Background/Objectives: Biomedical progress has extended the lifespan of patients with incurable diseases, sparking debates about their desire to live under certain conditions. This study examines the ethical and legal challenges surrounding end-of-life issues in Europe, including informed consent, the refusal of treatment, the right to health, self-determination, advance directives, assisted suicide, and euthanasia. European countries exhibit different interpretations and regulations of these practices, leading to patient “migrations” seeking favorable legal environments. Methods: This study analyzes end-of-life legislation across European countries in a comparative and qualitative way, highlighting differences, commonalities, and the potential for uniform regulation. The data were collected from the literature published between 2000 and 2024, focusing on the EU member states, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Results: The examination of the norms governing end-of-life practices in various European countries revealed significant differences in legislative frameworks, reflecting diverse cultural, ethical, and legal perspectives. These variations have led to patient migrations in search of suitable legal environments to end their lives with dignity. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for a harmonized approach to end-of-life legislation in Europe to ensure equitable access to end-of-life care and to uphold human dignity. Continuous legal updates and comparative studies are essential to balance medical advancements with ethical considerations. The findings emphasize the importance of autonomy and self-determination, which are fundamental human rights that should be respected in the context of end-of-life decisions.

Background: Sexual violence poses a significant challenge to European lawmakers, impacting the victim’s physical and psychological health. This study examines sexual violence legislation across EU member states, Switzerland, and the UK, analyzing similarities, differences, challenges, and potential solutions for effective policy development. The research was motivated by the adoption of EU Directive 2024/1385. Methods: This study analyzes sexual violence legislation across European countries in a comparative and qualitative way, highlighting differences, commonalities, and the potential for uniform regulation. The data were collected from the literature published between 2015 and 2024, focusing the EU member states, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Results: The examination of the norms governing sexual offenses in various European countries revealed significant differences in legislative frameworks, reflecting diverse cultural, ethical, and legal perspectives. Conclusions: Despite European countries sharing the goal of protecting victims and combating sexual violence, there are significant legislative disparities. Key recommendations include enhancing EU member state cooperation, implementing joint training programs, developing a specific EU directive, and creating coordinated prevention and education programs. While respecting national legal diversity, a unified approach is needed for effective prevention and prosecution of sexual violence across Europe.

Background/Objectives: Overkill is generally defined as violence demonstrably exceeding the force required to cause death, often involving a disproportionate number of inflicted injuries. Typically linked to specific mental states, this phenomenon can serve diverse perpetrator purposes, from expressing sadistic impulses to deliberately contaminating forensic evidence. This study re-examines the historical case of Mary Jane Kelly, the canonical final victim of Jack the Ripper, to offer a historical perspective on extreme violence and its influence on modern forensic frameworks. Methods: We employed a retrospective analysis, combining a systematic literature review with application of the Homicide Injury Scale to documented autopsy findings from 1888. Results: The autopsy revealed systematic post-mortem mutilation following a fatal neck laceration. Application of the Homicide Injury Scale confirmed violence exceeding lethal force. Conclusions: This case represents a foundational example of organized overkill behavior, demonstrating the value of applying modern forensic frameworks to historical cases to inform comprehensive overkill analysis.

