Original Article

PROCEDURAL ERROR IN AUTOPSIES POST HANGING AND STRANGLING IN A MEDICO-LEGAL INSTITUTE IN ALAGOAS, BRAZIL, IN 2018 AND 2019

How to cite: Maia GLS, Silva PHN, Gusmão HSBLB, Filho AMO, Reis TLA, Bezerra DG, Pereira GO. Procedural error in autopsies post hanging and strangling in a medico-legal institute in Alagoas, Brazil, in 2018 and 2019. Persp Med Legal Pericia Med. 2023; 8: e230622

https://dx.doi.org/10.47005/230622

Submitted 02/22/2023
Accepted 06/23/2023

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The research was conducted in accordance with the required ethical standards, being approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Centro Universitário Tiradentes, protocol no. 53557421.0.0000.5641, authorized by the Management of IML Estácio de Lima and funded by the Research Support Foundation of the State of Alagoas (FAPEAL). The authors inform there is no conflict of interest.

IMPERÍCIA EM NECRÓPSIAS PÓS ESTRANGULAMENTO E ENFORCAMENTO EM IML DE ALAGOAS, BRASIL, EM 2018 E 2019

Gabriel Lessa de Souza Maia (1)

http://lattes.cnpq.br/2345568330681749 – https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2054-5908

Pedro Henrique do Nascimento Silva (2)

http://lattes.cnpq.br/7457149491473153 – https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3368-8086

Hermann Silva Brito Lima Buarque de Gusmão (3)

http://lattes.cnpq.br/3035160667881286  – https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6567-6314

Alberto Marques de Oliveira Filho (3)

http://lattes.cnpq.br/1139903019321969 – https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1750-665X

Thierry de Lima Almeida Reis (3)

http://lattes.cnpq.br/3467285798498259 – https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7443-3308 

Daniele Gonçalves Bezerra (4)

http://lattes.cnpq.br/2015987707013099 – https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5712-5320

Gerson Odilon Pereira (4)

 http://lattes.cnpq.br/5466172131307406 – https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1544-8508

(1) Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas-MG, Brasil. (colaboração ao artigo: planejamento da pesquisa, coleta e análise dos dados, escrita, revisão e edição do manuscrito conforme as normas da revista)

(2) Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió-AL, Brasil.

colaboração ao artigo: coleta e análise dos dados, escrita)

(3) Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió-AL, Brasil.

(colaboração ao artigo: coleta e análise dos dados)

(4) Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió-AL, Brasil.

colaboração ao artigo: orientador)

Email: gabrielessa12@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: One of the most prevalent causes of death to be investigated by the medical examiner is hanging, the greatest cause of death by self-extermination in Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this sense, we analyzed 86 autopsy reports of hanged and strangled individuals performed at the Medico Legal Institute (IML) Estácio de Lima, in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil, between 2018 and 2019. We compared the necropsy techniques used in the IML with what the literature recommends, also reviewing the technical manuals for medical examiners in three states. RESULTS: We found that of the 86 cases analyzed, 84 did not follow the technique indicated by the scientific literature, which increased the incidence of hemorrhagic artifacts in the neck, a situation that is harmful to expert analysis. DISCUSSION: In addition, some of the manuals analyzed do not fully or partially cover the instruction of the correct technique. CONCLUSION: Finally, we highlight the importance of creating (in the case of the State of Alagoas) and updating such technical manuals, in line with the scientific progress required for the good performance of the profession and for the accuracy in the description of the forensic findings.

KEYWORDS: Autopsy; Asphyxia; Neck Injuries; Forensic Medicine.

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