Evaluation of gunshot injuries to long bones from pneumatic weapons using a human thigh model. Part II. Presentation and discussion of the detailed results of tests of gunshots of the anterior surface of the femur with 5.5 mm and 6.35 mm caliber shot.

Introduction: The development of pneumatic shooting has led to the construction of technologically advanced devices with discharge energies similar to those of firearms. The pneumatic weapons ammunition market offers a variety of shot which varies in penetration properties and the extent of gunshot damage. In view of the ease of "tuning" of air rifles, a study was conducted of the inlet damage to the anterior femoral surface after pneumatic gunshots.

Evaluation of gunshot injuries to long bones from pneumatic weapons using a human thigh model. Part I. Introduction and assumptions. Discussion of shot ballistics. Human thigh model.

Introduction: In accordance with the Polish law, pneumatic weapons are weapons that use compressed gas to set a bullet in motion and generate a discharge energy of more than 17J. In recent years, Poland has seen an increase in crimes committed with pneumatic weapons. The research aim of the present study was to measure the velocity of selected 5.

[Giving medico-legal opinions in cases with suspicion of medical mistake. part 2. Expert evidence in cases with suspicion of medical mistake - expectations, possibilities, threats…].

Problems of medical mistake and therapeutic failure are inextricably linked with realization of medical services. In recent years, mostly by the media and increasing demanding attitude, a rapid increase of initiated cases opened by judicial body in conjunction with medical mistake made by medical staff is observed. Making medico-legal opinions is not easy task and often face many difficulties.

[Giving medico-legal opinions in cases with suspicion of medical mistake.part 1. between medicine and justice.].

Creating medico-legal opinion is a sophisticated investigative, analytical, decision-making and creative process. Forensic medicine specialist in cooperation with clinical medicine consultants, on the basis of evidence analysis, which was gathered during procedures and contained in the acts has to create an objective and essential opinion. This opinion is a vital, very important and irreplaceable proof in every case.

[Euthanasia - an attempt to organize issue].

This article is an attempt to complete and holistically discuss problem of euthanasia, especially its ethical and legal aspects, comparing to Polish law. The subject of euthanasia arouse interest of the society because it touches one of the most important aspects of life, which is the death. Even bigger emotions are aroused amongst physicians.

Traumatic basal subarachnoid haemorrhage or ruptured brain aneurysm in 16-year-old boy? - case report.

Traumatic basal subarachnoid haemorrhage (TBSAH) represents only 1.8% of all subarachnoid haemorrhage cases diagnosed during autopsy. This report presents such a case from the current practice of the authors.

[Trial helplessness of defendant healthcare facilities in cases concerning nosocomial infections].

The number of pecuniary cases involving patient claims due to nosocomial infections has been increasing for many years, and with it, the amount of adjudged compensations has also been increasing. In this situation, it is important for defendant healthcare facilities to implement a proper policy, both before the trial and during the court proceedings. Unfortunately, as a rule, defendant facilities commit a variety of errors, such as: wrong strategy, inability to cooperate on the part of those involved in the matter and improper preparation and usage of evidence.

[A unique case of malignant neoplasm--choriocarcinoma in a 24-year-old man--difficulties in differential diagnostics of intracranial injuries in the aspect of medicolegal opinion].

Differential diagnostics of pathologic and traumatic lesions based on image techniques may in some cases cause serious difficulties or even be the cause of a medical error resulting in incorrect medicolegal opinion. The authors present a unique case of primary malignant neoplasm of the testicle (choriocarcinoma) in a 24-year-old man. Several days after the event, he was admitted to Department of Neurology with CT-confirmed traumatic intracerebral hematoma communicating with the ventricular system.

[Employment of auditory brainstem responses in verification and objectification of impairment of hearing in criminal legal proceedings].

There are numerous subjective and objective diagnostic methods which allow for assessing the degree of the hearing loss and its anatomical location. Despite widespread availability of those methods, especially the subjective ones, such as pure tone audiometry or speech audiometry, diagnostic errors still frequently occur. They may lead to drawing false conclusions and issuing a fallacious medicolegal expert opinion, which obviously aggravates the situation of the defendant.

[Virological tests in diagnostic management of sudden unexpected deaths in children].

Based on the present knowledge, the review paper attempts to answer the general question whether virological tests are justified in cases of sudden deaths in children. In particular, the question addresses their importance in establishing the cause of death. The authors also attempt to answer additional questions, namely: (1) whether histopathology provides an adequate basis for establishing the cause of death, (2) whether extending histological evaluation to exclude immunohistochemistry is warranted, and (3) whether there is a correlation between detection of a virus and "intensity" of inflammatory infiltration detected by histology.

