<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> The pathophysiology of sudden death during apprehension remains largely unclear. The most frequently discussed mechanisms are excited delirium, positional asphyxia, metabolic acidosis, acute and chronic drug abuse, and autonomic instability. As in most areas of forensic medicine, much of the knowledge comes from case reports, which are of little use in understanding causality. Experimental studies of some aspects have been performed, and they show somewhat divergent results and interpretations. The aim of this review is to summarize the different proposed theories, and to point out important issues for further research.</abstract>

Deaths during apprehensions of agitated persons. A review of proposed pathophysiological theories

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The present paper reports a 7 year old girl’s death by hanging. The forensic investigation disclosed death most likely to be self-inflicted, either an act of suicide, subsidiary a case of accidental asphyxia from a child’s play. A review of forensic autopsy records from southeast Norway during the years 1984-2012 was performed. Totally 116 deaths among children and adolescents &lt; 18 years of age were classified as either suicide or as “undetermined - suicide likely” subsequent to post-mortem examination. The most common suicidal methods were hanging (46%), the use of firearms (24%), jumping in front of a train (11%) and drug intake / intoxication (8%). Though rarely observed in children &lt; 12 years of age, suicide is a common cause of sudden death in adolescents, and there is evidence that the extent of the problem is unceasing. The paper highlights the value of forensic medical examination and crime scene reenactment in the evaluation of the manner of death in obscure cases.</abstract>

Suicide in children and adolescents: A case report of the possible suicide of a 7 year old girl and presentation of data from a forensic autopsy material in Norway

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Background: The anogenital colposcopic examination is not a routine procedure in the ordinary examination of children, and knowledge is sparse regarding child and parental anticipation and coping. Methodology: The study included 60 children aged 4 - 15 years of age, examined on grounds of alleged sexual abuse, during a two year period. The physician rated the child using the Procedure Behavioral Rating Scale (PBRS). In addition, the child and parent completed a questionnaire concerning their experience. Principal findings: Mean PBRS score was 1.3. Significant positive correlations were found between the parental expectations to the child’s anxiety regarding the examination, and the children’s anxiety, the experience of the examination being bad/ugly and the experience of pain during the examination. Significantly higher PBRS scores were found in the group with no perpetrator conviction. Conclusions: High levels of parental and child distress emphasizes the need for better preparatory and stress reducing procedures, to avoid possible re-victimization and negative influence of parental anticipatory anxiety on the child. The finding of significantly higher PBRS scores in the group with no conviction could indicate, that lack of behavioral distress might be related to the possibility of sexual abuse.</abstract>

Department of Psychology and Behavioral Science, University of Aarhus, Bartholins Allé 9, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Aarhus, Brendstrupgaardsvej 100, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark

Families coping with the forensic anogenital colposcopic examination

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Domestically cultivated cannabis, referred to as sinsemilla, constitutes a growing share of the illicit drug markets in the Scandinavian countries. In this study we present forensic evidence of THC content in sinsemilla and resin confiscated by the Danish police from 2008 to 2012. The purpose is to establish a mean potency, a yield estimate for professionally grown plants, and an assessment of how „professionalism” applies to domestic cultivation. We find a mean THC content in our sample normally distributed around 12% for sinsemilla (n=35) and 11.7% for resin (n=99). This is markedly higher than the assumption of THC content in sinsemilla between 6-8% as is currently applied in Norway and Sweden. It is also higher than the previous estimate of resin potency. The yield in sinsemilla plants is found to be 46 grams per plant. This is much lower than the estimate applied in criminal cases, which indicates that courts do not apply a yield-percentage estimate. The specificities of domestic cannabis cultivation also relate to the sanction criteria „professionalism”. Firstly, the number of plants found can provide for calculation of an aggregate quantum. Secondly, this can be related to the formal quantum thresholds between the (various) grades of illicit drug crimes in the national legal systems. Finally, we introduce the nationality of the gardener as an indication of professionalism in combination with the equipment found on site. We conclude that proportionality in criminal sanctioning of large-scale cannabis cases would improve by applying a 1:1 potency level between sinsemilla and resin.</abstract>

Institute of Sociology and Social Work, Aalborg University, Kroghstraede 7, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark

Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Brendstrupgaardsvej 100, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark

Sanctioning Large-Scale Domestic Cannabis Production - Potency, Yield, and Professionalism

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 28 (2022): Issue s1 (December 2022)

Volume 28 (2022): Issue 1 (November 2022)

Volume 27 (2021): Issue 1 (December 2021)

Volume 26 (2020): Issue 1 (June 2020)

Volume 25 (2019): Issue 1 (June 2019)

Volume 24 (2018): Issue 1 (June 2018)

Volume 23 (2017): Issue 1 (June 2017)

Volume 22 (2016): Issue 2 (December 2016)

Volume 22 (2016): Issue 1 (June 2016)

Volume 21 (2015): Issue 2 (December 2015)

Volume 20 (2014): Issue 2 (December 2014)

Volume 20 (2014): Issue 1 (June 2014)

Volume 19 (2013): Issue 2 (December 2013)

Volume 19 (2013): Issue 1 (May 2013)

Volume 18 (2012): Issue 2 (December 2012)

Volume 18 (2012): Issue 1 (July 2012)

Scandinavian Journal of Forensic Science

 Official journal of the Danish, Norwegian and the Swedish societies for forensic medicine. The journal will publish original articles, review articles, preliminary communications, letters to the editor and case reports in the different disciplines of forensic sciences: forensic pathology, clinical forensic medicine, forensic genetics, forensic toxicology, forensic anthropology, forensic odontology, forensic psychiatry and forensic science. Why subscribe and read  The only journal in forensic dealing specifically with the Scandinavian countries.  Why submit  Papers of interest especially for a Scandinavian readership.  Rejection Rate   30%   Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 