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1 – 10 of 515Jay Kalra, Lyndon Entwistle, Sudhir Suryavanshi and Rajeev Chadha
The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of concordance and discordance between clinical diagnosis and post‐mortem findings in patients admitted to the hospitals of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of concordance and discordance between clinical diagnosis and post‐mortem findings in patients admitted to the hospitals of the Saskatoon Health Region.
Design/methodology/approach
A retrospective record review of the medical and autopsy charts was carried out for all the deceased adult in‐patients admitted during calendar years 2002, 2003 and 2004. A total of 3416 in‐patient deaths were registered during the study period. Autopsies were performed on 206 of the deceased resulting in an autopsy rate of 6 percent. In accordance with selection criteria, 158 cases were included for this study. The mean age of subjects was 66.6±15.3 years with a range of 16‐94 years. The study group consisted of 92 males (58.2 percent) and 66 females (41.8 percent) with an average length of stay at the hospital of 12.9±10.9 days.
Findings
The concordance rate between clinical and autopsy diagnosis was found to be 75.3 percent. The discordance rate was 20.9 percent and in 3.8 percent of the study population a conclusive clinical or autopsy diagnosis was not finalized.
Practical implications
These results suggest that despite of the technical advances in medical and diagnostic modalities, diagnostic discrepancies in the present day health care system remain prevalent.
Originality/value
The authors encourage residents and physicians to continue using autopsy as an important tool to extend understanding of disease processes.
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David J. Bennett and Paul Stephens
The purpose of this paper is to review the usability of the Autopsy Forensic Browser in order to improve future versions of this, or similar, tools.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review the usability of the Autopsy Forensic Browser in order to improve future versions of this, or similar, tools.
Design/methodology/approach
The software Autopsy Forensic Browser was analysed for usability using a cognitive walkthrough approach.
Findings
The results of the evaluation indicate that there are many areas where usability could be improved and these are classified into areas of eight overlapping areas. Examples from each area are presented, with suggestions as to methods to alleviate them.
Research limitations/implications
The review is limited by the use of the “expert evaluator” approach rather than using a user‐based evaluation. This would tend to mean that some of the usability errors would be “false positives”, while some usability issues were not uncovered. A user‐based evaluation could be a future project.
Practical implications
Usability could be improved of the Autopsy Forensic Browser and developers of such systems should engage with the usability and interaction design community to enhance their software. It would be helpful for users, if future versions of the software take account of the findings of the paper.
Originality/value
This is one of the first reviews of the usability of forensic analysis software and the first for the Autopsy Forensic Browser system. The value is the findings suggest practical ways to enhance usability, which will impact on the effectiveness of investigators.
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Riaan Stopforth, Craig Proctor-Parker and Shaniel Davrajh
The purpose of this paper includes results of some of the tests involved for the design and implementation of low-cost crash anthropomorphics (ATPs) fitted with sensory systems to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper includes results of some of the tests involved for the design and implementation of low-cost crash anthropomorphics (ATPs) fitted with sensory systems to measure forces that would have been experienced by passengers in the vehicle, commonly used for public transport within South Africa.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents the description of the implemented low cost ATPs and the analysis of the data obtained from the sensory system within the torso of the ATPs and in the head of a single ATP, to identify if a documented threshold is exceeded. The autopsy of the ATPs is performed to identify injuries.
Findings
The recorded results showed the type of injuries that could have occurred when an accident has occurred with occupant in the minibus taxi. The autopsy performed on the ATPs showed feasible injuries that could be obtained by a person in a similar scenario.
Research limitations/implications
The ATPs were to be designed and constructed with the sensory system, with a budget of ZAR13,000/US$1,000.
Originality/value
The contributions of this paper are as follows: present the test results of two ATPs, and discuss them, for a loss of control of a minibus on a wet surface, which has been indicated as a world first test; And identify the need for a data fusion of sensory information to evaluate the injuries with the autopsy performed.
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Kenneth Appiah Donkor-Hyiaman and Kenneth Nii Okai Ghartey
This study aims to examine why Ghana has English legal origins (hypothesised as a legal framework that promotes financial development) but has not developed a well-functioning…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine why Ghana has English legal origins (hypothesised as a legal framework that promotes financial development) but has not developed a well-functioning mortgage finance market.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors adopt the institutional autopsy approach developed by Milhaupt and Pistor (2008). This study is not a cross-country study but a historical examination of Ghana’s mortgage finance regulatory framework. The institutional autopsy framework considers the iterative process of change in a system and allows for context-specific system analysis.
Findings
The authors note that for a long period of about 68 years (1940-2008), some of the legal rules regulating mortgage finance were not typical of the hypothesised characteristics of the English common law tradition. These rules, including, interest rate controls, excessive entry barriers, loan default guarantee discriminations and complex foreclosure procedures, tended to inadequately protect creditors. In the context of the history of military rule and law-making, judicial discretion that could have promoted legal efficiency and strengthened contract enforcement was also limited. During this period, the legal system demonstrated a concentrated and coordinative character. New legislation in the form of the Home Mortgage Finance Act 2008 (Act 770) attempts to resolve some of these bottlenecks and improve creditor rights protection.
