The coroner release rates for the service of a particular organ procurement organization were evaluated through a retrospective analysis, which included the year before (1991), the year during (1992), and the year after (1993) the adoption of a formal protocol for coroner's cases. In 1991, 22 of 55 (40%) coroner cases were denied for donation by the coroner. In 1992 and 1993, 12 of 55 (22%) and 9 of 56 (16%) coroner cases, respectively, were denied for donation. More significantly, in 1991, 4 of 6 (67%) cases of homicidal gunshot wound to the head were denied for donation by the coroner, whereas only 1 of 13 (8%) such cases were denied in 1993. Also in 1991 all closed head injuries (two) from falls were denied for donation by the coroner, whereas in 1993 1 of 8 (12%) closed head injuries was denied for donation. Finally, all 4 of 4 nonaccidental traumas (ie, child abuse) were denied in 1991, but 1 of 2 were released in both 1992 and 1993. Further education and awareness efforts could reduce the rates of coroner denial even more significantly.
The coroner release rates for the service of a particular organ procurement organization were evaluated through a retrospective analysis, which included the year before (1991), the year during (1992), and the year after (1993) the adoption of a formal protocol for coroner's cases. In 1991, 22 of 55 (40%) coroner cases were denied for donation by the coroner. In 1992 and 1993, 12 of 55 (22%) and 9 of 56 (16%) coroner cases, respectively, were denied for donation. More significantly, in 1991, 4 of 6 (67%) cases of homicidal gunshot wound to the head were denied for donation by the coroner, whereas only 1 of 13 (8%) such cases were denied in 1993. Also in 1991 all closed head injuries (two) from falls were denied for donation by the coroner, whereas in 1993 1 of 8 (12%) closed head injuries was denied for donation. Finally, all 4 of 4 nonaccidental traumas (ie, child abuse) were denied in 1991, but 1 of 2 were released in both 1992 and 1993. Further education and awareness efforts could reduce the rates of coroner denial even more significantly.
Engaging a longstanding controversy important to archaeologists and indigenous communities, Repatriation and Erasing the Past takes a critical look at laws that mandate the return of human remains from museums and laboratories to ancestral burial grounds. Anthropologist Elizabeth Weiss and attorney James Springer offer scientific and legal perspectives on the way repatriation laws impact research. Weiss discusses how anthropologists draw conclusions about past peoples through their study of skeletons and mummies and argues that continued curation of human remains is important. Springer reviews American Indian law and how it helped to shape laws such as NAGPRA (the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act). He provides detailed analyses of cases including the Kennewick Man and the Havasupai genetics lawsuits. Together, Weiss and Springer critique repatriation laws and support the view that anthropologists should prioritize scientific research over other perspectives.
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