M. Oehmichen – Forensic Neuropathology and Neurology

Описание

The present textbook was written with the same intentions
as Leestma introduced his excellent monograph
(Forensic Neuropathology. Raven, New York,
1988), “to deal with those areas which have the most
importance in forensic settings, are typical problem
areas, or seem to be poorly understood by most forensic
pathologists….” The authors have attempted
not only to describe the pathomorphology of insults
of the human nervous system, but also the underlying
pathophysiological, molecular, and biomechanical
principles that can help forensic pathologists to
understand the pathological changes induced by a
traumatic event and enable the expert witness to
reconstruct the criminal act; they have tried to integrate
the forensic and criminalistic problems and
questions as well as − to a certain degree − the clinical
features and sequelae. The aim of this volume is
to bridge the gap between the ways of thinking of the
basic neuroscientist, the researcher, the practicing
medicolegal neuropathologist, and the clinical phy-
Preface
sician. We hope the reader will find this approach
unique and useful, as well as intriguingly broadening
the horizons of what is usually discussed under
medicolegal headings and topics.
The clinical aspects are discussed since forensic
pathologists are increasingly asked to aid in medicolegal
questions in connection with medical lawsuits.
On the other hand we have lost sight of the needs of
clinical neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropediatricians,
neurotraumatologists, and neuroradiologists,
who may also be called to serve as expert witnesses
in court. Thus we offer essential information on the
pathological processes encountered in survivors
of different brain injuries. The present book may
therefore be a useful tool for both pathologists and
clinicians confronted with forensically relevant injuries
and disorders of the human nervous system