Non-suicidal self-injurious behavior in forensic child and adolescent populations. Clinical features and relationship with depression.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate risk factors for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), and present the relationship between NSSI and depression in children and adolescents who appeared for forensic examination. METHODS: This study consisted of 295 children and adolescents who were brought for judicial examination in the TR Ministry of Justice Forensic Science Department, Council of Forensic Medicine, Ankara, Turkey between May and October 2013. Sociodemographic factors, alcohol and substance abuse, and history of sexual abuse and suicide attempts were assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire. During forensic medical examinations, NSSI was evaluated. Depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS: The frequency of NSSI was 20.2% among boys, and 30.6% among girls. Statistical differences were found between subjects with and without NSSI in terms of number of children in their families, whether or not their parents were divorced, whether they held part-time jobs, or had a history of sexual abuse, substance abuse, or suicide attempts, and the number of criminal involvements. Those with NSSI had higher depressive scores than others (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents with NSSI have wide-ranging problems in their lives. In a forensic adolescent population, depressive symptoms are more common in individuals with NSSI behaviors, and the specific characteristics of these behaviors need further investigation.

Carbon monoxide-related deaths in Ankara between 2001 and 2011.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to describe the epidemiology of unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings (between 2001 and 2011) in Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: Data were collected from the records of Ankara Branch of Council of Forensic Medicine and the licensed official institutes and hospitals for medico-legal autopsies. A total of 10,720 medico-legal autopsy reports were obtained and reviewed by the authors. RESULTS: Among 622 fatal poisoning cases during the period, 380 deaths were due to unintentional CO poisoning. The mean CO saturation of the groups was 55.4 ± 13.4 (% saturation). The minimum and maximum levels of CO in blood was 3.6 and 86.5 (% saturation), respectively. Of all the fatal poisonings determined by Ankara Branch of Council of Forensic Medicine, CO poisoning was the most common mortality cause (61.1%). Among the cases, 301 (79.2%) were found to be death in their houses, 43 (11.3%) in hospitals, 15 (3.9%) in their workplaces and 11 (2.9%) in some public places such as park and garden. Most of the cases were from the capital city of Turkey, Ankara (n = 203, 53.4%). When we compared the cities according to their population, it was realized that the highest death rate due to CO poisoning was in Kirikkale (12.3/100,000), followed by Karabuk (8.3/100,000), Cankiri (7.8/100,000) and Kirsehir (5.0/100,000). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These findings add new data to the pool of knowledge in terms of the need of safety, proper heating system instructions and more education on CO poisoning in Turkey.

Simultaneous determination of cyclosporine A, tacrolimus, sirolimus, and everolimus in whole-blood samples by LC-MS/MS.

OBJECTIVES: Cyclosporine A (CyA), tacrolimus (TRL), sirolimus (SIR), and everolimus (RAD) are immunosuppressive drugs frequently used in organ transplantation. Our aim was to confirm a robust sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for determination of CyA, TRL, SIR, and RAD in whole-blood samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used an integrated online solid-phase extraction-LC-MS/MS system and atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry (API-MS/MS) in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) detection mode. CyA, TRL, SIR, and RAD were simultaneously analyzed in whole blood treated with precipitation reagent taken from transplant patients. RESULTS: System performance parameters were suitable for using this method as a high-throughput technique in clinical practice. The high concentration of one analyte in the sample did not affect the concentration of other analytes. Total analytical time was 2.5 min, and retention times of all analytes were shorter than 2 minutes. CONCLUSION: This LC-MS/MS method can be preferable for therapeutic drug monitoring of these immunosuppressive drugs (CyA, TRL, SRL, and RAD) in whole blood. Sample preparation was too short and simple in this method, and it permits robust, rapid, sensitive, selective, and simultaneous determination of these drugs.

Comparison of the clinical diagnosis and subsequent autopsy findings in medical malpractice.

