Performance of an on-site urine multidrug test used by forensic physicians in determining the cause of death.

Forensic physicians in the region of Amsterdam routinely collect blood and urine samples during external examinations. A rapid on-site multidrug test is used to screen the urine samples for the presence of commonly used drugs classes. Urine and blood samples are sent to the laboratory for additional toxicological analysis.

Undiscovered solitary deaths in the four largest cities in the Netherlands.

Background: Research has shown a higher prevalence of individuals lying dead unnoticed in their homes (domestic-setting corpses) in Amsterdam, compared to adjacent less urbanized cities and villages.

Objective: To determine if there is a difference in incidence of domestic-setting corpses in the four major cities in the Netherlands and identifying demographic patterns accounting for possible differences.

Methods: Data of domestic-setting corpses with a post mortem interval of at least 14 days were extracted from forensic registrations of the four largest cities in the Netherlands.

[Forensic implications of humane self-chosen death in the Netherlands].

Euthanasia is legal in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, some individuals decide to plan their self-chosen death without the help of a physician. 'Right-to-die' organisations provide advice about humane deaths, which include voluntary refusal of food and fluids, the helium method and use of a lethal overdose of medication.

The use of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in the postmortem diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death: A systematic review.

Being sudden cardiac death (SCD) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) frequent occurrences in forensic medicine, extensive research has been published about the use of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) as a potential specific postmortem biochemical marker. However, cTnT has produced uncertain results, leading to the lack of a standardized application in routine postmortem examinations. The present systematic review focuses on the determination of whether cTnT may be considered as a suitable marker for the postmortem diagnosis of AMI and SCD, analysing the literature according to the following criteria: only human experiments, published from 1st January 2001 to 12th April 2018, available in English, on the following databases: (1).

Eight years of psychiatric examination of detainees by forensic physicians in the Netherlands.

Background: Forensic physicians are responsible for first-line medical care of detainees (individuals held in custody) in the police station. The Dutch police law contains a 'duty of care', which gives the police responsibility for the apparent mentally ill and/or confused people they encounter during their work. The police can ask a forensic physician to do a primary psychiatric assessment of any apparent mentally ill detainee.

Effect of short-term NSAID use on echocardiographic parameters in elderly people: a population-based cohort study.

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are associated with an increased risk of heart failure. NSAIDs inhibit the synthesis of renal prostaglandin, which results in a higher total blood volume, cardiac output and preload. The association between recent start of NSAIDs in elderly people and echocardiographic parameters was investigated.