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Biomedical subjects

A R Copeland

Publications and source records attributed to A R Copeland.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Homicidal drowning.

A study of homicidal drownings was performed on the case files of the Office of the Medical Examiner of Metropolitan Dade County in Miami, Florida during the years 1980-1984. A total of 10 cases were analyzed of those which occurred during this time period. These cases are presented in some detail. A discussion then ensues concerning the theoretical and epidemiological implications along with practical considerations of how to approach such a case.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Non-intentional motor vehicle-related carbon monoxide deaths-revisited.

A study of non-intentional, motor vehicle-related, carbon monoxide-related deaths was performed on the case files of the Office of the Medical Examiner of Metropolitan Dade Country in Miami, FL (USA) during the years 1980-1984. A total of 15 cases were collected during that time period. These are presented in some detail. A discussion ensues that compares the similar circumstances of these cases, notably running the engine of an automobile in an enclosed space, with older reports in the literature which emphasized defective vehicle exhaust systems as the leading etiology for these deaths.

Accidents↗
PubMed1986

Non-commercial, accidental water transport (boating) fatalities.

A study of non-commercial accidental water transport (boating) fatalities was performed on the case files of the Office of the Medical Examiner of Metropolitan Dade County in Miami, Fla., during the years 1980-1984. A total of 23 cases were collected and analyzed as to the age, race, sex, and the cause of death of the victim along with the blood alcohol content and the Urine EMIT drug screen at autopsy. Furthermore, the type of boat involved, the geographic locale, the time of the incident, the reason or risk factor for the incident, and the scene circumstances were also noted. Commonly, one is dealing with a male population below the age of 30 years who die of drowning. In approximately half of the cases alcohol is detected. The scenario involves "small" boats or canoes in the Atlantic Ocean or in canals in the afternoon or evening. Inexperience in boating/or stupidity plays a key role. A discussion ensues concerning recommendations designed to avoid such tragedies.

Accidents↗
PubMed1986

Vehicular-related traumatic asphyxial deaths--caveat scrutator.

A study of vehicular-related traumatic asphyxial deaths was performed on the case files of the Office of the Medical Examiner of Metropolitan Dade County in Miami (FL, USA) during the years from 1980 to 1984. A total of seven cases are presented in some detail. A discussion ensues, including a review of the literature, concerning this diagnosis and the caution a forensic pathologist must take in certifying such a death with so few anatomic findings.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1986

Asthmatic deaths in the medical examiner's population.

A study of people who die from asthma was performed. The case files of the Office of the Medical Examiner of Metropolitan Dade County in Miami, Florida, U.S.A., were examined during the 5-year period 1979-1983, and all autopsied cases in which bronchial asthma was the primary or contributory cause of death were collected. These 39 cases were then analyzed as to the age, race, sex, and cause of death of the victim. Additionally, the medication list of the victim, the location of the terminal incident, the scene circumstances, the presence of hospitalization at the terminal incident, and the histopathology of the lungs at autopsy were additionally observed. Essentially, the asthma victim the medical examiner sees at autopsy is an adult white male commonly dying in an acute asthmatic attack. Ninety percent (90%) of the deaths had medications noted with 20% having three or more medicines, one of which was a steroid. The terminal incident occurred at home most frequently with an acute attack or being found dead noted. Most victims received some form of terminal hospitalization. Histopathologically, classical "asthma findings" were noted approximately one half of the time.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Accidental non-commercial aircraft fatalities: the 7-year Metro-Dade County experience from 1977-1983.

A study of accidental non-commercial aircraft fatalities was performed on the case files of the Office of the Medical Examiner of Metropolitan Dade County in Miami, FL, U.S.A., between the years 1977 through 1983. A total of 57 cases were collected and analyzed as to the age of the victim, the race and sex of the victim, the cause of death, the blood alcohol content at autopsy, the drugs detected at autopsy, the type of aircraft, the occupant role, the risk factor responsible for the crash, the time of the fatality, and the nature of usage of the aircraft. Essentially, these 57 cases comprised 1.2% of the non-vehicular accidental fatalities during the period. The age of distribution is relatively evenly distributed from age 16 to 65 years with white males predominating. Multiple injuries were the most common cause of death although conflagration injuries (e.g., smoke inhalation, burns) were frequent. The victims were sober and free of drugs in the majority of cases. Most fatalities occurred in a single engine plane with the victim, the pilot, flying for private reasons in the afternoon or evening hours. The most common identifiable risk factor was human error (e.g., judgement), rather than mechanical or plane failure.

Accidents, Aviation↗
PubMed1986

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in the non-cirrhotic individual.

A case of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is reported. A methodical postmortem examination failed to disclose cirrhosis or other liver pathology; nor, was any anatomic alteration of the immune system noted. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome was likewise discounted. A discussion ensues concerning recognition of this entity.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

True vehicular homicide.

