Fibres in the nasal cavity: A pilot study of the recovery, background, and transfer in smothering scenarios.

In cases where the suspected cause of death is smothering, fibre traces recovered from the nasal cavity are hypothesised to refute or support this proposition. In order to carry out such evaluations, an efficient recovery method must first be established. This pilot study tested five different recovery methods on 3D printed models of nasal cavities. Among which, the use of the transparent AccuTrans® polyvinyl Siloxane casts demonstrated the best recovery efficiency with a median of 90% of deposited fibres recovered. The efficacy of this method was then verified on cadavers. Apart from a reliable recovery method, an understanding of the background population of fibres in nasal cavities, as well as the mechanisms of the transfer from the purported smothering textile to the nasal cavity is essential to evaluate the findings in these cases of suspected smothering. Samplings of the nasal cavities of 20 cadavers were thus carried out to gather data on the background population of fibres. Results showed that nasal cavities are not void of fibres, but the quantities are expected to be low, with a mean of 3.8 fibres per cavity recovered. Information on generic fibre class, colour, and length of these background fibres were also obtained with the use of low and high-power microscopy. The frequencies found in this population of fibres closely align with data from other population studies where black cotton was the most common. Finally, transfer experiments using the 3D printed models fitted with a respiratory pump to simulate breathing were carried out, along with testing on live volunteers in-vivo. The results demonstrated a verifiable transfer of fibres into the nasal cavity in smothering scenarios. Textiles of various shedding capacities were used in these tests and the findings suggest an influence of this variable on the quantities of fibres transferred.

Effectiveness of Chest CT in Children: CT Findings in Relation to the Clinical Question.

PURPOSE: To estimate the effectiveness and efficiency of chest CT in children based on the suspected diagnosis in relation to the number of positive, negative, and inconclusive CT results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this monocentric retrospective study at a university hospital with a division of pediatric radiology, 2019 chest CT examinations (973 patients; median age: 10.5 years; range: 2 days to 17.9 years) were analyzed with regards to clinical data, including the referring department, primary questions or suspected diagnosis, and CT findings. It was identified if the clinical question was answered, whether the suspected diagnosis was confirmed or ruled out, and if additional findings (clinically significant or minor) were detected. RESULTS: The largest clinical subgroup was the hematooncological subgroup (n = 987), with frequent questions for inflammation/pneumonia (66 % in this subgroup). Overall, CT provided conclusive results in 97.6 % of all scans. In 1380 scans (70 %), the suspected diagnosis was confirmed. In 406/2019 cases (20 %), the CT scan was negative also in terms of an additional finding. In 8 of 9 clinical categories, the proportion of positive results was over 50 %. There were predominantly negative results (110/179; 61 %) in pre-stem cell transplant evaluation. In the subgroup of trauma management, 81/144 exams (57 %) showed positive results, including combined injuries (n = 23). 222/396 (56 %) of all additional findings were estimated to be clinically significant. CONCLUSION: In a specialized center, the effectiveness of pediatric chest CT was excellent when counting the conclusive results. However, to improve efficiency, the clinical evaluation before imaging appears crucial to prevent unnecessary CT examinations. KEY POINTS: · Pediatric chest CT in specialized centers has a high diagnostic value.. · CT identifies relevant changes besides the working hypothesis in clinically complex situations.. · Pre-CT clinical evaluation is crucial, especially in the context of suspected pneumonia.. CITATION FORMAT: · Esser M, Tsiflikas I, Kraus MS et al. Effectiveness of Chest CT in Children: CT Findings in Relation to the Clinical Question. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2022; 194: 281 - 290.

Sexual and reproductive health of Syrian refugee adolescent girls: a qualitative study using focus group discussions in an urban setting in Lebanon.

