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Biomedical subjects

D Metter

Publications and source records attributed to D Metter.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

[Sudden death from natural causes among children of preschool and school age (author's transl)].

Sudden natural death the cause of which can only be found through obduction and further examinations, is an especially dramatic event between the ages of 3 and 18, probably the healthiest period of life. The number of such fatalities recorded in the Institute for legal Medicine, Würzburg University, was 0.6% (38 cases). The three main causes of death were: first, respiratory diseases, second, pathological changes of the brain its vessels and meninges, third, heart disease. Physical stress may have contributed to the time of death in 7 of the 38 cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

[Decollement as initial collision injury (author's transl)].

Decollement is considered a classical indication of a run-over injury. Injury, however, also occurs in erect bearing with the initial collision mechanism. Non-selected material of 180 fatal pedestrian/car accidents was subject to study. Among 106 lateral accidents there were 52 accidents with collation which alone or in conjunction with fractures marked the location of the primary impact. Of 51 dorsal accidents subcutaneous undermining was established in 20 accidents. Resulting pockets were localized on the lower leg, thigh, and in the region of the pelvis. They were brought about by the way tangential stripping force, exerted by the sheet-metal fittings on the front of the vehicle, acts. Unlike, with run-over injuries the initial collision injury is smaller and not so conspicuous on external inspection. Frequently, it is only determined after the legs and back of the trunk had been fully dissected. Incisions questionable points are not adequate. Decollement is a useful finding in reconstructing fatal pedestrian accidents. Storage and maceration of bones to determine the directin of impact is only necessary in exceptional cases.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1979

[Morphological findings after tracheotomy and laryngeal intubation (author's transl)].

4 fatal cases after tracheotomy and 35 cases after endotracheal anaesthesia were examined taking pathomorphological aspects into consideration. In long-period intubation mucous membrane necroses occurred as of the 4th day. After 6 days' intubation skeletizations of the tracheal rings were established in each case. Infections of the decubial ulcers and errosion haemorrhages from the necrotically altered tracheal wall were frequent complications. Faulty intubation of the oesophagus and the right bronchus, aspirations and reflex-related circulatory failure during intubation as well as hypoxic damage as a result of the windpipe opening being impaired are discussed from the morphological point of view.

Accidents↗
PubMed1978

[Fatal incident after diagnostic hepatic needle biopsy (author's transl)].

Included among the complications after hepatic puncture are, expecially intraabdominal haemorrhages. This report concerns a 22-year old woman with a delayed haemorrhage, which culminated in death 5 days after a hepatic needle biopsy. The arguments for and against the necessity of this surgical procedure and the legal responsibility are discussed with the pertinent literature references.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

[Deadly scald or Lyell syndrome? (author's transl)].

The changes of skin of the Lyell Syndrome have an extreme likeness with those of a 2nd degree scald. As this illness is more frequently observed as of late, it may get forensic importance. Based on the case of a man, 48 years of age, who suddenly died without previous diagnosis and therapy the aetiologic and morphological problems are discussed.

Burns↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Fatal child abuse (caused by physical violence) in Germany during 1 January 1985 to 2 October 1990. Results of a multicenter study].

UNLABELLED: No reliable data are available on cases of lethal child abuse (by active force) in the area of Federal Republic of Germany prior to reunification (the former West Germany). In a multicenter study we therefore examined the police and court records for such cases occurring in the period 1 January 1985 to 2 October 1990 in nearly the entire area of Federal Republic of Germany. RESULTS: The study center received information on 58 cases of lethal child abuse. Extrapolated to all institutes of legal medicine, this corresponds to 62 cases in all of West Germany in the period studied. An approximately equal number of unreported cases should be added to this figure. Including unreported cases, at least 20 cases of lethal child abuse occurred per year; thus only one in every two cases ever came to light. Almost two thirds of the victims were younger than one year old. At autopsy 59% exhibited signs of repeated abuse at autopsy. By far the most common cause of death was direct impact from a blunt object, usually to the head. Mostly, the male person to whom the victim relates most closely (father, stepfather, partner of the mother) has killed the child. Twenty-one of the 74 persons charged saw the charges against them dropped or were acquitted due to lack of evidence; 51 received sentences ranging from one year probation to life. In the remaining two cases the outcome of the trial was unknown. Signs of abuse were readily apparent at autopsy in almost all cases. The high number of unreported cases underscores the need to educate medical students and practicing physicians to be on the look-out for signs of abuse and argues for an increase in the rate of autopsy.

Autopsy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Fatal child neglect in West Germany 1 January 1985 to 2 October 1990. Results of a multicenter study].

UNLABELLED: Up to now reliable data were available on cases of lethal child neglect in the area of the Federal Republic of Germany prior to reunification (the former West Germany). In a multicenter study we therefore examined the police and court records for such cases occurring in the period from 1 January 1985 to 2 October 1990 in nearly the entire area of Federal Republic of Germany. RESULTS: The study center received information on 19 cases of lethal child neglect. Extrapolated to all institutes of legal medicine, this corresponds to 20 cases and thus 3.5 cases a year in the whole of West Germany in the period studied. There is to be added a dark-field which cannot be limited more precisely. However, the cases of fatal child neglect might have occurred much more seldom than fatal child abuse caused by use of physical violence. Slightly more than half the victims were younger than 1 year, the oldest one was 7 10/12 years old. Most frequently the children died of starvation and thirst. Mostly the mothers/nursing mothers killed the child alone or together with the victim's father/stepfather. In the majority of the cases there was not a close affection between parents and child. Nearly 30% female/male perpetrators suffered from chronic alcohol abuse. Only 15 (= 56%) of 27 female/male perpetrators were sentenced to imprisonment (period between 7 months on probation and 10 years). Mitigation circumstances existed for nearly half the persons sentenced to imprisonment. It is true that child neglect is a rarer crime, but the experts of legal medicine always have to indicate errors made during the external inspection of the corpse (among others failures to see indications of neglect).

Cause of Death↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Strangulation marks in homicides caused by choking ? On an irritant blood stain picture].

Three homicides and one attempted homicide by choking in which apparent signs of throttling were present on the skin of the neck are described. The victims wore slender necklaces which were pressed against the skin by the hands of the perpetrator, causing transverse hematomas and cutaneous abrasions. The following criterious are typical for simulated signs of throttling: similarity to objects on the neck, incomplete course around the neck, absence of coarctation of the soft tissues, no lesions of subcutaneous structures.

Adult↗