Thakral S, Ghosh M, Setia P, Sharma G. Therapeutic artifact: Case series.
J Forensic Leg Med 2023;
98:102577. [PMID:
37557007 DOI:
10.1016/j.jflm.2023.102577]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Artifacts are pervasive in every realm of biological science, and this includes the field of medicine. Unless explicitly recognized by scientific experts, artifacts can be found and may influence research and findings in the medical domain, just as they do in other branches of biological science. Therapeutic artifacts are changes that occur in the body as a result of medical interventions. These artifacts can sometimes pose challenges in forensic investigations, as they may be misinterpreted or mistaken for signs of trauma or foul play. This case series presents three cases illustrating different types of treatment artifacts encountered in forensic medicine. These three cases highlight the importance of considering medical interventions and therapies when interpreting autopsy findings. It is crucial for forensic experts to have a comprehensive understanding of therapeutic artifacts to accurately differentiate them from genuine injuries or pathologies. By recognizing and properly interpreting these artifacts, forensic investigations can be conducted with increased accuracy and ensure that justice is served.
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