Objective To analyze a knowledge web of the literature published by Journal of Forensic Medicine from its founding in 1985 to 2018, describe the evolving process of forensic science research and explore the research hotspots and frontiers at present. Methods The literature that was published by Journal of Forensic Medicine from 1985 to 2018 was collected and analyzed in terms of elements, such as emerging research hotspots, high frequency keywords, authors, dispatching units, location of institution and funding, by CiteSpace5.3 information visualization analysis software. Results All disciplines of forensic medicine were continually developing and maturing, and the publication volume of the literature on forensic pathology had the highest weight; in research hotspots, the two categories, research and identification each had their own emphasis; as the main source of contributions to the journal, research institutes accounted for 38.99% of the total number of publications; Shanghai ranked first among all regions with 1 046 articles published. The number of funded articles was generally on the rise, with the number of funded articles published largest in 2015. Conclusion As an authoritative academic journal in the field of forensic science in China, Journal of Forensic Medicine carries the development of forensic science and witnesses the institutional reform of universities and colleges, and offers a wide range of communication and cooperation in terms of technicality and application. Many scholars and scientific research institutions have gained progress continually in various research directions in the form of teamwork; and emerging research hotspots will continue to play a huge role in future practical applications.
Bibliometrics ; China ; Forensic Medicine/statistics & numerical data* ; Forensic Pathology ; Forensic Sciences

OBJECTIVES: To synthetically analyse the medical malpractice cases of cardiac death in forensic identification, and to explore the generality and characteristic of cause of death, medical malpractice and assessment of participation degree. METHODS: Totally 52 medical malpractice cases of cardiac death examined in the Xiaoshan Branch Office, Hangzhou Minghao Forensic Judical Appraisal Institute, from January 2015 to April 2018 were collected. The general information of cases, medical institutions and situations of hospital stay, cause of death, medical malpractice and assessment of participation degree were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: In 52 cases, the male to female ratio was 2.25:1, and most subjects aged >50-60. Cardiac death caused by hypertensive heart disease or coronary heart disease was most common （67.3%）, followed by viral myocarditis and cardiomyopathy （13.5%）. There were 24 cases involved surgery, and the survival time after surgery was from 1 h to 118 d with a 7 d medium value. There were 63 medical institutes involved in these medical malpractices. Medical malpractice presented in most hospitals more or less, and the participation degree was >20%-30%. CONCLUSIONS Forensic appraisal contributes to determine causes of death, which not only provides scientific evidence for medical malpractice identification, but also improves diagnosis and treatment levels of medical institutions.
Autopsy ; Cause of Death ; Coronary Disease/mortality* ; Death ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Hypertension/mortality* ; Male ; Malpractice/statistics & numerical data* ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics of medical malpractice from different grades of hospitals and to explore forensic investigation strategies in assessing medical dispute. METHODS: A total of 206 cases of medical dispute from 2009 to 2010 investigated by the Department of Forensic Medicine in Nanjing Medical University were selected and analyzed according to fault incidence, fault-prone part, and degree of causality in the treatment. RESULTS: Among the 206 cases analyzed, tertiary hospitals, secondary hospitals and primary hospitals showed medium, high and low error rate, respectively. A majority of medical malpractice cases were distributed in the departments of surgery, medicine and gynecology. CONCLUSION The frequency and severity of medical malpractice in primary hospitals were high, which were gradually reduced in tertiary and secondary hospitals.
Dissent and Disputes ; Expert Testimony ; Forensic Medicine ; Gynecology/statistics & numerical data* ; Hospital Departments/statistics & numerical data* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Malpractice/statistics & numerical data* ; Medical Errors/statistics & numerical data* ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVE: Based on a retrospective analysis of the drunk driving cases, to explore the drunk drivers' personnel composition, occurrence time and psychology. METHODS: As a result of punishment of the drunk driving by criminal law for one year from May 1st, 2011 to April 30th, 2012, 91 drunk driving cases were statistically analyzed the easy-happening time of drunk driving, the drunk drivers' age, gender, occupational characteristics, domicile and psychological factors. RESULTS: In 97 drunk driving cases, 26-40 years old, non-local domiciled and non-professional male drivers were prone to drunk driving at night from 22:00 to 5:00. CONCLUSION The behavior of drunk driving is relevant to time, age, genders and occupation. The psychological characteristics of most drivers are fluky, making-life-easy, competitive and peacockish.