BACKGROUND: The war in Syria caused the forced displacement of millions of Syrians to neighboring countries. Lebanon is the host country with the largest overall number of Syrian refugees per capita. Adolescent refugee girls experience a unique level of vulnerability during human emergencies and are at increased risk of suffering from poor sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes. We conducted an exploratory qualitative study to learn about the SRH perceptions and experiences of refugee adolescent girls living in Bourj Hammoud, an urban setting in Lebanon. METHODS: We employed a qualitative design with eight focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted with 40 Syrian Arab and Syrian Kurdish adolescent girls between January and March 2020. Every FGD consisted of five participants aged 13 to 17 years. A semi-structured guide was used covering multiple themes: menstruation, puberty, SRH awareness, and sexual harassment. FGDs were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. FINDINGS: The participants discussed adolescent girls' health and named six elements of good health, such as healthy activities and self-protection. The majority of the FGD participants reported a lack of awareness about menstruation when they experienced it for the first time and the social stigma associated with menstruation. When defining puberty, they indicated its social link to a girl's readiness for marriage and her need to become cautious about sexual harassment. Most FGD participants had very poor knowledge of the female reproductive system. Mothers were the most approached persons to receive information on SRH issues; however, the girls indicated a wish to receive advice from specialists in a comfortable and private atmosphere. All the girls reported that either they themselves, or an acquaintance, had experienced some type of sexual harassment. The girls rarely reported those incidents due to fear of being blamed or subjected to mobility restrictions, or forced to drop out of school. CONCLUSIONS: The findings show the refugee girls need for satisfactory knowledge on SRH issues and interventions to prevent sexual and gender-based violence that take into consideration the complexity of urban settings.

After almost 10 years of war, Syria's neighboring countries are hosting millions of Syrians who were forcibly displaced. Most prominent among these countries is Lebanon. Adolescent refugee girls are exposed to precarious conditions, which make them more prone to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) problems. This qualitative study was performed in Bourj Hammoud, an urban setting in Lebanon, in order to explore Syrian refugee adolescent girls' SRH perceptions and experiences. The agenda of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in addition to the Inter-Agency Field Manual on Reproductive Health in Humanitarian Settings (IAFM) and its Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Toolkit for Humanitarian Settings issued by the Inter-Agency Working Group on Reproductive Health in Crises (IAWG) formed the framework of this study. Focus group discussions were performed with 40 Syrian Arab and Syrian Kurdish adolescent girls, each group consisting of five participants aged 13 to 17 years. Different themes were discussed within the groups including menstruation, puberty, and sexual harassment. The participants talked about the social stigma related to menstruation and the social link between puberty, a girl's readiness for marriage, and her need to be careful about sexual harassment. Most of the girls had insufficient information about the female reproductive system. The girls consulted their mothers to learn about SRH issues; however, they expressed a wish to receive well-informed advice from specialists in a safe atmosphere. All the girls reported incidents of sexual harassment, which happened either to them or to other girls they know; however, they were discouraged to report them because they feared other consequences, such as being blamed or not being allowed to go to school anymore. The outcomes of the study show the girls' urgent need to have adequate information about SRH issues and appropriate interventions to prevent sexual and gender-based violence within complex urban settings.

Sampling touch DNA from human skin following skin-to-skin contact in mock assault scenarios-A comparison of nine collection methods.

Collection of touch DNA from an offender on the victim's skin can provide relevant evidence for investigations of criminal cases. Therefore, the choice of the optimal sample collection method is crucial. In this study, we investigated the recovery of STR profiles from touch DNA on human skin by comparing nine different collection methods: the dry and wet cotton swabs in three different movements, the double-swab (wet-dry) method, the wet and dry Copan FLOQSwabs™, and the Scene Safe FAST™ minitapes. Mock assault scenarios were conducted with a male offender grasping the forearms of a female victim. Samples were collected from the assaulted area of the victim's skin, and the recovery of the offender's STR profile was evaluated. Our results indicate that the different swabs and swabbing techniques did not have a distinct impact on the STR recovery; however, the lowest STR recovery was achieved with Scene Safe FAST™ minitapes. In addition, we compared the double-swab method to the single-swab method by analyzing the DNA quantity of the wet and dry swabs separately. We found on average 13.7% more offender DNA using the double-swab method, but this did not translate into higher STR recovery. Our findings indicate that several methods perform equally well when collecting touch DNA from human skin, although SceneSafe FAST™ minitapes seem to be the least adequate for this purpose.

