International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine

Background: The Increase in homicide has made criminologists think about basis of this crime. It seems the most successful, prolific killers are extraordinarily ordinary.

Method: This research was carried out as cross-sectional study among 136 male criminal inmates in Tehran prisons. These individuals are evaluated by using SCL-90-R.

Results: Most of these individuals were within 30-37 age range with an average age of 33.6. About 87% of them had psychological traits, among which aggression, anxiety, and somatization were the most abundant (P<0.01).

Conclusion: This investigation clearly shows that majority of the cases in our study suffer from some of psychological traits such as aggression, depression, paranoia etc. Although according to Islamic Criminal Law, these psychological traits do not result in a reduction in penalty responsibility, but supposing in the presence of mild psychological disorders or traits, tendency to commit more severe crimes such as homicide may increase.

Background: Prevalence of cancers associated with the use of oral tobacco (OT) is rising very rapidly and prevention of use is the best option to tackle this scenario. This cross-sectional study estimated the proportion of OT use and predictors associated with its initiation and determined the knowledge, attitude.

Method: A total of 354 students (15-30 years age) in five colleges were interviewed by medical students and completed a peer reviewed, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. Chi square test and logistic regression analyses were applied to the results.

Results: Thirty nine (11.0%) students were lifetime users of smokeless tobacco among which nineteen (5.4%) were occasional users, seven (2.0%) were current users and thirteen (3.6%) fulfilled the criterion for established users. Paan was the most commonly used form of smokeless tobacco followed by Nass. On univariate analysis, lifetime use of smokeless tobacco showed significant associations with the use of cigarettes, student gender (M > F), individual condition (native > guest) and kind of the College (Engineering > Psychology).

Conclusion: We suggest socially and culturally acceptable educational and behavioral interventions for control of OT usage and hence to prevent its associated cancers.

Background: Prevalence of cancers associated with the use of oral tobacco (OT) is rising very rapidly and prevention of use is the best option to tackle this scenario. This cross-sectional study estimated the proportion of OT use and predictors associated with its initiation and determined the knowledge, attitude A total of 354 students (15-30 years age) in five colleges were interviewed by medical students and completed a peer reviewed, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. Chi square test and logistic regression analyses were applied to the results.

Method: Thirty nine (11.0%) students were lifetime users of smokeless tobacco among which nineteen (5.4%) were occasional users, seven (2.0%) were current users and thirteen (3.6%) fulfilled the criterion for established users. Paan was the most commonly used form of smokeless tobacco followed by Nass. On univariate analysis, lifetime use of smokeless tobacco showed significant associations with the use of cigarettes, student gender (M > F), individual condition (native > guest) and kind of the College (Engineering > Psychology).

Results: Although pain scores significantly reduced in pethidine group and there was a significant difference between the pethidine and placebo groups (p<0.05). Pethidine administration did not alter the physical signs, delay time to surgery, or diagnostic accuracy.

Conclusion: According to the result of the study, use of pethidine does not affect the accuracy and time of surgical diagnosis and can effectively reduce the pain among patients with acute abdominal pain due to appendicitis.

Background: Estimation of stature is very important chapter in the field of Forensic anthropometry. The present study is a serious effort to establish correlation between Height of an individual and five parameters; Arm span, Hand length, Hand breadth, Foot length, and Foot breadth.

Method: Sample of 273 living cases (138 male and 135 female students) between the ages of 17 and 23 years with no obvious deformities or previous history of trauma to hands, feet, spine and limbs, were studied at Government Medical College, Bhavnagar. Sample represents the population of Gujarat.

Results: This study shows significant correlation between stature and all five parameters at different degrees. Mathematical formulas were used for estimation of stature from Arm span, Hand length, Hand breadth, Foot length, and Foot breadth. Arm span showed the highest correlation with stature (r=0.908) followed by Hand length, followed by foot length. Hand Breadth showed the lowest degree of correlation (0.467).

Conclusion: Present study will be definitely helpful to forensic experts and crime scene investigators in establishing identity of an unknown individual.

Background:Background: Elderly patients are more likely to require surgery and are at greater risk for surgical complications than young age group. The causal factors include decreasing physiologic reserve and increasing number of underlying health check problems. The aim of the current study isto evaluate preoperatively common medical disorders and habits as risk factors among elderly patients.

Method:The protocol of study was finalized with an interview and was completed in several standard screening questionnaires.

Results:A total of 155 subjects completed the criteria of study. Mean age was recorded 69.8±5.7 SD years (female: 52%, male: 48%). Frequency of smoking habit, opium using and alcohol drinking was 42 %( male; 53%), 15% (male; 85%) and 5%. Common disorders included respiratory (36%), cardiovascular (31%), diabetes mellitus (11%), renal (7%) and cerebrovascular (5%).  Frequency of perioperative mortality risk of elderly patients occupied ASA classifications, including; classes=III 33% and IV =37%, respectively. The significant differences were seen between ASA classifications and MRC scale (χ<0.001). However, meaningful differences were found between gender and opium using (χ<0.001, odd ratio=7.6).

Conclusion:Our finding indicated that mortality rate of perioperative risk was considerably based upon ASA physical status classification among elderly Iranians. It may be due to significant prevalence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and also additionally present hazardous habits as smoking and opium using among aged patients. Surgical team should be awarded respect to social habits and frequency of disorders among the old-age population.

Background:Magnesium is an abundant intracellular divalent cation, and has significant efficacy on the respiratory system. Its homeostasis links with calcium and potassium electrolytes. Small airway diseases (SAD) of the lung can be induced among sulfur mustard gas-exposed victims(SM). The purpose of the present study was to determine status of magnesium, calcium and potassium among SM victims in Iran.

Method:The current study followed design of the protocol. Victims of the SM gas-exposed were sequentially enrolled among patients with defined criteria of SAD.

Results:A total of 145 victims completed criteria of the study.  Means of total Mg, Ca and K serum concentrations were 1.96 ± 0.2 SD, 9.42 ±   0.53 SD and 4.16 ± 0.36SD, respectively.  Frequency of hypomagnesemia,hypocalcemiaand hypokalemia was found 16.6%, 9.7% and4.8%, respectively.

Conclusion:Noticeable deficiency of magnesium, calcium and potassium was disclosed among sulfur mustard-induced chronic SAD. Evaluation of recent electrolytes improves the outcome management of SAD.

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Background:Emergency surgeons seldom encounter cases of foreign body ingestion/insertion. Both children and adults may present with ingestion or insertion of foreign body inside body cavities

Case presentation: Two foreign nationals were brought by customs officer to emergency department with alleged history of insertion of cocaine packets through anus.Any subjects that caused omission from patients were admitted and rectal examinations were carried out. Rectum was filled with cocaine capsules which were retrieved manually as far as we could reach.

Conclusion: It is likely that the use of various objects for anal eroticism is increasing, resulting in an increased incidence of retained rectal foreign bodies.