MedWorm: Forensic Medicine

Isomers of fluoroamphetamines detected in forensic cases in Denmark. - Johansen SS, Hansen TM.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:54:53 +0100

A study was performed on the detection, separation and quantification of isomers from the new designer drugs named fluoroamphetamines (FAs) in forensic cases in eastern Denmark. The drugs were detected in whole blood extracts by ultraperformance liquid chr... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

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Clinical and Forensic Signs Related to Cocaine Abuse. - Dinis-Oliveira RJ, Carvalho F, Duarte JA, Proença JB, Santos A, Magalhães T.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:54:53 +0100

Good laboratory practice in toxicological analysis requires pre-analytical steps for collection of detailed information related to the suspected poisoning episodes, including biological and non-biological circumstantial evidences, which should be carefully... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

When Confinement Leads To Death

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Being confined to bed... ...can have fatal consequences. Incorrect fastening of restraints and inadequate monitoring led to the death of 19 people in care. Andrea M. Berzianovich and her colleagues, forensic medicine specialists from Munich and Vienna, investigated these fatalities in patients subjected to freedom-restraining measures (Dtsch Arztebl 2012; 109(3) 27). The authors analyzed a total of 26 cases of death while the individual was physically restrained. Three died of natural causes, and one committed suicide... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

The “Black Widow”: Arsenic and Britain’s First Serial Killer

The Poison Review — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:35:21 +0100

The Daily Mail (U.K.) has a fascinating story today about Mary Ann Cotton (1832 – 1873), Britain’s first serial killer. According to the author, Professor of Criminology David Wilson, a serial killer is someone who kills more than three people over a time period of more than thirty days. Cotton more than met this definition: Few have heard of the so-called “Black Widow” killer who posed as a wife, widow, mother, friend and nurse to murder perhaps as many as 21 victims [over a period of almost 20 years], living off her husbands before eventually claiming their estates. Two decades before Jack the Ripper would terrorist the streets of Whitechapel in London, Mary Ann Cotton had already become a killing machine, perhaps murdering as many as eight of her own children, se...

Editorial

Forensic Science International — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:54:50 +0100

(Source: Forensic Science International)

Editorial Board

Forensic Science International — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:54:50 +0100

(Source: Forensic Science International)

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Detection Of Cyanide Poisoning Extended By Forensic Research

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0100

Researchers have found a new biomarker for cyanide poisoning, which may extend its detection window in death investigations by weeks if not months. Unless cyanide is discovered at the time of death on the mouth or nose, elevated cyanide concentrations can only be found for up to two days under current toxicological testing. A team of researchers have found a substance that appears in the liver following cyanide poisoning that could serve as a stable biomarker for a longer period of time. The research, by Dr... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Sneaking Hebephilia Into DSM 5

Psychology Today Sex Center — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:39:53 +0100

Dr. Ray Blanchard, of the DSM 5 sexual disorders work group, has written a misleading blog that portrays the introduction of 'Hebephilia' into DSM 5 as no more than a minor change. In his rendering, DSM IV already permits the diagnosis of pedophilia if victims are 13 or younger and DSM 5 is just raising the age threshold to 14. No big deal. read more (Source: Psychology Today Sex Center)

Letter: Reality of ritual abuse

Guardian Unlimited Science — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0100

The letter from the Committee for Ritual Abuse (23 January) appears to conflate two types of claim, one presumably based on solid evidence, the other on extremely dubious evidence. There is little reason to doubt that within certain communities the use of exorcism rituals against children is on the rise, given recent tragic court cases. The letter goes on, however, to bemoan the fact that claims of ritual abuse involving white middle-class children and adults are not taken seriously. The latter are not taken seriously because there is no convincing forensic evidence to support them. Instead they are based upon dubious techniques for "recovering memories" – the same techniques used to "recover" memories of alien abductions and past lives. Furthermore, the former involve misguided beliefs ...

Fatal thromboembolism following physical restraint in a patient with schizophrenia

International Journal of Legal Medicine — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:15:45 +0100

Abstract Fatal thromboembolism during physical restraint in patients suffering from psychotic disorders is a very rare occurrence. In the case we present here, the criteria used in forensic pathology for the age determination of venous thrombi are applied to a case of pulmonary embolism in a patient suffering from schizophrenia who died after physical restraint. The possible association between conventional antipsychotic drugs and deep venous thrombosis, followed by pulmonary embolism, in a man with no predisposing risk factors, as well as the question concerning the appropriateness of medical care, are discussed. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Case ReportPages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s00414-012-0670-1Authors Rossana Cecchi, Department of Anatomical, Histological, Legal ...

Insulin as a murder weapon

The Poison Review — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:33:02 +0100

4 out of 5 stars Murder by insulin: suspected, purported and proven — a review. Marks V. Drug Test Analysis 2009;1:162-176. Abstract With the recent death following an unexpected hypoglycemic episode of a fifth patient at Stepping Hill Hospital in Greater Manchester (U.K.), this classic article on the forensic pathology involving insulin as a murder weapon has become even more timely. Dr. Marks is one of the foremost experts and expert witnesses in the field, having testified at the Claus von Bülow trial, among many others. Marks points out that: [Insulin] is an inefficient and ineffective weapon, largely because of the length of time it takes to cause death and the ease with which it can be diagnosed and treated. Through personal knowledge and review of both medical and lay litera...

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Being confined to bed

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Deutsches Aerzteblatt International) Being confined to bedcan have fatal consequences. Incorrect fastening of restraints and inadequate monitoring led to the death of 19 people in care. Andrea M. Berzianovich and her colleagues, forensic medicine specialists from Munich and Vienna, investigated these fatalities in patients subjected to freedom-restraining measures. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Non-invasive visualisation and volume estimation of maggot masses using computed tomography scanning

International Journal of Legal Medicine — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:11:56 +0100

This study examined the development of a non-invasive means for measuring mass volume using computed tomography (CT) scanning. It was found that CT can be used to visualise and measure the volume of maggot masses, and a series of rules for doing so were established. The level of agreement between mass measurements made by four ‘judges’ using CT volumetric analysis tools produced excellent reliability (ICC > 0.95). This high level of reliability was maintained when applied to masses of different sizes in experimental cups of meat and natural masses of mixed species on human bodies. Entomological features of mortuary CT scans are now routinely reported in forensic entomology casework in Victoria, Australia, as a result of our work. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Origi...

Public Attitudes Regarding the Use of Residual Newborn Screening Specimens for Research

PEDIATRICS — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the general public surveyed here was supportive of NBS and residual sample retention and research use. However, there was a clear preference for an informed permission process for parents regarding these activities. Education about NBS was associated with a higher level of support and may be important to maintain public trust in these important programs. (Source: PEDIATRICS)

Forensic research extends detection of cyanide poisoning

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Sam Houston State University) Researchers have found a new biomarker for cyanide poisoning, which may extend its detection window in death investigations by weeks if not months. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Sweet summer cherries and fatal ileus: a story from the past

Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:05:57 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Lessons from the MuseumPages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s12024-012-9313-6Authors Slobodan Nikolić, Institute of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 31a Deligradska Str., 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaVladimir Živković, Institute of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 31a Deligradska Str., 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Journal Forensic Science, Medicine, and PathologyOnline ISSN 1556-2891Print ISSN 1547-769X (Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology)

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Unusual case of right atrial reinfarction.

