Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome: Epidemiological and Morphological Characteristics in Thai Autopsy Cases

With limited knowledge on epidemiological and morphological characteristics of sudden unexplained nocturnal death syndrome (SUNDS), this study was aimed to identify such data in Thai SUNDS autopsy cases. All the cases were men and nondrug abusers aged 20–49 years old. Most cases were originated in the Northeastern region of Thailand. Half of them were found dead from midnight to 6 a.m., with a peak time at 2 a.m. The death rate was relatively higher in May and June. Most SUNDS cases were blue‐collar workers (93.2%) and nonsmokers (60%), with a normal BMI (72.1%). Approximately one‐fifth of the cases had detectable blood alcohol concentrations. Symptoms before death were respiratory difficulty, seizures, and urinary incontinence. Their mean heart weight was 329.8 ± 35.1 g. Their lungs (88.6%) had some degree of congestion. Acute pancreatitis was not found in these SUNDS cases, and approximately half (40.9%) of the cases had their gastric content <100 mL.     

Ascending Aortic Rupture through a Penetrating Atherosclerotic Ulcer: A Rare Cause of Sudden Unexpected Death

Spontaneous rupture of the aorta through an atherosclerotic lesion without preexisting aortic aneurysm, dissection, or history of trauma is very rare. Without prompt aortic repair, all cases result in sudden death with a definitive diagnosis made only intraoperatively or during autopsy. The phenomenon has been uniformly found in individuals with hypertension. The author reports a sudden unexpected death caused by spontaneous rupture of the ascending aorta in a 57‐year‐old man with a history of hypertension. The ascending aortic wall showed a longitudinal intimal tear measuring approximately 1 cm in length and rupture of the ascending aorta through an atherosclerotic ulcer, leading to massive hemopericardium and eventual death. Chronic hypertension and a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer of the ascending aorta were the apparent underlying etiologies of the aortic rupture in the present case. This case illustrates not only the association between a rupture and a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer with a silent death, but also raises awareness of possible such deaths.     

The Griffiths Question Map: A Forensic Tool For Expert Witnesses’ Assessments of Witnesses and Victims’ Statements

Expert witnesses are sometimes asked to assess the reliability of young witnesses and victims’ statements because of their high susceptibility to memory biases. This technical note aims to highlight the relevance of the Griffiths Question Map (GQM) as a professional forensic tool to improve expert witnesses’ assessments of young witnesses and victims’ testimonies. To do so, this innovative question type assessment grid was used to proceed to an in‐depth analysis of the interview of an alleged 13‐year‐old victim of a sexual assault and two rapes. Overall, the GQM stressed how the interview was mainly conducted in an inappropriate manner. The results are examined with regard to scientific knowledge on young witnesses and victims’ memory. Finally, it is argued that expert witnesses in inquisitorial systems might use the GQM while encountering difficulties to fulfill the legal standards for expert evidence in adversarial systems because of the lack of studies regarding its reliability.     

Hochwasserschutz zwischen Enteignungsentschädigung und Amtshaftung*

Der Hochwasserschutz bildet einen gleichermaßen tatsächlich herausfordernden wie rechtlich komplexen Schwerpunkt des geltenden Wasserrechts. Nicht von den genuin wasserwirtschaftsrechtlichen Aspekten zu trennen sind dabei Fragen nach etwaigen Kompensationsansprüchen. Im Folgenden sollen die Grundstrukturen der Haftung für Hochwasserschäden aufgezeigt werden, um eine erste Groborientierung für die rechtliche Bewertung im konkreten Einzelfall zu ermöglichen. *) Erweiterte Fassung eines Vortrags, gehalten am 22. 4. 2004 auf dem 9. Leipziger Umweltrechtssymposium Rechtliche Aspekte des vorbeugenden Hochwasserschutzes. Manuskriptstand: April 2004.