ABSTRACT
Mummification is a peculiar transformative process consisting of the total drying of the body soft tissues. It is produced, in particular conditions, between 6 and 12 months after death. "Precocious" mummification has been reported in countries where recorded weather conditions are more extreme than in Italy, in a confined environment, or with particular micro-climate conditions. Here we present a case of mummification produced in a central region of Italy in four weeks. We also analyze conditions allowing for the rapidity of this phenomenon.
Subject(s)
Mummies/pathology , Postmortem Changes , Amputation, Traumatic/pathology , Animals , Exsanguination , Feeding Behavior , Forensic Pathology , Humans , Humidity , Italy , Male , Multiple Trauma/pathology , Temperature , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Interpreting the damages on a cadaver which has been exposed to the action of fire is a challenge for the forensic pathologist. The finding of a burned body gives in fact the opportunity to make a series of inquiries which deal with the whole medical-legal practice. In our case, the victim has been hit over the head with a blunt object and has been then carbonized. The medical-legal problems implied lie in the definition of the exact manner and cause of death, and therefore in the analysis of vital, perimortal and postmortal injuries, as to formulate a differential diagnosis between the former traumatic originated and the latter caused by combustion.
Subject(s)
Burns/pathology , Fires , Skull Fractures/pathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Forensic Pathology/methods , Humans , Microscopy/methodsABSTRACT
Most of the cocaine - deaths are said to be related to cardiovascular complications. This paper addresses a rather infrequent complication of chronic cocaine use, represented by the aortic dissection. The case in point pertains to a 45-year-old, caucasian male, substance abuser who suffered an aortic dissection following the use of cocaine. Blood concentrations of cocaine and benzoylecgonine were considered not to be within a potentially toxic range.