Atherosclerosis — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:19:26 +0100

Authors: Radojevic N, Savic S, Aleksic V, Cukic D 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 fille...

Comparison of Bulk and Compound-Specific δ(13) C Isotope Ratio Analyses for the Discrimination Between Cannabis Samples*

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Muccio Z, Wöckel C, An Y, Jackson GP Abstract Five marijuana samples were compared using bulk isotope analysis compound-specific isotope ratio analysis of the extracted cannabinoids. Owing to the age of our cannabis samples, four of the five samples were compared using the isotope ratios of cannabinol (CBN), a stable degradation product of Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Bulk δ(13) C isotope analysis discriminated between all five samples at the 95% confidence level. Compound-specific δ(13) C isotope analysis could not distinguish between one pair of the five samples at the 95% confidence level. All the measured cannabinoids showed significant depletion in (13) C relative to bulk isotope values; the isotope ratios for THC, CBN, and cannabidiol were on average 1.6...

Undiagnosed, Untreated Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Presenting as a Suspicious Sudden Death*

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We report the sudden death of a 40-year-old male without significant medical history in which foul play had been initially suspected. A thorough postmortem investigation performed on the decedent lead to the diagnosis of APL. Cause of death was a cerebellar hematoma. Underlying APL should be considered in the differential diagnosis when unexplained bleeding is encountered in a decedent. This case emphasizes the value of routinely collecting bone marrow during an autopsy to enable accurate testing and diagnosis. PMID: 22292852 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences)

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 Problem of Untested Sexual Assault Kits: Why Are Some Kits Never Submitted to a Crime Laboratory? - Patterson D, Campbell R.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:32:08 +0100

Victims of sexual assault are often advised to seek postassault medical care to have a forensic exam, which includes evidence collection (termed a sexual assault kit [SAK]). After the exam, law enforcement personnel are supposed to submit the SAK to a crim... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

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Criminal manifestations of dementia patients: report from the national forensic hospital. - Kim JM, Chu K, Jung KH, Lee ST, Choi SS, Lee SK.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:32:08 +0100

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Some dementia patients have profound behavioral and psychological symptoms which might cause legal violation. We illustrate clinical and criminal characteristics of dementia patients who had been incarcerated because of criminal activity. ... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Former Sinn Féin councillor's DNA 'on jacket in car allegedly used by killers'

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:10:40 +0100

Northern Ireland court trying Brendan McConville for murder of police officer told of 'one in a billion chance' that DNA was not hisDNA from a former Sinn Féin councillor was found in the car alleged to have taken Continuity IRA gunmen from the scene of a policeman's murder, a Northern Ireland court has been told.Ex-Sinn Féin councillor Brendan McConville is one of two men accused of murdering Constable Stephen Carroll – the first officer from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to die at the hands of paramilitaries.McConville, 40, and 20-year-old John Paul Wootton deny involvement in the murder on 9 March 2009, just 48 hours after two British soldiers were shot dead in a Real IRA ambush outside their barracks in Antrim town.A forensic science expert told Belfast crown court ...

Timing and sequence of emergence of permanent teeth in the Jordanian population

Archives of Oral Biology — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:46:11 +0100

Conclusions: The first standards of timing and sequence of permanent tooth emergence specific to the Jordanian population were provided and found to be consistent with those of Caucasian populations. These standards aid managing patients in paediatric dentistry, planning orthodontic therapy and forensic age estimation. (Source: Archives of Oral Biology)

Alcimedes

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

The dubiously-named practice of “Honour Attacks,” which can range from beatings to murder, has once again hit the headlines. A recent Freedom of Information (FOI) study by the Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO) has concluded that the number of such attacks in the UK has increased to 2823 in the past year. Causes for the attacks include refusing an arranged marriage, having a relationship of which the family disapproves, being the victim of a sexual assault, and seeking a divorce. (Source: Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine)

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)

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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...

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...

The value of radiocarbon analysis in determining the forensic interest of human skeletal remains found in unusual circumstances

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

This report illustrates the use of radiocarbon analysis in establishing whether the human remains are contemporary or not and describes evidence for what appears to be an historic clandestine grave. (Source: Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine)

What may be happen after an organophosphate exposure: Acute myocardial infarction?

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

Abstract: The increase in accidental organophosphate poisoning as well as the rise in the number of cases of suicide attempts with organophosphate compounds is due to primarily to the widespread use of these compounds in agriculture. Organophosphates are anti-acetycholinesterase agents and their toxicity affects many organs, including the pancreas, liver and heart. Cardiac complications often accompany poisoning with these compounds and may be serious and often fatal. However, little is known about the myocardial infarction risk associated with exposure to pesticides. Herein, a rare case of acute myocardial infarction due to acute exposure to organophosphate compound is documented with electrocardiogram, enzyme and clinical characteristics in this report. (Source: Journal of Forensic and L...

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)

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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...

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...

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...

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)

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...

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Sexual assault consultations – From high risk to high reliability

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:18:41 +0100

Abstract: (Source: Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine)

Aims & Scope/Editorial Board

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:18:41 +0100

(Source: Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine)

Brains in context in the neurolaw debate: The examples of free will and "dangerous" brains.

International Journal of Law and Psychiatry — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Brains in context in the neurolaw debate: The examples of free will and "dangerous" brains. Int J Law Psychiatry. 2012 Jan 28; Authors: Schleim S Abstract Will neuroscience revolutionize forensic practice and our legal institutions? In the debate about the legal implications of brain research, free will and the neural bases of antisocial or criminal behavior are of central importance. By analyzing frequently quoted examples for the unconscious determinants of behavior and antisocial personality changes caused by brain lesions in a wider psychological and social context, the paper argues for a cautious middle position: Evidence for an impending normative "neuro-revolution" is scarce and neuroscience may instead gradually improve legal practice in the long run, particularly w...

Isomers of fluoroamphetamines detected in forensic cases in Denmark

International Journal of Legal Medicine — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:52:11 +0100

Abstract A study was performed on the detection, separation and quantification of isomers from the new designer drugs named fluoroamphetamines (FAs) in forensic cases in eastern Denmark. The drugs were detected in whole blood extracts by ultraperformance liquid chromatography with time of flight mass spectrometer (UPLC-TOF-MS) and thereafter verified and quantified by UPLC tandem mass spectrometer (MS/MS). The quantitative method involved liquid–liquid extraction of FAs from whole blood, evaporation of organic solvent, and reconstitution with a mobile phase mixture. Identification of the FAs was achieved by the retention time, multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) traces [154 > 109 (quantifier); 154 > 137], and ion ratio of the two transitions. For all FAs, LOQ...

Terrorism and mental health in Iraq - Al-Amery AH, Humaidi NS, Al-Aboodi MR, Hammadi GA, Sadik S.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:32:35 +0100

This study looks at the relationship between mental illness and terrorist acts. 118 terrorism charged offenders were assessed by the forensic psychiatric team, while resident at Ibn Al-Haitham secure unit at Al-Rashad Teaching hospital-Baghdad. Data were c... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

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Off the record: reform woes

BMA daily feed — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:17:14 +0100

'The committee stage was a line-by-line, forensic examination of the bill by peers, who mainly used it to press the government for clarification' (Source: BMA daily feed)

Vaginal microbial flora analysis by next generation sequencing and microarrays; can microbes indicate vaginal origin in a forensic context?

