Browsing by Author "Knobel, G J"
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- ItemOpen AccessThe epidemiology, pathology and toxicology of suicide(1998) Lourens, Denise; Knobel, G JComplete suicides and parasuicides are a major cause of death and disability in South Africa and the rest of the world. The epidemiology, pathology and toxicology of complete suicides were investigated in this study. All the complete suicide cases, which were presented to Salt River Medicolegal Laboratory over a period of one year (1 January 1997 - 31 December 1997), were analysed. The candidate personally conducted 148 of the alleged 180 suicide cases that presented in this time period (82%). The candidate did all the follow up investigations herself. The main findings were: 1. The male to female ratio was 5: 1. (131: 26) 2. Shooting and hanging were the most commonly used methods. 3. The racial distribution of violent deaths showed a high rate of suicides amongst the White population. 4. Suicides accounted for the Joss of young lives, the average age being 37,8 years. The mean age was 34 years. 5. Most victims committed suicide in and around their own homes. 6. The majority did not leave suicide notes. 7. Psychiatric disorders, poor health, arguments with close family members and friends, financial problems and long-standing relationship problems were the most common reasons for the suicides. 8. Suicides by prisoners accounted for 3,8% of the study (6 cases). 9. Two cases of double suicide (group suicide) were identified. 10. Five cases of homicide-suicide were identified in the study material. 11. One case of an attempted suicide by means of a high-speed motor vehicle accident, followed by the successful suicide by other means, was identified.
- ItemOpen AccessLodox Statscan proves to be invaluable in forensic medicine(2006) Knobel, G J; Flash, G; Bowie, G FThe Statscan (Lodox Systems Pty (Ltd), Sandton, South Africa) is a low-dose, digital full-body X-ray machine designed specifically for use in hospital trauma units. The technology was developed by De Beers to be used in X-ray machines that could rapidly determine the location of stolen diamonds on workers using a low radiation dose. The machine makes use of a thin fan-beam X-ray that is scanned down the length of the patient in 13 seconds. A proprietary digital detector consisting of CCD cameras and fibreoptic tapers produces a full-body actual-size image of the patient, which is viewed on a dedicated 21-inch digital viewing station.
- ItemOpen AccessViolence against women : an analysis of the epidemiology and patterns of injury in rape homicide in Cape Town and in rape in Johannesburg(1999) Martin, Lorna Jean; Knobel, G JViolence against women is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in South Africa and indeed the of world. Women and men are equal and must have equal guarantees of economic, social, civil, political cultural rights. Women who are denied basic right security cannot participate equally in society. Violence denies this basic human right. This study is descriptive and a retrospective analysis of rape survivors in Johannesburg from 1992, a prospective analysis of homicide victims from Cape from mid-1996 to end 1998. The results have been analysed into demographic variables and compared to trends from the rest of the world. The epidemiology and pattern of injury violent crimes have specifically targeted. The main findings were: 1. incidence of rape in Johannesburg in 1992 was 165 per 100 000 women. 2. Rape in Johannesburg is seasonable and occur mainly in young African women, by strangers. 3. Approximately one third of survivors sustain non-genital as well as genital injury. 4. Most injuries can be classified as minor or moderate and comprise contusion, abrasions and lacerations. 5. The incidence of rape homicide in Town is 7.2 per 100 000 women, which represents a fatal sexual rate 1.23%. 6. The majority of rape homicide victims were coloured women in the group 26 to 45 years. 6. Of those murdered by people known to them, a current or ex-intimate partner murdered 18.6%. 7. 98.3% of rape victims had non-genital injury, and 55.9% had evidence of genital injury. 9. Most rape homicides have evidence of mechanical asphyxiation included in the mechanism of death. 10. The body areas most targeted by perpetrators in sexual assault are the head, neck and upper limbs. 11. The majority of the minor genital injuries comprise abrasions and lacerations to the posterior fourchette and introitus.