Forensic Examination of Six Homicide Injection Cases / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To retrospectively analyze homicide cases of death after injection and provide reference for forensic identification.@*METHODS@#Six homicide cases of death after injection which were investigated by the Criminal Investigation Team of Shanghai Public Security Bureau were collected and analyzed, including case situation, scene investigation, autopsy and other materials.@*RESULTS@#The 6 cases were premeditated crimes, 5 cases took place in private spaces, and 5 cases involved the victims approached by suspects' decoy. There were no obvious abnormalities at the scene of the 6 cases. In 6 cases, the victim's body surface injury was mild or no, lividity color was abnormal, and the needlestick injury showed different manifestations from conventional medical measures.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Death after injection is a highly concealed crime and easy to be ignored. For the suspected injection injury found in autopsy, it is necessary to carefully examine, identify and analyze, be alert to the situation of injecting poison (drug) and do a good job in evidence fixation and material extraction.

Active lifestyle enhances protein expression profile in subjects with Lewy body pathology / O estilo de vida ativo melhora o perfil de expressão de proteínas em indivíduos com a patologia de corpos de lewy

ABSTRACT. Clinical trials of the effects of physical activity have reported improvements in symptoms and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Additionally, morphological brain changes after exercising were reported in PD animal models. However, these lifestyle-related changes were not evaluated in postmortem brain tissue. Objective: We aimed to evaluate, by immunohistochemistry, astrocytes, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and structural proteins expression (neurofilaments and microtubules — MAP2) changes in postmortem brain samples of individuals with Lewy body pathology. Methods: Braak PD stage≥III samples, classified by neuropathology analysis, from The Biobank for Aging Studies were classified into active (n=12) and non-active (n=12) groups, according to physical activity lifestyle, and paired by age, sex and Braak staging. Substantia nigra and basal ganglia were evaluated. Results: Groups were not different in terms of age or gender and had similar PD neuropathological burden (p=1.00). We observed higher TH expression in the active group in the substantia nigra and the basal ganglia (p=0.04). Astrocytes was greater in the non-active subjects in the midbrain (p=0.03) and basal ganglia (p=0.0004). MAP2 levels were higher for non-active participants in the basal ganglia (p=0.003) and similar between groups in the substantia nigra (p=0.46). Neurofilament levels for non-active participants were higher in the substantia nigra (p=0.006) but not in the basal ganglia (p=0.24). Conclusion: Active lifestyle seems to promote positive effects on brain by maintaining dopamine synthesis and structural protein expression in the nigrostriatal system and decrease astrogliosis in subjects with the same PD neuropathology burden.

RESUMO. Estudos dos efeitos da atividade física relataram melhora nos sintomas e na qualidade de vida de pacientes com doença de Parkinson (DP). Além disso, alterações morfológicas do cérebro após o exercício físico foram relatadas em modelos animais da DP. No entanto, essas mudanças relacionadas ao estilo de vida não foram avaliadas em tecido cerebral post-mortem. Objetivo: Avaliar a expressão de astrócitos, tirosina hidroxilase (TH) e a expressão de proteínas estruturais (neurofilamentos e microtúbulos — MAP2) por imuno-histoquímica, em amostras cerebrais post-mortem de indivíduos com corpos de Lewy. Métodos: Amostras com estágio de Braak para DP≥III, classificação neuropatológica, fornecidas pelo biobanco de estudos do envelhecimento foram classificadas em grupos ativos (n=12) e não ativos (n=12), de acordo com o estilo de vida (atividade física), e pareados por idade, sexo e estadiamento de Braak. Analisou-se a substância negra e gânglios da base. Resultados: Idade, sexo e classificação para DP foram semelhantes (p=1,00). Observou-se maior expressão de TH no grupo ativo (p=0,04). Amostras de não ativos revelaram maior expressão de astrócitos no mesencéfalo (p=0,03) e nos gânglios da base (p=0,0004); MAP2 nos gânglios da base (p=0,003); os níveis de neurofilamentos foram maiores na substância negra (p=0,006). Conclusão: O estilo de vida ativo parece promover efeitos positivos no cérebro, mantendo a síntese de dopamina e a expressão estrutural de proteínas no sistema nigrostriatal e com diminuição da ativação de astrócitos em indivíduos com a mesma classificação neuropatológica para a DP.

A fatal twist in childhood: A post-mortem finding of intestinal volvulus with malrotation

@#Gastrointestinal pathology leading to the death in paediatric age group is uncommon. The diseases that encountered were mostly intestinal obstruction, peritonitis and gastrointestinal bleeding. Due to the severe symptoms, most of the patients presented to hospital in time and were treated appropriately. However, with the presence of contributing factors, certain gastrointestinal pathology can progress rapidly leading to the death. We report a rare case of intestinal volvulus in a 3 years old girl where the deceased presented with one day short history of vomiting before her demise. The contributing factors were bronchopneumonia sepsis and underlying intestinal malrotation identified via post-mortem examination.

