Can computed tomography replace or supplement autopsy?

Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) has been integrated into the practice of many forensic pathologists. To evaluate the utility of PMCT in supplementing and/or supplanting medicolegal autopsy, we conducted a prospective double-blind comparison of abnormal findings reported by the autopsy pathologist with those reported by a radiologist reviewing the PMCT. We reviewed 890 cases: 167 with blunt force injury (BFI), 63 with pediatric trauma (under 5 years), 203 firearm injuries, and 457 drug poisoning deaths. Autopsy and radiology reports were coded using the Abbreviated Injury Scale and abnormal findings and cause of death (COD) were compared for congruence in consensus conferences with novel pathologists and radiologists. Overall sensitivity for recognizing abnormal findings was 71% for PMCT and 74.6% for autopsy. Sensitivities for PMCT/autopsy were 74%/73.1% for BFI, 61.5%/71.4% for pediatric trauma, 84.9%/83.7% for firearm injuries, and 56.5%/66.4% for drug poisoning deaths. COD assigned by reviewing PMCT/autopsy was correct in 88%/95.8% of BFI cases, 99%/99.5% of firearm fatalities, 82.5%/98.5% of pediatric trauma deaths, and 84%/100% of drug poisoning deaths of individuals younger than 50. Both autopsy and PMCT were imperfect in recognizing injuries. However, both methods identified the most important findings and are sufficient to establish COD in cases of BFI, pediatric trauma, firearm injuries and drug poisoning in individuals younger than 50. Ideally, all forensic pathologists would have access to a CT scanner and a consulting radiologist. This would allow a flexible approach that meets the diagnostic needs of each case and best serves decedents' families and other stakeholders.     

Postmortem genetic testing in sudden unexplained death: A public health laboratory experience

Sudden unexplained death in the young poses a diagnostically challenging situation for practicing autopsy pathologists, especially in the absence of anatomic and toxicological findings. Postmortem genetic testing may identify pathogenic variants in the deceased of such cases, including those associated with arrhythmogenic channelopathies and cardiomyopathies. The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) is a state-run public health laboratory which performs postmortem genetic testing at no cost to Wisconsin medical examiners and coroners. The current study examines sequencing data from 18 deceased patients (ages 2 months to 49 years, 5 females) submitted to WSLH, from 2016 to 2021. Panel-based analysis was performed on 10 cases, and whole exome sequencing was performed on the most recent 8 cases. Genetic variants were identified in 14 of 18 decedents (77.8%), including 7 with pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants (38.9%). Whole exome sequencing was more likely to yield a positive result, more variants per decedent, and a larger number of variants of uncertain significance. While panel-based testing may offer definitive pathogenic variants in some cases, less frequent variants may be excluded. Whole exome testing may identify rare variants missed by panels, but increased yield of variants of uncertain significance may be difficult to interpret. Postmortem genetic testing in young decedents of sudden unexplained death can provide invaluable information to autopsy pathologists to establish accurate cause and manner of death and to decedent's relatives to allow appropriate management. A public health laboratory model may be a financially advisable alternative to commercial laboratories for medical examiner's/coroner's offices.     

An unusual blunt force trauma pattern and mechanism to the cranial vault: Investigation of an atypical infant homicide

This case report presents an unusual fracture pattern in the cranium of a four-month-old infant indicative of child abuse. Upon postmortem examination, the infant presented with numerous bilateral linear cranial fractures running perpendicular to the sagittal suture with depressed and curvilinear fractures apparent on the supra-auricular surfaces of the cranium. Histological evidence indicates multiple traumatic events to the cranium. In addition, the stair-step pattern of a parietal fracture may represent multiple contiguous fractures from repeated loading of the head at different times with variation of the focal points of compressive force. Additionally, the left humerus, left radius, and left ulna have healing metaphyseal fractures, and the left ulna also has an antemortem diaphyseal fracture which resulted in the distal metaphysis being rotated 45 degrees medially. Integration of autopsy, anthropological, and neuropathological reports for this case suggest multiple inflicted injury episodes with a repeated atypical mechanism(s) to the cranial vault of the infant. During investigative interviews, the caretaker admitted to squeezing the infant's head and neck on multiple occasions to quiet the child. This reported abusive mechanism is consistent with the pattern of symmetric cranial fractures and soft tissue injuries indicating asphyxiation. This case report provides forensic investigators with a potential trauma mechanism to explore in cases when a similar pattern of cranial trauma is observed and highlights the need for greater research on fracture propagation and fracture healing in the infant cranium.     

