ABSTRACT
A method of forensic medical examination of the injuries inflicted and traces left by the objects having the rubber surface is proposed. The method permits to reveal the facts of contact of injurious rubber things with biological and non-biological objects. Its application extends the possibilities for determining the direction of movement and the weight of a vehicle running over the body of the victim.
Subject(s)
Motor Vehicles , Rubber , Skin , Weapons , Wounds, Nonpenetrating , Forensic Pathology/methods , Humans , Rubber/analysis , Rubber/chemistry , Skin/injuries , Skin/pathology , Specimen Handling/methods , Spectrum Analysis/methods , Wounds, Nonpenetrating/etiology , Wounds, Nonpenetrating/pathologyABSTRACT
A rare case of sudden fatal anaphylactic shock is described in a 50 year-old woman after secondary lidocaine blockade to relieve lumbar pain (the first blockade was performed 4 days before by the same physician after the negative skin test). The patient had the history of multiple allergic reactions to drugs, pollen, home dust, and citrus fruits (repeated Quincke's oedema). In the preceding period, lidocaine was several time administered without side effects during out-patient visits to a surgeon and dentist. The signs of anaphylactic shock appeared within 2 min after injection of 4 ml of 2% lidocaine solution (no other injections were made between the two blockades). Comprehensive emergency measures had no effect. The diagnosis was confirmed at autopsy; microscopic study of soft tissues revealed mast cell degranulation and characteristic changes in internal organs. A literature review of anaphylactic shock symptoms is presented. The fulminant development of this condition after lidocaine administration may be regarded as a fatal coincidence of circumstances that could not be foreseen by the physician. Caution is needed when prescribing medications to polyallergic patients.
Subject(s)
Anaphylaxis/etiology , Anesthetics, Local/adverse effects , Hypersensitivity/complications , Lidocaine/adverse effects , Anaphylaxis/physiopathology , Anesthetics, Local/administration & dosage , Angioedema/etiology , Fatal Outcome , Female , Humans , Injections , Lidocaine/administration & dosage , Manipulation, Spinal , Middle Aged , Skin TestsABSTRACT
The authors report the results of an experimental study designed to characterize microstructural changes in the thigh skin caused by the impacts simulating the car wheel loads of different intensity. It was shown that histological methods can be used to discriminate between the intensities of traumatic loading on biological tissues.
Subject(s)
Forensic Pathology , Models, Biological , Motor Vehicles , Skin/injuries , Skin/pathology , Accidents, Traffic , Biomechanical Phenomena , Cadaver , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , In Vitro Techniques , Motor Vehicles/classification , Thigh , Trauma Severity IndicesABSTRACT
Kicking to death is estimated to account for nearly 0.5% of all forensic medical autopsies and an appreciable share of murders. Meanwhile, the true number of such cases seems to be much in excess of these statistical data due to the difficulty of ascertaining the nature of injuring tools. This paper reports the results of a comprehensive medico-criminalistic investigation of the traces left by kicking with rubber-sole footwear. It is shown that in certain cases the use of spectral techniques (X-ray fluorescence and emission-spectral analysis) in combination with autopsy data, results of comparative forensic biological studies, and inquest information makes it possible to identify a concrete trauma weapon.