The rate of diagnostic error has not declined over the last 30 years despite the improvement in diagnosis methods. Today, the probability to encounter a major diagnostic change in autopsy is still high. The special autopsy that provides clinicians the necessary feedback is performed seldom in our country. This study has been started upon the claim that the malpractice cases in scope of forensic cases could be a very useful database. About 525 cases with faulty medical application that resulted in death have been encountered according to the cases that have been sent to the Forensic Medical Institution, which has been the consultative authority of the Ministry of Justice between the years 2001 and 2005. Among these, 375 cases on which autopsies have been conducted are included in the scope of the study. The cases with and without major diagnostic changes have been compared in aspects of gender, age groups, and period spent in health units. When the concordance between autopsy and clinical diagnosis for the 375 cases that were included in the study is examined, it can be seen that clinical diagnosis is verified with autopsy in 49.1% of the cases whereas neither autopsy nor clinical diagnosis was encountered in 14.7% of them. The diseases where diagnostic faults are mostly encountered are ruptured aortic aneurysm, myocardial infarction and pneumonia. The majority of the cases without a clinical diagnosis comprises of complications that occur after operations. In the study, considerable major diagnostic changes were realized after autopsy, which shows that autopsy has an important place in Turkey in spite of the improved methods of diagnosis. Also, in the cases with major diagnostic changes, the medical malpractice rate was high. This shows that autopsy is influential in revealing medical malpractice failures. In the study, we found out that the number of autopsies was high in the cases with a malpractice claim. We aim to increase this number. We are sure that such increment would increase decision accuracy.

Idiopathic giant cell myocarditis in a newborn: case report.

Idiopathic giant cell myocarditis (IGCM) is a rare cause of arrhythmia, heart failure and death in children. The etiology of IGCM is unknown. Endomyocardial biopsy and histological examination are essential for diagnosis. In our case, a one-month-old baby boy with no prior medical history died during breast-feeding. The gross autopsy and drug screen failed to disclose a cause of death. Hemotoxylen Eosin (H&E) stained cardiac tissue slides showed widespread and multifocal necrosis accompanied by mixed inflammatory infiltrate. Admixed with the infiltrate were fibroblastic proliferation and multinucleated giant cells in the absence of sarcoid like granuloma. Although myocarditis is usually thought to be a disease of older children, infants can also be affected. This entity can be the cause of some cases of sudden unexpected death in infancy.

Relationship Between Self-Injurious Behaviors and Levels of Aggression in Children and Adolescents Who Were Subject to Medicolegal Examination.

Aggression, which is defined as a behavior causing harm or pain, is a behavioral pattern typically expected in children and adolescents who are involved in criminal activities. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between aggression and self-injurious behavior (SIB) in children and adolescents. The study was performed in 295 cases which were sent for medicolegal examination. The mean age of the subjects was 14.27 ± 1.05 years (age range 10-18 years). The aggression levels of the subjects were determined using the Aggression Questionnaire (AQ), which is an updated form of the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory. The mean total AQ score of the subjects with and without SIB was 78.04 ± 21.0 and 62.75 ± 18.05, respectively (p < 0.01). There were significant statistical differences between the two groups with respect to their subscale scores (p < 0.01). It was concluded that the levels of aggression increased in children and adolescents who were involved in criminal activities when the SIBs increased.

A comparison of hair and serum trace elements in patients with Alzheimer disease and healthy participants.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To determine whether there was a difference between serum and hair trace elements' concentrations in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and healthy participants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hair and serum copper, selenium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, and iron levels were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in patients with AD and healthy participants, and the obtained results were statistically compared. RESULTS: The mean hair selenium and zinc levels of patients with AD were significantly lower than the levels found for control participants (P < 0.05). Patients with AD had significantly higher mean hair copper and manganese levels than the controls. There were no significant differences between AD patients and controls with respect to the hair iron and magnesium levels (P > 0.05). Hair and serum trace element (copper, selenium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, and iron) levels in patients with AD showed no significant difference according to mini mental test scores or sex (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Some trace element levels may change in patients with AD. Due to the more permanent status, the analysis of these element levels in hair might be superior to blood analysis.

Iatrogenic artefacts attributable to traditional cupping therapy in a shotgun fatality.

Cupping is a traditional treatment method that has been used for thousands of years to diminish pain, restore appetite and improve digestion, remove tendency to faint or remove 'bad blood' from the body. The suction of the cup is created by fire or mechanical devices. This procedure may result in circular erythema, petechiae, purpura, ecchymosis, burns and may be mistaken for trauma-related ecchymosis or livor mortis. Forty-year-old male was died by shotgun injuries in the same day of the wounding. Circular ecchymoses were observed on the forehead, within the scalp of occipital region, the back of the neck, and on the back. They were defined as ecchymoses in the first examination made by a general practitioner. In the external examination during the legal autopsy superficial incisions were observed on the circular ecchymoses. The shape, localization and color of and the characteristics of incisions on the circular lesions were concluded to be caused by the dry cupping therapy and wet cupping therapy procedures. These lesions and their formation mechanisms should be well-known by the forensic medical examiners and the other medical personnel involved in the forensic medical examination.

