This article presents some of the key findings from a study of bereavement by homicide, based on interviews with bereaved people and personnel from Victim Support, the probation service, the police and voluntary organizations. It outlines some of the emotional and practical aspects of traumatic bereavement and the needs that subsequently arise, with particular regard to bereaved people's involvement with the criminal justice system. Recommendations for improved probation service, police and Victim Support responses are proposed.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the radiation doses to the lower extremities in interventional radiology suites and evaluate the benefit of installation of protective lead shielding. After an alarmingly increased dose to the lower extremity in a preliminary study, nine interventional radiologists wore thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) just above the ankle, over a 4-week period. Two different interventional suites were used with Siemens undercouch fluoroscopy systems. A range of procedures was carried out including angiography, embolization, venous access, drainages, and biopsies. A second identical 4-week study was then performed after the installation of a 0.25-mm lead curtain on the working side of each interventional table. Equivalent doses for all nine radiologists were calculated. One radiologist exceeded the monthly dose limit for a Category B worker (12.5 mSv) for both lower extremities before lead shield placement but not afterward. The averages of both lower extremities showed a statistically significant dose reduction of 64% (p < 0.004) after shield placement. The left lower extremity received a higher dose than the right, 6.49 vs. 4.57 mSv, an increase by a factor of 1.42. Interventional radiology is here to stay but the benefits of interventional radiology should never distract us from the important issue of radiation protection. All possible measures should be taken to optimize working conditions for staff. This study showed a significant lower limb extremity dose reduction with the use of a protective lead curtain. This curtain should be used routinely on all C-arm interventional radiologic equipment.

Occupational eye lens doses from ERCP procedures have been established using a new commercially available dedicated H(p)(3) dosemeter.

Considerable doses to the thyroid are incurred during neurointerventional procedures, highlighting the need for increased awareness of patient radiation protection. Thyroid lead shielding yields significant radiation protection, is inexpensive and when not obscuring the field of view, should be used routinely.

The uptake and elimination of 99Tcm labelled MAA were followed by gamma camera and computer over a period of 36 hours in patients undergoing lung scanning and venography. Lungs, stomach, kidneys, GI tract, bladder and thyroid showed significant concentrations of activity at various times after the injection of radiopharmaceutical, with carefully controlled labelling efficiency. There was no indication of accumulation in the liver or spleen. Activity versus time curves were constructed. The lung curve had approximately bi-exponential form with components of effective half-lives 0.88 and 4.56 h. Areas beneath the curves gave cumulated activities for each organ and, using S values (absorbed dose per unit cumulated activity) from MIRD tables, absorbed doses from self-irradiation were calculated for each organ.