[A retrospective mortality analysis of natural deaths of the 65+ generation based on postmortem autopsies performed at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Frankfurt am Main during two periods].

Background And Aim Of The Study: In Germany, a constant demographic change is taking place, which leads to an increasing aging of the society. The present study aimed to analyze natural deaths occurring at an age of ≥ 65 years, since health vulnerability in this age group is gaining importance.

Material And Methods: Autopsy reports of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital of the Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, Germany, were retrospectively evaluated regarding natural death cases of ≥ 65-year-olds in a time comparison (period I: 2000-2002; period II: 2013-2015).

Non-Natural Death Associated with Sexual Activity: Results of a 25-Year Medicolegal Postmortem Study.

Introduction: Non-natural deaths associated with sexual activity may occur either with or without the involvement of other persons.

Aim: The present study provides an overview of cases of non-natural death related to sexual activities as well as recommendations of how to handle these cases and to identify potentially dangerous pleasure-enhancing techniques.

Methods: This medicolegal, postmortem, retrospective, and prospective study is based on data of autopsies performed at the Institute of Legal Medicine at University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.

Religious denomination influencing attitudes towards brain death, organ transplantation and autopsy-a survey among people of different religions.

Background: (Brain) death, willingness of organ donation and autopsy are relevant questions of life and death. Religious beliefs are expected to have a significant influence on individual attitudes.

Methods: People with an active relationship to a religion were surveyed about brain death, organ transplantation and autopsy using an anonymous questionnaire.

The controversial debate about daylight saving time (DST)-results of a retrospective forensic autopsy study in Frankfurt/Main (Germany) over 10 years (2006-2015).

Worldwide, many people are exposed to biannual time changes. The benefit of Daylight Saving Time (DST) is controversially discussed and its impact on human health is largely unknown. The present study examines, whether effects of these time changes are seen in a forensic autopsy database.

Love Death-A Retrospective and Prospective Follow-Up Mortality Study Over 45 Years.

Background: Although sexual activity can cause moderate stress, it can cause natural death in individuals with pre-existing illness. The aim of this study was to identify additional pre-existing health problems, sexual practices, and potential circumstances that may trigger fatal events.

Methods: This medicolegal postmortem, retrospective, and prospective study is based on data of autopsies performed at the Institute of Legal Medicine of the University hospital, Goethe-University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.

Interdisciplinary teaching and training - A medicolegal specialty.

The Frankfurt model is described to exemplify the teaching and training concepts implemented at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Frankfurt am Main up to 2015. The Frankfurt model describes a comprehensive, networked teaching system aiming at an interdisciplinary training. Interdisciplinarity is a domain of forensic medicine as a broadly diversified subject related to various scientific disciplines.

,,Flora and fauna" in criminalistics - an analysis of the current use and relevance of non-human biological trace materials in criminal proceedings.

The analysis of biological, non-human trace specimens can contribute significantly to solving a criminal case. The present study searches the relevant German criminal, forensic, legal and biological literature, focusing on animal hairs, insects and plant fragments, and assesses the current opportunities of this special forensic branch and its acceptance and relevance for the evidence in court. It turns out that the analysis of these trace materials has an enormous range of potential applications which should not only be reflected in the forensic sciences, but also in the criminal trials.

Renaissance of criticism on the concept of brain death--the role of legal medicine in the context of the interdisciplinary discussion.

Background: In the practice of legal medicine in Germany, the assessment of brain death is of minor importance and attracts little attention. However, since several years, international criticism on the concept of brain death has culminated. By reviewing literature and the results of a questionnaire distributed among the participants of the 93rd Annual Congress of the Germany Society of Legal Medicine, the state of knowledge and the current views on brain death were evaluated.

[The Patient Rights Act (PatRG)--Part 3: Burden of proof in liability questions and critical resumé].

The article deals with the new regulations in the German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch - BGB), which came into effect in Germany as the Patient Rights Act (PatRG) on the 2/26/2013. In the third part, the burden of proof in liability questions (and 630h BGB) are discussed and critically analysed. In the discussion and a final resume points of criticism of the new law are pointed out.

Court decisions on medical malpractice.

Background: Recent studies on court cases dealing with medical malpractice are few and far between. This retrospective study, therefore, undertakes an analysis of medical malpractice lawsuits brought before regional courts in two judicial districts of the federal state of Hesse.

Methods: Over a 5-year period (2006-2010), 232 court decisions on medical malpractice taken by the regional courts (Landgericht) of Kassel and Marburg were evaluated according to medical discipline, diagnosis, therapy, relevant level of care, charge of neglect of duty by the claimant party, outcome of the lawsuit, and further criteria.

[The Patient Rights Act (PatRG)--part 2: informed consent, duty to inform, documentation of treatment, access to the patient file].

The article deals with the new regulations in the German Civil Code (BGB) which came into effect in Germany on 26 Feb 2013 as the Patient Rights Act (PatRG). In the second part, the consent of the patient (Section 630d Civil Code), the physician's duties to inform the patient (Section 630e Civil Code), the documentation of treatment (Section 630f Civil Code), and the right of access to the patient file (Section 630g Civil Code) are discussed and critically analysed.

[The Patient Rights Act (PatRG)--part 1: legislative procedure, treatment contract, contracting parties and their obligations to cooperate and inform].

The article deals with the new regulations in the German Civil Code (BGB) which came into effect in Germany on 26 Feb 2013 as the Patient Rights Act (PatRG). In Part I, the legislative procedure, the treatment contract and the contracting parties (Section 630a Civil Code), the applicable regulations (Section 630b Civil Code) and the obligations to cooperate and inform (Section 630c Civil Code) are discussed and critically analysed.

[Legal issues of physician-assisted euthanasia. Part III--Passive euthanasia, comparison of international legislation, conclusions for medical practice].

The generic term "passive euthanasia" includes different issues dealing with the omission, discontinuation or termination of life-sustaining or life-prolonging medical treatments. The debate around passive euthanasia focuses on the constitutional right of self-determination of every human being on the one hand and the constitutional mandate of the State to protect human life on the other. Issues of passive euthanasia always require a differentiated approach.

[Reform of forensic autopsy in the German Code of Criminal Procedure].

The Federal Ministry of Justice has presented another proposal to rephrase the wording of Section 87 of the German Code of Criminal Procedure (StPO). The new version of Section 87 StPO is to be rejected as it would lead to a loss of institutional and professional standards. The bill is clearly influenced by a tendency towards privatisation for the benefit of a small group of specialists in forensic medicine mostly organised in limited liability companies and thus at the expense of institutes of legal medicine affiliated to universities or physicians working in the forensic service of regional courts.

The punishment of gene doping - The relation between WADA prohibited lists, German Medicinal Products Act, German Doping Agents Amounts Ordinance, and Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The genetic constitution of athletes influences efficiency. Knowledge of genetic influences provides an opportunity for medical diagnostic and therapeutic attempts. Beside risks and therapeutic aspects, however, the possibilities of abuse for gene doping purposes in sports also exist.

[The QR code in society, economy and medicine--fields of application, options and chances].

2D codes like the QR Code ("Quick Response") are becoming more and more common in society and medicine. The application spectrum and benefits in medicine and other fields are described. 2D codes can be created free of charge on any computer with internet access without any previous knowledge.

[Relation of external biometric parameters to health risk and mortality--analysis and evaluation of different measurement methods and study results].

In clinical practice diagnoses can be found which are partially based on body measurements. By measuring body height and body weight the patient is categorised, for example by Body-Mass Index (BMI), in different adipose grades. Different diseases are associated with specific biometric parameters.