Forensic issues in cases of Diogenes syndrome

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorByard, R.
dc.contributor.authorTsokos, M.
dc.date.issued2007
dc.description.abstractDiogenes syndrome is a syndrome described in the clinical literature in elderly individuals characterized by social isolation and extreme squalor. A number of typical features are found in the forensic evaluation of these deaths as the cases usually initiate medicolegal investigations due to the circumstances and the lack of recorded medical histories. Examinations of the death scenes are often difficult as victim's houses are in a state of disrepair, with filth and clutter, and pet dogs may resent the intrusion of strangers. Bodies are often filthy, with parasitic infestations, and are often putrefied due to the social isolation of the deceased and the delay in the finding of the corpse. Bodies may be traumatized from postmortem animal depredation by rodents or pets (eg, cats, dogs), and injuries such as bruises and lacerations may be present from falls associated with terminal illnesses or alcoholism. Blood or putrefactive fluids may be spread throughout the house by pets. Treatable medical conditions are often present in advanced stages, and features of hypothermia may be found. Attending police may suspect robbery due to disarray of the house and homicide due to apparent “bleeding” around the body from purging of putrefactive fluids, injuries from falls, or postmortem animal activity and “blood stains” throughout the house from antemortem injuries and/or fluid spread by animals. Finally, the identification of the deceased may be compromised by decay and/or postmortem animal activity. Thus, in addition to having typical clinical manifestations, such individuals appear to form a distinct subset of forensic cases having characteristic death scene and autopsy features and presenting particular difficulties in postmortem evaluations.
dc.identifier.citationAmerican Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, 2007; 28(2):177-181
dc.identifier.doi10.1097/PAF.0b013e31805f67e5
dc.identifier.issn0195-7910
dc.identifier.issn1533-404X
dc.identifier.orcidByard, R. [0000-0002-0524-5942]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/43800
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherLippincott Williams & Wilkins
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1097/paf.0b013e31805f67e5
dc.subjectAnimals
dc.subjectAnimals, Domestic
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectSyndrome
dc.subjectHygiene
dc.subjectActivities of Daily Living
dc.subjectFeeding Behavior
dc.subjectSocial Isolation
dc.subjectLife Style
dc.subjectMental Disorders
dc.subjectForensic Medicine
dc.subjectAged
dc.subjectAged, 80 and over
dc.subjectMiddle Aged
dc.subjectFemale
dc.subjectMale
dc.titleForensic issues in cases of Diogenes syndrome
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

Files

Collections

Pathology publications