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Biomedical subjects

W U Spitz

Publications and source records attributed to W U Spitz.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

A case of suicidal hanging in an automobile.

A case of suicidal hanging inside an automobile is presented. To our knowledge, hanging has not been previously reported as a cause of death in a motor vehicle driver. The causes of death in automobile-related suicides are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

Concentration of alcohol in delayed subdural hematoma.

The medicolegal implications of a delayed subdural hemorrhage are described, with particular reference to the significance of the alcohol content in the hematoma versus that in the peripheral blood at the time of injury.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1981

Secondary intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage due to spinal missile injury.

Fresh intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage may occur secondary to blast-type injury of the spinal cord. This phenomenon is demonstrated in four cases of gunshot and shotgun wounds involving the spinal column. The significance of such a finding is that the subarachnoid hemorrhage should not be construed to represent an independent injury. Such an erroneous conclusion could jeopardize a theory of self-defense in a homicidal shooting.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

The medicolegal autopsy.

Considerable disparity exists from area to area in the United States in the quality of medicolegal investigation. Much of this type of investigation in this country is still conducted by physicians in general practice, who possess neither specialized medicolegal training nor experience. Forensic autopsies are being performed mostly by hospital pathologists without forensic expertise, who conduct these autopsies in their spare time or as a paid hobby. This article provides guidelines for improved medicolegal investigation and formulation of autopsy reports, including opinions, which have been found to be advantageous in a medicolegal setting of a major metropolitan area and are, in my opinion, also applicable to smaller, even rural, types of jurisdiction.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1980

Ethanol in intracerebral clot. Report of two homicidal cases with prolonged survival after injury.

Two homicidal cases are reported with prolonged survival after injury. In one case there was a 33-hour survival and the other had a 9-hour survival before death. In both cases there was severe injury to the brain: in one by blunt force and in the other by penetrating injury by firearm. Blood and urine alcohol levels in these cases were low or negative. The blood clot is another potential resource for information in an unnatural death investigation where intoxication is suspected or indicated by the behavior of the victim.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Accidental bed deaths in infants due to unsafe sleeping situations.

Sixteen accidental deaths of infants occcurred in Wayne County (Detroit) during 1974-1975 as a result of unsafe sleeping environments. Thirteen of these deaths resulted from different modes of asphyxia, two were due to falls, and one drowned. Differential diagnoses are pointed out. It is estimated that over 600 infants die each year in the United States due to unsafe sleeping conditions. Despite the magnitude and importance of this problem, little has been provided to the public in the form of preventive education. Federal regulations, passed in 1974, control the manufacture of new cribs but do not affect the existing unsafe cribs. Suggestions for the prevention of such fatal accidents are outlined, including a safety check list for infant beds. The cooperation of all health professions is required to educate the public of these dangers to their infants.

Accidents, Home↗
PubMed1976

Short-range ammunition--a possible anti-hijacking device.

Short-range ammunition was developed for use by law enforcement personnel in congested, enclosed areas and primarily as a hijacking deterrent in commercial airliners. This ammunition was expected to reduce the risk of injury to innocent bystanders and prevent damage to the aircraft walls. Experimentally, short-range ammunition is effective in its wounding capacity at close ranges, and it does not exit from the body. Due to the particular structure of the projectile, injuries due to ricochet are averted. At ranges of 6 ft (1.8 m), the risk of damage to the full thickness of an aircraft wall does exist. Short-range ammunition deserves serious consideration as an alternative to regular ammunition for use in specialized, close-quartered situations, such as hijacking.

Aircraft↗
PubMed1975

Narcotic abuse among homicide victims in Detroit.

A record of 751 homicides occurred in Detroit in 1973. An attempt was made to explore the relationship between narcotics and a random sample of these homicides. It was demonstrated that in the group studied, 43% were narcotic users. It is suggested that if one includes pushers and dealers (possibly victims of a "drug war"), people killed by addicts, and those cases where a narcotic might not be detected in the biological sample, the percentage of homicide victims associated with narcotics traffic could be as high as 60 to 70%. An investigation into the manner (executed, killed in a robbery attempt, etc) helps substantiate this suggestion. Finally, unlike the majority of homicide victims, ethanol is infrequently found in the victim using narcotics.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Accidental death with tear gas pen gun: a case report.

A case of accidental death resulting from a dropped tear gas pen gun is described. Tear gas pen guns can be easily altered to fire regular ammunition and can accommodate a variety of ammunition. Other similar pocket-sized weapons are mentioned.

Accidents↗