Fatal Firearm Injuries in Tennessee: A Comparison Study of Tennessee's Two Most Populous Counties 2009–2012

Firearm injuries are a leading cause of violent death in Tennessee. This study was designed to compare the demographic and epidemiologic features of fatal firearm injuries in Shelby County and Davidson County, Tennessee between 2009 and 2012. We identified 1081 gunshot fatalities for the study period in these two counties. Shelby County had a higher overall, age‐adjusted gunshot mortality rate, a higher male age‐adjusted gunshot mortality rate, and a higher age‐adjusted gunshot homicide rate than Davidson. Age groups 25–34 years and 35–44 years had higher crude mortality rates for gunshot deaths in Shelby County than Davidson County. Both counties had higher age‐adjusted gunshot mortality rates for black males than white males, higher homicide rate for black race than white, and higher suicide rate for white race than black. Homicide was the most common manner of death, and handguns were the most common type of firearm used in both counties.     

Accidental Trauma Mimicking Homicidal Violence

Homicide investigations represent an important function of death investigators. Although recognizing nonobvious homicides is crucial, an equally important role involves the identification of cases that initially present as possible homicides, but are ultimately discovered to not represent homicides. Failure to recognize such cases results in wasted time, squandered resources, false allegations, and potential life‐altering consequences. The authors review a series of cases wherein initial investigation suggested a possibility that the deaths represented homicides. By carefully considering additional information, including scene findings, history, and postmortem examination, each was determined to represent an accidental traumatic death. In addition to highlighting the importance of recognizing accidental traumatic deaths that initially present as homicides, the cases serve to highlight the fact that forensic pathology cannot be practiced without knowledge of appropriate ancillary information. Although guarding against cognitive bias is important in all forensic disciplines, including forensic pathology, access to vital case‐related ancillary information is an essential component of practicing medicine as a forensic pathologist.     

Sudden Death Caused by Anomalous Origin of the Coronary Artery During Exercise

Anomalous origin of the coronary artery (AOCA) is a rare, but important cause of sudden cardiac death among young athletes. Nine autopsy cases (8 male, 1 female; mean age, 17.9 years; age range, 11–31 years) of sudden death during or just after exercise caused by AOCA were reviewed. The exercises performed at the time of death were running (4 cases), soccer (2 cases), and baseball, swimming and kendo (Japanese swordsmanship) (1 case each). In 6 cases, the left coronary artery arose from the right sinus of Valsalva, and in 3, the right coronary artery from the left sinus. The coronary arteries passed between the pulmonary artery and the aorta with an acute angle takeoff from the orifice. Three cases had cardiovascular manifestations prior to death. In cases with cardiovascular manifestations, novel imaging methods should be considered to prevent sudden death.     

Sudden Death Due to Undiagnosed Rheumatic Heart Disease in a Child

We report the case of a 5‐year‐old boy who died from complications of rheumatic heart disease with atypical presentation. He was hospitalized for recent inflammatory and neurological symptoms. He was diagnosed with viral encephalitis. He died the day after he was discharged. The macroscopic autopsy findings were unremarkable. Histology revealed typical rheumatic heart disease. Neuropathology showed cerebral infarction due to an embolic event linked with the rheumatic valvulitis. The cause of death was determined as heart failure due to rheumatic heart disease secondary to an undiagnosed acute rheumatic fever. It is related to an autoimmune response to infection with group A streptococcus. It mainly affects children in developing countries. In our case, viral encephalitis was consistent with the medical history and the proper diagnosis was made on histological analysis. Forensic pathologists should consider this diagnosis facing a sudden unexpected death in childhood, even in industrialized countries.     

Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombosis Secondary to Metastatic Uterine Cancer: A Rare Cause of Sudden Unexpected Death

Pulmonary tumor thromboembolus (PTTE) secondary to uterine cancer is a rare cause of sudden unexpected deaths in the elderly population. Additionally, tumor extension to the inferior vena cava (IVC) makes it rarer. No such cases have been previously reported in the forensic literature. We report this phenomenon in a previously healthy 70‐year‐old woman with no other known risk factors for the development of deep vein thrombosis. The deceased was found dead while watching television with her relatives. Autopsy examination revealed that her death was attributed to a saddle embolus lodged in the main pulmonary arteries. A uterine tumor was discovered, and microscopic examination revealed low‐grade endometrial stromal sarcoma with angiolymphatic invasion. The tumor cells were also found in the embolus and the remnant thrombosis attached to the inner wall of the IVC. This case demonstrates a sudden unexpected death caused by acute PTTE following seeding of uterine cancer into the IVC and raises awareness of such events.     

跨境毒品犯罪的成因及防治对策

近年来,中国大陆与港澳台地区之间的跨境毒品犯罪逐年上升,屡禁不止,这是历史、经济、地理和国际因素综合作用的结果。只有从提高思想认识、加强内地与港澳台的司法协助、完善禁毒立法、加大戒毒经费投入、搞好预防教育等方面进行防治,才能使跨境毒品犯罪难以立足。     

论死刑的立法限制--基于国际标准的分析

限制直至废除死刑的国际标准,已在世界范围内得到普遍认同和推广.限于我国实情,当前不能废除死刑.但应立足国际人权公约标准,严格限制我国死刑立法.死刑实体立法限制表现为科学削减死刑罪名,限缩死刑适用对象.死刑程序立法限制表现为完善面临死刑者的诉讼权利、死刑执行方式与死刑减刑制度,并增设死刑赦免制度.     

手机诈骗犯罪问题探析

随着手机的普及和发展,利用手机诈骗也愈演愈烈。手机诈骗不仅严重地侵犯了人们的财产权益,而且破坏了正常的社会秩序。手机诈骗具有隐蔽性、流动性、犯罪手段智能化等特点。手机诈骗犯罪的原因多种多样,如立法缺失、监管失位、侦查困难、惩处不力等。为有效预防和遏制手机诈骗犯罪,应完善相关的法律、法规;加大宣传教育力度,提高手机用户的识别能力;加强社会联合防范。     

简析孙犁小说中的矛盾心理冲突及其成因

熟悉孙犁作品的人都知道,孙犁的小说大多是以抗日战争、解放战争和土地改革为题材,围绕着农村生活而展开的。然而,我们发现,在孙犁的许多以婚恋为主题的作品中,作家一方面通过描写年轻妇女的爱情来反映时代的进步、妇女的解放,赞美她们人性的美好,但另一方面又折射出了潜伏于作家头脑之中的强烈的贞操观念,显现出作家难以调和的矛盾心理。因此深入剖析和探究孙犁作品所表现出的这种“解放”观与“贞操”观的矛盾冲突,对更加全面地深刻地了解孙犁有着十分重要的意义。     

马克思死刑思想研究——兼论对中国死刑改革的启示

马克思认为,在一个文明的社会裹,死刑是残暴的、不文明的、不人道的、不公正的、无效的、没有正当根据的,从而提出了在文明社会彻底废除死刑的主张。这必将封中国的死刑改革具有重大的指导性意义。