Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-5xszh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-29T08:55:07.063Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Chapter 3 - Medicolegal Investigation of Elder Maltreatment and Deaths

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 July 2020

Kim A. Collins
Affiliation:
LifePoint Inc, South Carolina
Roger W. Byard
Affiliation:
University of Adelaide
Get access

Summary

While the majority of deaths in the elderly population are due to natural diseases such as cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, and cancer, it does not diminish the need to rule out other causes of death. Accidents and subsequent death are not uncommon among the elderly. Suicides may occur due to chronic pain or increased comorbidities as well as the loss of a loved one. Elders are also vulnerable to homicides that can be masked as natural deaths, as the index of suspicion decreases with someone who is reasonably expected to die with advanced age and experiencing multiple medical conditions, or accidents.

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Dyer, C.B, Sanchez, L, Kim, L, et al. Factors that impact the determination by medical examiners of elder mistreatment as a cause of death in older people. USDOJ Grant 2003-IJ-CX-K015. https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/223288.pdfGoogle Scholar
Lindbloom, E, Brandt, J, Hawes, C, et al. The role of forensic science in identification of mistreatment deaths in long-term care facilities. DOJ Grant # 2002-IJ-DX-KO18. https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/209334.pdfGoogle Scholar
The National Center on Elder Abuse (2014) Why should I care about elder abuse? http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/Resources/Publication/docs/NCEA_WhyCare_508.pdfGoogle Scholar

