Aysun Balseven Odabaşı

Effects of different types of soil on decomposition: An experimental study

Decomposition, a postmortem process including autolysis and putrefaction, is affected by many factors (e.g., humidity, microbial activity, soil properties). The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of soil type in decomposition process. Changes occurred in two intervals (3 and 6 months) were evaluated using a total of 32 Sus scrofa limbs by burying in four different types of soil (loamy, clayey, sandy and organic). The extremities in all soils had lost weight over time; however, mass loss was greater in loamy and organic soils in both intervals. Entomological findings were also assessed. Obtained findings of soil analysis and evaluation of decomposition were compatible. In conclusion, the present study revealed that soil properties and textures should be taken into account in evaluation of decomposition and estimating postmortem interval in crime scene investigation.

Establishment of interdisciplinary child protection teams in Turkey 2002–2006: Identifying the strongest link can make a difference!

OBJECTIVES The University of Iowa Child Protection Program collaborated with Turkish professionals to develop a training program on child abuse and neglect during 2002-2006 with the goals of increasing professional awareness and number of multidisciplinary teams (MDT), regional collaborations, and assessed cases. This paper summarizes the 5-year outcome. METHODS A team of instructors evaluated needs and held training activities in Turkey annually, and provided consultation when needed. Descriptive analysis was done via Excel and SPSS software. RESULTS Eighteen training activities were held with 3,570 attendees. Over the study period, the number of MDTs increased from 4 to 14. The MDTs got involved in organizing training activities in their institutions and communities. The number of medical curriculum lectures taught by MDTs to medical students/residents, conferences organized by the MDTs, and lectures to non-medical professional audiences increased significantly (R(2)=91.4%, 83.8%, and 69.2%, respectively). The number of abuse cases assessed by the MDTs increased by five times compared to pre-training period. CONCLUSIONS A culturally competent training program had a positive impact on professional attitudes and behaviors toward recognition and management of child abuse and neglect in Turkey. The need to partner with policy makers to revise current law in favor of a greater human services orientation became clear. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Pioneers in developing countries may benefit from collaborating with culturally competent instructors from countries with more developed child protection systems to develop training programs so that professional development can improve recognition and management of child abuse and neglect.

Autopsy findings of suicidal deaths committed by firearms in Ankara, Turkey

The purpose of this study was to examine autopsy findings from suicidal deaths using firearms in Ankara, Turkey, and to compare the results with those reported from other studies. We retrospectively evaluated suicidal deaths by firearms referred for autopsy to the Morgue Department, Institute of Forensic Medicine, between 2002 and 2004. Results were subjected to discriminant analyses using SPSS 11.5 package program. One hundred and fifteen cases (83.3%) were male, the ratio of male to female was 5 to 1 and the mean age was 31.96 years (range:12-85 years). Forty cases were aged between 12 years and 20 years, 28 were aged between 0 and 18 (20.29%). One hundred and thirty-three cases (96.4%) had one bullet entry and five cases (3.6%) had two bullet entries. Out of 143 bullet entries, 116 (81.12%) were caused by gunshots fired from contact or near contact range. Regarding bullet entry sites, 103 (72.03%) were on the head with 56 (54.37%) located on the right temporal region. Gunshot related crimes are an increasing cause for concern in Turkey. However, a simple preventive measure may prevent the suicidal deaths of many young people.

The experiences of violence and occupational health risks of sex workers working in brothels in ankara.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to reveal and discuss occupational health risks, violence against sex workers working in brothels and their working conditions in Ankara. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 138 sex workers. Data were collected at face to face interviews with a questionnaire composed of 40 questions about socio-demographic features, familial characteristics, reasons for becoming a sex worker, experiences of violence and occupational health risks. RESULTS Twenty-two point five percent of the women were aged 21-30 years and 39.9% were aged 31-40 years. The mean time of education was 5.9±3.5 (0-14) years. Forty-eight point five percent of the women were exposed to physical abuse and 13% of the women had been exposed to sexual abuse in their childhood. Fifty-five point eight percent of the women reported that their clients always used condoms, but 97.1% of the women noted that their clients insisted on not using a condom. Fourteen point five percent and 70.3% of the women were exposed to physical and verbal violence respectively from their clients. Ten point one percent of the women suffered sexual assault while working. CONCLUSION Sex workers, like other people, should have human rights, all types of violence that they face should be eliminated and the social conditions they are exposed to should be improved. Sexually transmitted diseases, the most important health risk of sex workers, should be considered as occupational diseases in the new regulations.

Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome: A Case Series Study from Turkey

Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) is a rare form of child abuse in which a caregiver deliberately exaggerates, fabricates, and/or induces health problems in those in their care. The condition is extremely difficult to characterize and diagnose, as it manifests in many forms, often confusing the medical team. Insufficient knowledge regarding the syndrome and rare consideration of the differential diagnosis results in failure to recognize the problem. Literature suggests that an increase in physician awareness of the disorder can prevent or reduce its morbidity and mortality. For this reason, we believe that case series can help increase current knowledge on epidemiology, aetiology, diagnostic criteria, advised management of MSBP, and the psychological portrait of the perpetrator. Additionally, no data from Turkey has previously been presented on this issue. This study aimed to report characteristics of MSPB victims and alleged perpetrator, which were diagnosed and managed by a multidisciplinary team.

Medical forensic examination of detained immigrants: is the Istanbul Protocol followed?

Introduction Maltreatment and torture during custody is still an important problem in many countries. Both national and international regulations and the Istanbul Protocol are of great importance in terms of elimination of maltreatment and torture. In this study, we evaluated whether examinations for custody of immigrants were performed in accordance with the Istanbul Protocol. Method We retrospectively evaluated reports of forensic examinations for custody of 100 immigrants in Van-çaldıran Government Hospital in 2009. Data about nationality, age, gender, examination date, referring department, examination findings and departments to which the reports were submitted were collected. Results Fifty percent of the immigrants were Iranian and they were aged between 11 and 62 years. Ninety-nine immigrants were men and one was woman. Data about history of arrest were missing in forensic reports about all immigrants. Data about signs of trauma were present only for seven immigrants. Ninety-three immigrants were reported to have no signs of trauma. None of the immigrants underwent psychiatric examination. All forensic reports were found to be submitted to the police personally. Whether the immigrants were examined before or after the custody was not clear in the reports. Conclusion Evaluation of the data showed that none of the forensic examinations were performed in accordance with the Istanbul Protocol. It can be recommended that the protocol should be incorporated into the curricula for undergraduate, graduate and in-service training programmes in order to improve relevant forensic practices.

Kırım Kongo Kanamalı Ateşi Olgularında Postmortem İncelemelerde Enfeksiyondan Korunma

SUMMARY Unless post-mortem examinations are perfomed in adequate circumstances, there may be some life-threatening infectious risks for both the forensic medicine staff and for the environment. In last few years there was an increasing number of deaths due to the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Turkey. We aimed to observe the rules that should be followed to minimize the risks of the autopsy on Crimean-Congo hemorr