Revolution and Transition

Bulgaria’s cultural policy has experienced many transformations since the revolution. One of the most important is that at the beginning the conviction developed that those elements which could not support themselves because of the new market situation made no relevant social contribution. One of the aims of this thesis is to question what the reality of “cultural economy” is and how this is reflected in law-making and life.Die Kulturpolitik Bulgariens nach der Wende hat mehrere Transformationen erlebt. Eine der wichtigsten davon ist, dass sich am Anfang eine Überzeugung entwickelte, dass jene Elemente, die nicht auf Grund der neuen Marktsituation bestehen können, keinen wichtigen gesellschaftlich relevanten Beitrag haben. Diese Studie ist als eine Erhebung der Kulturgeschichte Bulgariens von der Wende bis heute und auch als der Versuch eines Vorausblickes zu verstehen, welche Möglichkeiten der Gestaltung sich in Zukunft ergeben könnten

Revolution and Transition

Bulgaria’s cultural policy has experienced many transformations since the revolution. One of the most important is that at the beginning the conviction developed that those elements which could not support themselves because of the new market situation made no relevant social contribution. One of the aims of this thesis is to question what the reality of “cultural economy” is and how this is reflected in law-making and life

COMPLEX FORENSIC MORPHOLOGICAL AND STATISTICAL STUDY OF DECEASED DRUG ADDICTS ON THE TERRITORY OF SOFIA-CITY AND SOFIA-DISTRICT FOR THE PERIOD 2013-2017

А complex forensic study of deceased with data of drug abuse is presented. Both morphological changes in different target tissues and organs related to prolonged intake of drugs and illicit substances and statistical representation of the frequency of such kind of deaths were investigated. The causes of death are compliant with drug types found in the chemical analysis of biological fluids and/or internal organ samples taken during the autopsies. The purpose of the study is to investigate and track the statistical changes for the indicated period to enrich and update the data from the systematic and periodic targeted mortality surveys conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Deontology in deceased with data on long-term use of narcotic substances, as well as the characteristic morphological changes identified therein. The conducted survey covers a five-year period (2013-2017) concerning all deceased undergoing forensic examination at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Deontology at the University Hospital "Aleksandrovska". Both macroscopic and microscopic morphological methods of investigation, autopsy and light microscopic examination of necropsy with classic and special stains, as well as statistical approaches, were used to schematically illustrate the obtained results. During the reported period, a total of 179 cases of deceased with drug abuse data were examined, taking into account their annual distribution as frequency, their causes of death and characteristic morphological changes in tissues and internal organs. The periodic statistical follow-up of cases of deceased drug abusers compared to their causes of death permits a wider and more up-to-date look at the type and distribution of drugs offered on the “black market”, which in turn allows for timely referral to the various institutions involved in countering drug trafficking, prevention and treatment of drug addicts

Wende und Übergang

Bulgaria’s cultural policy has experienced many transformations since the revolution. One of the most important is that at the beginning the conviction developed that those elements which could not support themselves because of the new market situation made no relevant social contribution. One of the aims of this thesis is to question what the reality of “cultural economy” is and how this is reflected in law-making and life

FATAL OUTCOME OF A FEMALE SUFFERING BINGE EATING DISORDER – A CASE REPORT

INTRODUCTION: Eating disorders are common psychiatric afflictions in the adolescent female populations.The patients tend to deny or conceal their illness and avoid professional help. Anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) are the two specified eating disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). However, the most common eating disorder diagnosis in either clinical and community samples is the rest category ‘eating disorder not otherwise specified’. EDNOS is a heterogeneous group of eating disorders and includes partial syndromes of AN and BN, purging disorder and binge eating disorder (BED). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forensic examination of the cadaver, data obtained by the relatives. CASE REPORT: A case of 37-years old female with eating disorder who was found dead in her bed is presented. According to data obtained by the relatives she suffered BED. The examination of the cadaver revealed aspiration of vomited stomach contents, full stomach and empty intestines, degenerative changes in the internal organs. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It is generally thought that eating disorders are psychological problems far from life-threatening conditions. Their possible fatality is underestimated

FORENSIC AND CRIMINAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CORRECT DETERMINATION OF VITALITY OF TRAUMATIC INJURIES BY CLINICIANS

INTRODUCTION: In clinical practice, especially concerning general practitioners and doctors in emergency rooms and ambulances, diagnosis of death might be necessary. In cases of deceased, which are not primarily objects of forensic examination, the knowledge of medical specialists of postmortem changes and signs of vitality might be crucial for the investigation. If misinterpreted, postmortem changes might lead to wrong conclusions and needless start of investigation process in cases with no data of violent death. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forensic examination of cadavers that were primary examined and diagnosed incorrectly by general practitioners as violent death. RESULTS: In the Department of forensic medicine and deontology – Medical university of Sofia, there are over 900 autopsies each year. In some of them the forensic examination happened to be not necessary, because of misleading information given by general practitioners that had mistaken postmortem changes with traumatic injuries. Even though in these cases the GPs had information about the diseases of the deceased patients, their conclusions led to suspicions and initialization of criminal investigation and additional expert complications. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The basic knowledge concerning features showing vitality of traumatic injuries is crucial for all medical clinicians. Nevertheless, in cases difficult for interpretation, every clinician might ask for consultation by forensic examiner in order not to make wrong conclusions that might mislead the investigators

