Pathological Features of Myocardial Contraction Band Necrosis in Sudden Cardiac Death / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the pathological features and significance of myocardial contraction band necrosis in sudden cardiac death.@*METHODS@#Using HE and PTAH staining, the distribution sites and pathological features of myocardial contraction band necrosis were observed. The data were analyzed according to the extent of necrosis.@*RESULTS@#The locations, pathological features and the extent of necrosis were similar in different sudden death cases. The locations were related with sites of myocardial damage. The papillary muscles of left ventricular were most occurred, followed by the anterior wall of left ventricular. In the sudden death cases caused by stress cardiomyopathy, the extent of myocardial contraction band necrosis was lighter than the others. Most cases were predominantly level 1, the others were level 2.@*CONCLUSION@#Used as the diagnosis basis of acute myocardial ischemia, the myocardial contraction band necrosis has important significance to determination of death.

Forensic analysis of 24 dismembered homicide cases in Shanghai / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the characteristics of the dismembered homicide cases in Shanghai and to provide the valuable guidance for forensic pathological practices.@*METHODS@#Twenty-four cases of dismembered homicides were selected from 2005 to 2012 in Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai Public Security Bureau. The general information of the victims and suspects, cause of death, criminal motive, postmortem body parts, tools and information of discarding body parts were retrospectively analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Among the 24 dismembered homicide cases, victims were female in 16 cases, and suspects were male in 23 cases and were acquaintances in 22 cases. The main causes of death were mechanical asphyxia and traumatic brain injury. Most of the criminal motives were emotional disputes. The number of postmortem body parts was commonly from 20 to 30. The tools were mainly sharp instruments, including kitchen knives used in 20 cases. The postmortem body parts were discarded to different transregional areas, mainly using vehicles.@*CONCLUSION@#The dismembered homicide cases in Shanghai show the following characteristics: the number of postmortem body parts is in large quantity; the methods of dismembered corpse are complex and different; the job characteristics of suspects are difficult to determine; the distance from homicide scene is far and the vehicles are commonly used.

Analysis of 27 death cases of the abandoned babies in Shanghai / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze and summarize the characteristics of the death cases of the abandoned babies in Shanghai, and to explore the main points and features in forensic investigation.@*METHODS@#Twenty-seven death cases of the abandoned babies were selected from 2007 to 2011 in the Institute of Forensic Science of Shanghai Public Security Bureau. The cases were retrospectively analyzed in the respects of scene of abandonment, cause of death and manner of death, etc.@*RESULTS@#Among the death cases of the abandoned babies in Shanghai, most of the infants were alive with young unmarried mothers. The main cause of death was mechanical asphyxia, and homicide occurred more commonly.@*CONCLUSION@#It is significantly difficult to determine the cause and manner of death in such cases, needing to be a comprehensive analysis on the case background, the investigation of scene and the examination of injury, etc.