Radiation Dose Optimization in Pediatric Chest CT: Major Indicators of Dose Exposure in 1695 CT Scans over Seven Years.

PURPOSE: To analyze possible influencing factors on radiation exposure in pediatric chest CT using different approaches for radiation dose optimization and to determine major indicators for dose development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study at a clinic with maximum care facilities including pediatric radiology, 1695 chest CT examinations in 768 patients (median age: 10 years; range: 2 days to 17.9 years) were analyzed. Volume CT dose indices, effective dose, size-specific dose estimate, automatic dose modulation (AEC), and high-pitch protocols (pitch ≥ 3.0) were evaluated by univariate analysis. The image quality of low-dose examinations was compared to higher dose protocols by non-inferiority testing. RESULTS: Median dose-specific values annually decreased by an average of 12 %. High-pitch mode (n = 414) resulted in lower dose parameters (p < 0.001). In unenhanced CT, AEC delivered higher dose values compared to scans with fixed parameters (p < 0.001). In contrast-enhanced CT, the use of AEC yielded a significantly lower radiation dose only in patients older than 16 years (p = 0.04). In the age group 6 to 15 years, the values were higher (p < 0.001). The diagnostic image quality of low-dose scans was non-inferior to high-dose scans (2.18 vs. 2.14). CONCLUSION: Radiation dose of chest CT was reduced without loss of image quality in the last decade. High-pitch scanning was an independent factor in this context. Dose reduction by AEC was limited and only relevant for patients over 16 years. KEY POINTS: · The radiation dose of pediatric chest CT was reduced in the last decade.. · High-pitch scanning is an independent factor of dose optimization.. · Dose reduction by AEC is limited and only relevant for older children.. CITATION FORMAT: · Esser M, Hess S, Teufel M et al. Radiation Dose Optimization in Pediatric Chest CT: Major Indicators of Dose Exposure in 1695 CT Scans over Seven Years. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2018; 190: 1131 - 1140.

A preliminary investigation of textile fibers in smothering scenarios and alternative legitimate activities.

Was this group of target fibers transferred during a criminal action? Is it possible that it was transferred during another legitimate activity? Acquiring knowledge about the activity, whether legitimate or criminal, leading to the transfer of a group of fibers is a recurring challenge encountered throughout the evidence interpretation process. Trace evidence such as fibers may assist with generating a reasoning of the activity which produced the trace, but this assumes that one already has a thorough understanding of the transfer phenomenon. How to generate and then use such relevant knowledge? What are the influencing parameters and which ones should (or can) be controlled? The present work focuses on homicides by smothering using a pillow and the transfer of fibers on the face of the victim in such events. A legitimate activity - represented by a night's sleep on a pillow - was also investigated since such legitimate, alternative explanations concerning the presence of fibers could likely be formulated by the suspect. The number and distribution of fibers transferred onto the victim's face in either scenario were investigated and interpreted using a Bayesian approach. Results showed that the shedding capacity of the pillowcase strongly impact the number of fibers recovered. The nature of the action, modus operandi and amount of friction could not be excluded in their influence on the transfer of fibers. Finally, likelihood ratios indicating the number of fibers recovered from the victim's face can provide relevant information by supporting either criminal or legitimate proposition (i.e., smothering or night's sleep scenario).

Recovery of Trace DNA on Clothing: A Comparison of Mini-tape Lifting and Three Other Forensic Evidence Collection Techniques.

Trace DNA is often found in forensic science investigations. Experience has shown that it is difficult to retrieve a DNA profile when trace DNA is collected from clothing. The aim of this study was to compare four different DNA collection techniques on six different types of clothing in order to determine the best trace DNA recovery method. The classical stain recovery technique using a wet cotton swab was tested against dry swabbing, scraping and a new method, referred to as the mini-tape lifting technique. Physical contact was simulated with three different "perpetrators" on 18 machine-washed garments. DNA was collected with the four different DNA recovery methods and subjected to standard PCR-based DNA profiling. The comparison of STR results showed best results for the mini-tape lifting and scraping methods independent of the type of clothing. The new mini-tape lifting technique proved to be an easy and reliable DNA collection method for textiles.