Teilhaftung bei alternativer Kausalität mit Zufall

Der Beitrag besch?ftigt sich mit der schadenersatzrechtlichen Problematik der alternativen Verursachungskonkurrenz von Haftungsgrund und Zufall und dabei insb mit der Probleml?sung über eine Teilhaftung für blo? m?gliche Kausalit?t. Neben einer Erl?uterung der einer Teilhaftungsl?sung zugrunde liegenden Gedanken und der anerkennenden Stimmen in Lehre und Judikatur erfolgt eine Darstellung und Würdigung der dazu ergangenen kritischen Stellungsnahmen.     

Autonomy-related Parenting Profiles and their Effects on Adolescents’ Academic and Psychological Development: A Longitudinal Person-oriented Analysis

Journal of Youth and Adolescence - The important role of parenting is widely acknowledged, but as most studies have understood and examined it as a stable attribute (e.g., parenting style), the...     

Globalization, marginalization and contemporary social movements in South Africa

The objective of this article is to provide a broad frameworkfor situating social movements in post-apartheid South Africa.The discussion begins with a brief review of approaches to thestudy of social movements and then turns to the challenges presentedby globalization. South African democratization coincided withits increasing economic, social and political engagement withthe rest of the world. One of the key effects of this has beenmassive job losses and resultant increases in poverty and inequality.Finally, the article reviews key features of movements in postapartheidSouth Africa. Overwhelmingly, these movements are driven byworsening poverty, with struggles addressing both labour issuesand consumption issues. In addition, some movements confrontquestions of social exclusion in terms of gender, sexualityand citizenship which sit at the intersection of recognitionand redistribution. Given the failure of the post-apartheidparty political system to generate opposition to the left ofthe African National Congress (ANC), social movements providea vital counterbalance to promote the needs of the poor in politicalagendas.     

Zur landesrechtlichen Aufhebung von Jagdzeiten

Das OVG Schleswig hatte sich in den o. g. Urteilen im Rahmen von zwei Normenkontrollantr?gen mit der Frage zu besch?ftigen, inwieweit der Landesverordnungsgeber im Rahmen des § 22 Abs. 1 S. 3 Hs. 1 Bundesjagdgesetz (BJagdG) befugt ist, die in der Bundesjagdzeitenverordnung angegebenen Jagdzeiten abzukürzen bzw. aufzuheben. Die Entscheidungen beruhen im Wesentlichen zum einen auf einer Interpretation des Begriffes „Landeskultur“, die nicht in übereinstimmung mit der bisher durch die Rechtsprechung und Literatur definierten Bedeutung zu bringen ist. Zum anderen werden die Entscheidungen auf Grundlage einer Auslegung des § 22 Abs. 1 S. 3 Hs. 1 BJagdG getragen, die hinsichtlich der grundgesetzlichen Kompetenzverteilung als nicht verfassungskonform erscheint.     

Zur Rechtmäßigkeit der Kormoranverordnungen

Immer mehr Bundesl?nder erlassen sog. Kormoranverordnungen bzw. erweitern die durch solche Verordnungen zuerkannten Abschussbefugnisse. Im Anschluss an den Beitrag von Thum werden im Folgenden weitere darin enthaltene rechtlich bedenkliche Regelungen aufgezeigt. Abgesehen von der meist im Vordergrund stehenden Frage, ob die Voraussetzungen des § 43 Abs. 8 S. 1 Nr. 1 Bundesnaturschutzgesetz (BNatSchG) im Geltungsbereich der Verordnungen tats?chlich gegeben sind, er?ffnen sich auch Problematiken der eigentumsrechtlichen Zuordnung wild lebender Fische, des Waffenrechts sowie von T?tungen w?hrend der Brutzeit.