International Journal of Legal Medicine — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:45:08 +0100

In this study, we explored the use of microbial flora to indicate vaginal origin. First, we explored the vaginal microbiome for a large set of clinical vaginal samples (n = 240) by next generation sequencing (n = 338,184 sequence reads) and found 1,619 different sequences. Next, we selected 389 candidate probes targeting genera or species and designed a microarray, with which we analysed a diverse set of samples; 43 DNA extracts from vaginal samples and 25 DNA extracts from samples from other body sites, including sites in close proximity of or in contact with the vagina. Finally, we used the microarray results and next generation sequencing dataset to assess the potential for a future approach that uses microbial markers to indicate vaginal origin. Since no candidate genera/s...

Revisiting Lodz, Poland in 2011 and Reconstructing How My Parents Survived the Shoah (1939-1945)

Psychiatric Times — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0100

I was 9 years old in December 1959 when I left and 60 in July 2011 when I returned to Lodz, Poland. My return—a journey through time as well as space—was a continuation of a trip from my home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where I teach and practice clinical and forensic psychiatry, to Berlin, where I gave a number of presentations at a conference of the International Academy of Law and Mental Health (IALMH). (Source: Psychiatric Times)

Multiplex PCR-based Alu insertion polymorphisms genotyping for identifying individuals of Japanese ethnicity.

Genomics — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Asari M, Omura T, Oka K, Maseda C, Tasaki Y, Shiono H, Matsubara K, Matsuda M, Shimizu K Abstract Discrimination of Alu insertions is a useful tool for geographic ancestry analysis, and is usually performed by Alu element amplification and agarose gel electrophoresis. Here, we have developed a new fluorescence-based method for multiple Alu genotyping in forensic identification. Allele frequencies were determined in 70 Japanese individuals, and we selected 30 polymorphic Alu insertions. Three primers were designed for each Alu locus to discriminate alleles using the 3-6bp differences in amplicon sizes. Furthermore, we classified the amplification primers for the 30 loci into three different sets, and PCR using each set of primers provided 10 loci fragments ranging from 50 t...

The Use of All Three Test of Memory Malingering Trials in Establishing the Level of Effort.

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study examined all three trials of the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) in a large sample (n = 213) of inpatients on an epilepsy monitoring unit with the goal of establishing cut scores for early termination. TOMM Trial 1 demonstrated impressive diagnostic accuracy for determining both adequate and suboptimal levels of effort; various cut scores and classification statistics are presented. The optional Retention trial from the TOMM also increased the hit rate 16% in the detection of poor effort. Clinical implications, limitations, and directions for further research are discussed. PMID: 22277125 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology)

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Mary N. Sheppard: Practical cardiovascular pathology

Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:15:16 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Book ReviewPages 1-1DOI 10.1007/s12024-011-9311-0Authors Petr Hejna, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Institute of Legal Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Šimkova 870, 500 38 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic Journal Forensic Science, Medicine, and PathologyOnline ISSN 1556-2891Print ISSN 1547-769X (Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology)

Arrest Types and Co-occurring Disorders in Persons with Schizophrenia or Related Psychoses

The Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:26:53 +0100

This study examined the patterns of criminal arrest and co-occurring psychiatric disorders among individuals with schizophrenia or related psychosis that were receiving public mental health services and had an arrest history. Within a 10-year period, 65% of subjects were arrested for crimes against public order, 50% for serious violent crimes, and 45% for property crimes. The presence of any co-occurring disorder increased the risk of arrest for all offense categories. For nearly all offense types, antisocial personality disorder and substance use disorders conferred the greatest increase in risk for arrest. Among anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder was associated with a greater risk of arrest for serious violent crimes but not other offense types. Criminal risk assessm...

Identifying contributors of two-person DNA mixtures by familial database search

International Journal of Legal Medicine — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:15:51 +0100

Abstract The role of familial database search as a crime-solving tool has been increasingly recognized by forensic scientists. As an enhancement to the existing familial search approach on single source cases, this article presents our current progress in exploring the potential use of familial search to mixture cases. A novel method was established to predict the outcome of the search, from which a simple strategy for determining an appropriate scale of investigation by the police force is developed. Illustrated by an example using Swedish data, our approach is shown to have the potential for assisting the police force to decide on the scale of investigation, thereby achieving desirable crime-solving rate with reasonable cost. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Orig...

Demonstration of liver metastases on postmortem whole body CT angiography following inadvertent systemic venous infusion of the contrast medium

International Journal of Legal Medicine — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:15:46 +0100

Abstract An 86-year-old woman was hospitalized for breathlessness and a large right-sided pleural effusion. Approximately 1 h after thoracentesis, she developed a hemothorax resulting in hypotension and death. Routine postmortem CT scanning showed a large volume right hemothorax and a markedly enlarged liver. In an attempt to determine the origin of bleeding prior to autopsy, a postmortem CT angiogram was performed. Following inadvertent cannulation of the left long saphenous vein and infusion of ∼1,700 mL of a polyethylene glycol 200 and iodine-based radiographic contrast solution into systemic veins using a mechanical pump, CT scanning revealed a dense hepatic "parenchogram" containing multiple large, filling defects indicative of metastases. These were confi...

Importance of 3D-CT imaging in single-bullet cranioencephalic gunshot wounds

La Radiologia Medica — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:54:24 +0100

Conclusions CT imaging techniques are excellent tools for addressing the most important questions of forensic medicine in the case of gunshot wounds of the skull, with results as good as (or sometimes better than) traditional autoptic methods. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Neuroradiology / NeuroradiologiaPages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s11547-011-0784-4Authors T. Tartaglione, Dipartimento di Bioimmagini e Scienze Radiologiche, Istituto di Radiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Roma, ItalyL. Filograna, Dipartimento di Bioimmagini e Scienze Radiologiche, Istituto di Radiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Roma, ItalyS. Roiati, Dipartimento di Bioimmagini e Scienze Radiologiche, Istituto di ...

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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)

The value of autopsies for determining the cause of death.

Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The value of autopsies for determining the cause of death. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2012 Jan 24;132(2):147-151 Authors: Alfsen GC, Mæhlen J Abstract Background. Death certificates are the only source of information on the underlying cause of death in more than 90 % of cases. Supplementary information is available for only a small proportion of them, as a rule from a medical or forensic autopsy. We wished to investigate how frequently the findings of medical autopsies influence determination of the underlying cause of death. Material and method. Using the Norwegian Cause of Death Register as our basis, we determined from the death certificate the underlying cause of death for deaths for which a medical autopsy was carried out in 2005. Then we investigated whether the underl...

Kansas Bioscience Authority audit slams former CEO Thornton

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:32:48 +0100

An independent audit finds that former Kansas Bioscience Authority CEO Tom Thornton wiped files and other information from his agency-issued laptop after resigning. The KBA released the results of the forensic audit on Monday. Accounting firm BKD LLP, based in Springfield, Mo., conducted the audit. “Overall, the forensic audit affirms that the KBA’s investment process is diligent, and it makes no significant findings or exceptions related to KBA expenditures or conflicts of interest,” KBA Chairman Dan Watkins said in a release... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)

Fatalities Temporally Associated with the Ingestion of Ibogaine.

