The Role of Index and Ring Fingers in Gender Identification and Height Estimation

Background: It is a challenge in forensic medicine to identify deceased bodies when body dismembered from remaining body parts, such as hands, arms, and feet. We aimed to determine gender and the correlation between stature, and index and ring fingers in an Iranian population.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 200 Iranian students aged between 18 and 25 years were included (2016-2017). The length of the nondominant index and ring fingers were measured from proximal crease to the tip. The exclusion criteria were a history of heavy physical work by hand, hand vocational sports, anatomical musculoskeletal deformities, and chronic internal diseases (diabetes, thyroid disorders, renal failure, etc.). The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS. t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and correlation and regression models were used to analyze the achieved data.Results: The mean height was 179 cm in males and 164 cm in females. The mean index and ring fingers lengths were 73 mm and 74 mm in males, and 68 mm and 68 mm in females, respectively. The mean sum of index and ring fingers lengths were 147 mm in males and 136 mm in females. Height, index and ring fingers length, and the sum of them significantly differed between genders (P<0.0001). The accuracy of gender determination was 92%, 71%, 73% and 74.5% in terms of stature, index finger length, ring finger length, and the sum of index and ring fingers length, respectively. The correlation between height and index finger length, as well as the height and ring finger length, were significant in males, females, and total cases (P<0.0001).Conclusion: Based on this study, index and ring fingers lengths can be used to predict height and determine gender.

Comparison of Quantitative and Qualitative Dermatoglyphic Characteristics ‎of Opium Addicts with Healthy Individuals

Background: Recreational drugs have a significant impact on the lives of drug users, their close families and friends, as well as their society. Social, psychological, biological, and genetic factors could make a person more prone to using recreational drugs. Finger and A-B ridges (dermatoglyphics) are formed during the first and second trimesters of fetal development, under the influence of environmental and genetic factors. The aim of our study was to investigate and evaluate a possible link between dermatoglyphics and opium usage.Methods: The pattern of dermatoglyphics - finger and A-B prints - obtained from a group of opium users (121 patients) was compared to those obtained from a group of opium non-users (121 patients) from Birjand, Iran. The results were analyzed using chi-square, t and Mann–Whitney tests.Findings: The results showed that although A-B ridges of palms and fingers in our study group were higher compared to the control group, there was no significant difference between these groups. The only significant difference was the fingerprint patterns of the left ring finger in the study group, which lacked the arch pattern and had less loop patterns. The dominant type of fingerprint in the left ring finger was the whorl. In our opium user group, the arch and loop fingerprint patterns were heterogeneous and significantly different in comparison with the control group (P < 0.01).Conclusion: These findings suggest that a genetic factor may increase the predisposition to recreational drug usage. Further research is required to confirm this possible impact of genetic factors on the addiction process

The evaluation of the causes of complaint to Khorramabad Medical Council Organization from 2006 to 2011

Background : Complaint against physicians is one of the problems that every physician may be subjected to it during practice. According to the existing statistics, the number of complaints is increasing in Iran. Identification of these causes may be effective in preventing such complaints. This research was conducted to identify the causes of complaints made to the Medical Council Organization of Khorramabad from 2006 to 2011. Materials and Methods: This study is descriptive cross-sectional and retrospective. To carry out the research, all of the complaints to the Medical Council Organization of Khorramabad from early 2006 to 2011, were studied. The required data were transferred from the files to the questionnaires. Finally, the collected data were entered into statistical software and analyzed with statistical tests. Results: In this research, 260 complaints made to the Medical Council Organization of Khorramabad were studied. A major part of the complaints was made against public hospitals(68.8%). The highest cause of complaints was recklessness(55.4%), while the lowest state was neglecting public regulations(21%). Of the 260 cases of complaints investigated by the preliminary committee, 80 cases (30.8%) were recognized as negligence and 180 cases (69.2%) were considered as non-negligence. According to the disciplinary committee, of the 260 cases, 61 cases (23.5%) were recognized as negligence and 199 cases (76.5%) were considered as non-negligence. Conclusion: Observing medical ethics and career commitment, establishing proper communication by physicians and treatment staff with patients and their companions, lack of exaggerating the treatment results, continuous study and updating medical knowledge, physician’s adequate skill and experience, lack of applying the methods which he has never passed their training courses, proper selection of patients, and obtaining the informed consent of patients and aquittance may lead to reduce the number of complaints against physicians