References

National Institute of Justice (2013) Research in brief: understanding elder abuse, new directions for developing theories of elder abuse occurring in domestic settings. www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/241731.pdf (accessed December 27, 2017).Google Scholar
World Health Organization (2015) Number of people over 60 years set to double by 2050; major societal changes required. Online news release. www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2015/older-persons-day/en/ (accessed December 27, 2017).Google Scholar
United States Census Bureau (2014) The nation’s older population is still growing. Online press release. www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2014/cb14-84.html (accessed September 1, 2017).Google Scholar
Howe, J, Collins, K, King, P, Yeoman, C. Investigation of elder deaths. Acad Forensic Pathol 2014; 4: 290304.Google Scholar
Isaac, C, Corneilison, J, deJong, J. An investigative tool for detecting elder abuse. Acad Forensic Pathol 2014; 4: 524–31.Google Scholar
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019) Elder abuse: definitions. Online article. www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/elderabuse/definitions.html (accessed December 1, 2017).Google Scholar
Dyer, C.B., Sanchez, L, Kim, L, et al. Factors that impact the determination by medical examiners of elder mistreatment as a cause of death in older people. USDOJ Grant 2003-IJ-CX-K015. www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/223288.pdf (accessed September 1, 2017).Google Scholar
Collins, K.A., Presnell, S.E.. Elder homicide: a 20-year study. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2006; 27: 183–7.Google Scholar
Collins, K.A.. The underweight elder: maltreatment, self-neglect, or normal aging? Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2013: 3(1): 40–5.Google Scholar
Pillmer, K, Finkelhor, D. The prevalence of elder abuse: a random sample survey. Gerontologist 1998; 28: 51–7.Google Scholar
National Center on Elder Abuse (2014) Why should I care about elder abuse? Orange, CA. Online article. www.officeonaging.ocgov.com/resources/elder_abuse (accessed September 1, 2017).Google Scholar
National Research Council (US). In Bonnie, R, Wallace, R. (eds.) Elder Maltreatment: Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation in an Aging America. Panel to Review Risk and Prevalence on Elder Abuse and Neglect. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2003.Google Scholar
Collins, K.A.. Elder maltreatment. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2006; 1(30): 1290–6.Google Scholar
Byard, R, Tsokos, M. Forensic issues in cases of Diogenes syndrome. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2007; 2: 177–81.Google Scholar
Lachs, C.M.S., Williams, C.S., O’Brien, S, Pillemer, K.A., Charlson, M.E.. The mortality of elder mistreatment. JAMA 1998; 5: 428–32.Google Scholar
Cipriani, G, Lucetti, C, Vedovello, M, Nuti, A. Diogenes syndrome in patients suffering from dementia. Dialogues Clin Neurosci 2012; 14(4):455–60.Google Scholar
Irvine, S.J.D., Nwachukwu, K. Recognizing Diogenes syndrome: a case report. BMC Res Notes 2014; 7: 276. doi:10.1186/1756–0500-7–276.Google Scholar
Government Accountability Office (2011) Elder justice: stronger federal leadership could enhance national response to elder abuse. Washington, DC: United States Government Accountability Office. Online report. www.gao.gov/assets/320/316224.pdf (accessed December 1, 2017).Google Scholar
Cooper, C, Selwood, A, Livingsto, Gn.The prevalence of elder abuse and neglect: a systematic review. Age Ageing 2008; 37: 151–60.Google Scholar
LoFaso, V (2014) The forensics of elder abuse: clues to solving the puzzle. Online article for New York City Elder Abuse Center. http://nyceac.com/elder-justice-dispatch-the-forensics-of-elder-abuse-clues-to-solving-the-puzzle (accessed September 1, 2017).Google Scholar
Hoyert, D.L.. NCHS Data Brief: The Changing Profile of Autopsied Deaths in the United States, 1972–2007. Hyattsville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2011, p. 7.Google Scholar
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016) Falls are leading cause of injury and death in older Americans. Online press release. www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0922-older-adult-falls.html (accessed December 1, 2017).Google Scholar
Chishol, K, Harruff, R. Elderly deaths due to ground-level falls. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2010; 4: 350–4.Google Scholar
Dolinak, D, Lew, E, Matshes, E. Forensic Pathology: Principles and Practice, 1st ed. Cambridge, MA: Elsevier Science; 2005.Google Scholar
Mosqueda, L, Wiglesworth, A. Coroner investigations of suspicious elder deaths. USDOJ Grant 2008-MU-MU-0021. www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/239923.pdf (accessed September 1, 2017).Google Scholar
The Statistics Portal (2016) Distribution of selected conditions among nursing home residents in the U.S. in 2015. Online article. www.statista.com/statistics/323221/nursing-home-resident-conditions-in-the-us-from-most-to-least-common/ (accessed December 27, 2017).Google Scholar
Justia US Law(2010) Arkansas Code Chapter 12, §12–12-1709: Report of death caused by maltreatment. https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/2010/title-5/subtitle-3/chapter-28/subchapter-1/5-28-101 (accessed October 31, 2019).Google Scholar
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nursing home care. Online article. www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/nursing-home-care.htm (accessed December 27, 2017).Google Scholar
Justia US Law (2013) Missouri Revised Statute 198, §198.070. https://law.justia.com/codes/missouri/2005/t12/1980000070.html (accessed December 1, 2017).Google Scholar
Stiegel, LA. Elder abuse fatality review teams: a replication manual. Washington: American Bar Association: 2005; p. 24.Google Scholar
Stiegal, L, Klem, E (2007) Reporting requirements: provisions and citations in adult protective services laws, by state. American Bar Association. www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/law_aging/MandatoryReportingChartsExplanation.authcheckdam.pdf (accessed December 27, 2017).Google Scholar
Peterson, G.F., Clark, S.C.. Forensic Autopsy Performance Standards. Marceline, MO: National Association of Medical Examiners; 2013, p. 28.Google Scholar
Werner, C.A.. The Older Population: 2010. 2010 Census Briefs (C2010BR-09). Washington, DC: US Census Bureau; 2011. www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-09.pdf (accessed October 31, 2019).Google Scholar
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sudden unexpected infant death reporting form. www.cdc.gov/sids/pdf/suidi-reporting-form-508.pdf (accessed October 31, 2019).Google Scholar
Johnson County (2014) Johnson County older adult death review team. Iowa City, IA: Johnson County. www.johnson-county.com/dept_medical.aspx?id=10662 (accessed December 1, 2017).Google Scholar
Kim, L.C., Mitchell, S, Dyer, C.B.. Do medical examiners determine elder mistreatment as a cause of death? Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2007; 3(1): 913.Google Scholar
County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency. Suspicious deaths: San Diego Elder Death Review Teams, 2006–2010. San Diego: County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency. www.sandiegocounty.gov/hhsa/programs/ais/documents/SuspiciousDeathOnline.pdf (accessed October 31, 2019).Google Scholar
Virginia Adult Fatality Review Team (2004) Preventing fatal abuse and neglect of Virginia’s vulnerable adults. Richmond, Commonwealth of Virginia. www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/18/2016/04/AFRT-Protocol-Main-Text.pdf (accessed December 1, 2017).Google Scholar
Nurenberg, L. Elder Abuse Prevention: Emerging Trends and Promising Strategies. New York: Springer Publishing; 2008.Google Scholar
Collins, K.A.. Elder abuse. In Siegel, J.A., Saukko, P.J. (eds.) Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences, 2nd ed. Waltham: Academic Press; 2013, pp. 116–22.Google Scholar
Bennett, A.T., Collins, K.A.. Elderly suicide: a 10-year retrospective study. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2001; 22(2): 169–72.Google Scholar

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×