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Alper KR, Stajić M, Gill JR Abstract Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive plant alkaloid that is used globally in medical and nonmedical settings for opioid detoxification and other substance use indications. All available autopsy, toxicological, and investigative reports were systematically reviewed for the consecutive series of all known fatalities outside of West Central Africa temporally related to the use of ibogaine from 1990 through 2008. Nineteen individuals (15 men, four women between 24 and 54 years old) are known to have died within 1.5-76 h of taking ibogaine. The clinical and postmortem evidence did not suggest a characteristic syndrome of neurotoxicity. Advanced preexisting medical comorbidities, which were mainly cardiovascular, and/or one...

A Population Genetic Database of Cat Breeds Developed in Coordination with a Domestic Cat STR Multiplex*

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Menotti-Raymond M, David VA, Weir BS, O'Brien SJ Abstract A simple tandem repeat (STR) PCR-based typing system developed for the genetic individualization of domestic cat samples has been used to generate a population genetic database of domestic cat breeds. A panel of 10 tetranucleotide STR loci and a gender-identifying sequence tagged site (STS) were co-amplified in genomic DNA of 1043 individuals representing 38 cat breeds. The STR panel exhibits relatively high heterozygosity in cat breeds, with an average 10-locus heterozygosity of 0.71, which represents an average of 38 breed-specific heterozygosities for the 10-member panel. When the entire set of breed individuals was analyzed as a single population, a heterozygosity of 0.87 was observed. Heterozygosities obtai...

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Is There a Relationship Between Bladder Outlet Obstruction due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Pulmonary Thromboembolism?

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Rosenfeld HE, Byard RW Abstract Benign prostatic hyperplasia with chronic bladder outlet obstruction has been associated with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and fatal pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). To evaluate this further, 60 autopsy cases of men with PTE were compared with 60 age-matched controls. The criteria for outlet obstruction were macroscopic prostatic enlargement with bladder trabeculation and benign prostatic hyperplasia on microscopy. Ten of the 60 men (16.7%) with fatal PTE had evidence of bladder outlet obstruction (age 57-78 years; mean 71.4 years). Of the 60 controls, 12 had evidence of bladder outlet obstruction (20%) (age 67-86 years; mean 75.5 years). No significant relationship could be demonstrated between bladder outlet obstruction and fat...

Autosomal Short Tandem Repeat Analysis of Ancient DNA by Coupled Use of Mini- and Conventional STR Kits*

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we tested newly developed AmpFℓSTR(®) MiniFiler™ kit for autosomal STR analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA), using human femurs (n = 8) collected from medieval Korean tombs. After extracting aDNA from the bones, autosomal STR analyses were repeated for each sample using the AmpFℓSTR(®) MiniFiler™ and Identifiler™ kits. Whereas only 21.87% of larger-sized loci profiles could be obtained with the Identifiler™ kit, 75% of the same loci profiles were determined by MiniFiler™ kit analysis. This very successful amplification of large-sized STR markers from highly degraded aDNA suggests that the MiniFiler™ kit could be a useful complement to conventional STR kit analysis of ancient samples. PMID: 22268568 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of F...

Postmortem Detection of Isopropanol in Ketoacidosis.

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study addressed this concern in a 15-year retrospective review of 260 deaths in which concentrations of acetone and IPA, as well as their ratios, were compared in DKA (175 cases), AKA (79 cases), and IPA intoxication (six cases). The results demonstrated the frequency of detecting IPA in ketoacidosis when there was no evidence of IPA ingestion. IPA was detectable in 77% of DKA cases with quantifiable concentrations averaging 15.1 ± 13.0 mg/dL; 52% of AKA cases with quantifiable concentrations averaging 18.5 ± 22.1 mg/dL; and in cases of IPA intoxication, averaging 326 ± 260 mg/dL. There was weak correlation of IPA production with postmortem interval in DKA only (r = -0.48). Although IPA concentrations were much higher with ingestion, potentially toxic concentrat...

Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis with Fatal Pulmonary Thromboembolism Caused by Benign Pelvic Space-Occupying Lesions-An Overview.

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Rosenfeld H, Byard RW Abstract Venous stasis predisposes to thrombosis. One hundred and sixty cases of fatal pulmonary thromboembolism were reviewed to determine how many cases had deep venous thromboses associated with venous blood flow reduction caused by external pressure from benign pelvic masses. Three cases were identified, representing 2% of cases overall (3/160): a 44-year-old woman with a large uterine leiomyoma (1048 g); a 74-year-old man with prostatomegaly and bladder distension (containing 1 L of urine); and a 70-year-old man with prostatomegaly and bladder distension (containing 3 L of urine). Although a rare cause of fatal deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism, space-occupying pelvic lesions can lead to extrinsic pressure on adjacent...

Species Identification from Dried Snake Venom*

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Singh CS, Gaur A, Sreenivas A, Singh L Abstract Illegal trade in snake parts has increased enormously. In spite of strict protection under wildlife act, a large number of snakes are being killed ruthlessly in India for venom and skin. Here, an interesting case involving confiscation of crystallized dried snake venom and subsequent DNA-based species identification is reported. The analysis using the universal primers for cytochrome b region of the mitochondrial DNA revealed that the venom was extracted from an Indian cobra (Naja naja). On the basis of this report, the forwarding authority booked a case in the court of law against the accused for illegal hunting of an endangered venomous snake and smuggling of snake venom. This approach thus has immense potential for rap...

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Study of an Economic Issue as a Possible Indicator of Suicide Risk: A Discussion of Stock Prices and Suicide.

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we examined the relationship between the value of the Nikkei Stock Average and suicide rates in Japan. The value of the Nikkei Stock Average may be related to suicide among men. On the basis of the results, relevant researchers and organizations should understand the factors that relate to suicide to better carry out specific suicide prevention measures. PMID: 22268654 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences)

No-Show at a Forensic Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic: Risk Factors and Reasons

International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study therefore aims to determine the prevalence and causes of no-show and to explore reasons for nonattendance. The study was carried out in an outpatient clinic in northern Netherlands. Telephone interviews were administered to 27 no-show clients, 84 follow-up no-show clients, and 41 attendees of 18 years and older. A no-show rate of 24.9% and a follow-up no-show rate of 9.8% was found. The majority of appointments missed were in the beginning phase of clinic contact. No-show clients were younger than their attending counterparts and more often dropped out from clinic contact. Also, less family social support was experienced by nonattendees. Reasons for nonattendance were having forgotten about appointment and work commitments. (Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and ...

Pioneering FBI Profiler Answers Questions About Serial Killers

Psychiatric Times — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:30:02 +0100

Here, Mr Hazelwood answers questions about serial murderers that are commonly posed to him. The term serial murderer (or serial killer) was not even a part of the forensic lexicon until the 1970s . . . (Source: Psychiatric Times)

Forensic Anthropology Gives Voice to Unidentified Remains

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:40:00 +0100

RALEIGH, N.C. Bone-hunters and anthropologists typically guard their fossils as priceless specimens. I’ve learned to ask: “Is that real or a cast?” when shown a specimen. Often it’s a replica. So, I was as thrilled as a 12-year-old today when I saw two real, contemporary human skeletons and several human skulls during a tour here of forensic anthropologist Ann Ross’s Osteology Lab in the Park Shops building at North Carolina State University (NCSU). (See Anna Kuchment’s longer article on this lab in the September 2010 issue of Scientific American , as well as this slide show and video that reveals other comparisons made by forensic anthropologists.) I admit to taking a ghoulish but also scientifically curious delight in learning about forensic science, a...