Effects of some of the regional Turkish fermented foods and medications on respiratory alcohol levels.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Alcohols are used in many areas like medicine and industry. They may be naturally found in some fruits and vegetables secondary to fermentation. According to the traffic law in Turkey, professional drivers are prohibited from driving while they are under the influence of alcohol; nonprofessional drivers are allowed to drive vehicles with a blood alcohol level of up to 50 mg/dL. The aim of this research is to determine whether or not consumed medicine or fermented, nonalcoholic beverages cause false positive results in breathalyzer tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this research, we used nonalcoholic fermented foods and 6 medicines. After the use of these materials, we measured breath alcohol level at 1, 3, 5, 15, and 30 min with a breathalyzer. RESULTS: False positive results were obtained only with Disinol and cologne. Other drugs and nutrients did not cause any false positivity in breathalyzer tests. CONCLUSION: At the end of the research, we observed that some substances caused false positive results, even if people did not use any alcohol. If there is any suspicion of the measured values, then measurements should be repeated. If a person cannot be sure of the reliability of the breathalyzer measurements, the person should consult other centers without losing time.

Fatal aorto-esophageal fistula in child: a case report.

Esophageal foreign body ingestion is especially frequent in childhood and may cause fatal complications in case of late diagnosis and delayed treatment. We present a case of 2-year old girl who was admitted to emergency department with massive bleeding. However, she died due to an unrecognized foreign body resulted an aorto-esophageal fistula. At autopsy an aorto-esophageal fistula was detected by gross examination. Tissue samples were obtained from the organs and fistula region. In histopathological examination, a calcified body with multinucleated giant cell and surrounding granulation tissue was detected at the bleeding site. An ulcerated fistula tract ran from the intima to the adventitia, passing through layers of esophageal wall was also noticed. The mortality rate for foreign body ingestion is less than 1%, except in cases of perforation. Therefore the presented case is among rare examples of fatal foreign body ingestions.

Elderly deaths in Ankara, Turkey.

According to World Health Organization, the life expectancy at birth is increasing. An increase in life expectancy might result in increased morbidity and mortality in elderly. The increase in the elderly population also leads to an increase in medico-legal problems, as well. Autopsy is of high importance for determination of cause of death in clinical and forensic cases. The purpose of this study was to find out general characteristics elderly deaths by examining forensic autopsy records. Out of 7033 forensic autopsies performed between years of 2007 and 2011, 1324 were elderly deaths and were included in the scope of the study. The records of public prosecutor office, crime scene investigation and autopsy findings were examined. The majority of victims (70.6%) were male, while 29.4% were female, with a male to female ratio of 2.4/1. Victims' ages ranged between 65 and 96 years, and the mean age was 74.8 years. A great number of presented elderly deaths were due to unnatural causes, followed by natural deaths cases. Out of unnatural deaths, 63.2% were related to accidents, 23.7% were suicides, and remaining 13.1% were homicides. More than half (56.6%) of all suicidal deaths were due to hanging. Of natural deaths, the majority (82.7%) were due to cardiovascular system disease. In the presented series the cause of death was determined in 90.9% of all elderly deaths, which validates the need for a forensic autopsy. Data obtained through autopsy procedures is of high importance for death statistics.

