摘要:

In the last few years, DNA typing procedures have become increasingly important in the fields of forensic science and forensic medicine. This paper reviews background information on DNA and human genetics, and addresses how molecular techniques such as restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis have been used to detect genetic polymorphism in human populations. The systems discussed include single locus RFLP, HLA DQ-alpha, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AMP-FLPs), short tandem repeats (STRs), and mitochondrial DNA typing. Several DNA typing methods have been thoroughly validated for forensic use. With proper control measures, DNA analysis should be considered reliable. At this time, DNA evidence/testimony is generally accepted by the courts and greatly assists in the resolution of criminal and civil investigations.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We were involved as forensic experts in the case of the serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. We discuss the scene and victim autopsy findings, with a brief consideration of the basic emotion of hostility. These findings support the thesis that at the basis of this serial killer's behavior were primary unconscious feelings of hate that he had channeled into a sadistic programmed destruction of 17 young men. The interview of the serial killer, the photographic scene documentation, and the autopsy findings stress the ambivalent homosexuality of the killer, his sexual sadism, his obsessive fetishism, and his possible cannibalism and necrophilia.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

This study is a retrospective analysis of 139 cases of falls and/or jumps from heights, examined at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland during the 6-year period from 1987 through 1992. A total of 56 individuals (40%) committed suicide by jumping from heights and 72 (52%) fell accidentally. Of the 72 accidental falls, 36 (50%) were work related. Two cases involved victims of homicide and the causes in nine cases remain undetermined. Of the 139 cases examined, 89 individuals (64%) fell or jumped from buildings, 29 (21%) from bridges, 15 (11%) from ladders, and 6 (4%) from trees or electric poles. Of the 29 individuals who fell or jumped from bridges, 14 went into water. Falls and jumps most often involved whites (78%) and males (82%). Their ages ranged from 4 to 83 years, with the majority in their 20s and 30s. Of the 124 people who fell or jumped from heights and landed on the ground, the head was the most frequently injured body region (70%), followed by the chest (66%), the abdomen (48%), extremities (28%), and the neck (19%). Of the 124 victims who landed on the ground, 63 sustained lethal injuries involving multiple organs. In contrast with ground impacts, water impact injuries were much less severe. Five of the 14 victims who jumped from bridges into water were relatively uninjured and died from drowning even though they jumped from heights of 100–200 feet (30–60 m). Specific issues related to the investigation of those work-related falls and falls from heights and impact with water, together with epidemiologic considerations of all of the deaths from falls and jumps, are presented.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The time of death of an individual can easily be determined if the postmortem interval can be assessed. Although livor mortis, rigor mortis, and, to a lesser degree, algor mortis have been used to estimate the postmortem interval, most experienced forensic pathologists agree that these characteristics provide, at best, “postmortem windows.” Quantitation of the vitreous fluid potassium level has been of some value in evaluating the early postmortem interval, but the accuracy of this method is dependent on external conditions, the availability of vitreous fluid (e.g., burned bodies, head trauma), and the purity of the sample. A simple, relatively inexpensive assay performed on readily available tissues, less dependent upon external factors, and providing data that could be plotted on a reproducible control curve would be of value in determining the postmortem interval accurately. This office is currently investigating flow cytometric DNA content analysis performed on splenic tissue harvested from a series of autopsies with known postmortem intervals. Preliminary data suggest that DNA degradation occurs in a predictable pattern over the intermediate postmortem period. A graph is being generated that will plot the degree of DNA fragmentation with respect to the postmortem interval. It is hoped that sections of spleen from “unknown” cases could be submitted for flow cytometric analysis of DNA content and plotted on the curve to estimate the postmortem interval and, thus, determine the time of death.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