Accidents, Traffic/statistics & numerical data* ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholic Intoxication/psychology* ; Automobile Driving/psychology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Sex Distribution ; Social Behavior ; Time Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of the dismembered homicide cases in Shanghai and to provide the valuable guidance for forensic pathological practices. METHODS: Twenty-four cases of dismembered homicides were selected from 2005 to 2012 in Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai Public Security Bureau. The general information of the victims and suspects, cause of death, criminal motive, postmortem body parts, tools and information of discarding body parts were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 24 dismembered homicide cases, victims were female in 16 cases, and suspects were male in 23 cases and were acquaintances in 22 cases. The main causes of death were mechanical asphyxia and traumatic brain injury. Most of the criminal motives were emotional disputes. The number of postmortem body parts was commonly from 20 to 30. The tools were mainly sharp instruments, including kitchen knives used in 20 cases. The postmortem body parts were discarded to different transregional areas, mainly using vehicles. CONCLUSION The dismembered homicide cases in Shanghai show the following characteristics: the number of postmortem body parts is in large quantity; the methods of dismembered corpse are complex and different; the job characteristics of suspects are difficult to determine; the distance from homicide scene is far and the vehicles are commonly used.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Asphyxia/pathology* ; Autopsy ; Brain Injuries/pathology* ; Cause of Death ; China/epidemiology* ; Crime Victims/statistics & numerical data* ; Criminals/statistics & numerical data* ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Homicide/statistics & numerical data* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Motivation ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Distribution ; Wounds and Injuries/pathology* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To explore the general characteristics of medical negligence in surgery in order to provide the reference for forensic practices. METHODS: One hundred and twelve cases of medical negligence in surgical department were retrospectively analyzed in Fada Institute of Forensic Medicine and Science from 2008 to 2010. RESULTS: The common types of medical negligence cases in the surgery were improper operation procedure (28.57%), failure of consent (26.79%), and inadequate monitoring (22.32%). The results of complications included disability or functional impairment (61.61%), death (31.25%) and transient impairment with no obvious adverse reactions (7.14%). The most common roles played by the medical negligence cases were minor role (26.79%), equal role (19.64%), and slight role (14.29%). CONCLUSION Significant attention should be paid to the operation procedure, consent, and monitoring. It should be cautious to not make assessment on involvement degree of medical negligence.
Cause of Death ; China ; Diagnostic Errors/statistics & numerical data* ; Expert Testimony/legislation & jurisprudence* ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Intraoperative Complications/mortality* ; Male ; Malpractice/statistics & numerical data* ; Medical Errors/statistics & numerical data* ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Procedures, Operative

The aim of this project was to use 3D scanning data collected at incident scenes and various evidence to 1) develop surveying methods based on 3D data consisting of overall and detailed scene evidence, captured by long-range and micros-canner, which can be shared by personnel working in different fields such as forensic medicine, video analysis, physical analysis, traffic engineering, and fire investigation; 2) create digital storage for human skeletons and set the foundation for virtual anthropology; and 3) improve the credibility of 3D evidence by virtual remodeling and simulation of incident scenes and evidence to provide a basis for advanced and high-tech scientific investigation. Two complete skeletons of male and female were scanned using 3D micro-scanner. Each bone was successfully reproduced and assembled in virtual space. In addition, recreating evidence scheduled for invasive examination by creating RP (rapid prototype) was possible. These outcomes could play an important role in setting up the new field of virtual anthropology. Case-specific surveying methods were developed through analysis of 3D scanning data collected by long-range surface scanners at the scenes of vehicular accidents, falls, shootings, and violent crimes. A technique and recording method was also developed for detecting forged seals by micro-scanning the pressure exerted on the seal. Appraisal methods developed in this project could be utilized to secure 3D data of human skeletal remains and incident scenes, create a standard for application, and increase objectivity, reproducibility, and accuracy of scanning methods. We plan to develop case-specific 3D data analysis techniques to improve the credibility of analysis at the NFS and to establish a 3D data collection and analysis team.