Domestic violence: possibilities and limitations in coping. - Lettiere A, Nakano AM.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:05:52 +0100

This qualitative study assesses how women, in situations of domestic violence and examined at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, deal with this adversity and identifies protection strategies to cope with it, considering the support required and obtained f... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

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Setting up an off-site emergency mortuary facility (EMF) to deal with a DVI incident: disaster victim management (DVM). - Eitzen D, Zimmermann A.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:05:52 +0100

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 d... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

The Substance Use among Forensic Psychiatric Patients. - Kivimies K, Repo-Tiihonen E, Tiihonen J.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:05:52 +0100

Objectives: The primary goal of this study was to examine the relative differences in the use of illegal substances (i.e., amphetamine, cannabis, opiates) among forensic patients who have committed a violent crime compared with the general population. The ... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

The Broad Field of Forensic Pharmacy. - Anderson PD.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:05:52 +0100

Forensic pharmacy is application of the sciences of drugs to legal issues. Forensic pharmacists engage in work relating to litigation, the regulatory process, and the criminal justice system. Forensic pharmacy overlaps with many other forensic fields. Phar... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Non-verbal behavior of children who disclose or do not disclose child abuse in investigative interviews.

Child Abuse and Neglect — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of non-verbal behavior may help investigators identify reluctant children early in forensic interviews. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: There is substantial evidence that, when questioned by investigators, many children do not disclose that they have been abused. The early detection of reluctance to disclose may allow interviewers to alter their behavior, helping the children overcome their reluctance by providing non-suggestive support before the possibility of abuse is discussed. Of course, nonverbal behavior alone should not be used to assess children in investigative interviews. However, nonverbal cues may nonetheless provide additional information to interviewers and assist them in identifying reluctant children. PMID: 22265935 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (So...

Maintaining confidentiality in prospective studies: anonymous repeated measurements via email (ARME) procedure

Journal of Medical Ethics — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Respecting and protecting the confidentiality of data and the privacy of individuals regarding the information that they have given as participants in a research project is a cornerstone of complying with accepted research standards. However, in longitudinal studies, establishing and maintaining privacy is often challenging because of the necessity of repeated contact with participants. A novel internet-based solution is introduced here, which maintains privacy while at the same time ensures linkage of data to individual participants in a repeated measures design. With the use of the anonymous repeated measurements via email (ARME) procedure, two separate one-way communication systems are established through ad hoc email accounts and a secure study website. Strengths and limitations of the...

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A randomised controlled trial of ribavirin in Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever: ethical considerations

Journal of Medical Ethics — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The randomised controlled trial (RCT) constitutes a quantitative, comparative, controlled study of a particular treatment, and provides invaluable evidence regarding its pharmacotherapeutic efficacy. These studies are generally predicated upon the ethical principle of clinical equipoise. However, this may be insufficient to justify withholding treatment from a control group while assessing drug therapy in a potentially fatal disease. Thus, the criteria for randomisation, informed consent methodology and timing, and consideration of treatment options in such a scenario remain the province of medical ethics. This paper addresses the need for an RCT of ribavirin in the treatment of Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever, and highlights underlying ethical concerns in light of the current medical, vi...

What do patients expect from their physicians? Qualitative research on the ethical aspects of patient statements

Journal of Medical Ethics — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study aimed to examine the thoughts and expectations of patients receiving healthcare from their physicians and evaluate the ethical aspects of these thoughts and expectations. To determine the ethical aspects of the thoughts and expectations of patients, an open-ended question was asked on the web page of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) Health Care Command, which is accessible to the users of the TAF intranet system (the internet system used within TAF institutions). The participants were asked to express their thoughts in their own words. A total of 804 participants answered the question by providing their input. The statements of the participants were classified separately by two public health specialists. The classification was made in accordance with the basic principles of patien...

Informed consent for clinical trials of deep brain stimulation in psychiatric disease: challenges and implications for trial design

Journal of Medical Ethics — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Advances in neuromodulation and an improved understanding of the anatomy and circuitry of psychopathology have led to a resurgence of interest in surgery for psychiatric disease. Clinical trials exploring deep brain stimulation (DBS), a focally targeted, adjustable and reversible form of neurosurgery, are being developed to address the use of this technology in highly selected patient populations. Psychiatric patients deemed eligible for surgical intervention, such as DBS, typically meet stringent inclusion criteria, including demonstrated severity, chronicity and a failure of conventional therapy. Although a humanitarian device exemption by the US Food and Drug Administration exists for its use in obsessive-compulsive disorder, DBS remains a largely experimental treatment in the psychiatr...

Discrepancy between participants' understanding and desire to know in informed consent: are they informed about what they really want to know?

Journal of Medical Ethics — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions An information discrepancy was observed between the participants' understanding and their desire to know. By putting more emphasis on under-informed elements, the quality of informed consent could be improved. (Source: Journal of Medical Ethics)

Mysterious flotsam in Gulf of Mexico came from Deepwater Horizon rig

ScienceDaily Headlines — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:31:31 +0100

Using state-of-the-art chemical forensics and a bit of old-fashioned detective work, scientists confirmed that mysterious material found floating in the Gulf of Mexico came from the Deepwater Horizon rig. They further determined that tracking debris from damaged rigs can help forecast coastal impacts and guide response efforts in future spills. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

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Arthroscopically assisted retrograde drilling for osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions of the knee

Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:56:02 +0100

Conclusions The novel electromagnetic guidance system used in this study showed accurate targeting results, required no radiation, was associated with no complications and demonstrated user-friendliness. Level of evidence II. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory KneePages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s00167-012-1886-9Authors Michael Hoffmann, Department of Trauma, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, GermanyMalte Schröder, Department of Trauma, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, GermanyJan Philipp Petersen, Department of Trauma, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Mart...

Mysterious flotsam in Gulf of Mexico came from Deepwater Horizon rig, WHOI study finds

EurekAlert! - Biology — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) Using state-of-the-art chemical forensics and a bit of old-fashioned detective work, a research team led by scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution confirmed that mysterious material found floating in the Gulf of Mexico came from the Deepwater Horizon rig. They further determined that tracking debris from damaged rigs can help forecast coastal impacts and guide response efforts in future spills. (Source: EurekAlert! - Biology)

DSM-5: How Reliable Is Reliable Enough?

Psychology Today Anxiety Center — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:12:59 +0100

This is the title of a disturbing commentary written by the leaders of the DSM 5 Task Force and published in this month's American Journal of Psychiatry. The contents suggest that we must lower our expectations and be satisfied with levels of unreliability in DSM 5 that historically have been clearly unacceptable.read more (Source: Psychology Today Anxiety Center)

The suggested algorithm for the management of “body packers”

Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:59:00 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Letter to the EditorPages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s00423-012-0905-0Authors Hossein Sanaei-Zadeh, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Hazrat Rasoul Akram Hospital, Niayesh Street, Sattar-Khan Ave., 1445613131 Tehran, Iran Journal Langenbeck's Archives of SurgeryOnline ISSN 1435-2451Print ISSN 1435-2443 (Source: Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery)

CSI Oxford: behind the scenes at Britain's top forensic lab

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:45:00 +0100

This article was amended on 18 January 2012. The original gave the name of one of Stephen Lawrence's killers as Stephen Norris. This has been corrected.Forensic scienceCrimeMilly DowlerDamilola TaylorStephen LawrenceRachel NickellJoanna YeatesJon Henleyguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)

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A validation study of the Qiagen Investigator DIPplex® kit; an INDEL-based assay for human identification

International Journal of Legal Medicine — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 07:18:32 +0100

Abstract Marker sets that are based on small insertion/deletion (INDEL) alleles can serve as useful supplementary or stand-alone assays for human identification. A validation study has been performed on a human identification assay based on a panel of 30 INDELs and amelogenin using the Investigator DIPplex® kit (Qiagen). The assay was able to type DNA from a number of forensically relevant sample types and obtain full profiles with 62 pg of template DNA and partial profiles with as little as 16 pg of template DNA. The assay is reproducible, precise, and non-overlapping alleles from minor contributors were detectable in mixture analysis ranging from 6:1 to 19:1 mixtures. Population studies were performed on the 30 indels, and there were no significant departures ...