Survey of “Rural type solitary death” through Postmortem Examination / 日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会誌

<b>Purpose</b>: To analyze “solitary deaths” in Hitachiomiya city through postmortem examination results, and contribute to formulation of preventative measures.<br><b>Methods</b>: The author surveyed 149 cases of elderly individuals found deceased in their house during the period between January 2008 and December 2014. All had lived alone or almost alone in social isolated conditions.<br><b>Results</b>: There were more males than females. Men were in a wide range of ages, while women were predominantly in their 80's and 90's. Nearly all cases were found within 2 days following death and deaths occurred more frequently in the winter and spring. Cardinal causes of death, were acute cardiac disorders and cerebrovascular diseases. Malignancy and pneumonia were less frequent. More than 90% of the corpses were found by their family members or relatives, and others by nursing service providers or neighbors.<br><b>Conclusion</b>: This analysis of “solitary deaths” in Hitachiomiya city showed predominance of men and shorter intervals between death and being found than those of metropolis after death.

Weights of human organs at autopsy in Mandya zone Karnataka – A retrospective study.

Mean organs’ weight in 2100 subjects who died and got autopsied at mortuary district hospital Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS), Mandya revealed that they in general were heavier Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS), Mandya revealed that they in general were heavier than reported from other parts of India. Various organs continued to attain their maximum weight up to 40-50 years of age.

Forensic Analysis of the Cause of Death and Death on Arrival of Patients at the Emergency Room / 대한법의학회지

From January 2007 to June 2012, 55 autopsy cases were reviewed, in which death occurred outside the hospital and the patients were declared dead on arrival at the emergency departments, in order to compare the clinical and postmortem examination diagnoses of death-on-arrival patients in tertiary hospitals in Busan, Yangsan and Ulsan city. Of 22 non-traumatic deaths, 21 occurred from natural causes and 1 from unknown cause (sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS). Clinical diagnoses were cardiovascular diseases or "non-traumatic" / "unknown" while autopsy diagnoses were majorly cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary artery diseases (72.7%). Of 33 unnatural deaths, the cause of death was blunt trauma in 4 patients, sharp-force injury in 6, falling in 10, gunshot injury in 1, traffic accidents in 3, asphyxia in 2, drowning in 2, fire-related death in 1, and intoxication in 4. There were no definite discrepancies between clinical and autopsy diagnoses, except for 5 non-traumatic deaths and 2 unnatural deaths. These results suggest that the role of the emergency department may be crucial in postmortem investigations.

Discrepant Causes of Death between Medical Death Certificates and Autopsy Reports (II) / 대한법의학회지

The postmortem examination certificate and death certificate provide proof of death and supply important data used to establish health statistics. However, the format of the form and the accuracy of postmortem examination and death certificates yield errors that must be corrected by comparison with postmortem studies. We reviewed 401 autopsies performed in the Department of Forensic Medicine of Chonnam National University Medical School from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011 and compared the reports with their postmortem examination certificates and death certificates. Of the 252 cases submitted with death certifications, 60 cases were concordant with the cause of death on the autopsy report. Eighty-nine cases had clear descriptions of the cause of death. Of these cases, 47 were from postmortem examination, 42 were from death certificates; 17 were natural deaths, 72 were unnatural. Concordance in each group was 59.6% (28/47 cases), 76.2% (32/42 cases), 41.2% (7/17 cases), and 73.6% (53/72 cases). We thus identified various types of errors in postmortem examination and death certificates. This study reveals a high rate of discrepancy between causes of death reported on death certificates and postmortem examination certificates. There are a few useful death certificate and postmortem examination certificates that can be used as a model, based on which we propose several remedies to increase the accuracy of death and postmortem examination certificates.

Abundance of Road Traffic Accidents among Medicolegal Postmortem Cases..

This retrospective study was conducted at the Dhaka Medical College (DMC) morgue during the period of Jan 2008 to Dec 2008. The objective of this study was to find out the abundance of Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) cases among medicolegal post mortem examinations performed at DMC morgue and in this relation to evaluate the present situation of RTA in our country. It has been observed that RTA cases are the most common cases among various types of medicolegal post mortems. A total of 2714 postmortems were conducted during the study period and out of which 813 (29.95%) cases were of RTA, among the victims 545 (67.03%) were male and 268 (32.96%) were female. Highest incidence (30.38 %) of RTA was observed among the age group 21 to 30 yrs. Most accidents occurred at daytime 282 (34.68%), followed by night 233 (28.66%). Greater number of accidents occurred during September 90 (11.07%), followed by January 85 (10.45%) and December 83 (10.20%). Commonest victims were pedestrians 564 (69.37%). Most accidents took place on highways 650 (79.95%) and buses were the most dangerous vehicle causing highest number of accidents 307 (37.76%), followed by truck 141 (17.34%). Among the cases 100% victims had multiple abrasion and bruise, laceration were present in 654 (80.44%), and intra cranial injury 527 (64.82 %).