Forensic and clinical carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings in Turkey: A detailed analysis.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced by incomplete combustion of organic compounds. Its intoxication usually results from inhalation of fumes from improper heating stoves, motor vehicles, or smoke from fires. It can reversibly bind various heme-containing proteins such as hemoglobin, myoglobin, cytochrome p450 and cytochrome oxidases. Among them, it has a high affinity for hemoglobin (230-270 times more avidly than oxygen) with which it forms carboxy-hemoglobin (HbCO) leading to decrease in oxygen-carrying capacity followed by end-organ hypoxia. A tissue hypoxia may then result in transient or permanent damage of important organs like central nervous system and even death. CO poisonings from different reasons are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Turkey. The purpose of this study on CO poisonings in Turkey is to sum up and analyze the best available researches in both forensic and clinical toxicology fields. This was achieved by synthesizing the results of Turkish and English papers on forensic and clinical CO poisoning cases conducted in universities, institutes, hospitals and other official or private organizations in Turkey. Total of 47,523 medico-legal autopsy data collected from 9 different forensic medicine branches and emergency rooms in different year intervals were reviewed and 980 CO poisoning cases were determined. To calculate the frequency of CO poisoning within all the autopsies carried out and fatal poisoning cases, the number of cases was divided by the total number of medico-legal autopsies and total fatal poisoning cases. The mean age of cases, the source of CO gas, the most common seasons and months, gender, and blood HbCO levels were also taken into consideration if the data is available. Under the light of the findings, we may suggest that determination of affecting factors in CO poisoning is going to be one of the key subjects for planning preventive interventions.

Fatal ethyl and methyl alcohol-related poisoning in Ankara: A retrospective analysis of 10,720 cases between 2001 and 2011.

Methyl and ethyl alcohol poisoning are still responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine ethyl and methyl alcohol poisoning related deaths in Ankara and surrounding cities between 2001 and 2011 and compare them with previous studied conducted in Turkey and other countries. For this purpose, 10,720 medico-legal autopsy cases performed in Ankara Branch of the Council of Forensic Medicine were reviewed in terms of alcohol poisonings. The deaths due to methanol and ethanol poisoning were 74 (0.69% of all medico-legal autopsies performed) and the distribution among them was 35 (47.3%) for methanol poisoning and 39 (52.7%) for ethanol poisoning. Overwhelming majority of the cases were male (n = 67, 90.5%). The mean age of the victims was 44.9 ± 10.9 years and ranging from 21 to 92 years. The age group of 35-49 years was the mostly affected. Most of the cases were seen in 2004 (n = 12, 16.2%). The levels of postmortem blood alcohol levels were available for all cases and the mean alcohol levels were 322.8 ± 155.5 mg/dL ranging from 74 to 602 mg/dL for methanol and 396.8 ± 87.1 mg/dL and ranging from 136 to 608 mg/dL for ethanol. Early diagnosis is essential for successful treatment in methanol and ethanol poisoning. Besides increased awareness, more sensitive/specific diagnostic tools, and the prompt approach to the poisoned individual should be implemented in the hospitals.

Attitudes among judiciary and junior clerks toward the survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Childhood sexual abuse is a growing concern throughout the world, although the legal sequelae of this phenomenon are frequently neglected. We aimed to reveal and compare the attitudes of judiciary and junior clerks toward sexually abused children that might contribute to these sequelae. We divided 302 study participants into two groups of judiciary members and junior clerks. All the participants were asked to anonymously complete a questionnaire about stigmatization, including questions assessing social distance, dangerousness and skillfulness. In their responses, 51.2% of the judiciary and 64.0% of the junior clerks displayed a negative attitude toward "asking a childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivor to supervise their child for few hours" (p=0.029). When asked "What would you think if your child wanted to marry a CSA survivor?" 76.5% of the judiciary and 84.1% of the junior clerks were opposed to the idea (p=0.095). Interestingly, significantly more judiciary than junior clerks believed that a "CSA survivor can control his/her rage" (p=0.001), and significantly more of the junior clerks did not believe that "CSA survivors do not behave impulsively" (p=0.034). Both groups of legal professionals in this study appear to distance themselves from or have negative thoughts about CSA survivors, particularly when the issue involves their own children and/or social situations. Along with other factors, these negative assumptions might also contribute to lower prosecution rates and retestifying procedures.

Pesticide poisoning cases in Ankara and nearby cities in Turkey: an 11-year retrospective analysis.

Since they are available in open markets and pharmacies, pesticides have been widely used all over the country. (Un)intentional poisoning with these compounds is one of the most common causes of chemical poisoning, especially in rural agricultural areas. Pesticide poisonings reported by various countries showed that it is a worldwide health problem with 250,000-370,000 associated deaths each year. In this study, medico-legal deaths between the years 2001 and 2011 in Ankara and nearby cities in Turkey were investigated retrospectively. The autopsies were partly carried out by Ankara Branch of Council of Forensic Medicine. Data were collected from reports of the Morgue Department whose toxicological analyses were performed in the Chemistry Department. The data revealed that 70 cases out of 10,720 autopsied ones had been attributed to fatal pesticide poisoning. The age range was 1-80 years (mean ± SD, 41.33 ± 17.42 years). Most of the cases (60%) were reported from Ankara. Insecticides were the most common (94%) cause of fatal pesticide poisonings, most of them (63%) being organophosphate insecticides. The percentages of pesticide-induced deaths are quite high in our society and should therefore not be underestimated. Accordingly, intensive efforts to reduce occupational and intentional pesticide poisonings are urgently needed in Ankara and nearby cities.

