مجله پزشکی قانونی
سال سی و یکم شماره 1 (پیاپی 113، بهار 1404)

The issue of drugs and their consumption is one of the most concerning issues of the present century in all countries. The Iranian criminal justice system resorted to various policies to control addiction, but none led to a decrease in the rate of consumption. An alternative solution named "Substance Abuse Management Policy" emerged, criticizing detoxification methods and methadone treatment. The aim of this study is to investigate the claim of failure of therapeutic methods by studying the clients at addiction treatment centers in Shiraz.

In this analytical-cross-sectional and retrospective study, data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 150 individuals at addiction treatment centers in Shiraz, using two questionnaires of 16 and 12 questions. After data collection, the analysis was conducted using SPSS software, version 21.

The results indicate that 31% of individuals attempted to quit addiction for the first time, while 69% had done so more than once. It was found that 72% of these individuals were under 25 years old, and 59% returned to substance abuse within three months. Physical, psychological, emotional, environmental, and treatment factors at the addiction treatment centers had a significant role in the relapse of individuals into addiction.

Considering the statistics and analysis in comparison with other studies, it reflects the recurrent substance use of most clients at addiction treatment centers, indicating that detoxification methods and methadone treatment alone are insufficient for sustained recovery. Attention should also be given to harm reduction factors in substance abuse alongside these methods.

Domestic violence is a prevalent issue and a major concern for the World Health Organization, which can significantly affect the reproductive behavior of couples. This study aimed to investigate the "relationship between domestic violence and reproductive behavior in women visiting healthcare centers of the Social Security Organization in Isfahan, Iran.

This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted on 404 women aged 14-54 who visited healthcare centers in Isfahan. Sampling was performed using a convenient and accessible method. The tool for assessing reproductive behavior was a researcher-designed questionnaire, while the measurement of domestic violence was based on the World Health Organization's standard domestic violence questionnaire. Participants were categorized into two groups—victims of violence and non-victims—based on their questionnaire responses, and the reproductive behaviors of both groups were compared. Data analysis was analyzed by using SPSS software version 12.

Statistical tests indicated that women who were victims of domestic violence used reliable contraceptive methods less frequently and experienced higher rates of unintended pregnancies.

Given the inverse relationship between domestic violence and the use of reliable contraceptive methods, as well as the direct correlation with unintended pregnancies, it appears that planning for screening and prevention of domestic violence could improve reproductive behaviors and their outcomes.

Personality is a distinct and enduring pattern of emotions and behaviors that plays a crucial role in shaping interpersonal relationships. Personality traits, along with emotional and psychological disorders, are often cited as key contributors to marital conflict, tension, and ultimately divorce. This study aimed to investigate and compare the emotional and personality profiles of women referred to family counseling centers in Rafsanjan city with those of women from the general population.

This applied research employed a correlational and causal-comparative (ex post facto) design. The statistical population consisted of all women who sought services at judiciary-affiliated family counseling centers in Rafsanjan city in 2023. Using convenience sampling, 100 women who had attended these centers over a six-month period were selected. An additional 100 women from the general population were included as a comparison group. Data were collected using the Plutchik Emotional Profile Questionnaire (1974) and the HEXACO Personality Inventory (2004). Hypotheses were tested using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).

The results revealed significant differences in the emotional profiles of women who sought counseling and those who did not, indicating that their emotional characteristics vary meaningfully. Furthermore, a significant difference was observed between the personality profiles of the two groups (P<0.05).

Given the substantial impact of personality on marital conflict and tension, it is essential to emphasize the role of premarital counseling and personality assessment. Preventing marriages between individuals with incompatible or maladaptive personality traits, and offering targeted training based on individual personality profiles, can contribute to healthier and more stable relationships.

Drug abuse presents a critical societal challenge, impacting individuals, families, and society at large. Previous research has identified numerous individual, social, and familial factors influencing drug preference. This study focuses on distinguishing between industrial (including hashish, heroin, crack, cocaine, amphetamine, methadone, and buprenorphine) and non-industrial drugs (juice and opium) among clients seeking treatment at a drug abuse center in Tabriz.

This retrospective descriptive-analytical study involved 401 individuals using both industrial and non-industrial drugs. Data collection employed standard forms, questionnaires, and admission interviews at the treatment center in Tabriz.

Significant correlations were found between educational level (P=0.000, correlation coefficient=0.24), marital status (P=0.000, correlation coefficient=0.35), age at initial visit (P=0.000, correlation coefficient=0.40), family problems (P=0.000, correlation coefficient=0.16), and duration of drug use (P=0.011, correlation coefficient=0.40) with drug type preference. Gender, age at first drug use, and duration of drug use did not show significant correlations. The predominantly male sample (98%) highlights the need for gender-balanced studies.

