摘要:

Erik M. P. Widmark (1889-1945) was among the first researchers to study in a systematic way the absorption, distribution, and elimination of ethanol in the body; in addition, he formulated his results in mathematical terms. Widmark's research during the first decades of this century paved the way for innovative traffic safety legislation that stipulated punishable limits of alcohol in the blood of a person driving a car. The 50th anniversary of Widmark's death was commemorated in 1995. His contributions have gained enormous respect and are still widely cited in forensic science, especially in connection with the crime of driving under the influence of alcohol. The Widmark equations and the factors β andrare now part of the vocabulary of all those trained in forensic alcohol analysis and toxicology.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1996

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

A total of 109 cases of suicidal or accidental hanging were evaluated and the number of hyoid bone or thyroid cartilage fractures or both was investigated in relation to the highest point of the ligature mark. In 73 cases (67%), at least a single fracture of the throat skeleton was detectable, and the youngest individual with positive findings was aged 14 years. In 28 of the 73 positive cases (38%), a single fracture was found, whereas 27 individuals (37%) showed a twofold injury. Three fractures of the throat skeleton were observed in 11 cases (15%), and in seven individuals (10%), all the horns of the hyoid and thyroid cartilage were broken. The youngest individual with four fractures was 28 years old (elastic non-ossified throat skeleton). Even though a higher incidence of positive results and in particular of multiple fractures could be established in cases with a highest point of the ligature mark at or behind the ears, no clear correlation between frequency and number of throat-skeleton fractures was detectable in our series.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1996

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

A case of unexpected death associated with an aneurysm of the left ventricle caused by nonpenetrating chest trauma is described. A review of the more recent literature on the incidence, pathological course, and prognosis of the posttraumatic ventricular aneurysm pointed out the necessity of suspecting cardiac damage in cases of blunt chest trauma especially when major injuries may obscure heart involvement.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1996

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The histologic findings in seven cases of traumatic basal subarachnoid hemorrhage from rupture of a vertebral artery are reported. In all cases, blows to the head or neck resulted in minor injury to the cranial or cervical soft tissues but the ipsilateral intracranial segment of the vertebral artery was the site of a longitudinal transmural tear. In addition to rupture, the arterial wall proximal and distal to the site of rupture showed evidence of distortional injury of the tunica media. These traumatic lesions appeared as patchy anuclear regions of the media with distinctive pallor of smooth muscle staining. We propose that the forces which cause vertebral artery rupture stretch the artery along its long axis, thereby distorting the artery leading to this characteristic histologic change.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1996

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We have reviewed 35 deaths of infants who were found face down on polystyrene-filled beanbags or their equivalents. Most of the deaths were recorded as sudden infant death syndrome. One-half of the children died before the age of 2 months. It is suggested that the bags played a major factor in the babies' deaths and are dangerous for young children. Mechanisms involved in the deaths of infants on beanbags may also be applicable to deaths of infants on other types of bedding.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1996

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Coroneris an ancient office, dating back centuries in England; originally financial officers, coroners over time become medicolegal investigators. Coroners in early Massachusetts functioned under English common law and, later, under statute. However, studies of early coroners and inquests are not common, and many details of how coroners actually functioned are unknown. A previously unpublished set of 19th-century Massachusetts inquest records discloses details of coroner function, including administrative and financial details, social conditions surrounding inquests, and increasing use of medical and toxicologic testimony.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1996

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Ambulatory monitoring devices (AMDs) such as Holter (ECG) and apnea (respiratory) monitors with built-in date- and time-correlated memories are occasionally encountered in the forensic autopsy. Diagnostic data are usually readily obtained by returning the device to the hospital department or rental company. This data can be easily correlated with autopsy findings to arrive at surprisingly precise conclusions in some cases. We present two illustrative cases: an elderly man wearing a Holter monitor who shot himself in the mouth with a shotgun, and a 15-month-old oxygen-dependent prematurely born boy with bronchopulmonary dysplasia whose apnea monitor had been turned off 5 days before he died of bronchopneumonia. We discuss other kinds of AMDs that may be encountered in the forensic autopsy and suggest that information from these monitors perhaps should become part of the forensic autopsy report.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1996

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We investigated the correlation between postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head and autopsy findings in suspected child abuse. Postmortem MRI was performed within 24 h of death and before autopsy in 11 children 2 years old or younger whose deaths were unexplained or suspected to be due to child abuse. MRI findings were available to the pathologist at the time of autopsy. In eight cases of death from non-accidental trauma, cerebral edema, contusion, shearing injury, ischemia, and infarction were well demonstrated on MRI. In the three deaths determined not to be due to trauma, there were no false-positive MRI findings. Autopsy was superior in detection of subarachnoid hemorrhage, suture separation, extracranial injuries, and very small subdural hematomas. MRI findings were useful in directing the autopsy and brain-cutting to focal areas of abnormality. Postmortem MRI and autopsy are complementary, and each may disclose abnormalities missed by the other. In half of the eight cases of child abuse examined, the combination of MRI and autopsy added valuable information compared with the results of autopsy alone. Postmortem MRI can be a valuable addition to autopsy findings in the investigation of fatalities potentially due to child abuse.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1996

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Thorough examination of the coronary arteries is essential when performing medicolegal autopsies. In some cases, evaluation is optimized by using postmortem angiography before dissection. Unfortunately, most techniques are far too time-consuming to be readily employed by forensic pathologists. We describe a simple technique of “subtraction angiography” that provides valuable information in a timely manner in cases that can benefit from postmortem angiographic analyses. We find the technique particularly helpful in cases that have had invasive coronary artery procedures contemporaneous with death.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1996

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

A case of acute intoxication of both methaqualone and diphenhydramine is reported. The analysis of these compounds was performed by liquid-liquid extraction (Toxi-Lab DPC procedure) followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry determination; both substances are contained in the pharmaceutical formulation called Toquilone Compositum (Medichemie, Switzerland).

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1996

数据来源: OVID