Research limitations/implications
The study focuses solely on how the legal institution affects creditor protection and mortgage finance in Ghana.
Practical implications
Policy-wise, the study deepens the understanding of the channels through which the law affects the development of mortgage finance.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the methodology used (institutional autopsy) is novel in the context of analysing mortgage finance.
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Three case studies in change involving both corporate and academic institutions are described in detail and analyzed in a systematic manner including an “autopsy” of the change…
Abstract
Three case studies in change involving both corporate and academic institutions are described in detail and analyzed in a systematic manner including an “autopsy” of the change strategies and results. In each case, the environment at the outset, the strategies for change, the concluding environment, and the autopsy are presented. Some generalized conclusions from the three cases are presented as well.
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Mohamed Amine Zaara, Mehdi Ben Khelil, Mohamed Bellali, Meriem Gharbaoui, Ikram Kort, Ahmed Banasr, Mongi Zhioua and Moncef Hamdoun
This study aims to analyze the pattern of deaths in detention in Northern Tunisia as well as the causes of death.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the pattern of deaths in detention in Northern Tunisia as well as the causes of death.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study including all the casualties of death in detention examined in the legal medicine Department in the main teaching hospital from 2005 to 2019. The department covers 10 out of the 11 governorates of Northern Tunisia and 13 prisons.
Findings
Of a total of 197 casualties, only 2 were females. The mean age was 45.39 ± 14.43 years. A known medical history was reported in 63.5%, mainly cardiovascular disease, mental health disorders and diabetes. Half of the deaths occurred at the hospital. A total of 53 victims spent less than one year in custody before their death. Most deaths occurred due to disease-related causes (78.7%; n = 155); among these, 69 victims died from cardiovascular disease. Suicide accounted for 3.6% of the casualties and homicides for four cases.
Research limitations/implications
Several missing data regarding the details of the detention circumstances as well as the absence in some cases of the toxicological and histopathology analysis results, which could bias the study findings.
Practical implications
Death in detention in Northern Tunisia involved mainly males between their 30s and their 50s who died mainly from cardiovascular or pulmonary disease. These results underscore the importance of empowering the penitentiary health system.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of largest studies with regard to the number of decedents and the number of prisons from the Arab countries allowing to draw a pattern of casualties of death in prison.
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Suzanne David and Brian H. Kleiner
Briefly introduces the concept of forensic psychology, looking at areas such as stalking behaviour, self‐mutilation, and execution competency. Suggests that the forensic…
Abstract
Briefly introduces the concept of forensic psychology, looking at areas such as stalking behaviour, self‐mutilation, and execution competency. Suggests that the forensic psychiatrist needs to remain up to date with recent sexual harassment legislation, the use of neuropsychological testing and the assessment of child abuse. Covers other subjects including hate crime on the Internet, and psychological autopsy. Concludes that to uphold the high principles required by law and to withstand scrutiny by defence lawyers, forensic psychology has defined standards by which to judge a persion and studies continue to develop these measures.
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Amos Gavi, Emma Plugge and Marie Claire Van Hout
The dual epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) in Sub-Saharan Africa has increased substantially in recent years, with…
Abstract
Purpose
The dual epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) in Sub-Saharan Africa has increased substantially in recent years, with cardiovascular disease representing a significant contributor to the regional burden of disease. Very little is known about the cardiovascular health of people deprived of their liberty in the region. The purpose of this study was to collate extant literature on the topic.
Design/methodology/approach
A scoping review mapped and described what is known about cardiovascular disease in prison populations in Sub-Saharan Africa. A systematic search of empirical literature with no date limitation was conducted in English. Sixteen studies representing six Sub-Saharan African countries (Cameroon, Nigeria, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Ethiopia) were charted, categorised and thematically analysed.
Findings
Seven key themes were identified: custodial deaths and autopsy; cardiorespiratory fitness and exercise; cardiovascular disease and elderly people in prison; cardiovascular disease and women in prison; dietary deficiencies; influence of sleep patterns on cardiovascular disease; and other associated risk factors. Most natural deaths at autopsy of custodial deaths were due to cardiovascular disease. Cardiorespiratory fitness was low in prisons, and poor sleep patterns and dietary deficiencies are likely contributors to the burden of cardiovascular disease in prisons. The needs of elderly and female prison populations are ill-considered.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first known attempt to scope extant literature on cardiovascular disease in Sub-Saharan African prisons. A strategic focus on the cardiovascular health of people in prison is warranted. Routine monitoring and expansion of existing prison health-care services and integration of NCD services with infectious disease (HIV and tuberculosis) programmes in prisons are required.
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Abstract
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