بایسته‌های اخلاقی در آموزش پزشکی

There is no definite code of ethics in field of medical education in Iran and we cannot even see any accent in this regard in medical education references. We can define 3 major fields in medical education ethics such as: -&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Student – Patient relationship -&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Teacher- Student relationship -&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Relationship with other colleagues and hospital staff &nbsp; In this article our concern about medical students’ envelopes all medical students in different educational levels (Interns, residents, fellowships ...). Respecting ethical values in field of education, not only help us to produce morally committed physicians, but also help medical community to respect patient rights.در کشور ما تا کنون کدهای اخلاقی مشخصی در حیطه آموزش و خصوصاً آموزش پزشکی تعریف نشده است و حتی نکات اخلاقی مورد توجه در امر آموزش پزشکی نیز به صورت مدون در منابع اخلاقی و آموزشی و حتی کتب پزشکی به چشم نمی‌خورد. در این مطالعه هدف آن بوده است که با بررسی مقالات و منابع اخلاق پزشکی، آموزش پزشکی، حقوقی و فقهی موجود در زمینه اخلاق در آموزش خصوصاً در حیطه علوم پزشکی راهکارهای عملی و کاربردی مناسب در این عرصه ارائه گردد. سه عرصه مهم در زمینه اخلاق در آموزش پزشکی شامل: 1- ارتباط دانشجویان با بیماران 2- ارتباط اساتید با دانشجویان 3- ارتباط دانشجویان با اساتید، همکاران و کارکنان بخش‌های آموزشی. در این تقسیم بندی منظور از دانشجوی پزشکی دانشجویان دوره‌های گوناگون آموزشی شامل دوره‌های کارآموزی، کارورزی و دستیاری تخصصی و فوق تخصصی است البته موارد کلی آن قابل بسط به دانشجویان سایر رشته‌ها نیز می‌باشد. رعایت نکات اخلاق در آموزش نه تنها به تربیت پزشکانی که موازین اخلاقی را رعایت می‌کنند منجر می‌گردد بلکه به گونه‌ای مؤثر باعث حفظ حقوق بیماران و مراعات اصول اخلاقی در هنگام ارتباط با آنان می‌شود. در این مقاله در هر یک از 3 عنوان اصلی قید شده، موارد شاخص اساسی و کاربردی که بایسته‌های رعایت موازین اخلاقی در آموزش هستند استخراج و ارائه گردیده‌اند

A Survey of Suicide by Burning in Tehran, Iran

To identify the characteristics of completed suicide by burning in Tehran. A retrospective analysis of data obtained from Tehran's Legal Medicine Organization and judiciary system over 5-years (from 2002 to 2006). During the 5 years, 374 decedents (64.2% female and 35.8% male) were diagnosed as suicide by self-burning, and the annual incidence rate was 0.9 per 100,000 general population-years. The most at risk group was young females. Sixty-five decedents (17.4%) had died at the scene of incidents. The location at the time of attempted suicide in all female victims and 75.4% of male decedents was home. Sixty-one percent of decedents were married and 26.2% of them had no education. Most victims were residents of suburban areas. The annual incidence rate of self-burning suicide in Tehran was found to be lower than other Iran's geographic areas, although it was higher than developed countries. Self-burning was more frequent in females than in males and was noted mainly in young age groups' residents of suburban areas with low level of education. These characteristics suggest that social factors are the main drive leading to an unacceptably high rate of suicide by self-burning among women in Tehran

Stature estimation from forearm length: an anthropological study in Iranian medical students

Objective Stature estimation is an important biological factor for forensic medicine to identify an individual. Forearm length can be used for the prediction of the stature in different populations. In the present study, the relation between forearm length and height was evaluated. Methods In a cross sectional study, a sample of 100 males and 100 females (aged 18 to 25 years) medical students from Iranian population was randomly entered into the study. Left forearm was measured by measuring tape. Stature was measured in standard position. The linear regression analysis was used to estimate the relation between forearm length and the stature. Results The mean age of subjects was 22 ± 2.21 years. Mean age of male cases was 22 ± 2.8 years and female cases was 21.9 ± 1.81 years and there wasn’t significant difference in the age of sex groups (P = 0.314). A significant differences were recorded in the height and forearm length of subjects between two sex groups (P = 0.0001). There was a correlation between height and forearm length of all subjects (r = 0.643, P = 0.0001). According to the linear regression, there was a relation between height and upper arm length of subject in all cases. Conclusion According to the results, forearm length was a moderate predictor for stature estimation of medical students in Iranian population. Keywords anthropology, stature, forearm length, Iranian

Feigned Symptoms among Defendants Claiming Psychiatric Problems: Survey of 45 Malingerers

Objective: In many jurisdictions, psychiatric problems are intended for commutation. Therefore, a forensic psychiatrist has an important role in detection of malingering. While several studies evaluate diagnostic tests, it is less known what symptoms are more likely to be imitated by malingerers.Method: In a prospective study [t1] 45 [t2] malingerers, who were diagnosed according to interviews by two forensic psychiatrists, from defendants [t3] with a judicial order for evaluation of mental status and criminal responsibility during a period of eighteen months were examined in legal medicine center of Tehran.[t4] [t5] Participants were assessed in another interview to determine symptoms. Dichotomous symptoms in felony and misdemeanor groups were analyzed using fisher’s exact test. The level of statistical significance was set at P<0.05. [t6] Results: Thirty-eight malingerers were charged with misdemeanors and seven with felonies. Behavioral symptoms were most frequently faked by 35 participants (77.8%). Participants charged with criminal accusation had a significantly lower mean age (P=0.032) and a higher level of education (P=0.008) than other non-criminal defendants. A statistically significant increase in memory function problems was demonstrated in the misdemeanor group (P=0.040). With regard to dual symptom imitation, statistically significant correlations were observed between thought content and perceptual symptoms (P=0.048) for felonies and mood & affect and thought process symptoms (P=0.034), mood & affect and behavioral symptoms (P=0.000) and cognitive function and behavioral symptoms (P=0.039) for misdemeanors. In general, many simulators attempted to mimic simple symptoms of behavioral disorders. Probably felony offenses need less accurate programming; therefore, their rates are higher in older, less educated participants.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that differences between presenting symptoms among different offenses may not be useful in detection of malingering,; however, unusual dual symptom imitations may be useful, particularly when standard tests are not performed