Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A R Copeland.
I reviewed the cases of childhood firearms fatalities in the files of the Medical Examiner Department of Metropolitan Dade County, in Miami, Florida. Comparison of cases during the 5-year period from 1966 through 1970 to those during the 5-year period from 1984 through 1988, noting basic epidemiologic parameters, showed that death due to firearms is increasing among children aged 14 years and younger.
The case files of the Dade County Medical Examiner Department of Metropolitan Dade County were used to study pedestrian fatalities. Epidemiologic data are correlated and compared with those of other studies.
The phenomenon of accidental death due to falls at work was studied: 15 cases that occurred during the years 1983-1987, in which a worker died from a job-related fall, are presented in some detail. A discussion follows in which risk factors for these incidents are presented along with suggestions about how to investigate such cases.
A study of multiple homicides or multiple deaths involving a solitary incident of violence by another individual was performed on the case files of the Office of the Medical Examiner of Metropolitan Dade County in Miami, Florida, during 1983-1987. A total of 107 multiple homicides were studied: 88 double, 17 triple, one quadruple, and one quintuple. The 236 victims were analyzed regarding age, race, sex, cause of death, toxicologic data, perpetrator, locale of the incident, and reason for the incident. This article compares this type of slaying with other types of homicide including those perpetrated by serial killers. Suggestions for future research in this field are offered.
A study of 82 suicides during 1982-1986 that were committed by jumping from buildings was performed using the case files of the Office of the Medical Examiner of Metropolitan Dade County in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. The analysis involved the age, race, and sex of the victim along with the results of toxicologic studies and the cause of death. Additionally, the decedent's place of residence, location of the suicide, height of the building, and the reason for the suicide were investigated. Whether or not a note was left by the decedent was also ascertained. The suicidal "jumper" most commonly was a white man who was greater than 60 years of age who died from the resultant multiple injuries. The victim commonly was sober and drug free at the time of the incident. In approximately two-thirds of the cases, the location of the suicide was the victim's residence, which frequently was an apartment or condominium-type dwelling that was seven floors or higher from the ground. The victim often had experienced depression prior to the incident and did not usually leave a suicide note. This article compares the Dade County cases with others that have been studied and discusses the reasons why jumping from a building may have been chosen as the suicidal mechanism.
Traffic fatalities among victims aged 65 years or older were studied in Metro Dade County between the years 1981 and 1983. The cases were then analysed as to the age, race, sex, cause of death and blood alcohol content of the victim. Furthermore, the nature of the accident, the fault, the role of the victim along with seat belt usage, and reason for accident were noted. A discussion ensues as to what advice should be given to the elderly to avoid being a highway statistic.
A study of suicidal death by hanging, which occurred when the victim was in jail, was performed on the case files of the Metropolitan Dade County Medical Examiner Department in Miami, Florida, for the ten-year period July 1978 to July 1988. A total of 23 fatalities occurred. These were categorized epidemiologically. A discussion ensues concerning what can be done to prevent such tragedies.
A study of accidental railway-related fatalities was performed using the case files of the Office of the Medical Examiner of Metropolitan Dade County in Miami, Florida, during the years 1980-1984. The nine cases that were collected are presented here in some detail. A discussion ensues concerning the most common type of accidental railway-related fatalities, why they occur, and what future work remains in order to avoid such fatalities. Evidently, fatalities more frequently result from victims' disregard for safety--either by crossing the tracks despite warning, or by utilizing railroad trestles as a fishing pier--than from mass disaster. Future work involving forensic engineers, forensic pathologists, and lawyers along with community activists should include both public education and a design of less accessible trestles to avoid such tragedies. In conclusion, it is hoped that this article will serve as a catalyst for further research on this subject.
Suicide among nonwhites was studied using the case files of the office of the Medical Examiner of Metropolitan Dade County in Miami, Florida. A total of 116 cases, during the years 1982-1986, were analyzed as to the age, sex, cultural background, cause of death, blood alcohol content at autopsy, and reason for the suicide of the victim. By analyzing the ethnic/cultural backgrounds of the victims, it was noted that the overall rate of suicide among nonwhites in Dade County was 5 per 100,000 population per year. However, the rate varies within the overall group such that black-Hispanics, American Indians, and Haitians have suicide rates of 13.9, 11, and 3.1 per 100,000 population per year, respectively. Some of these rates are higher than the U.S. national nonwhite suicide rate of 7 per 100,000 population. Interestingly, while suicide rates are variable, the reasons listed for the suicide and the high frequency of young adult victims are similar to those for whites. A discussion ensues concerning this similarity and what future work in the field remains to be done.
A study of deaths due to organophosphate and related "cholinesterase-inhibiting" pesticides was performed on the case files of the office of the Medical Examiner in Metropolitan Dade County in Miami, Florida, USA. Briefly, a comparison was performed between cases which occurred between the years 1961-1965, when such pesticides were used indiscriminately and before stricter laws regulating their use were enacted, and with a series of cases occurring between the years, 1981-85, after such stricter laws were enacted. The occurrence of such deaths dropped dramatically with the decease in organophosphate use. A discussion ensues, along with specific information for the reader, on how the forensic scientist may help ameliorate their environment.
This study concerns deaths that result from police pursuit i.e., high-speed police chases. The case files from the Office of the Medical Examiner of Metropolitan Dade County in Miami, Florida, during the years 1980-1986, were examined. Presented in some detail are 18 cases, along with a discussion of the "patterns" or types of cases involved. Recommendations for future work are then noted.
A case of panhypogammaglobulinemia in a 15-month old boy is presented. The child was followed at a local university teaching hospital for pneumonia, failure to thrive, and possible child abuse/neglect. Following minor trauma to the face, massive sepsis developed in the child. The mother was afraid to seek medical care because she was fearful of legal action against her. Upon the child's demise at home, police and medical examiner involvement ensued. The correct diagnosis was established at autopsy.
A study of suicidal drownings was performed by using the case files of the Office of the Medical Examiner of Metropolitan Dade County in Miami, Florida, U.S.A., during 1980-1984. A total of 70 cases were collected and analyzed as to the age, race, sex, and cause of death of the victim, along with blood alcohol content, the drugs detected at postmortem examination, the geographic location of the terminal incident, the scene circumstances, the presence or absence of a suicide note, and the reason for the suicide. Essentially, one deals with an older white male population, although all age groups can be affected. Members of the population studied frequently died from drowning alone, rather than from additional contributory causes. Most were sober and frequently without drugs detected. Most incidents occurred at home or in a canal, with the victim just "found floating". A note was absent approximately half the time. The reason for the act was depression concerning poor health, death of a loved one, financial problems, chronic pain, or being "tired of life". A discussion ensues about the approach a forensic scientist should have concerning such cases.
A study of fatalities arising from the operation of all-terrain recreational-type vehicles was performed on the case files of the Office of the Medical Examiner of Metropolitan Dade County in Miami, Florida for the 5-year period, 1981-1985. A total of 11 cases were collected and are presented. A discussion examines the risk factors responsible for the fatalities--namely, youthful impetuosity, carelessness, and ethanol use. It is recommended that people in all locales realize the problems associated with such vehicle usage. It is hoped that activists in all countries prevail upon their legislative representatives to enact laws to curtail use of this type of vehicle, and hence save lives.
A study of ultralight aircraft fatalities was performed based on the cases files of the Office of the Medical Examiner of Metropolitan Dade County in Miami, Florida. A total of five cases were collected during the years 1981-1985. These are presented in some detail. A discussion ensues concerning the safety of ultralight aircraft and whether people should be allowed to fly them.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.