True vehicular homicides are defined as those occurrences in which a motor vehicle is used as a weapon in the taking of a life. While local customs may vary in classifying vehicular-related deaths, this author is not considering the "hit-and-run" type case or the negligent manslaughter type, which are best left in the accidental manners of death. Rather, a study of homicide by motor vehicle is presented using nine cases of vehicular homicide that occurred over a 5-year period in Metropolitan Dade County. The essence of such cases and how the forensic scientist should approach them are discussed.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1986

Police shootings. The Metropolitan Dade County experience from 1956 to 1982.

Police shootings, or, when law enforcement officers shoot and kill criminal suspects, have been studied in metropolitan Dade County from 1956 to 1982. A total of 194 cases have been studied and analyzed according to age, race, sex, Spanish surname, alcohol and/or drugs detected at autopsy, and prior criminal arrest record of the victim. The reason(s) for the shooting and any agencies involved have also been noted. Finally, an appendix is included that provides guidelines for the forensic pathologist on how to approach a case.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Accidental childhood deaths. The Metropolitan Dade County experience, 1978-1982.

Accidental deaths in childhood were studied between 1978 and 1982 in Metropolitan Dade County. Cases were collected from both traffic and nontraffic accidental fatalities in which the victim was less than 12 years of age. Cases were then subdivided into traffic and nontraffic groups. Each group was then analyzed as to age, race, sex, cause of death, and scene circumstances. A total of 294 cases was studied.

Accidents↗
PubMed1985

Accidental fire deaths. The 5-year Metropolitan Dade Country experience from 1979 until 1983.

Accidental fire deaths that occurred in Metropolitan Dade County, encompassing Miami, Fla., USA, during the years from 1979 until 1983 were studied. A total of 108 cases were collected, representing 6.1% of the nontraffic-related accidents during this 5-year period, and analyzed as to the age, race, sex, cause of death of the victim along with the blood alcohol content at autopsy, toxicologic analysis, location of the fire, and how the fire started. Essentially, the victims ages cluster in the 0-5 years and does 70 years, although other age groups are evenly distributed. A white male population predominates. The cause of death is listed as either smoke inhalation or thermal injury. Most toxicologic analyses were not performed due to the high rate of fire rescue intervention and at least emergency room hospitalization prior to death. Carboxyhemoglobin levels, when analyzed, ranged from less than 20% to over 80%. In a smaller group of cases, cyanide was analyzed for and was found negative (or none detected) in the majority of the cases. More fires occurred in residences and started due to cigarette smoking or electric malfunction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Suicidal fire deaths revisited.

A study of self-immolation or suicidal fire deaths was performed on the case files of the Office of the Medical Examiner of Metropolitan Dade County in Miami, Florida, during the 8-year period from 1977 to 1984. A total of 24 cases, representing 0.96% of the suicides that occurred during this period, were collected and analyzed as to age, race, sex cause of death of the victim along with the blood alcohol content at autopsy, drugs detected at autopsy, and the terminal carboxyhemoglobin. Additionally, the scene circumstances, geographic location of the terminal incident, the reason for the suicide, whether or not there was a past suicide attempt, a past psychiatric history, how the fire was started, presence or absence of an outside example, time of occurrence, presence of hospitalization, and presence of a suicide note were also noted. Most of the victims were white women of over 50 years of age who died of thermal injuries. Half of the time the blood alcohol content was negative at autopsy, 1/3 of the time the drug screen was negative, and 1/3 of the time a small amount of carboxyhemoglobin was noted. Most fires originated at home, although motor vehicles were also common. Reasons for the suicide were varied. Of the cases 1/3 had a precious suicide attempt and approximately 1/2 of the cases had a psychiatric history. Commonly, the fire is started by pouring a flammable liquid on one-self as isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or gasoline and igniting it. No outside media examples were noted. These events occurred more frequently in the afternoon or evening.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Homicide by fire.

A study of homicide perpetrated by fire was performed on the case files of the Office of the Medical Examiner of Metropolitan Dade County in Miami, Florida, during the years from 1977 until 1984. A total of 26 cases were collected and analyzed as to age, race, sex, and the cause of death of the victim along with the blood alcohol content, the drugs detected at autopsy, and the blood carboxyhemoglobin level. Additionally noted were the geographic location of the terminal incident, the scene circumstances, how the fire started, who started the fire, and the reason for the fire. The most common victim was a 31-50-year-old white man who died from smoke inhalation while sober. Commonly, drugs detected were negative, and the carboxyhemoglobin levels were elevated. The fire occurred at "home" while the victim was sleeping. Usually, a flammable liquid was poured and ignited by a drifter who was a brief acquaintance and earlier involved in an argument with the victim.

Adult↗