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Biomedical subjects

G A Cadden

Publications and source records attributed to G A Cadden.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Death by hanging in Western Australia.

We present a review of the circumstances and medical findings of 280 fatalities due to hanging in Western Australia (WA) during the 5 yr period 1988-1992. Two hundred and forty one (241) of the cases were examined prospectively; the completed Coroner's files of a further 39 cases, from rural WA, were examined retrospectively. Most of the 280 deaths were in males (88%), and most were in the age range of 15-35 yrs (56%). Seven cases occurred in children aged 15 or less. There was one homicide, 14 cases thought to be accidental, and 261 suicides; in 4 cases the manner of death could not be determined. In one-third of the cases there was a medical history of a psychiatric condition. The majority occurred in or around the decedent's home (71%). The most commonly used ligature was a rope (59%). Alcohol was the most commonly detected drug following post mortem analysis (30%). In WA then, there is one hanging death every 6.5 days, the majority being suicides, in men of young adult age, typically occurring in or around the home.

Accidents, Home↗
PubMed1995

Pathology review of sudden and unexpected death in aboriginal and non-aboriginal infants.

Previous research showed that the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) rate for Aboriginal infants significantly increased during the 1980s in Western Australia (WA) and raised the possibility of a diagnostic transfer of Aboriginal infant deaths from other causes to SIDS over this period. Here, therefore we review the pathology of SIDS and other sudden and unexpected deaths in infancy (SUDI) for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal infants in WA between 1980 and 1988. The aim was to investigate whether there had been differences in the diagnosis and/or classification of SIDS according to whether the infants were Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal. The study population comprised: (1) all Aboriginal cases of SIDS and other SUDI between 1980 and 1988, and (2) corresponding random samples of non-Aboriginal cases. A two-stage process was employed for the review. First, histology slides were reviewed for each case where the aboriginality of the infant was Aboriginal and the original cause of death were unknown to the pathologists. Second, all paper records (i.e. death scene investigations, laboratory tests and medical reports) except for the original cause of death information were reviewed by the pathologists. The results showed that there was excellent agreement between the final review diagnosis and the original diagnosis for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal SUDI. Thus, there was no evidence for a diagnostic shift among Aboriginal infant deaths and the review supported the observed increase in the SIDS rate for Aboriginal infants.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1994

Autoerotic deaths: four cases.

We describe the circumstances and post mortem medical findings of 4 unusual fatalities where death occurred during autoerotic practice. Three cases occurred in young to middle-aged men--hanging, electrocution and inhalation of a zucchini. The manner of death in each was accidental. The fourth case was an elderly man who died of ischemic heart disease, apparently whilst masturbating with a vacuum cleaner and a hair dryer.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Hanging deaths in children.

During the 16-year period of 1972-1987, there were 11 hanging deaths in children in Western Australia. We report the circumstances and medical findings of each case.

Accidents↗
PubMed1988

Unusual hanging deaths.

We describe the circumstances and medical findings of four unusual hanging deaths. In brief, the unusual features are tracheostomy, delayed death, self-mutilation combined with severe neck injury caused by lengthy drop, and homicidal hanging in a young girl.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cycling fatalities in Western Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To present a review of the circumstances of 64 cycling fatalities in Western Australia (WA) during the nine-year period 1984-1992, and the major injuries sustained by the cyclists. DATA SOURCES: The number of deaths was ascertained from lists maintained by the WA Police Department, Forensic Pathology Division of the Health Department and the Coroner's office. Individual case files held by the Coroner's office and Forensic Pathology Division were then examined for details of the circumstances of each incident, epidemiological data, and medical and toxicological findings. DATA SYNTHESIS: Most of the 64 fatalities (59%) occurred in children or young adults less than 20 years of age. Most fatal injuries (54%) were to the head alone. Forty-seven of the deaths involved collision with a motor car. Alcohol was demonstrated in the blood of five of the 30 cases in which analysis of blood alcohol level was performed. On average, 7.8 cyclists died annually in WA before the introduction of legislation for the compulsory wearing of safety helmets while cycling. In the 12-month period following this legislation, there was only one cycling death. CONCLUSIONS: Most cycling deaths occur in children, primarily from head injury resulting from impact with a motor car. The enactment of legislation for the compulsory wearing of cycling helmets has been associated with a fall in cyclist fatalities.

Accidents, Traffic↗