In:
Rechtsmedizin, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Vol. 33, No. 5 ( 2023-10), p. 381-387
Abstract:
The primary purpose of a second postmortem external examination is to identify unnatural deaths that were not determined as such during the first postmortem external examination. Petechial hemorrhages in the face, especially in the eyelids and eyelid conjunctiva, are noticed repeatedly. In addition to pathological and position-related causes, these petechial hemorrhages can be the only externally recognizable indication of a neck compression. When such hemorrhages are found during the second postmortem external examination, the cremation-process is halted and the case of death is reported to the criminal police. For a period of 12 years (2010–2021) all cases of death with detected petechial hemorrhages were analyzed retrospectively. During this period a total of 2822 cases of deaths were stopped in the crematoria for which the Greifswald Institute for Forensic Medicine is responsible. In 282 cases, the cremation process was stopped because of petechial hemorrhages in the face. In 47% of these cases the public prosecutor in charge ordered a forensic autopsy. During the observation period two homicides were found, which were only identified by the second postmortem external examination before the cremation. The study shows that petechial hemorrhages are not well known to physicians as an indication of unnatural death.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0937-9819
,
1434-5196
DOI:
10.1007/s00194-023-00623-2
Language:
German
Publisher:
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1463037-0
SSG:
2
SSG:
2,1
Bookmarklink