Inhibition of bacterial degradation of EtG by collection as dried urine spots (DUS).

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study evaluates a new method of collecting urine samples on filter paper, dried urine spots (DUS), for simultaneous detection of EtG, EtS and creatinine, having the great advantage of inhibiting bacterial activity. In addition, a method validation for the determination of EtG and EtS in DUS was performed according to the FDA guidelines. Sterile-filtered urine was spiked with EtG and EtS, inoculated with E. coli and incubated. Liquid and dried urine samples were collected after various time intervals up to 96 h. Liquid samples were frozen immediately after collection, whereas aliquots for DUS were pipetted onto filter paper, allowed to dry and stored at RT until analysis 1 week after. The specimens were analyzed by LC-ESI-MS/MS. As expected, degradation of EtG, but not of EtS, was ob...

Body in East Sussex woods 'was victim of unlawful killing'

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:34:02 +0100

Victoria Couchman, whose father killed himself while awaiting trial for her murder, was unlawfully killed, says coronerA verdict of unlawful killing was recorded on Monday over the death of a young woman whose father was accused of her murder, but killed himself two days before he was due to stand trial.Children found the skull of 19-year-old Victoria Couchman in woodland in October 2008. More human remains, including her femur and pelvis, were discovered in the same area in Redgeland Wood, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex.Couchman, a single parent, had probably been killed five months earlier, but none of her family or friends reported her missing to police, the inquest at Hastings magistrates court heard. Her father, Tony Couchman, was charged with her murder and perverting the course of ...

Probing gunshot residue, sweat and latent human fingerprints with capillary-scale ion chromatography and suppressed conductivity detection

RSC - Analyst latest articles — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:03:06 +0100

Analyst, 2012, Advance ArticleDOI: 10.1039/C2AN16126E, PaperElizabeth Gilchrist, Norman Smith, Leon BarronThe possibility to chemically "fingerprint a fingerprint" is presented using suppressed capillary anion exchange chromatography. A particular focus is placed on the determination of charged gunshot residue components and lifestyle markers for applications in forensic science.To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above.The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - Analyst latest articles)

[Hymenal examination of under age children with a context of sexual assault.]

Gynecologie, Obstetrique et Fertilite — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Abriat F, Benali L, Gromb S Abstract The hymeneal examination is often considered as the key of the gyneacological examination of a young girl victim of sexual assault, mainly because the concept of penetration is important under the French criminal code. However, the amount medical literature related to this topic is poor. The hymen examination must be conducted under strict conditions, by qualified personnel and as soon as possible after the alleged assault.The only kind of anomaly that can confirm a penetration is an injury to the posterior hymen extending up its base. The sensitivity of this sign is, however, low and its absence does not suggest that of penetration. A vaginal penetration does not always break the hymen, especially among adolescents. Moreover, the hymen...

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Sexual assault forensic examiners' training and assessment using simulation technology. - Fitzpatrick M, Ta A, Lenchus J, Arheart KL, Rosen LF, Birnbach DJ.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:37:58 +0100

INTRODUCTION: More than 190,000 sexual assaults involving persons aged 12 years or older occur annually in the United States. For these victims, a forensic examination is the first step in the process to justice. Assessment and treatment of victims, as wel... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Potent stimulant PMMA associated with ecstasy deaths

The Poison Review — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:02:55 +0100

PMMA pils confiscated by the DEA The Province (B.C.) reported yesterday that forensic studies on 18 ecstasy-related deaths in British Columbia since August 2011 revealed that five victims tested positive for para-methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA). Tissues from all 18 victims also contained ecstasy (MDMA). PMMA is a phenethylamine that appears to be more potent than MDMA, with a longer onset and more extended duration of action. As with all phenethylamine stimulants, it increases heart rate and blood pressure. It has previously been reported in association with fatalities in Israel, Denmark, Norway, Holland, Germany and Taiwan. It is not clear why PMMA has started appearing in samples of pills sold as ecstasy. It is possible that it is cheaper than MDMA. Other theories are that it enhances ...

Population data of 21 non-CODIS STR loci in Han population of northern China

International Journal of Legal Medicine — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:56:04 +0100

Abstract Allele frequencies and forensic statistics of 21 autosomal short tandem repeat loci (i.e., D6S474, D12ATA63, D22S1045, D10S1248, D1S1677, D11S4463, D1S1627, D3S4529, D2S441, D6S1017, D4S2408, D19S433, D17S1301, D1GATA113, D18S853, D20S482, D14S1434, D9S1122, D2S1776, D10S1435 and D5S2500) were estimated in Han population from northern China (n = 220). Significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was detected only for D22S1045. The observed heterozygosity, the expected heterozygosity, the discrimination power, the probability of paternity exclusion in trios, the probability of paternity exclusion in duos and the polymorphic information content ranged from 0.591 to 0.836, 0.594 to 0.830, 0.762 to 0.948, 0.341 to 0.659, 0.189 to 0.487 and 0.535 to 0.807...

Estimation of the time since death: post-mortem contractions of human skeletal muscles following mechanical stimulation (idiomuscular contraction)

International Journal of Legal Medicine — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:56:04 +0100

Abstract The mechanically stimulated idiomuscular contraction of skeletal muscles is part of the widely used compound method for death time estimation and therefore represents an item of high relevance and practicability in forensic case work. However, data on the topic are scarce and inconsistent and the currently reported maximum time span for the occurrence of the phenomenon until 13 h post-mortem (hpm) is based on a single case report from the beginning of the twentieth century. Therefore, idiomuscular contraction following mechanical stimulation has been investigated in skeletal muscles of 270 cases with assured time of death at defined post-mortem time points between 7 and 15 hpm. Of all investigated cases, 45 (16.7%) showed a positive reaction with a prepondera...

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...

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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...

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...

A simple quantitation method for benzoylecgonine from oral fluid, blood, and urine samples used for determining 22 illicit and licit drugs by GC–MS with liquid–liquid extraction

Forensic Toxicology — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:49:30 +0100

Abstract The analytical system used for determination of 22 illicit and licit drugs by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry following liquid–liquid extraction has been extended with an additional extraction step with n-butyl acetate:CH2Cl2 = 1:8 to determine benzoylecgonine from the same oral fluid, blood, or urine samples. The extraction recovery of benzoylecgonine was 39.7% for oral fluid, 14.9% for blood, and 26.7% for urine; the cutoffs were 25, 8.0, and 8.0 ng/ml, respectively. The method was fully validated and proved suitable in further proficiency tests and for analysis of 2738 oral fluid, 197 blood, and 1298 urine samples. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Short CommunicationPages 1-7DOI 10.1007/s11419-011-0128-zAuthors László Institó...

