行性和设计构思,并对其应用做出展望。     

新冠肺炎等传染病与法医学鉴定评述

新冠肺炎致死或引发的其他法律纠纷可能涉及法医学病理解剖或者法医临床学鉴定。在日常法医学解剖中时有遇到因传染性疾病死亡患者的尸体,法医鉴定机构及鉴定人应当有风险识别意识,充分认识到在解剖、检查这类尸体时的被传染风险。法医鉴定人需要采取充分有效的防护措施。由于新冠肺炎属于新型传染性疾病,相关研究成果、信息资料更新快,鉴定中的信息参考要慎重选择。同时本文对因传染性疾病死亡患者的尸体解剖中常见的职业伦理、知情同意、保险理赔和环境保护等问题进行讨论。     

On the added value of forensic science and grand innovation challenges for the forensic community

In this paper the insights and results are presented of a long term and ongoing improvement effort within the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) to establish a valuable innovation programme. From the overall perspective of the role and use of forensic science in the criminal justice system, the concepts of Forensic Information Value Added (FIVA) and Forensic Information Value Efficiency (FIVE) are introduced. From these concepts the key factors determining the added value of forensic investigations are discussed; Evidential Value, Relevance, Quality, Speed and Cost. By unravelling the added value of forensic science and combining this with the future needs and scientific and technological developments, six forensic grand challenges are introduced: i) Molecular Photo-fitting; ii) chemical imaging, profiling and age estimation of finger marks; iii) Advancing Forensic Medicine; iv) Objective Forensic Evaluation; v) the Digital Forensic Service Centre and vi) Real time In-Situ Chemical Identification. Finally, models for forensic innovation are presented that could lead to major international breakthroughs on all these six themes within a five year time span. This could cause a step change in the added value of forensic science and would make forensic investigative methods even more valuable than they already are today.     

An Update on the Hazards and Risks of Forensic Anthropology,Part I: Human Remains

This work reviews the hazards and risks of practicing forensic anthropology in North America, with a focus on pathogens encountered through contact with unpreserved human remains. Since the publication of Galloway and Snodgrass' seminal paper concerning the hazards of forensic anthropology, research has provided new information about known pathogen hazards, and regulating authorities have updated recommendations for the recognition and treatment of several infections. Additionally, forensic anthropology has gained popularity, exposing an increased number of students and practitioners to these hazards. Current data suggest many occupational exposures to blood or body fluids go unreported, especially among students, highlighting the need for this discussion. For each pathogen and associated disease, this work addresses important history, reviews routes of exposure, provides an overview of symptoms and treatments, lists decontamination procedures, and presents data on postmortem viability. Personal protection and laboratory guidelines should be established and enforced in conjunction with the consideration of these data.     

Stress,coping, and psychological well‐being among forensic health care professionals

Purpose. Although forensic services are often regarded as highly stressful environments, there has been a surprising lack of research into the phenomena of occupational stress among forensic health care professionals (FHCP) in the United Kingdom. This study investigated stress, coping, and psychological well‐being among FHCP employed within inpatient settings. Methods. One hundred and thirty‐five FHCP were recruited from four Medium Secure Units in the United Kingdom. A postal research pack was used to collect background information and measures of psychological well‐being, burnout, occupational stress, work satisfaction, and coping. Results. The study found that a substantial proportion of FHCP experienced elevated levels of occupational stress and psychological distress, while moderate levels of burnout were demonstrated in terms of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. The findings confirmed that FHCP utilized a range of problem‐focused (e.g., positive), emotion‐focused (e.g., religious, negative, and supported), and palliative coping strategies (e.g., excessive smoking and drinking). Conclusions. The results appeared to support the commonly held assertion that forensic services are an inherently stressful and dangerous working environment, which can cause FHCP to experience marked levels of psychological distress, burnout, and occupational stress.     

Forensic human identification in the United States and Canada: A review of the law, admissible techniques, and the legal implications of their application in forensic cases

Forensic human identification techniques are successful if they lead to positive personal identification. However, the strongest personal identification is of no use in the prosecution - or vindication - of an accused if the associated evidence and testimony is ruled inadmissible in a court of law. This review examines the U.S. and Canadian legal rulings regarding the admissibility of expert evidence and testimony, and subsequently explores four established methods of human identification (i.e., DNA profiling, forensic anthropology, forensic radiography, forensic odontology) and one complementary technique useful in determining identity, and the legal implications of their application in forensic cases.