How to prove neglect in the context of the post-mortem examination.
Abuse
Lucilia sericata
Musca domestica
Myiasis
Nursing
Journal
Forensic science, medicine, and pathology
ISSN: 1556-2891
Titre abrégé: Forensic Sci Med Pathol
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101236111
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
14 Aug 2023
14 Aug 2023
Historique:
accepted:
03
08
2023
medline:
14
8
2023
pubmed:
14
8
2023
entrez:
14
8
2023
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
Understanding the causes, extent, and period of neglect is not only a medical but also a forensic task when it comes to legal investigations. In this study, we evaluated 46 autopsied cases where there was clear evidence of physical neglect during the last period of the deceased's life. The age of the deceased ranged from 21 to 96 years; most of them were female (71.7%). The majority of cases (89.9%) took place in a domestic environment, with partners or relatives providing care. The most frequent post-mortem findings were pressure sores, followed by inflammatory skin changes, and signs of malnutrition and dehydration. Neglect was the cause or co-cause of death in 23% of the cases. More than half of the deceased showed severe contamination of the skin surface by excrement, and in almost 40% of the cases, fly infestation was found. The majority of insects belonged to the group of house flies (Diptera: Muscidae), mainly the common house fly, Musca domestica. By analyzing the entomological evidence, it was possible to prove an insect infestation period of at least several days ante-mortem. Since the period of neglect may be relevant in terms of legal proceedings, the present work demonstrates the particular importance of insect traces in providing this evidence. While prosecution and conviction of caregivers remain challenging, it is all the more essential that entomology and legal medicine collaborate on the analysis of findings of neglect.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37578627
doi: 10.1007/s12024-023-00695-2
pii: 10.1007/s12024-023-00695-2
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
© 2023. The Author(s).
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