Postmortem examination cases of cyanide poisoning A biological hazard.

Hydrocyanic acid and various cyanides are relatively common poisons both in suicide, accident and occasionally homicide. Acute poisoning with cyanide is most often self administered as the swift and sure action is generally known. Accidental poisoning from inhalation of vapours due to fires in buildings or by the free gas liberated from some commercial processes is also known to occur. The preparations are rarely used with homicidal intent. Whatever be the manner of poisoning, in medical settings the persons involved in postmortem examination of cases of death of cyanide poisoning are exposed to significant degree of cyanide remaining in the body cavities and tissues of the deceased. This risk is not only for the persons attending postmortem examination but also for the first respondents like police, rescue persons and also persons extending emergency care both outside and within hospital. Hydrocyanic acid is rapidly absorbed from all mucous surfaces and even from unabraded skin .Hence attending a case of cyanide poisoning involves a hazard of inhalation of cyanide gas from the victim The hazards involved in such situations are briefly reviewed.

Preliminary application of 64-slice multislice computed tomography in postmortem after a road traffic accident / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To investigate the value of 64-slice multislice computed tomography (MSCT)in full-body postmortem examination after a road traffic accident.Methods The process of road traffic accident involving a pedestrian was obtained from scene monitoring photographic recordings and scene investigation photos.First,the external autopsy was performed by professional forensic pathologist who then reported the autopsy results.Then,64-slice MSCT was employed to perform a full-body scanning,when the CT sectional images were processed with muhiplanar and 3D reconstructions.The CT imaging results were then compared with the autopsy findings to find difference.Results The external autopsy found many soft tissue injuries over the body,subarachnoid hemorrhage,haematothorax,multiple rib fractures and nasal bone fractures and viewed that craniocerebral injury and thoracic injury caused the death after road traffic accident.While 64-slice MSCT revealed severe injuries in many organs including head,chest,abdomen,pelvis and spine.Conclusions Compared with the external autopsy,64-slice MSCT can obtain more important information of tissue and organ injuries.Combined use of 64-slice MSCT and external autopsy can provide sufficient and reliable proofs for identification of road traffic accident injuries.

The Discrepancy of the Causes of Death between Medical Death Certificates and Autopsy Reports / 대한법의학회지

BACKGROUND: The Postmortem examination certificate and death certificate prove deaths of human and supply important data used to establish health statistics. However, not only the format of the form itself, but the accuracy of postmortem examination certificate and death certificate has errors which needs further study such as comparing with the postmortem study such as autopsy. METHODS: We reviewed 206 autopsies which were performed in the Department of Forensic Medicine of Chonnam National University Medical School from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2008 and compared with their postmortem examination certificates and death certificates for analysis. RESULTS: Of the 174 cases submitted with death certifications, total 67 cases accorded with cause of death on the autopsy report. Eighty six cases had clear descriptions of cause of death. Of those 86 cases, 46 were from postmortem examination, 40 were from death certificates and 23 were natural deaths, 63 were unnatural deaths. Each of them, the accordant rates were 63.0% (29 cases/46cases), 77.5% (31 cases/40 cases), 43.5% (10 cases/23 cases), and 79.4% (50 cases/63 cases). From these results, we found various erroneous types in postmortem examination certificates and death certificates. CONCLUSIONS: This study brings into realization there is a high rate of discrepancy between causes of death on the death certificates and postmortem examination certificates. And also, there are a few useful death certificate and postmortem examination certificate. Therefore, we want to propose several remedies to increase the accuracy of death certificate and postmortem death certificate.

Reasons for the decline of autopsy rate after accidental death / 中国法医学杂志

To investigate and analyze the factors which influence the public attitudes towards autopsy after accidental deaths.The study has carried on an investigation among 386 individuals in random,with a questionnaire named "The cognition of the public whether to carry on the autopsy after accidental deaths".Using the statistical methods of the Logistic Regression analysis and optimum regression analysis to analyze the recycling questionnaires.Through the diagnosis,we found there are four main factors which influence public opinion upon the autopsy after accidental deaths,the knowledge of autopsy,the believing in autopsy,years of schooling and family financial circumstances.