Traumatic Injury of the Innominate Artery: A Case Report / 대한법의학회지

Although the innominate artery is protected by a bony structure, traumatic injury of this vessel has been reported. These injuries usually occur after blunt chest trauma or sudden deceleration, and are often coupled with other associated injuries. However, we experienced an unusual occurrence where a deceased patient with no history of blunt trauma and no apparent injury on the chest, head, or neck showed an isolated injury of the innominate artery with extensive hemorrhage at the postmortem examination. In the present report, we describe the present case, indicating the characteristics of the innominate artery injury, and review the associated literature.

Application of 3D Surface Scanners in Forensic Science and Medicine ( I ): Digital Storage of Human Skeletons and Development of Appraisal Methods for Incident Scenes / 대한법의학회지

The aim of this project was to use 3D scanning data collected at incident scenes and various evidence to 1) develop surveying methods based on 3D data consisting of overall and detailed scene evidence, captured by long-range and micros-canner, which can be shared by personnel working in different fields such as forensic medicine, video analysis, physical analysis, traffic engineering, and fire investigation; 2) create digital storage for human skeletons and set the foundation for virtual anthropology; and 3) improve the credibility of 3D evidence by virtual remodeling and simulation of incident scenes and evidence to provide a basis for advanced and high-tech scientific investigation. Two complete skeletons of male and female were scanned using 3D micro-scanner. Each bone was successfully reproduced and assembled in virtual space. In addition, recreating evidence scheduled for invasive examination by creating RP (rapid prototype) was possible. These outcomes could play an important role in setting up the new field of virtual anthropology. Case-specific surveying methods were developed through analysis of 3D scanning data collected by long-range surface scanners at the scenes of vehicular accidents, falls, shootings, and violent crimes. A technique and recording method was also developed for detecting forged seals by micro-scanning the pressure exerted on the seal. Appraisal methods developed in this project could be utilized to secure 3D data of human skeletal remains and incident scenes, create a standard for application, and increase objectivity, reproducibility, and accuracy of scanning methods. We plan to develop case-specific 3D data analysis techniques to improve the credibility of analysis at the NFS and to establish a 3D data collection and analysis team.

Comparative Study for DNA Extraction Methods from femurs in case of naming unidentified bodies / 대한법의학회지

In historical cases, missing persons' identification, mass disasters, and ancient DNA investigations, bone samples are often the only and always the best biological materials available for DNA typing. There are many protocols for the extraction of DNA from bone samples. In our experiment, we tested three DNA extraction protocols: Ethanol down method, Microcon(R) YM-100 and DNA IQ(TM) system. We have found that ethanol down method is not suitable to extract DNA from bone samples and Microcon(R) YM-100 is the best among these three mothods. DNA IQ(TM) System did not show better result but needed less time and labor than Microcon(R) YM-100. So, we expect using DNA IQ(TM) System is useful in case of bone samples which are not severely contaminated .

A Case Related to Identifying the Missing Person / 대한법의학회지

The application of DNA typing method after amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of DNA derived from bone from two missing persons. In this case, short tandem repeats (STR) are used. The AmpFlSTR Identifiler loci (amelogenin and 15 STRs) are analysed by multiplex-PCR and automated fluorescent detection using Perkin Elmer Prism 310 DNA sequencer.

Forensic Consideration of Pulmonary Thromboembolism Developed After Prolonged Gambling at Casino: An Autopsy Case Report / 대한법의학회지

A pulmonary thromboembolism usually results from deep vein thrombosis as a serious and fatal complication. It is well known that several risk factors are predisposed to these thrombotic events, causing sudden death. Recently, new variant forms of pulmonary thromboembolism, termed as "economy class syndrome or e-thrombosis" were reported in association with sitting for long time in aircraft seat or at computer. The authors experienced a case of death developed after prolonged gambling at casino in 46-year-old man and concluded that the cause of death was fatal pulmonary thromboembolism due to deep vein thrombosis, associated with prolonged sitting. Therefore, the author thought that this case may be contribute to another possible risk factor of life-threatening pulmonary thromboembolism and highlights the importance of predicting deep vein thrombosis after prolonged gambling in sitting position at casino in the similar mechanism of aforementioned reported cases.

