Traumatic Avulsion of the Eyeball: Case Report and Discussion of the Forensic Aspects Involved

Abstract

Traumatic avulsion of the eyeball is a rare occurrence, with only a few cases reported in the specialized literature. Most reported cases are self-inflicted, unilateral, and associated with psychiatric disorders. In a forensic medical examination involving ocular enucleation, the expert must seek elements that help clarify the circumstances of the event, as well as identify the material under examination. An essential component of such an investigation is determining whether the enucleation was self-inflicted or caused by a third party. This paper presents a case report involving the main technical aspects of a forensic medical examination of an eye traumatically removed by a sharp-force injury during a physical assault, with emphasis on the integration of forensic medical and toxicological knowledge. The discussion compares the forensic findings obtained from the examination of the enucleated eye with the information available regarding the circumstances of the trauma.

Keywords

Olho. Humor vítreo. Diagnóstico. Necropsia. Toxicologia. Medicina Legal.
Eye
Vitreous Humor
Diagnosis
Autopsy
Toxicology
Forensic Medicine
Ojo
Humor Vítreo
Diagnóstico
Autopsia
Toxicología
Medicina Legal

References

  1. R. Gupta; J.S. Kent; Y.A. Khan. Traumatic complete evulsion of the globe and optic nerve. Can J Ophthalmol. 49(5):e110-2 (2014).
  2. L.E. Davis; S. Tripathi. A Case of Self-Enucleation in an Incarcerated Patient: Case Report and Review of Literature. J Forensic Sci. 63(6):1908-1910 (2018).
  3. W.R. Morris; F.D. Osborn; J.C. Fleming. Traumatic Evulsion of the Globe. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 18(4): 261–267 (2002).
  4. N. Pigaiani; A. Bertaso; E.F. De Palo; F. Bortolotti; F. Tagliaro. Vitreous humor endogenous compounds analysis for post-mortem forensic investigation. Forensic Sci Int. epud:e1-e58 (2020).
  5. S.L. Belsey; R.J. Flanagan. Postmortem biochemistry: Current applications. J Forensic Leg Med. 41:49-57 (2016).
  6. L.A. Cabral; T.M.N. Silva; A.E.G.S. Britto. Traumas oculares no serviço de urgência da Fundação Banco de Olhos de Goiás. Rev Bras Oftalmol. 72(6): 383-387 (2013).
  7. B. Madea; E. Doberentz; C. Jackowski. Vital reactions - An updated overview. Forensic Sci Int. 305: Epub Oct 31 (2019).
  8. Z. Ayhan; T. Ozturk; M. Kaya; G. Arikan; U. Gunenc. Corneal Biomechanical Properties in Patients With Arcus Senilis. Cornea 35(7):980-2 (2016).
  9. G.V. França. Capítulo 3 - Antropologia Médico-legal – Identificação médico-legal: idade. In: G.V. França. Medicina Legal. 11ªed. Editora Guanabara-Koogan (Grupo GEN): Rio de Janeiro, Brasil (2017) 68.
  10. S.Vasudevan; A. Abraham. Age Related or Senile Cataract: Pathology, Mechanism and Management. Austin Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology 3(2):1-8 (2016).
  11. C.W. Chronister; J.C. Walrath; B.A. Goldberger. Rapid Detection of Benzoylecgonine in Vitreous Humor by Enzyme Immunoassay. Journal of Analytical Toxicology 25: 621-624 (2001).
  12. Bula do kit ABON™Multi-Drogas.
  13. D.J. Dorta; M. Yonamine; J.L. Costa; B.S. Martins. Toxicologia Forense. Editora Edgard Blucher: São Paulo, Brasil (2018) 141-164.
  14. E. Alvear; D. von Baer; C. Mardones; A.J. Hitschfeld. Determination of cocaine and its major metabolite benzoylecgonine in several matrices obtained from deceased individuals with presumed drug consumption prior to death. Forensic Leg Med. 23:37-43 (2014).
  15. A.A. Filho; S.P. Ventura; P.R.S.M. Costa. Cocaína e seus Derivados. In: A.A. Filho, D. Campolina, M.B. Dias (Eds). Toxicologia na Prática Clínica. 2ªed. Belo Horizonte: Editora Folium (2013) 247-259.
  16. S.T. Kim; T. Park. Acute and Chronic Effects of Cocaine on Cardiovascular Health. Int J Mol Sci. 20(3): 1-22 (2019).
  17. S. Chen; P. Yang; T. Chen; H. Su; H. Jiang; M. Zhao. Risky decision-making in individuals with substance use disorder: A meta-analysis and meta-regression review. Psychopharmacology May 4 (2020).
  18. BRASIL. Secretaria Nacional de Políticas Sobre Drogas. Relatório Brasileiro sobre Drogas. Brasília: SENAD, 2009.
  19. E.F. Drumond; H.N.F. Souza; T.A. Hang-Costa. Homicídios, álcool e drogas em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, 2000-2009. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde 24(4): 607-616 (2015).
  20. S. Darke. The toxicology of homicide offenders and victims: A review. Drug Alcohol Rev. 29:202-15 (2010).
  21. J.B. Kuhns; D.B. Wilson; E.R. Maguire; S.A. Ainsworth; T.A. Clodfelter. A meta-analysis of marijuana, cocaine and opiate toxicology study findings among homicide victims. Addiction 104(7):1122-31 (2009).
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Copyright (c) 2021 Brazilian Journal of Criminalistics

Share

Download

PDF (Português (Brasil))

Author(s)

  • Tauer Jordani Gusmão do Couto,
  • Cristiano Otavio Luciano Coulart,
  • Geraldo Magela de Azevedo Júnior,
  • Polyanna Helena Coelho,
  • Leonardo Santos Bordoni,

    • Tauer Jordani Gusmão do Couto

    Instituto Médico Legal André Roquette (IMLAR), Polícia Civil do Estado de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte (MG), Brasil

             

    Cristiano Otavio Luciano Coulart

    Instituto Médico Legal André Roquette (IMLAR), Polícia Civil do Estado de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte (MG), Brasil

              

    Geraldo Magela de Azevedo Júnior

    Instituto Médico Legal André Roquette (IMLAR), Polícia Civil do Estado de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte (MG), Brasil

            

    Polyanna Helena Coelho

    Polícia Civil do Estado de Minas Gerais

    Médica formada pela UFMG (2010) e especialista em Medicina do Trabalho pelo Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG (2013). Médica Legista da Polícia Civil do Estado de Minas Gerais (2014).

                           

    Leonardo Santos Bordoni

    Instituto Médico Legal André Roquette (IMLAR), Polícia Civil do Estado de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte (MG), Brasil. Faculdade de Medicina de Barbacena (FAME-FUNJOB), Barbacena (MG), Brasil. Faculdade da Saúde e Ecologia Humana (FASEH), Vespasiano (MG), Brasil. Escola de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto (MG), Brasil.

               

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>