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

• Main Authors: Alexandar Alexandrov, Ilina Brainova-Michich
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Union of Scientists - Stara Zagora 2018-03-01
• Series: Science & Research
• Subjects: post-mortem injuries; traumatic injuries; vital signs.
• Online Access: http://www.sandtr.org/download.php?id=16

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.