Cleaning deteriorated elements of ammunition: Development of a procedure applied to cartridge cases from the Second World War.

Deteriorated elements of ammunition can be found while investigating different types of events. Exposure to adverse environmental conditions may lead to metal alteration (corrosion) or organic material deposition (contaminations) on the exposed elements of ammunition. From a forensic perspective, both types of deterioration pose challenges when observing marks left by the firearms used to discharge the corresponding ammunition (e.g. firing pin, extractor). The longer the time of exposure to the adverse environmental conditions, the more challenging the observation of such marks. A literature review highlighted three previously published restorative methods used to clean deteriorated elements of ammunition. The aim of this research is to develop a cleaning procedure applicable to cartridge cases exposed to adverse environmental conditions, while avoiding the degradation of marks left by the firearms used to discharge the corresponding ammunition. A first batch of 21 brass cartridge cases dating back to the Second World War (WWII) was used to develop a cleaning sequence involving the three methods. The efficiency of each restorative method was qualitatively assessed using optical macroscopy and the Evofinder® ballistic identification system. The developed sequence relies on successive applications of Tickopur® TR 7 (a diluted soft metal cleaner), sulfuric acid and finally Aqua Regia (HCl 37% and HNO3 75%), all of them involving ultrasonic baths. The resulting cleaning sequence was subsequently applied to three batches of Second World War cartridge cases discovered in France and Russia. This sequential procedure allows the effective cleaning of WWII brass cartridge cases while highlighting different marks left by firing pins, extractors, ejectors, and breech faces. Applying a forensic analysis and comparison process to the marks highlighted on these elements of ammunition can support the verification of historical facts when reconstructing events which took place more than seventy years ago.

Classic but unexpected: a case of Jefferson fracture.

A man was found lying dead next to a ladder, with only a laceration surrounded by an abrasion visible upon external examination. No skull fractures were palpable. A CT scan and MRI showed a Jefferson fracture of the atlas, associated to a posterior displacement of the skull, a fracture of the dens of the axis, and fractures of the bodies of C5 and C6. Jefferson fractures typically result from a blow to the apex of the skull. In such cases, forensic pathologists should suspect the existence of a Jefferson fracture, particularly when no severe injuries are visible externally.

A Rare Type of Colorectal Cancer: Mixed Adeno-Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (MANEC).

The aim of this paper is to report the clinicopathological data of one case of mixed metastatic adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) in the caecum; less than ten cases of which have been described in the English literature. A 57-year-old male patient presented with a mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) of the caecum with liver metastasis and peritoneal carcinomatosis. An emergency right hemicolectomy and omentectomy were performed, followed by several cycles of unsuccessful palliative chemotherapy. The metastasis developed further, and the patient died 10 months after presenting to the emergency room. MANECs are defined as containing at least 30% of both a neuroendocrine and an adenocarcinomatous component. The location of the tumour and the proportions and behaviour of its two components influence the treatment. However, chemotherapy guidelines remain poorly defined, and prognosis remains sombre, with median survival of less than one year.

Anterior Rectal Resection in a Patient with Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease and Coexisting Collateral Pathways: Management and Pitfalls.

Chronic aortoiliac occlusive disease most often affects the common iliac arteries and distal aorta but can progress all the way to the renal arteries, occluding the inferior mesenteric artery. A compensatory collateral network typically develops to preserve lower body perfusion. Inadvertent compression or ligation of such collaterals during surgery can have catastrophic consequences. In this article, we present the case of a 63-year-old patient with aortoiliac occlusive disease, requiring surgery for an adenocarcinoma of the rectosigmoid junction. A CT angiography was performed in order to map out the collateral pathways that had developed and Doppler ultrasound was used to mark their positions. The surgical procedure was adapted to his specific anatomy. A successful anterior resection was performed, and the patient made an uneventful recovery. In cases of aortoiliac obliteration, the existence of collaterals must be kept in mind and investigated with a multidisciplinary approach before any surgery is considered.

A Case of Gastro-Duodenal Artery Aneurism: Treatment and Complications.

We present the case of a 75-year-old patient with asymptomatic gastro-duodenal artery aneurism (GAA) that was coiled through the left femoral artery. The gastro-duodenal artery (GDA) was then embolized. Following the intervention, the patient'™s left foot became cold. A sub-acute ischemia caused by a stenotic effect in the left external iliac artery and by lower limb embolic phenomena caused by the introductor, was diagnosed. A thromboembolectomy of the popliteal, anterior and posterior tibial and peroneal arteries was performed with a Fogarty catheter with good results. Aneurisms of the GDA are rare. Rupture is a severe and unpredictable complication that complicates management and darkens prognosis. Though endovascular treatment for splanchnic aneurisms are used more and more often and offers numerous advantages compared to surgery, it is not without risk. A multidisciplinary approach with careful collaboration between the surgeon and the radiologist is recommended. Abbreviattions: GAA: gastro-duodenal artery aneurism, GDA: gastro-duodenal artery.