IIJFMT 3(1) 2005
Journal Scan
Factors affecting eye donation from postmortem cases in a tertiary care hospital
Tandon R, Verma k, Vanathi M, Pandey RM, Vajpayee RB.
Cornea 2004;23:597-601
PURPOSE: To evaluate the responses to requests for eye donation from relatives of postmortem cases in a tertiary care hospital in India . METHODS: In a prospective study, the cases brought for postmortem to the Forensic Medicine Department were screened as potential donors by our team. The next of kin of potential donors were approached and counseled In a systematic manner following a standard interview pattern. Responses were noted in a predesigned performa. The religion, level of literacy, socioeconomic status, relationship with the deceased, prior knowledge of eye donation, willingness for eye donation, and reasons for not donating eyes of the deceased were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred fifty –nine potential donors were identified from a total of 721 postmortem cases. There were 119(74.8%) men and 40(25.2%) women. None of the deceased had previously pledged their eyes for deye donation. Eight –eight (55.4%)next of kin were already aware of the concept of eye donation, but 71(44.7%) families had not heard of it before. Before. Willingness for eye donation was seen in 66(41.5%), whereas 93(58.5%) families refused eye donation. Of those already aware of eye donation 39(44.3%) gave consent for donation. Prior knowledge of eye donation had no influence on willingness for eye donation (P=0.424). Similarly, literacy (P=0338) and socioeconomic status as estimated by a composite socioeconomic scale based on literacy and family income did not have any influence on willingness for eye donation (P=0.338). Major reasons for not donating eyes included refusal to discuss the issue and dissuasion by distant relatives, legal problems, and religious beliefs. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, literacy, socioeconomic status, and prior knowledge of eye donation of next kin had no correlation with donor cornel tissue procurement. Active counseling by a motivated team can be effective even in families with no prior knowledge and low socioeconomic status.
Alcohol discovered in the urine after death: ante-mortem ingestion or post-mortem artifact?
Cullen SA, Mayes RW
Med Sci Law 2005; 45:196-200.
A study was undertaken of blood and urine alcohol levels in 44 cases where the bodies had been immersed in water, following accidents, for at least one day after death. In no case was there any ante-mortem evidence of ingested alcohol. In 15 cases there was a raised urine alcohol. The average urine to blood ratio in these cases was 0.56:1. This is dramatically less that seen after ingestion. It is suggested that the alcohol, following its initial post-mortem production in the abdomen, enter the urine from bodies that have not been recovered and examined until several days after death cannot always be taken to indicate ante-mortem ingestion. Urine-to-blood alcohol ratios of less than 1:1 are strongly suggestive of post-mortem production.
Suspected research fraud: difficulties of getting at the truth
White C.
BMJ 2005; 331:281-288.
When research misconduct is suspected and the researcher is working outside the jurisdiction of official research bodies, there is nowhere for editors to turn. If they want to investigate their concerns, they are invariably forced to go it alone- a lengthy, costly and difficult process.
Police torture in Bangladesh- allegations by refugees in Sweden
Edston E.
Torture 2005; 15:16-24.
Eighty-two refugees from Bangladesh were examined by specialists in forensic medicine and psychiatrists at the Centre for Torture and Trauma Survivors in Stockholm from 1999-2004. The majority gave similar testimonies of political violence and torture during police interrogations. The aim of the present study was to describe general features and patterns of torture by police in Bangladesh as well as medical and psychiatric sequel in this group of alleged victims.
The majority of was young men, mean age 29, who had been politically active in oppositional organisations, arrested in the street during demonstrations, and accused of illegal possessions of arms or of murder. They were all kicked and beaten with police batons and fits. The most common torture methods were beatings on the soles with lathi, wooden canes or hot water bottles, straight or upside-down suspension, electric shocks, and asphyxiation by means of hot and/or polluted water poured into the nostrils. All the women and nearly a third of the men alleged that they have been raped. The victims were in most cases released with in three days, many of them severely traumatised and in need of acute medical attention.
At the time of examination, all but a few subjects showed more than twenty scars, and over 80% were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Many complained of chronic aches in the lower back joints and feet.