Crime ; Data Collection ; Female ; Fires ; Forensic Medicine ; Forensic Sciences ; Humans ; Male ; Skeleton ; Statistics as Topic

OBJECTIVE: To explore the unidentified corpses in Shaoxing city in recent years to provide the experience for these types of corpse examination and forensic identification. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-seven unidentified corpses were collected and analyzed in the period from January 2009 to June 2011. The scene investigation, clothing examination and information of forensic investigation were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Most of the unidentified corpses are the young male. Of them, there are 3 homicide cases. There are 92 cases (72.44%) of the corpses was found with all clothes and 72 cases (56.69%) with the belongings. There are 63 cases (49.61%) of the cases was died from downing and 15 cases (11.81%) was died from hypothermia and starvation. Cause of death in 25 cases (19.69%) was undetermined. CONCLUSION The most of unidentified corpses in Shaoxing are found in water and died from accidents. The degree of corpse putrefaction is the principal factor to analyze the cause of death.
Accidents/mortality* ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Cadaver ; Cause of Death ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Clothing ; Drowning/mortality* ; Female ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Homicide/statistics & numerical data* ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Postmortem Changes ; Sex Distribution ; Suicide/statistics & numerical data* ; Wounds and Injuries/pathology*

OBJECTIVE: To provide references for forensic expertise by investigating the kinds of toxicant, routes of exposure and manners of poisoning deaths, etc. METHODS: Six hundred and seven autopsy cases of poisoning deaths from 1957 to 2008 in Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College (Tongji Forensic Science Identification Center of Hubei), were comparatively reviewed. RESULTS: In 218 cases from 1999 to 2008, more than 50% of decedents were male in the ages of 30-49. The toxicants are usually taken orally and the most common manner of death was accidental. The common substances involved in poisoning death were rodenticide, poisoning gas and insecticide. Compared to the data of 1983-1998 and 1957-1982, the common toxic agents had changed significantly. The number of cases involving insecticide and cyanide poisoning decreased in recent years, and the number of cases of rodenticide, poisoning gas, alcohols poisoning displayed an increase tendency, especially for drugs abuse. CONCLUSION Poisoning deaths of pesticides remain a major public health problem for a long time and the awareness of prevention need to be raised, especially for the prevention of deaths from multiple poisons.
Accidents/statistics & numerical data* ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Alcoholic Intoxication/epidemiology* ; Anesthetics/poisoning* ; Autopsy ; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning/epidemiology* ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China/epidemiology* ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Heroin/poisoning* ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives/poisoning* ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pesticides/poisoning* ; Poisoning/etiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Rodenticides/poisoning* ; Sex Distribution ; Suicide/statistics & numerical data* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To explore the main reasons of medical malpractice of fetal abnormalities and to analyze the key points and the ideas in judicial appraisal. METHODS: According to the related laws, regulations and clinical practice guidelines, the medical faults and the contribution degree in 12 medical malpractice cases about fetal abnormalities were analyzed. RESULTS: There were medical faults in five cases. Among them, the doctors did not fulfill the duty of inform in 2 cases, did not analyze the abnormal results comprehensively in 2 cases, did not have qualified medical conditions and normative reports in 1 case. The hospitals needed to take the minor responsibility in 2 cases and slight responsibility in 2 cases. CONCLUSION The key points in the judicial appraisal are whether the doctors abide by the related laws, regulations and clinical practice guidelines in prenatal examination, screen and diagnosis, and whether the doctors realize the limitations of ultrasonic testing and fulfill the obligation of inform.
Expert Testimony ; Female ; Fetus/abnormalities* ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Malpractice/statistics & numerical data* ; Medical Errors/statistics & numerical data* ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal