Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/51686
Citations
Scopus Web of ScienceĀ® Altmetric
?
?
Type: Journal article
Title: Significant increases in body mass indexes (BMI) in an adult autopsy population from 1986 to 2006 - Implications for modern forensic practice
Author: Byard, R.
Bellis, M.
Citation: Journal of Clinical Forensic and Legal Medicine: an international journal of forensic and legal medicine, 2008; 15(6):356-358
Publisher: Churchill Livingstone
Issue Date: 2008
ISSN: 1752-928X
1878-7487
Statement of
Responsibility: 
Roger W. Byard, Maria Bellis
Abstract: A study was undertaken of two coronial autopsy populations aged >or= 17 years in Adelaide, South Australia in 1986 and in 2006 to determine whether there had been any increase in body mass index over the intervening 21 years. In 1986 there were 689 cases; M:F=2.8:1. The average BMI was 25.1, with a range from 12.5 to 55.5. 47% of cases had a normal BMI (18.5-24.9), 14.8% were obese (BMI >or= 30), with a subset of 1.3% of cases classified as morbidly obese (BMI >or= 40). In 2006 there were 1176 cases; M:F=1.9:1. The average BMI was 27.1 with a range from 10.5 to 80.6. 32.1% of cases had a normal BMI, 27.2% were obese, with a subset of 4.8% of cases classified as morbidly obese. This study has confirmed that there has been a marked relative and absolute increase in numbers of obese individuals undergoing coronial post-mortem examinations in South Australia, with 218 more autopsies in 2006 involving obese bodies, including 47 more cases where morbid obesity was documented. This trend is undoubtedly occurring in other countries. Significant problems exist in trying to handle obese and particularly morbidly obese individuals in mortuaries designed for bodies with normal BMIs. Lifting, transport, transfer, storage and autopsy dissection are all difficult. Obesity enhances putrefaction that further complicates handling. Unless mortuaries are modified to deal with the increasing numbers of morbidly obese individuals, with reinforced and robust equipment including lifting hoists, the autopsy examination of such cases may be compromised, and staff will be confronted with ongoing and increasing risk of injury.
Keywords: Obesity
BMI
Mortuary
Forensic
Occupational health and safety
DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2007.12.015
Published version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2007.12.015
Appears in Collections:Aurora harvest
Pathology publications

Files in This Item:
There are no files associated with this item.


Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.