Forensic medicine evaluation of Alzheimer patients: a series from Ankara, Turkey

Abstract

Background/aim: Pathophysiological changes due to Alzheimer disease and increasing age might result in situations requiring forensic evaluation in the elderly. Judicial bodies might need forensic evaluation of trauma and the decision-making capacity of Alzheimer patients. This study aimed to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of Alzheimer patients seen for forensic evaluation.Materials and methods: Forensic records issued by the Department of Forensic Medicine of Hacettepe University in 2012 and 2013 were investigated. Patients with Alzheimer disease were included in the study and were analyzed in terms of age, sex, reason for application, comorbid medical conditions, occupation, and place and status of living.Results: There were 30 Alzheimer patients examined in the study period. Of these, 17 (56.6%) were male and 13 (43.3%) were female. The patients' ages ranged between 51 and 90 years, and the mean age was 78.7 years. The majority of cases (25, 83.3%) were transferred for evaluation of decision-making capacity, while only 5 (17.7%) were referred to our department for forensic reporting of bodily damage. Conclusion:Forensic reporting of bodily damage in Alzheimer patients is similar to common injury cases. However, in conditions requiring evaluation of decision-making capacity in Alzheimer patients, all records should be carefully examined and a complete neuropsychiatric evaluation should be performed.

Medico-Legal Evaluation of Geriatric Patients and Mortality Predictors in the Elderly with Forensic Trauma

“…4 Psychological and mental evaluation abilities of older people get disrupted due to dementia processes and multiple chronic diseases. 5 In our study, we found that the most frequent reason for non-traumatic forensic admission was poisoning. CO is seen as the most frequent poisoning factor with a rate of 9.69%, and we believe that the most probable reason for this result is that older patients are incapable of sensing danger or protecting themselves from danger.…”

“…4 Although forensic cases can be observed in all age groups, both physical and mental disabilities increase the possibility of exposure in the ageing population. 2,5 Slowing of the mental processes and decline of the extremity coordination contributes to occurrence of trauma, whereas the decrease of self-care related to physical and psychological limitations and inability to protect oneself can prepare the ground for abuse and poisoning. [6][7][8] Moreover, comorbid diseases and decline in the physiological reserves in older population make the reflections of forensic processes on this patient group more complicated.…”

“…9,10 Despite this, there are limited publications in the literature regarding forensic cases in older people. 3,5,10,11 Additionally, as far as we know, there is no study evaluating factors affecting the prognosis in older population with forensic traumas.…”