Characteristic Changes and 3D Virtual Measurement of Lung CT Image Parameters in the Drowning Rabbit Model / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To use virtual anatomy technique in the analysis of post-mortem characteristic changes of CT images in the experimental drowning rabbit model and the related parameters in 3D virtual model, so as to explore its application value in the diagnosis of drowning in forensic pathology.@*METHODS@#A model of drowning rabbits was established, with animal models of hemorrhagic shock and mechanical asphyxia as the controls. CT scan was performed on the experimental animals, and the differences in imaging features between the groups were compared by morphological reading of the tomographic images. CT data were imported into Mimics 14.0 software for 3D modeling. The CT values and lung volumes were calculated by the software, and the differences on CT values and lung volumes brought by different causes of death were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The CT images of lungs in the drowning group showed characteristic ground-glass opacity （diffuse and uniform density increase）. There were no obvious abnormalities in hemorrhagic shock group, and only a few similar changes were found in the mechanical asphyxia group. Compared with the controls, the CT values and the lung volumes in the drowning group were significantly increased P<0.05.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Based on post-mortem lung imaging, the combination of CT value and lung volume changes can effectively reflect the virtual anatomical features in drowning, and provide a diagnostic basis for the forensic identification of drowning.

A retrospective analysis of 105 drowning victims with psychiatric disorders / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the features of drowning victims with psychiatric disorders to support further investigation on such cases.@*METHODS@#One hundred and five archives of drowning victims with psychiatric disorders from January 2010 to June 2014 in Harbor Public Security Subbureau, Shanghai Public Security Bureau were reviewed. The decedents' general information, autopsy findings, case investigation data and disease histories were statistically analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Of the 105 cases, 104 were suicides. Most decedents were poorly educated. Most suicides occurred in warm climate, and the corpses were usually found within 2 days. Most decedents had no suicide history and notes, but had abnormal mental or behavior changes before suicide. Depression, depression status and schizophrenia were the main types of psychiatric disorders, and only 9 decedents had received regular therapies before their deaths.@*CONCLUSION@#Mental disorder is a high risk factor in the drowning victims. Guardians should be aware of psychotic abnormal behaviors, especially during warm climate seasons.