The fatal poisoning pattern of Ankara (Turkey) and nearby cities from 2007 to June 2011: a retrospective study in forensic autopsies.

We aimed to obtain an outline of the nature and number of fatal poisonings which still appear to affect widely the population in Turkey. A total of 5921 forensic autopsies were performed between 2007 and 2011 in Ankara and nearby cities and 366 of them were fatal poisonings (219 male, 147 female). Most of the cases were between 41 and 60 years old (n = 84). Most of the fatalities were reported during winter months (48.1%). Carbon monoxide exposure was the most common reason (66.7%) within all the causes followed by medicine and narcotics (13.9%). Postmortem blood alcohol concentrations in ethyl and methyl alcohol poisonings were 385.1 ± 61.9 and 206.8 ± 138.9 mg/dL, respectively. The most common location of deaths was home (71.3%). Fatal poisonings have been a growing global problem because of some shortcomings about the socioeconomic conditions and increasing illicit drug abuse. The level of education, socioeconomic conditions, and legal approaches are very important for the prevention fatal poisonings.

The review of autopsy cases of accidental childhood deaths in Istanbul.

Children are at increased risk for various causes of injury from accidents. Accidents are, by far, the leading cause of death among children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to evaluate the lethal childhood accidents in Istanbul by age groups. Reports of autopsies performed between 2001 and 2005 in the Morgue Department of the Council of Forensic. Medicine in Istanbul (n :16853) are examined retrospectively. 833 deaths from accidents in children aged 0-18 years are investigated into the study. The parameters of age, gender, types of accidents and causes of death are evaluated. The accidents account for 47.3% of the deaths among children aged 0-18 years. Of 833 cases, 601 (73%) are male and 232 (27%) are female. The female to male ratio is 1/2.6. The highest rate of death from accidents is at the group of 15-18 years. The primary causes of accidental childhood deaths are motor vehicle accidents (23.1%), followed by drowning (20,1%), poisoning (15.7%), and fall from height (15.5%). The incidence and types of trauma vary with socio-economic status and culture. Istanbul, where this study is conducted in, has approximately 3000 autopsy number annually. Therefore, it provides an important database.

Autopsy profiles of malpractice cases.

Claims for medical malpractice and the number of lawsuits filed thereafter are increasing in Turkey as is the case throughout the world. In the present study all files issued by the associated boards of the Council of Forensic Medicine between 2001 and 2005 were studied and of those, 525 death cases in which there was a medical malpractice claim were included. 303 of the cases (57.7%) were male, 215 (41%) were female, while no gender was mentioned in seven cases (1.3%). The age of the subjects ranged between 0 and 90, with an average of 26.8. 147 cases (28%) were related to Emergency Units. 92% of the cases (482 cases) were resolved in the Council of Forensic Medicine, Ministry of Justice. 167 of the resolved cases were concluded as medical malpractice.

Quality assessment of perinatal and infant postmortem examinations in Turkey.

An autopsy examination is important in identifying the cause of death and as a means of auditing clinical and forensic practice; however, especially in perinatal and infantile age groups determining the cause of death leads to some difficulties in autopsy practice. In this study, 15,640 autopsies recorded during the years 2000-2004 in the Mortuary Department of the Council of Forensic Medicine were reviewed. Autopsy findings of 510 cases between 20 completed weeks of gestation and 1 year of age were analyzed retrospectively. The quality of each necropsy report was assessed using a modification of the system gestational age assessment described by Rushton, which objectively scores aspects identified by the Royal College of Pathologists as being part of a necropsy. According to their ages, the cases were subdivided into three groups. Intrauterine deaths were 31% (158 cases), neonatal deaths were 24% (123 cases), and infantile deaths were 45% (229 cases) of all cases. Scores for the quality of the necropsy report were above the minimum acceptable score with 44% in intrauterine, 88% in neonatal and infantile deaths.