- Email: [email protected]
Curiosities workshop
Pathology (2015) 47(S1), pp. S21–S23
Forensic Pathology
THE ENTOMOLOGY OF PERINATAL INVESTIGATIONS 1,2
Melanie Archer 1Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Melbourne, and 2Anatomical Pathology, St John of God Hospital, Ballarat, Vic, Melbourne Forensic entomology is the application of the study of insects to legal problems. The minimum time since death may be estimated for a deceased person by aging the oldest fly larvae (maggots) collected from the body. Degree of larval development is compared with known development rates at the estimated prevailing temperatures. The species composition of insects on the body is also characteristic at different times after death, and therefore useful for aging the body. Perinatal deaths present special difficulties to the entomologist because the body is easy to move, and may be repositioned more than once after death. This complicates assessment of the temperatures under which insect larvae have grown. The body may also be concealed in wrappings that delay fly access, or dumped at night when flies are usually inactive. Additionally, maggots may develop at different rates on perinatal remains, and on products of conception, than on adult bodies. This is because large maggot masses, which elevate temperatures, are less likely to form within smaller bodies. The difficulties inherent in this special case type are discussed, along with some solutions.
CURIOSITIES WORKSHOP Alanah Buck and Clive Cooke Forensic Pathology, PathWest, Perth, WA, Australia At least twenty (20) cases, some in several parts, will be given to participants in the form of a Workshop Quiz. The cases have been carefully selected as being noteworthy and important, to challenge everyone’s diagnostic abilities. For Trainees, a number of cases will highlight some important forensic and autopsy principles; for senior practitioners, most cases will be interesting and challenging.
PULMONARY EMBOLUS, PULMONARY HYPERTENSION AND SLEEP APNOEA – A PANDORA’S BOX
of secondary cardiac arrhythmias or poor gas exchange. These three disease states will be discussed with case examples and an emphasis on how and why the diagnosis is frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed.
FACULTY OF CLINICAL FORENSIC MEDICINE (FCFM); PROPOSED TRAINING AND CPD PROGRAMS Cathy Lincoln1 and John O’Neill-Fuller2 1Deputy Director, Clinical Forensic Medicine Unit, Gold Coast, Qld, and Foundation Fellow of Faculty of Clinical Forensic Medicine (FCFM), and 2Faculty Development Officer, Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA), NSW, Australia In January 2014, the RCPA established the Faculty of Clinical Forensic Medicine to enhance the recognition and development of clinical forensic medicine as a unique medical discipline, and to promote education, research and training in the field by ensuring a sustainable specialist career pathway to attract new trainees and support the work of existing practitioners. It is anticipated that the promotion of stronger links with forensic pathology, odontology and science will be of great value in this process. This presentation will outline the proposed development of a training program for Fellowship using the RCPA template and incorporating components of the existing Australasian Association of Forensic Physicians (AAFP) clinical forensic medicine curriculum and continuing professional development programs, and integrating international best practice in curriculum development and outcomes-based education. The curriculum and assessment procedures will be developed to align with RCPA policy and fit within the AMC requirements structure, setting clear standards and expectations for trainees and supervisors through a matrix of standards, outcomes and assessment indicators. The progress of candidates towards achievement of standards determined by the Faculty will be evidenced through a suite of assessment activities, designed to reflect the nature of clinical forensic practice and continually inform the learning of practitioners in the field.
