Head Trauma and Alcohol: A Lethal Combination.

There has been much recent attention regarding "concussions" and the role they may play in death. As most medical professionals are aware, concussions exist on a spectrum ranging from minimal or no loss of consciousness with no residual sequelae to diffuse axonal injury and sudden death. The location on the spectrum depends not only on the nature of the impact or blow but also on the state of the individual impacted.

Normal Organ Weights in Women: Part I-The Heart.

Cardiac enlargement is a well-known independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death, though the definition of what constitutes cardiac enlargement is not universally established. A previous study was undertaken to establish a normal range for male hearts to address this issue; the present study was designed to address the issue and to determine normal cardiac weights in adult human females. A prospective study was undertaken of healthy females dying from sudden, traumatic deaths aged 18 to 35 years.

Normal Organ Weights in Women: Part II-The Brain, Lungs, Liver, Spleen, and Kidneys.

Organomegaly can be a sign of disease and pathology, although standard tables defining organomegaly have yet to be established and universally accepted. This study was designed to address the issue and to determine a normal weight for the major organs in adult human females. A prospective study was undertaken of healthy females who had sudden, traumatic deaths at age 18 to 35 years.

Gunshot wounds: a review of firearm type, range, and location as pertaining to manner of death.

Many studies have examined the characteristics of gunshot wounds by manner of death; however, no published study has directly compared these characteristics for the different types of firearms. This study was designed to address that deficiency. Existing data sets of nonaccidental deaths by handguns, shotguns, and rifles were reviewed.