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Emergency medicine techniques and the forensic autopsy

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Abstract

Emergency medicine measures often have to be carried out under suboptimal conditions in emergency situations and require invasive patient treatment. In the case of a fatal outcome these measures have to be evaluated at autopsy, regarding indications, correct implementation and possible complications. As well, alongside the more familiar procedures—such as endotracheal intubation, insertion of chest drains, external cardiac massage and cannulation of central and peripheral veins—there are alternative techniques being increasingly applied, that include new tools for the management of hemorrhagic shock, drug delivery and alternative airway management devices. On the one hand, all of these measures are essential for the survival and appropriate treatment of the injured and/or sick patient, but on the other hand they can damage the patient and thus contain a significant risk of both medical and forensic relevance for the patient and the physician. In the following review we provide an overview of established, new and alternative techniques for emergency airway management, administration of drugs and management of hemorrhagic shock. The aim is to facilitate the understanding and autopsy evaluation of current emergency medicine techniques.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Turmstr. 21, Building N, 10559, Berlin, Germany

    Claas Buschmann & Michael Tsokos

  2. Centre for Occupations of Health, Education Centre Schlump, Beim Schlump 86, 20144, Hamburg, Germany

    Thomas Schulz

  3. Centre for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, Mittelallee 3, 13353, Berlin, Germany

    Christian Kleber

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  1. Claas Buschmann
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  2. Thomas Schulz
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  3. Michael Tsokos
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  4. Christian Kleber
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Correspondence to Claas Buschmann.

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Buschmann, C., Schulz, T., Tsokos, M. et al. Emergency medicine techniques and the forensic autopsy. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 9, 48–67 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-012-9366-6

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