DNA AND THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR DNA DECONTAMINATION FROM A CLINICAL FORENSIC PERSPECTIVE
Philip J. Thompson The Lung Health Clinic Western Australia, School of Medicine and Pharmacology University of Western Australia, WA, Australia
John A. M. Gall Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne; Victorian Forensic Paediatric Medical Service, Royal Children’s Hospital and Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne; and Era Health, Melbourne, Australia
Sudden death from a respiratory cause can often be difficult to determine and quite often the clinical story is confusing, absent or at times misleading. Three pathologies that epitomise this situation are pulmonary embolus, pulmonary hypertension and sleep apnoea. All three conditions can lead to sudden death often because
Forensic DNA testing has had a significant impact upon the investigation of crimes and the process has attained infallibility status in the minds of many involved in the medico-legal system. This has led to some significant miscarriages of justice both in Australia and abroad. DNA fingerprinting, despite becoming
Print ISSN 0031-3025/Online ISSN 1465-3931
#
2015 Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia
Copyright © Royal College of pathologists of Australasia. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Forensic Pathology
THE ENTOMOLOGY OF PERINATAL INVESTIGATIONS 1,2
Melanie Archer 1Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Melbourne, and 2Anatomical Pathology, St John of God Hospital, Ballarat, Vic, Melbourne Forensic entomology is the application of the study of insects to legal problems. The minimum time since death may be estimated for a deceased person by aging the oldest fly larvae (maggots) collected from the body. Degree of larval development is compared with known development rates at the estimated prevailing temperatures. The species composition of insects on the body is also characteristic at different times after death, and therefore useful for aging the body. Perinatal deaths present special difficulties to the entomologist because the body is easy to move, and may be repositioned more than once after death. This complicates assessment of the temperatures under which insect larvae have grown. The body may also be concealed in wrappings that delay fly access, or dumped at night when flies are usually inactive. Additionally, maggots may develop at different rates on perinatal remains, and on products of conception, than on adult bodies. This is because large maggot masses, which elevate temperatures, are less likely to form within smaller bodies. The difficulties inherent in this special case type are discussed, along with some solutions.
CURIOSITIES WORKSHOP Alanah Buck and Clive Cooke Forensic Pathology, PathWest, Perth, WA, Australia At least twenty (20) cases, some in several parts, will be given to participants in the form of a Workshop Quiz. The cases have been carefully selected as being noteworthy and important, to challenge everyone’s diagnostic abilities. For Trainees, a number of cases will highlight some important forensic and autopsy principles; for senior practitioners, most cases will be interesting and challenging.
PULMONARY EMBOLUS, PULMONARY HYPERTENSION AND SLEEP APNOEA – A PANDORA’S BOX
of secondary cardiac arrhythmias or poor gas exchange. These three disease states will be discussed with case examples and an emphasis on how and why the diagnosis is frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed.
FACULTY OF CLINICAL FORENSIC MEDICINE (FCFM); PROPOSED TRAINING AND CPD PROGRAMS Cathy Lincoln1 and John O’Neill-Fuller2 1Deputy Director, Clinical Forensic Medicine Unit, Gold Coast, Qld, and Foundation Fellow of Faculty of Clinical Forensic Medicine (FCFM), and 2Faculty Development Officer, Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA), NSW, Australia In January 2014, the RCPA established the Faculty of Clinical Forensic Medicine to enhance the recognition and development of clinical forensic medicine as a unique medical discipline, and to promote education, research and training in the field by ensuring a sustainable specialist career pathway to attract new trainees and support the work of existing practitioners. It is anticipated that the promotion of stronger links with forensic pathology, odontology and science will be of great value in this process. This presentation will outline the proposed development of a training program for Fellowship using the RCPA template and incorporating components of the existing Australasian Association of Forensic Physicians (AAFP) clinical forensic medicine curriculum and continuing professional development programs, and integrating international best practice in curriculum development and outcomes-based education. The curriculum and assessment procedures will be developed to align with RCPA policy and fit within the AMC requirements structure, setting clear standards and expectations for trainees and supervisors through a matrix of standards, outcomes and assessment indicators. The progress of candidates towards achievement of standards determined by the Faculty will be evidenced through a suite of assessment activities, designed to reflect the nature of clinical forensic practice and continually inform the learning of practitioners in the field.
DNA AND THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR DNA DECONTAMINATION FROM A CLINICAL FORENSIC PERSPECTIVE
Philip J. Thompson The Lung Health Clinic Western Australia, School of Medicine and Pharmacology University of Western Australia, WA, Australia
John A. M. Gall Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne; Victorian Forensic Paediatric Medical Service, Royal Children’s Hospital and Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne; and Era Health, Melbourne, Australia
Sudden death from a respiratory cause can often be difficult to determine and quite often the clinical story is confusing, absent or at times misleading. Three pathologies that epitomise this situation are pulmonary embolus, pulmonary hypertension and sleep apnoea. All three conditions can lead to sudden death often because
Forensic DNA testing has had a significant impact upon the investigation of crimes and the process has attained infallibility status in the minds of many involved in the medico-legal system. This has led to some significant miscarriages of justice both in Australia and abroad. DNA fingerprinting, despite becoming
Print ISSN 0031-3025/Online ISSN 1465-3931
#
2015 Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia
Copyright © Royal College of pathologists of Australasia. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.