Haluk Ince

Analysis of tractor-related deaths

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to evaluate the properties of tractor-related death cases and discuss the precautions in order to prevent such events. For this aim, reports made between 2006 and 2009 by the First Specialty Board of Council of Forensic Medicine (FSBCFM), Turkey, were evaluated retrospectively. Forty-one tractor-related death cases were included in this study. Thirty-five (85.4%) of the cases were male. The mean age was 42.52 ± 25.1 (with a range between 1 and 84 years old). The average time interval between the incident and death was 13.76 ± 33.53 days (range: 0–176 days) and 20 (48.8%) cases died on the incident spot or during transportation to the hospital. Among the cases, 34.1% (n = 14) were drivers, whereas 39.0% (n = 16) were passengers and the remaining were pedestrians (26.9%, n = 11). The accident was caused by the tractor rolling over in 34.1%, the victim being run over in 22.0%, and the victim falling from the tractor or trailer in 22.0% of the cases. Most of the events (56.1%) occurred on the road. In conclusion, tractors must not be used as a transportation vehicle for passengers. Periodic training of drivers can be useful for reducing tractor-related accidents.

Criminal activities of the elderly in Turkey during the years 2000–2005

The aging of the population is one of the most important demographic events of the 21st century. The aim of this study is to define the basic variables related with criminal behavior among the elderly for cases over 60 years. A retrospective assessment of the criminal data (255 cases) consists of the period between 2000 and 2005 of the Council of Forensic Medicine, Turkish Ministry of Justice. Of the cases whose average age is 68.2±6.9, 25 of the 56 cases were diagnosed as ill. Out of 225 elderly who had committed a criminal act 56 of them had a medical antecedent which is a psychiatric diagnosis. Whether or not they had a medical antecedent the Board made 90 psychiatric diagnosis. This comprised of 25 out of the 56 who also had a medical antecedent and 65 out of the 199 who did not have a medical antecedent. Delusional disorder (43.3%) and schizophrenia (25.6%) are the most frequent diagnoses. Specializing and developing standards for determining the criminal responsibility of the elderly is required.

Fungal Flora at Solid Waste Storage Centres and Their Potential Allergenic Effects on the Workers

Purpose: The aim of this study was to find out the fungal flora at solid waste storage centres and its potential allergenic effects on the workers. Methods: Air samples from 10 solid waste storage centres were collected and plates were incubated for up to 14 days. The isolated fungi were identified by standard methods. In total, 599 solid waste sanitation workers who worked in those areas were questioned about nasoconjunctival and skin allergic symptoms and then underwent skin prick tests with different mould extracts. Results: Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp., Rhizopus sp., Penicillium sp., Alternaria sp. and Trichoderma sp. were isolated in all areas, Aspergillus being the most abundant mould followed by others. According to skin prick tests, positivity to Aspergillus fumigatuswas found to be in the first order by 10.68%. There was a significant correlation between the nasal and conjunctival symptoms and skin test positivity to house dust mites (p = 0.002, p = 0.03). Skin complaints were correlated with skin test positivity to Penicillium notatum ( p = 0.04). Conclusion: Our findings showed that the workers of solid waste storage centres are under a moderate risk of becoming sensitised to some mould species, especially to Aspergillus sp. The environmental measurements and periodical medical check-ups must be taken into account in solid waste storage centres in order to assess the health risks.