Findings underscore significant associations between educational attainment, marital status, age at initial visit, familial issues, and duration of drug use with drug type preference. Industrial drug users tend to have higher education levels and face more familial challenges, while non-industrial drug users are more often married and initiate treatment at a later age.

Drug abuse presents a critical societal challenge, impacting individuals, families, and society at large. Previous research has identified numerous individual, social, and familial factors influencing drug preference. This study focuses on distinguishing between industrial (including hashish, heroin, crack, cocaine, amphetamine, methadone, and buprenorphine) and non-industrial drugs (juice and opium) among clients seeking treatment at a drug abuse center in Tabriz.

This retrospective descriptive-analytical study involved 401 individuals using both industrial and non-industrial drugs. Data collection employed standard forms, questionnaires, and admission interviews at the treatment center in Tabriz.

Significant correlations were found between educational level (P=0.000, correlation coefficient=0.24), marital status (P=0.000, correlation coefficient=0.35), age at initial visit (P=0.000, correlation coefficient=0.40), family problems (P=0.000, correlation coefficient=0.16), and duration of drug use (P=0.011, correlation coefficient=0.40) with drug type preference. Gender, age at first drug use, and duration of drug use did not show significant correlations. The predominantly male sample (98%) highlights the need for gender-balanced studies.

Findings underscore significant associations between educational attainment, marital status, age at initial visit, familial issues, and duration of drug use with drug type preference. Industrial drug users tend to have higher education levels and face more familial challenges, while non-industrial drug users are more often married and initiate treatment at a later age

Training transfer is a key component in enhancing organizational productivity. However, several barriers may hinder the application of acquired knowledge in real workplace settings. This study aimed to identify the factors affecting learning transfer among employees of the Forensic Medicine Organization in Razavi Khorasan Province.

This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 among employees who had attended at least one training course. A sample of 112 participants was selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using the standard Learning Transfer System Inventory (LTSI) questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS and SmartPLS.

Individual factors were identified as the strongest barriers to learning transfer (mean=2.42), followed by educational (mean=2.54) and organizational factors (mean=3.1), all below the desirable level.

The findings emphasize the importance of addressing individual barriers to improve training effectiveness. Enhancing learner motivation, self-efficacy, and preparedness can significantly support better knowledge transfer to the workplace.

One of the periods where we see the most accidents around the world is the holidays and New Year's days. In Iran, the Nowruz holidays and a significant increase in interprovincial travel lead to severe traffic accidents, and in this regard, various effective indicators in this field are of great importance. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the epidemiology of traffic accidents leading to death due to traffic accidents during Nowruz holidays from 2011 to 2023.

This study was conducted using the available data of the Iranian Forensic Medicine Organization among Iranian victims who died in Noruz traffic accidents (25 days) in 2011 to 2023. The data were collected using a checklist and analyzed in SPSS23 software.

The research findings showed that during the years 2011-2023, 13,580 people died due to accidents, of which 72.3 percent of the victims of driving accidents were men and 27.7 percent were women. Also, 42.4 percent of the victims of driving accidents during these times were young people aged 18 to 39, and 73.7 percent of the victims had less than a high school diploma. 52.8 percent of the victims died at the scene of the accident, and the cause of death for 47 percent of the victims was a head injury. Most of the accidents occurred on suburban roads, with 43.5 percent of the victims being passengers.

This study showed that due to the differences in high-risk groups and the way accidents occur in different provinces of the country, different methods of intervention should be considered in each province. Among young men driving cars and on suburban roads, deaths from accidents were high, and the majority of deaths were due to head injuries

Various forms of vasculitis can lead to myocardial ischemia by affecting coronary arteries. IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic fibroinflammatory condition that impacts multiple organs and causes vascular involvement in 15–25% of affected individuals.

 A 40-year-old man with no known prior medical history was referred to forensic medicine for determination of the cause of death. Autopsy revealed a dense, round lesion measuring 2.5 cm within the heart, with an occlusive thrombus in the right coronary artery. Microscopic examination demonstrated connective tissue proliferation with a storiform pattern and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, without evidence of obliterative phlebitis. Immunohistochemical analysis (IHC) confirmed strong IgG4 positivity in plasma cells, while ALK staining was negative, ruling out inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor as a differential diagnosis. IgG4-RD can involve various organs, including the heart, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumor-like lesions.

Reviewing patient medical history, assessing serum IgG4 levels, and confirming lesions via IHC can prevent unnecessary surgeries, as these lesions typically show a favorable response to steroid therapy. In forensic medicine, identifying IgG4-RD-related lesions in coronary arteries is crucial. Additionally, raising awareness among cardiologists, especially echocardiography specialists, may play a significant role in preventing sudden cardiac death associated with this disease.