MedWorm: Forensic Medicine Top 20

Simultaneous analysis of some club drugs in whole blood using solid phase extraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:18:43 +0100

Abstract: The use of psychoactive substances to improve social relations and increase body energy, in Rave Culture, has raised many legal and health public concerns, both for illicit trade and consumption. Therefore, forensic toxicology plays an important role in this area, mainly linked to the detection and quantitation of these substances, both in vivo and in post-mortem samples. In fact, at the moment, forensic sciences have been under public authorities’ scrutiny and critical look, due to the increasing attention of the media and public opinion, always applying for the use of scientific knowledge to help solving forensic cases. However, forensic toxicology results are only reliable to solve legal cases if all the analytical methodologies used are appropriately validated.In this work...

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Fatal idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis in association with pregnancy – Medico-legal evaluation

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:18:44 +0100

Abstract: Idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis is a rare disorder characterised by repeated episodes of intra-alveolar bleeding in association with consecutive anaemia, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension and respiratory failure. Pregnancy may exacerbate the symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis typically worsening in the third trimester. A 32-year-old female after delivery was admitted to hospital with progressive dyspnoea of about 1-month duration. Sudden circulatory collapse caused fatal complication. During the post-mortem investigation, lung haemorrhage and histologically abundant iron deposition in macrophages and interstitial fibrosis were found. Medico-legal post-mortem evaluation of fatal cases may support the clinico-pathological context of the diagnosis of this e...

Suicide with two shots to the head inflicted by a captive-bolt gun

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:18:44 +0100

Abstract: An exceptional case of suicide with two shots to the head inflicted by a captive-bolt gun is reported here. The pathophysiology observed, and related literature, indicate that the capacity of the victim to fire a second shot depended on the depth of skull penetration by the first shot and the extent of damage to nerve structures. In this case, an ante mortem multi-detector computed tomography was possible. From discussion with the radiologist and a 3D reconstruction, the two-shot suicide scenario could be confirmed. (Source: Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine)

Sex identification in Egyptian population using Multidetector Computed Tomography of the maxillary sinus

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:18:42 +0100

In conclusion, MDCT measurements of cephalo-caudal and size of the left maxillary sinuses are useful feature in gender determination in Egyptians. (Source: Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine)

Setting up an off-site emergency mortuary facility (EMF) to deal with a DVI incident: disaster victim management (DVM)

Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:51:42 +0100

Abstract Forensic mortuaries in all Australian jurisdictions are dealing with increasing workloads, with routine cases regularly occupying greater than 50%, and often as much as 85%, of existing cold room body storage capacity, particularly over long weekends and during seasonal increases in respiratory infections. Hence the need to deal with a sudden influx of deceased persons or multiple body parts in a mass fatality incident would overwhelm most Australian forensic mortuaries, thereby requiring other means of body storage and processing. Exercise “Construct” was a joint South Australian Police (SAPol) and Forensic Science South Australia exercise designed to practice the establishment and construction of an emergency mortuary facility (EMF) to deal with a mass fatal...

Identification and quantitation of two new naphthoylindole drugs-of-abuse, (1-(5-hydroxypentyl)-1H-indol-3-yl)(naphthalen-1-yl)methanone (AM-2202) and (1-(4-pentenyl)-1H-indol-3-yl)(naphthalen-1-yl)methanone, with other synthetic cannabinoids in unregulated “herbal” products circulated in the Tokyo area

Forensic Toxicology — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:49:32 +0100

Abstract During our continual surveillance of unregulated drugs in May–June 2011, we found two new compounds as adulterants in herbal products obtained at shops in the Tokyo area. These compounds were identified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, accurate mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The first compound identified was a naphthoylindole (1-(5-hydroxypentyl)-1H-indol-3-yl)(naphthalen-1-yl)methanone (AM-2202, 1), which is a side-chain hydroxyl analogue of JWH-018. The second compound was (1-(4-pentenyl)-1H-indol-3-yl)(naphthalen-1-yl)methanone (2), which is side-chain double bond analogue of JWH-018. This is the first report to identify 1 and 2 in a commercial “herbal” product to our knowl...

