Screening for PPD using HPLC- dad in fatal cases with hair dye in upper Egypt

Para-phenylenediamine [PPD] is used alone or in combination with Henna as hair dye or skin decoration. The present study was conducted on 84 fatal cases[27 males and 57 females] who used hair dye using biological samples [urine and blood] referred to Assiut Forensic Chemistry Laboratory of Medico-legal Department, Assiut, from January 2007 to December 2012 to confirm PPD intoxication and to understand the magnitude and pattern of accidental suicidal and homicidal poisoning by PPD among males and females in Upper Egypt. During this period, the cases were reported. The suicidal homicidal and accidental cases were 77[91.7%], 6[7.1%] and I [1.2%], respectively. The suicidal poisoning of females was higher 55 cases [71.4%] than of males 22 [28.6%]. Most of the PPD deaths were between the third and fourth decades of life. PPD was detected by High Performance Liquid Chromatography - Photo Diode Array detector Agilent technologies 1200 Series [USA] [HPLC-DAD] in blood and urine samples. The present study concluded an the advice of "public education and strict control over the sale and distribution of PPD should be done to reduce poisoning by this agent

Sexual assaults in Sohag Governorate in two years [2002-2003]

Sexual assaults involve a wide range of behaviors that involve unwanted sexual contact as in rape. Sexual assaults can be classified according to the victim to child sexual abuse, incest, marital rape and male rape. This work aimed at studying the cases of sexual assaults in Sohag governorate through 2 years from January 2002 to December 2003. The present study was conducted on 40 cases of both sexes who were the victims of alleged sexual assaults and were referred to Forensic medicine administration in Sohag governorate. The cases were 40 in number, 25 cases [62.5%] were females while 15cases [37.5%] were males, They were divided according to the age to 7 age groups ranged from 3 years to about 50 years. As regards level of education of the victims, 16 cases [40%] were educated, 9 of them [22.5%] were females and 7 of them [17.5%] were males. As regards the marital status, 23 of the female cases [57.5%] were single while 2 females [5%] were widows; no married or divorced females were reported. The number of single males was 14 cases [35%] while one male [2.5%] was married. According to the type of the crime, 16 females [40%] were raped [sexual intercourse without consent], 5 cases [12.5%] were adultery, 4cases [10%] were friction. As regards males, 5 cases [12.5] were friction and 10 cases [25%] were sodomy. The assailant was a friend in 13 crimes [32.5%], neighbor in 17 cases [42.5%] and cousin in 10 cases [25%]