[Troponin in forensic medicine].

In this review we try to answer the question whether and to what degree contemporary forensic pathology takes advantage of quantitative and qualitative troponin determinations. The report is simultaneously an introduction to discussing our results in this area. To perform this review we used the database "PubMed".

[The evaluation of the mechanism and cause of death of mine rescuers during the group accident in the Niwka-Modrzejów Coal Mine in Sosnowiec in 1998].

On February 24, 1998, in the Niwka-Modrzej6w Coal Mine in Sosnowiec, a group accident occurred and, as a result, six miners died and four others were injured. Mine rescuers, proceeding to work in out of action mining excavation, separated by an isolative dam, were using oxygen escape breathing apparatuses AU-9 type and oxygen breathing apparatuses for work WU-70 type. A comprehensive evaluation of the accident circumstances, medical papers, autopsy, histopatological and chemico-toxicological reports, technical surveys of the Central Station of Mine Rescue and the Military Institution of Chemistry and Radiometry (WIChiR), taking into consideration the microclimatic conditions in the sidewalk and testimonies of the survivors allowed for determining the cause of death in the victims.

[Opinion-forming difficulties in establishing paternity resulting from the lack of data on the relationship between biological and putative father].

Among a large number of expert opinions concerning disputed paternity cases prepared in the Chair of Forensic Medicine and Medico-Legal Toxicology, Silesian University of Medicine, Katowice, there were those in which the use of a standard 15 autosomal loci AmpFISTR Identifiler kit was not sufficient to give an unequivocal opinion. The authors report a case of disputed paternity, in which the analysis done by applying an AmpFISTR Identifiler kit showed no paternity heredity in 2 loci in the child. As allele distribution did not exclude mutation, further genetic markers were determined using PowerPlex ESX and FFFL kits and further three exclusions were found.

[An unusual case of gunshot wounds caused with an air gun].

A 28-year-old woman was shot in the face with an air gun while driving a car. The patient was examined in the Department of Forensic Medicine in Katowice. An inconspicuous scar was found near the medial angle of the right eye.

[Toxicological and medico-legal analyses of sudden deaths resulting from butane inhalation].

Butane is known to be a suffocating gas with narcotic activity, especially at high concentrations. Within the past five years, a few cases of sudden deaths in teenage boys who had inhaled butane, a component of gas for lighters, were investigated in the Forensic Medicine Department, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice. Analyses of biological materials secured at autopsies and evidence from places of deaths was carried out using GC/FID.

[Medico-legal assessment of the injuries of fatal victims of building collapse at Katowice International Fair in Katowice/Chorzów on January 28, 2006].

On January 28, 2006, during an exhibition of carrier pigeons, the roof of one of the buildings at Katowice International Fair collapsed. At the time of accident, there were 700 people in the building--65 died and 171 were injured. It was the biggest building disaster in the history of modern Poland.

[Smuggling of the cocaine in the gastrointestinal tract ended in sudden death--the first case report from the Upper Silesia].

Fifty-year old man was found dead in the bathroom of his apartment. Forensic autopsy was ordered to determine the cause and manner of death. Autopsy revealed the presence of 55 latex "balls" in the stomach and foregut.

[Unusual case of the criminal administration of ranitidine].

Psychoactive substances (alcohol, narcotics and drugs) are used for facilitation of various crimes, mostly sexual assaults ("rape pills", "date-rape drugs") and/or robbery. The most popular drugs used for criminal purposes are: benzodiazepines, antipsychotic, hypotensive and anesthetic agents. Sometimes, however, other types of drugs are employed.

[Medico-legal autopsy--selected legal issues: the autopsy protocol].

The majority of experts in the field of forensic medicine maintain that the minutes of the medicolegal autopsy should be taken by the forensic pathologist. The authors argue that it is the public prosecutor who is obliged to draw up the minutes, whereas the forensic pathologist issues the expert opinion. To support their stance, the authors make frequent references to several provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code of 1997.

[Medico-legal autopsy--selected legal issues: regulation concerning the performance of medico-legal autopsy of July 15, 1929].

Polish literature on law and forensic pathology abounds with opinions that the Regulation of the Minister of Justice and of the Minister of Internal Affairs Concerning the Performance of Medico-Legal Autopsy of 15 July 15, 1929, continues to remain in force. The authors thoroughly analyse the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code of 19 April, 1969 and the Act on Enactment of the Provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code of 19 April, 1969. The results of semiotic and systematic interpretations of the aforementioned acts leave no doubt that the regulation of 1929 has been derogated.