Background/Objectives: Mass suicide events represent complex socio-cultural phenomena requiring multidisciplinary investigation. The 1978 Jonestown event (>900 deaths) remains the most extensively documented modern case. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review adhering to PRISMA guidelines, searching PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases for peer-reviewed articles published between 1978 and 2026 using the query: ((mass) AND (suicide)) OR (suicide) AND (jonestown). Following screening, 10 papers were selected for inclusion. We integrated these findings with forensic autopsy reports (n = 7), toxicological analyses, discourse analysis of the 45 min audio recording preceding the mass deaths, field investigation data, scholarly monographs, reputable popular science publications, and archival materials from contemporary sources to examine the forensic and criminological aspects of the event. Results: Toxicological analysis detected cyanide in 2/7 autopsied bodies; multiple sedatives (promethazine, chlorpromazine, diphenhydramine, pentobarbital) in gastric tissue indicated recent ingestion. Two gunshot fatalities presented additional complexity. Manner of death was classified as undetermined due to ambiguous circumstances regarding volition versus coercion. Discourse analysis revealed the community’s response was actively debated and constructed through persuasive communication: Reverend Jones strategically framing the situation as hopeless while preserving the appearance of individual agency. Psychosocial analysis identified characteristic patterns: charismatic authoritarian leadership, progressive isolation, apocalyptic ideology, and deindividualization processes. Conclusions: The Jonestown event exemplifies the intersection of forensic pathology challenges in mass casualty investigations and complex group dynamics culminating in collective death. Analysis demonstrates group members actively participated in leadership–followership dynamics, constructing narrative fit between identity and action through discourse. Findings emphasize the importance of immediate toxicological sampling, preservation of forensic evidence, recognition of warning signs in high-control groups, and understanding how narratives of hopelessness and foreclosure of options can be exploited for extremist mobilization.

Background/Objectives: Traumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes of death and disability. When traumatic brain injury is repeated over time, it can lead to the development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a chronic neurodegenerative disease commonly observed in individuals who engage in contact sports or military personnel involved in activities with a high risk of repeated head trauma. At autopsy, the examination of the brain reveals regional atrophy, corresponding to high concentrations of glutamate receptors. Microscopically, the primary findings are the deposition of neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads. The aim of this study is to highlight the clinical and histopathological characteristics of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, providing diagnostic support to forensic pathologists. Additionally, it seeks to aid in the differential diagnosis of similar conditions. Methods: A review of literature was conducted following the PRISMA criteria. Of 274 articles, 7 were selected. Results: According to these papers, most patients were male and exhibited neurological symptoms and neuropsychiatric impairments, and a proportion of them committed suicide or had aggressive behavior. Conclusions: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy remains largely underdiagnosed during life. The definitive diagnosis of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is established post-mortem through the identification of pathognomonic tauopathy lesions. Early and accurate antemortem recognition, particularly in at-risk individuals, is highly valuable for its differentiation from other neurodegenerative conditions, thereby enabling appropriate clinical management and potential interventions.

Background/Objectives: Abortion legislation represents a complex intersection of medical practice, ethical considerations, and legal frameworks that demonstrate significant legal heterogeneity across Europe. This study undertakes a comprehensive comparative assessment of the statutory schemes governing abortion across the European continent, examining gestational limits, exceptional circumstances, and regulatory requirements. Methods: A comparative legal analysis was conducted across 31 European jurisdictions. Primary legislative instruments were identified and authenticated through official governmental sources, parliamentary databases, and legal repositories to ensure analysis of current consolidated legislation. Data extraction focused on gestational limits, exceptional circumstances, procedural requirements, and constitutional provisions to categorize jurisdictions into regulatory models. Additionally, a structured literature search was performed in PubMed and Scopus (2015–2025) using the keywords “abortion,” “law,” and “Europe.” From 297 screened records, 30 articles were selected to contextualize legislative evolution and scholarly discourse. Results: The comparative analysis identified substantial heterogeneity in European abortion legislation, revealing four distinct regulatory models. Most jurisdictions establish a legal limit for elective abortion of approximately 12 weeks of gestation, with variations ranging from 10 weeks to 24 weeks. Exceptions to gestational limits are widely recognized for maternal life-threatening conditions, severe fetal anomalies and pregnancies resulting from sexual violence. Conclusions: European abortion legislation reflects persistent regulatory pluralism rather than convergence toward a unified model. While commonality exists regarding early gestational limits for elective abortion, significant variation remains in exceptional circumstances, procedural requirements, and underlying regulatory philosophies. This heterogeneity impacts healthcare provision, cross-border reproductive care, and medico-legal practice. The identified regulatory models illustrate diverse balances between reproductive autonomy and state interests. Future research should examine the practical consequences of these diverse schemes on health outcomes and cross-border patient mobility.