31 research outputs found
Retsmedicinske findestedsundersĂžgelser
AbstractDuring the years 2000 to 2020 the Department of Forensic Medicine at the University of Southern Denmark performed 293 medical crime scene investigations in Southern Denmark involving 320 deceased (200 men). The medical examiner was called out in homicides (24%), suspicious cases (58%), fire related deaths (15%) and bone findings (2%). The medical examiner was responsible for the medical examination of corpses in cooperation with the crime scene technicians. The goal was to determine the cause of death, the manner and mechanism of death, and the time of death. Most were autopsied after the crime scene investigation. The scene was considered suspicious if displacedor broken furniture, or bloodstains, were found. Actions by alcohol or drug intoxicated individuals may resemble a crime scene. Blood stains can arise from natural causes. Suicide by stabbing or shooting may give rise to a suspicious scene, as may deaths during autoerotic procedures and deaths due to hypothermia. Most crime scenes were indoors, but a quarter occurred outside. The deceased included a high proportion of individuals with chronic alcoholism (36%) and many suffered from psychiatric disease (23%). Based on autopsy, manner of death was determined to have been homicide (30%), accident (27%), suicide (18%), natural death (14%) and unknown causes (6%). 5% was not autopsied.The pattern of lesions are important in determining the mechanism of death, but must always be viewed in relation to findings at the scene and the deceasedâs history. Medical crime scene investigation underwent improvements during the period, most notably the introduction of DNA-trace analysis. Photo and video documentation also improved.Photogrammetry and the use of drones are being introduced
Statement on Virginity Testing: Independent Forensic Expert Group
Virginity examinations are practiced in many countries, and often forcibly, in a number of contexts, including in detention places; on women who allege rape; on women who are accused by authorities of prostitution; and as part of public or social policies to control sexuality. In other states, the practice is illegal.
The purpose of this medico-legal statement is to provide legal experts, adjudicators, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, among others, with an understanding of the physical and psychological effects of forcibly conducting virginity examinations on females and to assess whether, based on these effects, forcibly conducted virginity examinations constitute cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or torture. This medico-legal statement also addresses the medical interpretation and relevance of such examinations and the ethical implications. This opinion considers an examination to be âforcibly conductedâ when it is âcommitted by force, or by threat of force or coercion, such as caused by fear of violence, duress, detention, psychological oppression or abuse of power, against such person incapable of giving genuine consent.â
For full details about the Independent Forensic Expert Group please visit http://www.irct.org/our-support/ medical-and-psychological-case-support/forensic-expertgroup.aspx