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Students’ Scientific Society of Jagiellonian University Medical College

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Messerer fracture: a comparison of the prevalence of the Messerer fracture between 1980–1984 and 2016–2020 based on materials from the Department of Forensic Medicine in Kraków

Patrycja Szczepaniak

Problems of Forensic Sciences, 137, 2024, pp. 69-79

https://doi.org/10.4467/12307483PFS.24.005.19861

Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the incidence of Messerer fractures in the years 1980–1984 and 2016–2020 in the material of the Department of Forensic Medicine in Kraków and to equate it with the available literature.

Material and methods: Section protocols collected at the Department of Forensic Medicine in Kraków from 1980–1984 and 2016–2020 were investigated. Cases of car-pedestrian traffic accidents were collected and analyzed.

Results: In the 39 cases from 1980–1984, 47 Messerer fractures were present. These reports represented 8.35% of deaths related to car-pedestrian traffic accidents. Among 9 women, Messerer fracture was generally observed in the right femur (41.67%), and the base of the wedge was lateral (41.67%). Whereas among 30 men, it was mainly located in the right femur or tibia (25.71% each). Alcohol was detected among 17 people. While in the 34 postmortem reports from 2016–2020 (15.38% of fatal strikes by a car), 43 Messerer fractures were present. They were usually located in the right tibia (39.5%), then in the right fibula (20.9%) and in the left tibia (14%). The bases of the wedges were mostly lateral (51.2%) and anterior (14%). In contemporary protocols, alcohol was detected among 22 people.

Conclusions: Contrary to the literature data Messerer fractures occur in modern times almost twice as often as in the 80’s. Some differences regarding localization in lower extremities or wedge orientation can be observed.

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Comparison of the occurrence and nature of infanticide in the 1930s, 1970s and today, in the materials of the Department of Forensic Medicine in Kraków

Patrycja Szczepaniak

Problems of Forensic Sciences, 138, 2024, pp. 153-165

https://doi.org/10.4467/12307483PFS.24.010.20183

Aim: Analysis of the frequency of infanticides in years 1930s, 1970s and nowadays.

Materials and methods: Section protocols collected at the Department of Forensic Medicine in Kraków from years 1930–1939, 1971–1980 and 2012–2021 were investigated. Cases of infanticides were gathered and analysed.

Results: We analyzed 295 cases, 7 from years 2012–2021, 134 from years 1971–1980, and 154 from years 1930–1939. In years 2012–2021, 5 cases were certain infanticides (1 commision – active and 4 omissions – passive), in the other 2 cases, the abandoned carcass of a newborn was thoroughly decomposed. In 1970s, 46 cases were definite infanticides (19 commisions and 27 omissions). In 38 cases, due to significant damage to the corpse, it was impossible to determine the cause of death and to confirm infanticide. We also discovered 5 cases of stillborn, abandoned newborns. In 21 cases, the body of a child whose direct cause of death was the perinatal trauma was abandoned, and in 23 cases abandoned children were underdeveloped; one case was uncategorized. In 1930s, 40 cases were certain infanticides (15 commisions and 25 ommisions). In 30 cases, due to significant damage to the corpse, it was impossible to confirm or rule out infanticide. We discovered 6 cases of stillborn abandoned newborns. In 18 cases, the body of a child whose direct cause of death was perinatal trauma was abandoned, and in 60 cases abandoned children were underdeveloped and therefore unable to survive.

Conclusions: Nowadays the infanticides are quite rare, however in 1970s they were quite common, occurring almost as often as in 1930s.

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Porównanie samobójczych zatruć substancjami chemicznymi i lekami w latach 1930–1939 oraz 2010–2019 w materiale Zakładu Medycyny Sądowej w Krakowie

Patrycja Szczepaniak

Quarterly Journal of the History of Science and Technology, Volume 66, Issue 4, 2021, pp. 215-230

https://doi.org/10.4467/0023589XKHNT.21.035.14799

The study aims to compare suicide poisoning and poisons used to commit suicide in the 1930s and today. The focus is on autopsy protocols from 1930–1939 and 2010–2019 collected at the Forensic Medicine Institute in Krakow. In the years 1930–1939, there were 184 cases, 65 of which were among men and 119 among women. The most common poisons were corrosives, accounting for 69 cases, 43 were carbon monoxide, 24 were drugs and narcotics, 17 were heavy metals, and the remaining 31 were other substances. Of the 138 suicide poisonings in modern times, 96 were committed by men and 42 by women. The most common poisoning was multi-drug poisoning – 62 cases. Opioids, benzodiazepines, neuroleptics and antidepressants were the most frequently chosen substances today. Fatal intoxications with drugs/new psychoactive substances (NCAs) were observed in 28 cases, while other substances were used in the remaining 17. The conducted analysis showed a significant decrease in suicidal poisoning with the use of corrosive substances and gases, while the percentage of drug overdoses is systematically growing. Poisons used for suicide purposes in the 1930s left macroscopic changes that could be instantly noticed during the autopsy. The fact that drugs that are currently used most often do not leave such changes may justify the dynamic development of forensic toxicology.

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