Forensic Neuropathology, Second Edition
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Features
- Includes updated chapters on evolving neuroscience, forensic issues, and injury biomechanics in relation to the nervous system
- Presents the standards required for expert testimony in accordance with Frye, Daubert, Joiner, and Kumho
- Features nearly 300 color plates depicting virtually all aspects of neuropathology
- Provides an extensive bibliography of classic and current publications
Summary
Over the past 30 years, as both forensic pathology and neuropathology have grown in sophistication, the two specialties have forged a heightened level of interaction. Reflecting the vast increase in knowledge and scientific progress in the past two decades, Forensic Neuropathology, Second Edition examines the new developments that have arisen since the publication of the first volume.
New in this Edition:
- All chapters revised and updated
- Expanded information on biomechanics of neurotrauma
- Latest findings on child abuse, impact injuries to the head and spine, and intracranial pressure effects
- Greater focus on the effects of new Supreme Court rulings on the admissibility of evidence
- Nearly 300 high-quality color photographs
This updated text comprehensively reviews all aspects of neuropathology that may have forensic or medical-legal import. The book presents significant coverage of the role of the neuropathologist in a legal setting before delving into specific forensic aspects of neuropathology, including comprehensive discussions of various syndromes and conditions affecting adults and children. It discusses intracranial equilibria and physical injury to the nervous system and contains entire chapters devoted to neuropathology perspectives on child abuse, gunshot and other penetrating wounds of the nervous system, and the forensic aspects of complex neural functions. This timely revision maintains the breadth and depth of the benchmark first edition while replacing outdated information with the newest developments in these complex areas.
Dr. Jan E. Leestma is a world-renowned forensic neuropathologist and is the author of more than a hundred professional publications. He has given expert testimony in more than thirty states, Canada, and the UK. This highly detailed work, which includes the contributions of experts in the fields of biomechanics, neurology, pathology, and the law, is sure to complement the growing literature in this fast-developing area.
Table of Contents
Pathology and Neuropathology in the Forensic Setting, J.E. Leestma and E. Whitfied Sharp
The Pathologist and the Justice System
Certification of Death
The Forensic Autopsy
The Neuropathologist’s Role in Forensic Pathology
Whom Does the Forensic Pathologist Serve?
The Problem of the Manner of Death
Issues for the Neuropathologist in the Forensic Setting
What Will I Be Asked to Do When I Testify?
Implications for the Expert of Having Given Testimony
References
Scientific Evidence and the Courts, E. Whitfield Sharp
Introduction
The Frye Standard
The Daubert Era: The Search for Reliability
The Joiner Standard
The Kumho Standard
The Federal Rules of Evidence
The Ever-Changing Face of the Admissibility Standards of Scientific and
Expert Witness Testimony
Daubert States
States Where Daubert Is Viewed as Instructive
Frye and Modified-Frye States
Rules-Based-Plus-Reliability States
Judging the Reliability of Medical Literature Using the Three R’s, or the
Reasonable Reliance Requirement, of Rule 703
A Few Basics
Conclusion
References
Forensic Aspects of Adult General Neuropathology, J.E. Leestma
Introduction
Intracranial Pathology as a Cause of Death
Vascular Diseases of the Nervous System
Tumors of the Nervous System
Infections of the Nervous System
Degenerative Diseases of the Nervous System
Diseases of White Matter
Toxic and Miscellaneous Conditions
Diseases of Peripheral Nerve
Diseases of Skeletal Muscle
References
General Forensic Neuropathology of Infants and Children, J.E. Leestma
Introduction
Brain Development
Autopsy Examination of the Developing Nervous System
Neuropathology of Perinatal Period
Cerebral Palsy
Central Nervous System Malformations
Hydrocephaly
Embolism, Thrombosis, and Hemorrhage
Disorders of Hemostasis
Toxic Conditions and the Developing Nervous System
Infectious Diseases
Intrauterine Trauma
Brain Neoplasms
The Phaecomatoses
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
References
Forensic Aspects of Intracranial Equilibria, J.E. Leestma
Introduction
Cerebral Edema and the Blood-Brain Barrier
Cerebrovascular Autoregulation
Cerebrospinal Fluid: Pressure/Volume Equilibrium
Hydrocephalus
Brain Herniation
Brain Death and the Respirator Brain
References
Physical Injury to the Nervous System, J.E. Leestma and K.L. Thibault
Introduction
Biomechanics
Introduction to Biomechanics: A Primer
The Scalp
The Skull and Periosteum
The Meninges
Traumatic Injury to the Brain
Spine and Spinal Cord Injury
Glossary of Terms and Units of Measurement
References
Child Abuse: Neuropathology Perspectives, J.E. Leestma
Introduction and Historical Background
Pathology of Child Abuse
Neuropathological and Forensic Issues in Child Abuse Cases
Rib Fractures and Alleged Child Abuse
Fractures of the Long Bones and Child Abuse
Nontraumatic Forms of Child Abuse
The So-Called Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)
Summary
References
Gunshot and Penetrating Wounds of the Nervous System, J.E. Leestma and J.B. Kirkpatrick
Introduction
Firearms
Variations in Wounding from Different Weapons
Shotgun Wounds
Unusual or Nonweapon Firearms
Gunshot Wounds in the Civilian Population
Long-Term Consequences of Missile Wounds of the Brain and Cord
Blast Injuries and the Nervous System
Wounds of the Spinal Cord and Canal
Summary and Conclusions
References
Forensic Aspects of Complex Neural Functions, J.E. Leestma
Introduction
Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
Cognitional Disorders
Pathological Processes Associated with Behavioral Symptoms
Perceptual Disorders
Alterations in Consciousness: Stupor and Coma
Forensic Aspects of Consciousness
Agitated Delirium
References
Index
Editorial Reviews
This new edition of the publication, which has served as a major reference source to the forensic community for over two decades, becomes available to the readers contemporaneously with several other high quality publications from the field, and it is largely assumed that such a treatise is to reflect previously established teaching concepts with inevitable apodictic flavor. Jan Leestma simply proves the opposite through this genuine effort of complete rewriting of the original text and realigns it with decades of personal experience from his busy practice as a consulting neuropathologist. The endeavor is surely re-enforced by the highly acclaimed contributors.
—Ljubisa J. Dragovic, M.D., Chief Medical Examiner, Oakland County, Pontiac, Michigan, in Journal of Forensic Sciences, Vol. 55, No. 1
… the chapters that deal with head trauma and cerebrovascular disease were particularly well written and relevant to my own practice. … I found the book very useful and would recommend it to pathologists, coroners, as well as to clinicians called to give expert opinions in both civil and criminal courts.
—Paul V. Marks, Consultant Neurosurgeon, The General Infirmary at Leeds, UK
I spent lot of time looking at the illustrative pictures, and gained much simply by looking at them. In my opinion, this book should be very useful to forensic pathologists, forensic neuropathologists, clinicians, medical examiners and law enforcement officers.
—Anil Aggrawal's Internet Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
… an authoritative and comprehensive text which covers the relevant neuropathology in considerable detail. … the broad principles will stand anyone who finds themselves acting as an expert witness in good stead. …There is a consistency in style, which is sometimes lacking from multi-author texts.
—Mark Walker, Wiley Online Library