The assessment of the vascular anatomy of the inferior mesenteric artery: an autopsy study / 대한법의학회지

AIMS: The left colon receives its arterial supply from the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA). The detailed anatomical understanding of IMA is important for sigmoid colon or rectal cancer surgery. The aim of this study is to investigate the vascular anatomy of the IMA by measuring the distance from the aortic bifurcation and the length of the IMA in autopsy cases. METHODS: 41 consecutive autopsy cases were enrolled prospectively. 29 cases were males and 12 females. Mean age was 47.7+/-15.6 with a range of 12 to 82 years. The distance from the aortic bifurcation is measured between the angle of abdominal aortic bifurcation and the inferior margin of the IMA. The length of the IMA is measured between the root of the IMA and the proximal border of the first branch of the IMA. Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and Spearman's rho were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The distance from the aortic bifurcation ranged from 3 to 6.3 cm with a mean of 4.4+/-0.71 cm. The length of the IMA ranged from 2.5 to 7 cm with a mean of 4+/-0.8 cm. The distance from the aortic bifurcation and the length of the IMA had no correlations with subject's height and weight. CONCLUSIONS: The vascular anatomy of the IMA in the general population is an important information for colorectal surgeon. Clear anatomical understanding of IMA may help perform oncologically safe colorectal surgery.

A Case Related to Identifying Missing Person by the floods in 2006 / 대한법의학회지

The fifteen persons from In-jae, Kang-won do, were missing by floods on July 2006. In relation to the this case, the two unidentified corpses were found nearby So-yang lake on June and September 2007, respectively. In these cases, autosome short tandem repeats (STR) and Y-STR were used for identification. The AmpFlSTR Identifiler kit (amelogenin and 15 STRs) and the AmpFlSTR Yfiler kit (16 Y-STRs) are analysed by multiplex-PCR and automated fluorescent detection using Perkin Elmer Prism 310 DNA sequencer. Finally we could found identify the two missing persons.

Forensic Consideration in the Case of Motor boat Collision / 대한법의학회지

The civilization has given us a great comfort and convenience but also it has been threatening our life at the same time. Recently among these causes of death the traffic accident is the most dangerous thing to threat our life. Most traffic accidents happen on the road but are increasing on the sea and river recently. Accordingly this paper presents an accident example for a boat collision accident which was anlalyzed from the evidences drawn by forensic medical and scientific methods for a passenger death accident by a collision between two boats. The forensic medical accident interpretation was made up by autopsy and drug toxicology inspection. A person who has met an unnatural death at the accident time was drunken condition. The cause of death was judged by the multiple viscera injury, and presumed to be killed by applying an high external force. In order to perform a forensic scientific analysis, we investigated the passenger's life jacket that a person killed in the accident was wearing and also investigated the external appearance of two boats which have 150h.p and 130h.p. Through comparing the position of two boats with the direction of impact on the surface of the water, we could assume that the 130h.p boat impacted the tail on the right side of 150h.p boat with constant acceleration or constant velocity.

Unusual Case of Fatal Carbon Monoxide Poisoning due to Faulty Chimney Duct / 대한법의학회지

Carbon monoxide(CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-irritating gas whose relative density is a little less than that of air. The most common sources of CO in deaths are fires, automobile exhaust, defective heaters, and incomplete combustion of burning products, such as charcoal briquets. CO is produced whenever organic materials are burned with inadequate supply of oxygen necessary to produce complete combustion. The CO poisoning is one of the most common causes of death in developing and underdeveloped countries. Almost fatal CO poisoning cases, mostly accidental or suicidal deaths occur in enclosed or restricted place nearby fuel-burning heating appliances. However, this case occurred in very unusual place away from the heating appliances due to faulty chimney duct. Because of a peculiar place, it is difficult to imagine the cause of death as a CO poisoning. Deaths from CO inhalation can occur if the individual is in proximity to a rich source of CO for a prolonged time. Therefore, even though men dies away from the heating appliance, it is necessary to bear in mind the possibility of CO poisoning.