An abnormally enlarged frontal sinus - a case of pneumosinus dilatans

During routine autopsy of a 62-y-old female cadaver, an unusually enlarged frontal sinus was observed. The sinus was abnormally over-developed in both width and height, as the sinus cavity spreads deeply into the frontal tubera. Numerous septa divided the sinus cavity. Because of the obvious dilation of the frontal sinus and the lack of localized bone destruction and hyperostosis, a rare condition called `pneumosinus dilatans` probably occurs in this interesting case

TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES – A STATISTICAL STUDY

Introduction: The use of psychoactive substances makes driving a car unsafe, as it puts the driver, passengers and other people who share the road at risk. Many of the accidents and deaths that occur on European roads are caused by people whose performance is impaired by alcohol, illicit drugs and medications, or a combination of these substances. Material and methods: We performed full forensic autopsy, toxicological analysis of blood, urine and internal organ samples, with subsequent analysis of the results. Results: For the period 2011-2017 of all cases investigated in the Department of Forensic medicine and deontology, Sofia, Bulgaria in 520 of them the cause of death was associated with traffic accidents. In 81 of the cases the chemical analysis showed the presence of alcohol and/or illicit drugs. Discussion and conclusions: It is well known that alcohol and illicit drugs impair cognitive and physical abilities. Alcohol was the most commonly recorded psychoactive substance in traffic accidents, followed by marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines and opioids. All of these drugs affect the central nervous system, making driving and psychoactive substance use a life-threatening combination. Understanding the effects of alcohol and different illicit drugs, and the correlations between their use and the risk of traffic accidents are necessary to develop effective public health and law enforcement strategies for prevention and control

GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE HEAD – COMMON ERRORS IN DIAGNOSING THE DIRECTION AND DISTANCE OF THE SHOT /A CASE REPORT/

Introduction: Firearm-related injuries are a leading cause of morbidity – as the use of firearms increases and they are relatively easy to obtain. The wounds, caused by them, have their specifics, determinate by the type of the weapon, the projectile and the effect of the additional factors of the shot. In the forensic practice, the correct interpretation of the wounds is extremely important for the reconstruction of the events that led to the accident – whether it is a case of homicide or suicide. Materials and methods: Forensic autopsy, performed according to the standard section technique. Case presentation: We present a case of a 70-year old man, who died in a hospital from a gunshot injury to the head. In the Department of Forensic Medicine and Deontology Sofia, after a careful examination of the body of the deceased and analysis of the medical records from the hospital where he was treated, some discrepancies were found. Discussion: Not all of the firearm-related injuries are fatal - in some cases the interval between the trauma and the death is prolonged and both the entrance and the exit wounds can be surgically treated, which can lead to difficulties in diagnosing the direction and the distance of the shot. Conclusion: The aim of this article is to emphasize the need for trauma specialists to be alerted for the possibility of misinterpretation of gunshot wounds and to realize the medicolegal implications

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS BETWEEN PHOSPHOORGANIC PESTICIDE AND COPPER SULPHATE INTOXICATION – A FORENSIC CASE REPORT

Introduction: Phosphorus compounds and copper sulphate form part of many pesticide formulations, making them widely available for mass usage. They are responsible for a large number of poisonings around the world, and the majority of fatal outcomes are accidents or suicides. The general physical characteristics of these substances in some cases create differential diagnostic problems in the forensic practice. Based on these facts of utmost importance is a full toxicological analysis with additional, non-routine testing to determine the exact cause of death. Materials and methods: Full forensic autopsy of the body; Full chemical analysis and specific testing. Case presentation: We present a case of a 72-year-old woman found dead in her home with bluish stains around her mouth and traces of vomit with the same color on her clothes and bed. When performing the internal examination of the body and opening the stomach, а sharp, irritating smell of garlic and gasoline was present. Discussion: On the basis of the examination of the corpse and the fact that blue-stone intoxications are more common, it was firstly suggested that the intoxication had that particular origin. However the abovementioned smell was not characteristic for such poisoning. The classic toxicology analysis was negative for copper sulfate, therefore an in-depth additional testing was performed and it showed the presence of the phosphoorganic compound dimethoate. Conclusion: It is necessary to carry out a full range of studies and to know the physicochemical properties of the substances and their effects on the body not only for accurate forensic diagnosis, but also in the clinical practice, in the cases of intoxications