Hind Abouzahir, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor and Forensic Medical Examiner
Medicolegal Institute Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Hassan II University Faculty of Medicine
September 4, 2024
1:00 PM ET | 1HR Webinar
AAFS Members: $25
Non-Members: $35
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) occurring in the context of assault raises complex medical and legal questions. This webinar brings together experts from diverse backgrounds to delve into the multifaceted aspects of SCD related to stress in assault contexts, examining whether the deaths are natural, accidental, or homicidal.
This webinar will offer insights into sudden cardiac death related to stress in assault contexts within juridictions. By examining cultural, legal, and medical factors, attendees will gain a nuanced understanding of how these issues manifest in different sociocultural contexts.
Abstract:
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) occurring in the context of an assault presents a complex interplay of medical, psychological, and legal issues. This webinar aims to explore the multifaceted dimensions of SCD triggered by stress during an assault, addressing crucial questions about the nature of such deaths. By bringing together experts from diverse fields, including medicine, forensics, law, and law enforcement, the discussion will delve into the physiological mechanisms by which acute stress can precipitate cardiac events, the challenges of distinguishing between natural and non-natural causes of death, and the legal implications of classifying these incidents as accidental or homicidal.
Participants will gain insights into the pathophysiology of stress-induced cardiac events, examining how psychological stressors during an assault can lead to fatal cardiac arrhythmias or myocardial infarctions. Forensic experts will discuss methodologies for investigating and determining the cause of death in these scenarios, highlighting the importance of comprehensive autopsies and the role of underlying cardiac conditions.
From a legal perspective, the webinar will address the intricacies of prosecuting cases where SCD occurs in the context of an assault, exploring how intent, causation, and foreseeability are evaluated in court. Legal practitioners will provide case studies and examples to illustrate the varying judicial approaches to such cases, including the criteria for classifying a death as natural, accidental, or homicidal.
This webinar is designed to engage a broad audience, including medical professionals seeking to understand the physiological impacts of stress, forensic experts involved in death investigations, legal practitioners navigating the complexities of such cases, law enforcement officers, researchers, and anyone interested in the intersection of health, law, and justice. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, the event aims to enhance understanding, improve investigative practices, and inform legal strategies concerning sudden cardiac death in assault contexts.