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Aims & Scope/Editorial Board

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:21:56 +0100

(Source: Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine)

Postmortem tandem mass spectrometry profiling for detection of infection in unexpected infant death

Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:51:42 +0100

Abstract Numerous hypotheses have been suggested to explain the cause of sudden unexpected infant death, including infection. As part of the autopsy, routine ancillary investigations are performed, including blood/bile tandem mass spectrometry (TMS) primarily for detection of metabolic disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate and assess TMS derived acylcarnitine profiles to determine whether infectious deaths were associated with characteristic profiles. As part of a retrospective study including >2,500 pediatric autopsies at a single specialist centre over a 14 year period, acylcarnitine profiles were reviewed. Using multiple linear regression, standardised residuals were prepared and findings compared between different cause of death groups, including unexp...

Oxidation of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) by peroxidases: a new metabolic pathway

Forensic Toxicology — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:06:07 +0100

Abstract Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent hallucinogen that is primarily metabolized to 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD (O-H-LSD) and N-desmethyl-LSD (nor-LSD) by cytochrome P450 complex liver enzymes. Due to its extensive metabolism, there still is an interest in the identification of new metabolites and new routes of its metabolism in humans. In the present study, we investigated whether LSD could be a substrate for horseradish peroxidase or myeloperoxidase (MPO). Using liquid chromatography coupled to UV detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-UV–ESI–MS), we found that both peroxidases were capable of metabolizing LSD to the same compounds that have been observed in vivo (i.e., O-H-LSD and nor-LSD). In addition, we found another major metabolite, ...

The progression from disaster victim identification (DVI) to disaster victim management (DVM): a necessary evolution

Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:52:21 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory EditorialPages 1-3DOI 10.1007/s12024-011-9295-9Authors Calle Winskog, Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, Level 3 Medical School North Building, The University of Adelaide, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5005, AustraliaMichael Tsokos, Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Charité University, Turmstr. 21 (Haus L), 10559 Berlin, GermanyRoger W. Byard, Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, Level 3 Medical School North Building, The University of Adelaide, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia Journal Forensic Science, Medicine, and PathologyOnline ISSN 1556-2891Print ISSN 1547-769X (Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology)

Talus measurements as a diagnostic tool for sexual dimorphism in Egyptian population

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:18:42 +0100

Abstract: Measurements of talus have been shown to be sexually dimorphic in South African blacks and whites and Prehistoric New Zealand Polynesians. Since several studies have demonstrated that discriminant function equations used to determine the sex of a skeleton are population specific, the purpose of the present study was to derive similar equation for the tali of Egyptians. The sample consisted of 110 tali (67 male & 43 female) whose age at death ranged between 20 and 60 years. The tali were obtained from Anatomy departments of Minia and Cairo Universities and also from Forensic Medicine department of Justice Office in Minia governates – Egypt. Twelve measurements were taken for every talus. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16. All measurements showed significant sexual difference...

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Accidental penetrating brain injury through anterior fontanelle: A rare phenomenon

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:18:45 +0100

This report of a 7-month-old male infant, whose father was working with a knife which accidentally slipped from his hand and penetrated the infants anterior fontanelle and frontal lobe, demonstrates that accidental injuries may also occur rarely. (Source: Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine)

Incidence and outcome of prone positioning following police use of force in a prospective, consecutive cohort of subjects

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:18:43 +0100

Abstract: The safety of placing suspects in the prone position following police use of force has been debated extensively, particularly in the context of sudden in-custody death. The proportion of individuals who remain in the prone position following police use of force is not known, nor has the epidemiology of sudden in-custody death in any position after police restraint been documented. Using a consecutive cohort of individuals in whom police used force, we prospectively documented the number of individuals who were placed in a prone versus not-prone position, and the prevalence of sudden in-custody death in either position. Data were collected for three consecutive years, through a single urban police service, in a city of over 1.1 million citizens. Officers prospectively documented t...

Unusual case of right atrial reinfarction

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:18:45 +0100

Abstract: It is well known that atrial infarctions are rare comparing to the ventricular. They cannot easily be verified on ECG and the standard autopsy technique does not include a detailed review of the atrial wall, so the atrial infarction often remains undiagnosed. A 63-year-old male was treated and died in an intensive care unit due to decompensated liver insufficiency and cardiac disease following long-lasting alcohol abuse. At autopsy, the extreme cardiomegaly was found, severe atherosclerosis of the anterior descending branch of left coronary artery. The posterior wall of the right atrium was thickened (cca 9 mm) in diameter of cca 3 × 3 cm, and this area was yellowish in the luminal part, while the central part was filled with dark red blood. A detailed dissection of the coron...

