Objectives: Acute drug poisoning represents a significant public health issue among the pediatric population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of drug poisoning in children and adolescents in the Vojvodina region from 2018 to 2023. Methods: In a retrospective observational study, 82 patients with confirmed drug poisoning were included, and data was collected regarding demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, types of drugs involved, and the therapeutic interventions administered. The severity of poisonings was evaluated using the Poisoning Severity Score, and toxicological analysis was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Results: The results indicated that poisonings were most prevalent in adolescent girls (72%), with 78% of cases resulting from intentional poisoning, while unintentional poisoning was more common in children. Benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and analgesics were the primary drugs causing these poisoning incidents. The majority of patients (78%) experienced mild clinical symptoms, whereas 9% of pediatric patients suffered from severe poisoning, related to complications such as aspiration pneumonia and acute renal failure. Addressing pediatric drug poisoning in Vojvodina requires an increased focus on preventive strategies, including parental education and appropriate psychosocial support for the youth. Conclusions: Through collaborative efforts among healthcare providers, educators, and policymakers, prevention, treatment, and support mechanisms can be enhanced to combat this pressing public health challenge.

Introduction. Ligature strangulation represents a violent mechanical asphyxiation caused by tightening a loop around the victim?s neck, pulled either by an active or passive force. Mechanism of death is most often due to cerebral hypoxia caused by compression of blood vessels which feed the brain, but it can also occur either due to compression and closing the air passages or by stimulating the superior laryngeal nerve. Case Report. An 81-year-old woman was found in her home lying across the couch with a bathrobe belt tied around her neck and a knot at the back side. Body examination showed congestion of the face, conjunctival petechiae as well as a ligature mark in the middle of the neck. The internal examination revealed hematomas on the left side of the tongue, on its base and in the neck muscles on the left side. Conclusion. Thorough forensic expertise of a strangulation case includes the circumstances surrounding the death, detailed information of a crime scene and a complete autopsy report. The relevant pieces of information obtained from each of the investigation phase can be vital for making the right decision about the cause of death.

Suicide is an act of intentionally causing one’s own death. Every year, approximately 800,000 people commit suicide. The average suicide rate in Serbia is around 19 per 100,000 people, which puts Serbia in the upper half on the list of European cou...

Introduction. For homemade firearm, as well as for blank pistol, tear gas gun or cap pistol, that are adapted to use as firearm, there is a commonly used term - zip gun. Presented zip gun is one of the simplest crude homemade firearms that was found among reviewed articles. Case report. We present a case where a young man committed suicide by using a very simple, crude zip gun. The iron tube was used as a barrel. At one end of the iron tube a hunting cartridge was inserted. That end of the tube was closed by iron cylinder with a screw breaching through the center. The decedent was holding the metal tube i.e. the barrel in left hand. He was holding a hammer with his right hand and trying to hit the head of the screw which was, in this case, used as a firing pin. Conclusion. Authors would like to emphasize the importance of thorough investigation and detailed documentation of the crime scene. Particular attention is needed in cases were unusual metal or other parts can be found at the scene from witch a crude homemade gun can be made. We also emphasize that, because of the low power of these kind of firearms and possibility of surviving the shot, if the vital structures are not damaged, an urgent and adequate medical intervention could save the injured persons life.

Introduction/Objective. Autopsy represents the gold standard for determining cause and mechanisms of death. With this paper, the authors wanted to acquaint colleagues with our experiences while performing autopsies of COVID-positive deceased patients. Method. The study included total of 12 autopsies related to COVID-19 infection, performed in our forensic pathology institution, from which one autopsy of suspected patient and 11 autopsies of confirmed COVID-positive patients. Confirmation of infection was obtained by antemortem polymerase chain reaction analysis of oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs and by postmortem swabs taken from upper airways and lungs. Results. In five cases, cause of death was directly attributed to COVID-19 infection. In two cases cause of death was due to heart attack, in two cases due to gastrointestinal hemorrhage, in one case due to multiple injuries, in one case due to trauma complications and in one case due to gunshot injury. Conclusion. Large number of autopsies in which cause of death has been established to be other than COVID, along with importance of these cases for litigation, strongly emphasizes the importance of forensic autopsy of COVID-positive deceased. If adequate personal protective equipment is used, there should be minimal exposure risk to virus remaining in body tissues.