Rafał Skowronek

Publications of Rafał Skowronek

• [Smuggling of the cocaine in the gastrointestinal tract ended in sudden death--the first case report from the Upper Silesia].

  Authors: Rafał Celiński, Christian Jabłoński, Rafał Skowronek, Małgorzata Korczyńska, Joanna Kulikowska, Joanna Nowicka, Czesław Chowaniec, Anna Uttecht-Pudełko

  Wiadomości lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960). 01/2011; 64(2):109-12.

  Fifty-year old man was found dead in the bathroom of his apartment. Forensic autopsy was ordered to determine the cause and manner of death. Autopsy revealed the presence of 55 latex "balls" in theFifty-year old man was found dead in the bathroom of his apartment. Forensic autopsy was ordered to determine the cause and manner of death. Autopsy revealed the presence of 55 latex "balls" in the stomach and foregut. In the past the victim was suspected of drug's dealing and smuggling. The content of "balls" and biological material (blood, urine, bloody fluid from internal organs) were analysed with LC MS/MS in the Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Toxicology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice. The range of cocaine' concentration in the "balls" was 91.2-96.1%, whereas concentration in blood - 107.50 microg/ml, in urine - 284.60 microg/ml and in bloody fluid - 192.30 microg/ml. The cause of death was acute cocaine intoxication.

• [The evolution of autopsy technique--from Virchow to Virtopsy].

  Authors: Rafał Skowronek, Czesław Chowaniec

  Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii. 60(1):48-54.

  The autopsy technique evolves with extending knowledge and technical and technological progress in medical sciences. The objective of this report is to present the main autopsy techniques and anThe autopsy technique evolves with extending knowledge and technical and technological progress in medical sciences. The objective of this report is to present the main autopsy techniques and an outline of transformations that occurred in the methodology of post mortem examinations with a focus on the Polish literature. Additionally, we present examples of paintings inspired by autopsy.

• [Polish forensic entomology--the past, present and future perspectives].

  Authors: Rafał Skowronek, Czesław Chowaniec

  Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii. 60(1):55-8.

  Forensic medicine increasingly more often benefits from the achievements of other biological sciences, which may be used in post mortem investigation. One of them is forensic entomology--the scienceForensic medicine increasingly more often benefits from the achievements of other biological sciences, which may be used in post mortem investigation. One of them is forensic entomology--the science based on the knowledge about biology of insects preying on cadavers. The objective of this article is to present the history of Polish forensic entomology, its present state and possibilities and directions of further development.

• [The role, objectives and usefulness of medico-legal determinations in post-accidental procedures in traumatic deaths in hard coal-mining industry].

  Authors: Rafał Skowronek, Czesław Chowaniec

  Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii. 59(2):101-11.

  The underground hard coal-mining sector demonstrates one of the highest rates of fatal accidents, in spite of a decline in coal-mining over the last few years. Post-accidental investigations,The underground hard coal-mining sector demonstrates one of the highest rates of fatal accidents, in spite of a decline in coal-mining over the last few years. Post-accidental investigations, including forensic medical expertise, continue to present a significant problem. The objective of the research was to evaluate the role, tasks and usefulness of medico-legal determinations in post-accidental procedures in traumatic deaths in hard coal-mining industry. The study was carried out retrospectively by investigating files and autopsy reports, with attention focusing on the scope of necessary activities and medico-legal examinations in order to determine the cause and manner of death, and on identification of fatalities, especially in the cases of collective occupational accidents. Complex medico-legal determinations (identification, autopsy), supplemented by additional investigations (toxicology, histopathology and hemogenetics) provide a valuable source of evidence for legal authorities and post-accidental commissions. Mutual cooperation of the experts representing various branches of science is the basis of executing appropriate procedures after a traumatic death in the coal mine.

• [Unusual case of the criminal administration of ranitidine].

  Authors: Rafał Celiński, Rafał Skowronek, Czesław Chowaniec

  Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii. 60(2-3):159-63.