An analysis of drug-related offenses in Japan: Focusing on a discussion of future preventive measures

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:21:57 +0100

Abstract: Recently, drug use has become a major social problem in Japan. Therefore, this study examined recent trends of drug use in detail. Specifically, this report researched the number of people arrested for drug-related offenses in the 8 years since 2001 and it discusses measures to prevent drug use.During the period studied, the proportion of drug-related offenses related to ‘stimulants’ has decreased, despite those drugs accounting for the highest proportion of such offenses, and the proportion of offenses related to ‘cannabis’ has increased markedly. Therefore, organizations implementing measures to prevent drug-related offenses should be aware of the recent increase in the number of people arrested for ‘cannabis’ and the high proportion of arrests for ‘stimulants’...

Editorial Board

Forensic Science International — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 05:55:30 +0100

(Source: Forensic Science International)

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

A one-year monitoring of nicotine use in sport: Frontier between potential performance enhancement and addiction issues

Forensic Science International — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Tobacco consumption is a global epidemic responsible for a vast burden of disease. With pharmacological properties sought-after by consumers and responsible for addiction issues, nicotine is the main reason of this phenomenon. Accordingly, smokeless tobacco products are of growing popularity in sport owing to potential performance enhancing properties and absence of adverse effects on the respiratory system. Nevertheless, nicotine does not appear on the 2011 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List or Monitoring Program by lack of a comprehensive large-scale prevalence survey. Thus, this work describes a one-year monitoring study on urine specimens from professional athletes of different disciplines covering 2010 and 2011. A method for the detection and quantification of n...

Stature estimation formulae from radiographically determined limb bone length in a modern Japanese population

Legal Medicine — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The objective of this study was to derive regression formulae for stature estimation from long limb bones in a Japanese population. Moreover, commonly employed estimation equations, such as that of Fujii, were re-evaluated through application of current data. To construct equations, measurements were conducted on 434 living subjects (342 females and 92 males; 18–59years old). The whole or maximum length of the femur, tibia, and humerus was determined radiographically using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, which permitted measurement of long bones with no magnification. Regression formulae were constructed for females and males relative to the real body height measured in the erect position. Lower limbs of the femur and tibia were more accurate predictors (R=0.813–0.903) than the humer...

Autopsy following death by homicide in 644 cases

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:18:42 +0100

The objectives of this study are to determine the cause of death and based on the wounds, to analyze the different epidemiological variables on homicide in Dakar.Included were all homicides cases where an autopsy was performed and these results recorded in the autopsy register. The data collected in our work included, identity, sex, age, place of crime (location), the cause of death (the causative agent and the anatomical region injured) and the mechanism of death (the pathophysiological phenomenon causing death).On average 56 cases of homicide a year are reported, ranging from 44 cases in 2005 to 80 cases in 1999. Extrapolated to the population of Dakar this corresponds to 1.9 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. Victims aged over 55 years represented only 4.03% of all victims. 6.52% of cas...

Combined analyses of creatine kinase MB, cardiac troponin I and myoglobin in pericardial and cerebrospinal fluids to investigate myocardial and skeletal muscle injury in medicolegal autopsy cases

Legal Medicine — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and myoglobin (Mb) are biochemical markers of myocardial injury; however, Mb is more abundant in skeletal muscles. The present study involved analysis of these markers in pericardial and cerebrospinal fluids (PCF and CSF) from serial medicolegal autopsy cases (n=295, within 48h) to examine their efficacy in determining the cause of death. Although these markers showed a slight postmortem time-dependent elevation, except for CK-MB in CSF, the distribution depended on the cause of death. Mb levels in PCF and CSF were higher in fatal hyperthermia (heat stroke) and methamphetamine abuse, and CK-MB in both fluids was also higher in the latter. In psychotropic drug intoxication, CK-MB, cTnI and Mb were higher in PCF, but only cTnI w...