Determination of methamphetamine in neonatal hair and meconium samples: estimation of fetal drug abuse during pregnancy

Forensic Toxicology — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:49:27 +0100

Abstract Determination of methamphetamine (MP) and its metabolite amphetamine (AP) in hair and meconium samples from a neonate was performed to estimate the fetal abuse of MP during pregnancy. Five hundred micrograms of the neonate’s hair spiked with 1-methyl-3-phenylpropylamine (internal standard) were used for the determination. After digestion with 1 M NaOH for 20 min, the resultant was extracted with heptane and the organic layer was evaporated and labeled with 4-(N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl)-7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole. The MP in 10 mg of the neonate’s meconium was determined using the standard addition method. The determination of MP and AP in the hair was performed by a semi-micro-HPLC–peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence method. The hair sample (tota...

The Substance Use among Forensic Psychiatric Patients.

The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Cannabis, amphetamine, and opiate use are associated with an increased risk of becoming a forensic psychiatric patient, but no substantial differences were observed among patients with psychosis diagnosis in the relative risk increase for cannabis versus amphetamine versus opiate use, indicating that none of these drugs are uniquely associated with violent offending among mentally ill. PMID: 22242792 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse)

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Drug and alcohol use by homicide victims in Trinidad and Tobago, 2001–2007

Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:45:04 +0100

Abstract This paper examines toxicology results from homicide victims in Trinidad and Tobago to explore patterns in pre-mortem drug and alcohol use. Toxicology test results were obtained for 1,780 homicide victims. Toxicology data from the coroner’s office were linked with police data on homicide incidents to examine patterns in drug use and homicide. Trinidad and Tobago homicide victims tested positive for cannabis at a significantly higher rate (32%) than the average rate among other drug toxicology studies. Victims tested positive for alcohol (29%), cocaine (7%), and opioids (1.5%) at rates that were either comparable with or lower than those of homicide victims examined in other studies. The proportion of victims testing positive for cannabis grew significantly from ...

Accumulation of Explosives in Hair-Part 3: Binding Site Study*

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study extends previous work on the sorption of explosives to the hair matrix. Specifically, we have studied the interaction of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and triacetone triperoxide (TATP) as a function of chemical pretreatment with acetonitrile, neutral and alkaline hydrogen peroxide, methanolic KOH and potassium permanganate, and the morphological changes that accompany these treatments. While differences in vapor pressure can account for quantitative differences between TNT and TATP sorption, both are markedly affected by the chemical rinses. Examination of the hair surface shows different degrees of smoothening following rinsing, suggesting that the attachment to hair is largely a surface phenomenon involving the 18-methyleicosanoic acid lipid layer. Density functional theory calc...

Validation of Powder X-Ray Diffraction Following EN ISO/IEC 17025.

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Eckardt R, Krupicka E, Hofmeister W Abstract Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) is used widely in forensic science laboratories with the main focus of qualitative phase identification. Little is found in literature referring to the topic of validation of PXRD in the field of forensic sciences. According to EN ISO/IEC 17025, the method has to be tested for several parameters. Trueness, specificity, and selectivity of PXRD were tested using certified reference materials or a combination thereof. All three tested parameters showed the secure performance of the method. Sample preparation errors were simulated to evaluate the robustness of the method. These errors were either easily detected by the operator or nonsignificant for phase identification. In case of the detection l...

Do Trained Dogs Discriminate Individual Body Odors of Women Better than Those of Men?*

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, human genders were compared as to the degree their individual odors are distinguishable or "attractive" to dogs. Six dogs were trained to smell an individual's hand odor sample and then find the matching hand odor sample in a lineup of five odors. Using one-gender lineups and two-gender lineups with different gender ratios, it was found that dogs trained for the study identified individual women's hand odors more accurately than those of men. It is hypothesized that this is either because of differences in chemical compounds making discrimination of women's odors easier, or because of greater "odor attractiveness" of women's scents to dogs. PMID: 22235814 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences)

Rapid Separation and Characterization of Cocaine and Cocaine Cutting Agents by Differential Mobility Spectrometry-Mass Spectrometry.

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hall AB, Coy SL, Nazarov EG, Vouros P Abstract Forensic drug laboratories are inundated with cases requiring time-consuming GC- or LC-based chromatographic separations of submitted samples. High-throughput analytical methods would be of great practical utility within forensic drug analysis. Recently developed ion-mobility-based separation methods combined with mass spectrometry can often be used without chromatography, suppress chemical interferents of similar mass, and operate in seconds. We have evaluated differential mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (DMS-MS) for performance on adulterated cocaine mixtures. The DMS interface is only a few centimeters in length, operates in seconds, and can be adapted to any MS system using atmospheric pressure ionization. Drug...

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Forensic Fluid Dynamics and the Indian Spring (1991) Cave Collapse Problem*

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Nof D Abstract Nof and Paldor (Safety Sci 2010;48:607-14) suggested that resonance in the air pockets in the Indian Spring cavern might have contributed to the 1991 collapse. Here, we extend the resonance theory to one pocket in the cavern and a very broad basin that serves as the other branch of the U-tube. Our methodology is to apply familiar fluid dynamics principles to the situation that occurred in the cave. We did so on the basis of our interviews with four of the five surviving cave divers. We dissected their testimonies to arrive at a physically plausible scenario determined on the basis of a fluid dynamics application to the natural flow in the cave, the flow induced by the compressed air released by the divers and the mudslide. We found that there was a tempo...

Scavenging Behavior of Lynx rufus on Human Remains During the Winter Months of Southeast Texas.

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Rippley A, Larison NC, Moss KE, Kelly JD, Bytheway JA Abstract Animal-scavenging alterations on human remains can be mistaken as human criminal activity. A 32-day study, documenting animal scavenging on a human cadaver, was conducted at the Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science facility, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas. A Stealth Cam Rogue IR was positioned near the cadaver to capture scavenging activity. An atypical scavenger, the bobcat, Lynx rufus, was recorded feeding on the cadaver. Scavenging by bobcats on human remains is not a predominant behavior and has minimal documentation. Scavenging behaviors and destruction of body tissues were analyzed. Results show that the bobcat did not feed on areas of the body that it does for other large animal ...

Improving Automatic Face Recognition with User Interaction*

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Arca S, Campadelli P, Lanzarotti R, Lipori G, Cervelli F, Mattei A Abstract Face recognition systems aim to recognize the identity of a person depicted in a photograph by comparing it against a gallery of prerecorded images. Current systems perform quite well in controlled scenarios, but they allow for none or little interaction in case of mistakes due to the low quality of images or to algorithmic limitations. Following the needs and suggestions of investigators, we present a guided user interface that allows to adjust from a fully automatic to a fully assisted modality of execution, according to the difficulty of the task and to amount of available information (gender, age, etc.): the user can generally rely on automatic execution and intervene only on a limited numb...

Characteristics of False Allegation Adult Crimes.

