Investigation of Postmortem Absorption and Redistribution After the Application of a Fentanyl Patch

Fentanyl deaths have increased with availability of transdermal patches. Interpretation of postmortem fentanyl levels may be complicated by postmortem redistribution and absorption of fentanyl from a patch. We applied an unused 100‐μg/h fentanyl patch onto the lower abdomen of a decedent with no premortem fentanyl exposure. Ocular fluid, blood, and urine were collected prior to placement, and the decedent was refrigerated for 23 h. Prior to the autopsy, urine, subcutaneous tissue under the patch, and samples from the same anatomic sites were obtained. We observed no fentanyl in any postpatch placement samples (LOD: 0.1 ng/mL for blood and vitreous fluid, 1.0 ng/mL urine, 2.0 ng/g for tissues). Although we observed no postmortem absorption of fentanyl, this was only a single case; therefore, we recommend that patches be removed after receipt of a cadaver before initiation of an autopsy, with the location of removed patch documented.     

Mortality under and after sentence of male convicts transported to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania), 1840–1852

This article reports on mortality in a cohort of 7084 English, Irish and Scottish-born convict men who were transported on 30 ships to Tasmania between 1840 and 1852. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study of convict mortality that systematically traces the mortality of convicts after emancipation as well as under sentence. This pilot study investigates the relationship between pre-transportation characteristics, convict discipline, reactions to convict discipline, and mortality under and after sentence of the male convict population. The convict men were various in their origins but shared the experience of penal servitude under the gaze of a paper panopticon. Controlling for other factors, the authors find that the convicts were more likely to die under sentence if they were born in Scotland, London or an industrial-urban area; if they exhibited disturbed mental behaviour under sentence, such as tearing their clothes; or if they had more time in solitary confinement or more accumulated insults of their mind and body. For those who survived sentence, mortality was higher for those born in an industrial-urban area, those who had more alcohol-related offences under sentence, those with more time in solitary confinement under sentence, and those who were violent or threatened violence while under sentence.     

Registration of terms borrowed from another language

In answer to a question referred by a Spanish Court in a disputeas to the validity of the Spanish trade mark MATRATZEN, theEuropean Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that trade mark ownersare not precluded by Article 3(1)(b) or (c) of the Trade MarksDirective (Council Directive 89/104) from registering in oneMember State a term borrowed from another language, unless itcan be demonstrated that relevant public in the Member Statein which registration is sought are capable of identifying themeaning of the term.     

Disappointment for cigar enthusiasts: no implied consent to imports of Cuban cigars

In a recent decision judge Fysh QC, sitting as a High CourtJudge, ruled that a consignment of genuine cigars originatingfrom Cuba infringed UK and Community trade marks owned by aCuban company since there was neither express nor implied consentto their importation.     

A good introduction to publishing

Hugh Jones and Christopher Benson's book entitled, simply, PublishingLaw seeks to provide a useful and straightforward guide to copyrightlaw in the field of publishing. The accolades on the back statethat it is ‘an excellent, accessible, one-stop legal reference’and that it is ‘an invaluable resource for those practisingor studying the business of publishing’. Such praise bodeswell. The great tomes on copyright present a standard that is difficultto achieve. Laddie, Prescott & Vitoria     

Searching for Affordability and Opportunity: A Framework for the Housing Choice Voucher Program

Abstract

Affordability, a key factor in the housing search process, becomes critical when locating rental housing in opportunity-rich areas. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program accommodates low-income households searching for housing and encourages recipients to reside in low-poverty areas. Affordable neighborhoods that are accessible to public transportation are often found in distressed areas, and not all HCV recipients succeed in locating qualified housing. To address these challenges, a housing search framework is developed to assist HCV households in the housing search process. This framework builds on the methodology of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Location Affordability Index and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing assessment tool by creating multivariate indices that incorporate housing supply, accessibility to opportunity, and neighborhood conditions. The framework serves as a foundation for an online housing search application for public housing authorities to further fair housing goals, HCV recipients to locate qualified housing units, and local governments to assess affordability and opportunity.