Usage of Infrared-Based Technologies in Forensic Sciences

Infrared (IR) radiation comprises a beam located in the electromagnetic radiation family; it arises from the thermal vibrations of radiation that have longer wavelengths than visible light, but shorter wavelengths than microwave radiation. Its wavelength is between 750 nm and 1 mm. The amount of thermal IR radiation emitted by an object is associated with the temperature of the object, the surface area of the object and the spreading of light. IR-based technologies have been demonstrated as a method of evidence identification in forensic sciences in addition to many daily uses

Crime Scene and Autopsy Findings in two Cases of Sudden Death Caused by Inhalation of Butane Gas

Solvent inhalation is still an important public health problem that is responsible morbidity and mortality of young people worldwide and has adverse effects on society. In Turkey, solvent inhalation is the most common substance abuse following smoking and alcohol addiction, and butane and propane have been reported to be the most frequently inhaled substances. In this study, the crime scene information is presented, with the pathology and toxicology analysis results of two cases of death due to inhalation of n-butane, one as suicide and the other accidentally. Although clinical findings were described in detail in cases hospitalized due to butane gas inhalation and in death cases, the number of articles describing crime scene and autopsy findings is limited. In this case report, it is aimed to describe of the findings that they may encounter during the crime scene and death examination, especially for general practitioners and autopsy findings of cases. Consequently, it is important for the general practitioners participating in the corpse examination to be careful about the crime scene and the findings on the corpse, for accurate toxicological analyzes and accurate determination of the cause of death. These physicians should give clues to forensic experts about signs such as thinner, glue, or gas source near the corpse, a plastic bag placed on the head of the corpse, vomit stains near the corpse or on their clothing

The Analysis of Fractures of Forearms, Wrists and Hands due to Traffic Accidents

INTRODUCTION: Limb injuries have an important place in traffic accidents. Although it has been identified among the most frequently injured areas in hand, wrist and forearm in traffic accidents; often neglected due to more severe injuries. In our study, it was aimed to evaluate the cases with hand, wrist and forearm fractures after traffic accidents, to define the age and gender distribution of the injured people, to compare the location and types of fractures in and out of the vehicle. METHODS: In this study, the medical files of patients who applied to the Emergency Department of the Medical Faculty and the Forensic Medicine Outpatient Clinic after a traffic accident in the 7-year period between 01.01.2013 and 31.12.2019 were included in the study. RESULTS: In our study, ulna-radius diaphysis fractures, which usually occur as a result of a direct blow to the forearm, were seen in more than 70% of all cases in the presented series with forearm, wrist and hand bone fractures due to traffic accidents. Direct mechanisms were effective in 65.9% of the fractures, and direct fractures were prominent especially in pedestrians and passengers. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In our study, the founding of radius-ulna fractures, which usually occur as a result of a direct blow to the forearm in more than 70% of the cases in the presented series, the detection of effect of direct mechanisms in 65.9% of the fractures, and the seeing of in the foreground of direct fractures in pedestrians and passengers have been accepted as important indicators revealing that primary injuries are at the forefront rather than secondary injuries in traffic accidents

Examination of bone fractures in women exposed to domestic violence (Tokat-Turkey)

Background: Fractures are an important symptom of physical violence that will negatively affect the woman's quality of life in the coming years. However, there is limited information in the literature about fractures in women exposed to domestic violence (DV). The aim of this study was to compare fracture development rates and age distributions in women exposed to DV and intimate partner violence (IPV), a component of DV, and women exposed to other physical violence (OV), to determine the incidence of DV cases with and without fractures, and to determine fracture locations in DV cases and to identify diagnostic lesions accompanying fractures. Methods: A retrospective review was made of patients injured as a result of IPV, other domestic violence (ODV) and OV. The data of cases with fracture were analyzed in terms of age groups of the victims and according to location and types of fractures. Results: Of the 854 female patients aged >18 years who were admitted to the hospital due to violence, 55.2% were exposed to DV. Most DV victims (87.9%) were assaulted by intimate partners. The incidence of fractures in IPV cases (7.2%), was nearly twice that of ODV and OV cases. The mean age of IPV cases with fractures (42.1 ± 12.1 years) was significantly higher than that of IPV cases without fractures (33.1 ± 11.8 years) (p < 0.05). Most IPV cases (61.8%) were aged <35 years. Most DV cases with fractures (75%) were aged <50 years. Facial/neck injuries (41.5%) and facial fractures (52.6%) were prominent in DV cases. Conclusion: The results of this study of the presence of facial fractures, especially in women aged <50 years, is an important finding that can alert doctors to potential cases of domestic violence