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: McNamara JJ, McDonald S, Lawrence JM Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify common factors in false allegation adult crimes, by examining the dynamics involved in 30 confirmed false allegation cases. The authors conducted a comprehensive review of these adjudicated cases and then completed a collection instrument to capture offender demographics, offense characteristics, and motive. The results indicated that most false allegation crimes were committed by women (73.3%) and Caucasians (93.3%). Data indicated that more interpersonally violent allegations were primarily motivated by attention/sympathy needs (50.0%), whereas more impersonal offenses involved other motivations such as providing an alibi (16.7%) or profit (13.3%). Offenders tended to be younger, ...

Generation of metabolites by an automated online metabolism method using human liver microsomes with subsequent identification by LC-MS(n), and metabolism of 11 cathinones.

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Mueller DM, Rentsch KM Abstract Human liver microsomes (HLMs) are used to simulate human xenobiotic metabolism in vitro. In forensic and clinical toxicology, HLMs are popularly used to study the metabolism of new designer drugs for example. In this work, we present an automated online extraction system we developed for HLM experiments, which was compared to a classical offline approach. Furthermore, we present studies on the metabolism of 11 cathinones; for eight of these, the metabolism has not previously been reported. Metabolites were identified based on MS(2) and MS(3) scans. Fifty-three substances encompassing various classes of drugs were employed to compare the established offline and the new online methods. The metabolism of each of the following 11 cathinones was ...

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Unexpectedly high mortality in Pacific herring embryos exposed to the 2007 Cosco Busan oil spill in San Francisco Bay [Environmental Sciences]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In November 2007, the container ship Cosco Busan released 54,000 gallons of bunker fuel oil into San Francisco Bay. The accident oiled shoreline near spawning habitats for the largest population of Pacific herring on the west coast of the continental United States. We assessed the health and viability of herring embryos from oiled and unoiled locations that were either deposited by natural spawning or incubated in subtidal cages. Three months after the spill, caged embryos at oiled sites showed sublethal cardiac toxicity, as expected from exposure to oil-derived polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs). By contrast, embryos from the adjacent and shallower intertidal zone showed unexpectedly high rates of tissue necrosis and lethality unrelated to cardiotoxicity. No toxicity was observed in emb...

Anthropometric measurements to design best-fit femoral stem for the Indian population

Table of Contents : Indian Journal of Orthopaedics : 2007 - 41(1) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This study indicates a need for redesign of femoral stems. The obtained anthropometric femoral dimensions can be used to design and develop indigenous hip joint prosthesis in India. The results of this study can also be used in forensic anthropometric studies. (Source: Table of Contents : Indian Journal of Orthopaedics : 2007 - 41(1))

Genotypic characterization of Helicobacter pylori isolates among Egyptian patients with upper gastrointestinal diseases

The Chinese-German Journal of Clinical Oncology — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:27:43 +0100

Conclusion The development of GC is linked to infection with H. pylori harboring certain virulence genes. Higher infection density of H. pylori was found in GC patients. Co-existence of more than one strain of H. pylori in the same patient occurs in both malignant and benign lesions. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 15-23DOI 10.1007/s10330-011-0880-xAuthors Abdel Hamid Hussein Ezzat, Department of Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, EgyptMona Hamza Ali, Laboratory Forensic Medicine, Egyptian Ministry of Justice, Cairo, EgyptEman Ahmed El-Seidi, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, EgyptIman Ezzat Wali, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, E...

California DMH Instructs SVP Evaluators On Proper DSM-IV--TR Diagnosis

Psychology Today Sex Center — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:39:11 +0100

By far the most important event in the sad history of the Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) statutes occurred in Sacramento between September 9-11, 2011. The California Department of Mental Health conducted a three day workshop to educate its evaluators on proper procedures for diagnosing DSM IV mental disorders.read more (Source: Psychology Today Sex Center)

The Impact of Human-Technology Cooperation and Distributed Cognition in Forensic Science: Biasing Effects of AFIS Contextual Information on Human Experts - Dror IE, Wertheim K, Fraser-Mackenzie P, Walajtys J.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:09:00 +0100

Experts play a critical role in forensic decision making, even when cognition is offloaded and distributed between human and machine. In this paper, we investigated the impact of using Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) on human decision m... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

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Forensic Medicine in South Africa: Associations between Medical Practice and Legal Case Progression and Outcomes in Female Murders. - Abrahams N, Jewkes R, Martin LJ, Mathews S.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:09:00 +0100

BACKGROUND: Forensic medicine has been largely by-passed by the tide of health systems research and evidence based medicine. Murder victims form a central part of forensic medical examiners' case load, and women murdered by intimate partners are an importa... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Postmortem Drug Levels: Innocent Bystander or Guilty as Charged. - Patel G.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:09:00 +0100

Determining the etiology or cause of an event in forensic cases often creates many theories. On piece of additional information which may be helpful in cases involving a drug or medication are concentrations or serum levels. Although many confounders can a... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Forensic Aspects of Drug-Induced Violence. - Anderson PD, Bokor G.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:09:00 +0100

Violence is unfortunately a part of society. The causes of violence are not completely understood, but it involves sociological, genetic, financial, biological, and environmental factors. Drugs can cause aggression by altering the neurotransmitters dopamin... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

An Overview of Alcohol Testing and Interpretation in the 21st Century. - Kelly AT, Mozayani A.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:09:00 +0100

Ethanol analysis is the most commonly carried out drug testing in a forensic toxicology laboratory. Determination of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is needed in a multitude of situations, including in postmortem analysis, driving under the influence (DU... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Evaluator Agreement in Placement Recommendations for Insanity Acquittees

Behavioral Sciences and the Law — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study examined the impact of disciplinary affiliation on opinions regarding whether new insanity acquittees should be hospitalized or released, and the risk factors given the most weight by each discipline. There was no significant difference between disciplines in the frequency of recommendations for hospitalization versus release. However, the concordance rate at the individual case level was only moderate when controlling for chance, which raises questions about the reliability and validity of forensic risk assessments in real‐world settings. A number of variables emerged as significant in the decision‐making of each discipline, with some differences noted. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: Behavioral Sciences and the Law)

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The role of toxicology interpretations in prevention of sudden death

Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:53:30 +0100

This study examined pathology reports and coroner’s findings between January 2002 and December 2008. Cases that included exposure to a selection of serotonergic drugs were examined to determine the role of different death investigators in drug-associated deaths in Victoria, Australia. Of the 326 cases identified, the involvement of drugs in the death was discussed to some degree in 66% of cases. Recommendations by the coroner pertaining to death prevention were made in 12 cases (4%). In 16 cases (5%) the drugs were not mentioned in the findings, including at least 11 cases of probable major adverse drug interactions. Death investigations serve an important public health and safety role, however, the potential involvement of drugs in many cases is not always recognized. Content...

Complex suicide with black powder muzzle loading derringer

Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:53:30 +0100

Abstract Planned complex suicide is defined as the combination of more than one method of suicide, previously planned by the victim, to prevent failure of the first method. Herein, we present a case of planned complex suicide, committed by a black powder muzzle loading handgun and hanging. A 39-year-old man was found dead in the bathroom of his flat, hanging by the neck with a huge atypical gunshot entrance in the right temporal region of his head with extensive backspatter. The skin defects, as well as soft tissues in the subcutaneous pocket undermining, were heavily burnt. Along the wound canal were multiple bone fragments, and at the end of the path at the left temple was an embedded lead ogival projectile with a cross shaped artificial incision at its tip. The hanging ...

Traumatic bilateral vertebral artery dissection. - Galtés I, Borondo JC, Cos M, Subirana M, Martín C, Castella J, Medallo J.