  Psychoactive substances (alcohol, narcotics and drugs) are used for facilitation of various crimes, mostly sexual assaults ("rape pills", "date-rape drugs") and/or robbery. The most popular drugsPsychoactive substances (alcohol, narcotics and drugs) are used for facilitation of various crimes, mostly sexual assaults ("rape pills", "date-rape drugs") and/or robbery. The most popular drugs used for criminal purposes are: benzodiazepines, antipsychotic, hypotensive and anesthetic agents. Sometimes, however, other types of drugs are employed. The authors present an unusual, first in the literature, attempt at the criminal use of ranitidine--a popular antisecretive drug (H2-blocker)--as a "date-rape drug". The present paper discusses problems of scientific information flow to the criminal world, easy accessibility of psychoactive agents and difficulties in medico-legal opinion and penal qualification in such cases.

• [Medico-legal assessment of the injuries of fatal victims of building collapse at Katowice International Fair in Katowice/Chorzów on January 28, 2006].

  Authors: Czesław Chowaniec, Mariusz Kobek, Małgorzata Chowaniec, Krystian Rygol, Stanisława Kabiesz-Neniczka, Rafał Skowronek

  Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii. 61(1):20-8.

  On January 28, 2006, during an exhibition of carrier pigeons, the roof of one of the buildings at Katowice International Fair collapsed. At the time of accident, there were 700 people in theOn January 28, 2006, during an exhibition of carrier pigeons, the roof of one of the buildings at Katowice International Fair collapsed. At the time of accident, there were 700 people in the building--65 died and 171 were injured. It was the biggest building disaster in the history of modern Poland. The aim of this study was to present the type (character) of the observed injuries, the cause of death of 48 fatal victims and the range of activities and medico-legal examinations performed in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice. In the period of January 29-February 1, 2006, on February 14, 2006, and February 17, 2006, post-mortem examinations of the 48 deceased were carried out, and in some cases additional dissecting techniques were employed. During autopsies, numerous specimens for various additional examinations (histopathological, toxicological) were collected. For identification purposes, photographic material and specimens, necessary for genetic identification, were secured. Additionally, the bodies were identified by families. The post-mortem procedures eventually allowed for establishing the cause of death of all the victims. The authors emphasize the range of necessary medico-legal procedures and examinations that should be carried out in a Department of Forensic Medicine in case of a building collapse with a large number of fatalities in order to determine the type of injuries, cause and mechanism of death and to identify the deceased.

• [Cardiac deaths in hard coal-mining industry as an indicator of efficiency of occupational medicine services].

  Authors: Rafał Skowronek, Czesław Chowaniec, Anna Kowalska

  Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii. 61(1):29-34.

  Deaths in hard-coal mining industry can be divided into: accidental (usually of a single character) and non-accidental-intentional (homicide, suicide) and natural (with a pathological background,Deaths in hard-coal mining industry can be divided into: accidental (usually of a single character) and non-accidental-intentional (homicide, suicide) and natural (with a pathological background, 'without external factors'). The main cause of natural deaths is myocardial infarction (MI). Its risk is increased by environmental factors in working place, unhealthy life style, cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking, which is often an attempt at coping with chronic stress, so proper prevention, qualification and periodic examination of workers is indispensable. The aim of the study is to analyze cases of miners' cardiac deaths investigated in Department of Forensic Medicine in Katowice and the number of natural deaths in hard-coal mines in the years 1999-2010. There were 298 accidental and 122 natural deaths, the latter showing an increasing tendency in the years 2002-2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010. Natural deaths--in 95% sudden cardiac deaths--constituted 29% of all deaths in hard-coal mining industry. Autopsies supplemented by histopathological investigations often revealed advanced atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, which should disqualify a candidate from working underground. A high number of natural deaths in hard-coal mining industry and morphological post mortem assessment of victims indicate insufficiency of occupational medicine services. We propose an improvement of its quality and a higher frequency of periodic examinations of workers (especially in groups with the highest risk of MI), as well as courses of Basic Life Support (BLS). Forensic medicine may be socially useful in assessing the efficiency of occupational medicine services in mining industry.