A brief discussion of teeth and aging is followed by a review of the first four studies by our group at Temple University. In the present study, periapical, postmortem radiographs taken with the bisecting-angle technique from U.S. armed forces personnel killed during Operation Desert Storm were analyzed for age estimation. A total of 74 sets of dental radiographs (52 complete and 22 incomplete) with documented age of the individual at the time of death recorded were examined by investigators (D.R.M. and J.V.E.), who were blind to age range and specific ages of the victims. Comparisons were made between the same clinically based and multiple regression models used in a previous study of age estimation from private dental practice patients in which the long-cone radiographic technique had been used. Age estimation for both models was based on the same radiographic parameters used in that previous study (13 for the clinical model and eight for the regression model). Results showed that, in contrast to that previous study, the clinical model was superior to the regression model. Mean difference between estimated and actual age was ± 4.4 years (clinical) and ± 6.3 years (regression). Median difference between estimated and actual age was ± 2.0 years (clinical) and ± 6.0 years (regression). Mode difference between estimated and actual age was ± 2.0 years (clinical) and ± 6 and 7 years (regression). The results from the present study show that the clinical and regression models developed from full-mouth series of periapical radiographs taken of living patients by the long-cone radiographic technique can be used with decedents' radiographs taken with the bisecting-angle technique.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Primitive ballistic weapons are used in great numbers in Zululand, South Africa. Their manufacture reflects various degrees of skill. A case with a bullet and a cartridge in the victim is discussed, and a representative pictorial exhibition of weapons is presented.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

There is much anecdotal information being disseminated, even offered in expert witness testimony, concerning the deposit of primer residues on the hands of persons in front of the muzzle of handguns. We present data for 9mm and 380 Auto pistols and for a 38 caliber revolver depicting the procedure for obtaining wipings taken from targets representing the hands of a gunshot victim. These wipings from pork tissue were then analyzed for the primer residue metals antimony, barium, and lead. The data show that the two primary metals, antimony and barium, are deposited on the targets out to 4 feet for the pistols and out to three feet for the 38-caliber revolver. Testing will continue in actual cases with the gun and ammunition involved in the shooting.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

In the United States, there is currently an epidemic of firearms violence. Among victims of this violence, there are striking racial and ethnic patterns in the manners and circumstances of death. This study was conducted to explore and quantitate some of these differences. Autopsy and investigation reports of 554 consecutive firearms deaths in Dallas County, Texas, from March 1992 to February 1993 were reviewed. Overall suicide rates by race for 1970 and 1990 were calculated. Suicide rates for blacks have increased while overall rates (all races) have decreased slightly. Large racial and ethnic differences in the homicide-suicide ratio (H:S) were found (0.42 in non-Hispanic whites; 7.44 in others) (p < 0.001). Non-Hispanic whites who committed suicide with a firearm were less likely than other groups to do so with another person present (12% non-Hispanic whites; 49% others) (p < 0.001). Blacks and Asians who committed suicide with a firearm killed another person in 67% of witnessed cases (those with another person present during the incident). Whites (Hispanics and non-Hispanics) killed another person in only 12% of witnessed firearm suicides. The data suggest that the subtypes, psychodynamics, and causes of suicide may currently differ among racial and ethnic groups. These differences should be considered in order to formulate adequate prevention strategies and to assess the suicide and homicide risk in depressed individuals. The difficulty of accurate death certification in some cases is also discussed.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Forensic medicine first developed in Bulgaria alongside the legal curriculum. Forensic services were established as early as 1883, following the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire. The first lecture on forensic medicine was given to students of the law faculty in Sofia in 1894. In 1917, the first Department of Forensic Medicine was established as part of the medical faculty in Sofia. This article describes the Bulgarian system of district forensic services, as well as the educational and research programs of the current medical faculties.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Air embolism secondary to vaginal insufflation has been documented as a cause of death in pregnant women. Under pressure, the air enters the uterus, causing air emboli within the uterine venous drainage and subsequently the systemic circulation. Death is usually sudden as the air obstructs the normal flow of circulation. Acute cocaine toxicity is also a well-known cause of sudden death. Cocaine use is prevalent in our society, even among pregnant women. We report the sudden death of a 31-year-old gravid female and 39-week gestational age male fetus. The cause of death was air embolism secondary to oral-vaginal insufflation of cocaine smoke.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID