摘要:

We used image processing to elucidate patterned injuries in a case of assault with a police baton. Three-dimensional visualization techniques were then used to correlate the location of patterned injuries with subjacent fracture and soft tissue damage. The visualization methods are discussed.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The National Association of Medical Examiners Ad Hoc Committee on the Definition of Heat-Related Fatalities recommends the following definition of "heat-related death": a death in which exposure to high ambient temperature either caused the death or significantly contributed to it. The committee also recommends that the diagnosis of heat-related death be based on a history of exposure to high ambient temperature and the reasonable exclusion of other causes of hyperthermia. The diagnosis may be established from the circumstances surrounding the death, investigative reports concerning environmental temperature, and/or measured antemortem body temperature at the time of collapse. In cases where the measured antemortem body temperature at the time of collapse was ≥105°F (≥40.6°C), the cause of death should be certified as heat stroke or hyperthermia. Deaths may also be certified as heat stroke or hyperthermia with lower body temperatures when cooling has been attempted prior to arrival at the hospital and/or when there is a clinical history of mental status changes and elevated liver and muscle enzymes. In cases where the antemortem body temperature cannot be established but the environmental temperature at the time of collapse was high, an appropriate heat-related diagnosis should be listed as the cause of death or as a significant contributing condition.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Experimental gunshots were made with Action-1 and -3 ammunition (9 mm Luger) using a part dummy made of textile, pig skin, and gelatine as the target. After ricocheting off a concrete floor tile with impact angles of 15° or 20°, the deformed projectiles penetrated the gelatine block to a depth of between 21 and 37 cm. The ricochet angles varied between 5° and 11°. None of the bullets mushroomed after ricochet; a few bullets even overpenetrated. The ricocheted projectiles sprayed a substantial amount of copper particles onto the textile, and metallic fragments were also deposited along the bullet path. These traces were detected by high-resolution radiography. The Action-3 brass bullet was more resistant, had more kinetic energy, and was less deformed than the Action-1 copper bullet. The morphology of the wounds presented a very varied spectrum; round lesions were also observed. The results of the experimental study prove that ricocheted Action bullets present a serious risk of injury.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

This report provides information on the status of 582 lay death investigators, representing 76 of 133 major death investigation jurisdictions in the U.S. and Canada to whom surveys were sent. Information was collected with respect to numbers employed, duties performed, educational and experiential backgrounds, training opportunities, and perceived requirements for future investigators. Duties most common among investigators are scene investigation (82%), notification of next of kin (67%), gathering information leading to identifications (73%), handling personal property (73%), and court testimony (69%). Less commonly performed (<10%) are photography, conducting telephone investigations only (exclusive of scene visits), and providing autopsy support. The investigative workforce is relatively stable, with 30% having been on the job >10 years and 47% having been employed >6 years. Employment backgrounds from which past investigators have been drawn are medical-scientific (36%) and law enforcement (26%). On-the-job training was reported as the most common training opportunity available. Educational level of entry-level investigative staff is high school or GED (25%), associate of arts degree (37%), and bachelor's degree (33%). Suggestions are offered as to future educational and professional standards for the field.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The determination of homicidal poisoning due to the oral administration of paraquat presents a unique challenge for both the clinician and the pathologist. Reported are four cases of homicidal paraquat poisoning, three leading to conviction and one possible, but unproved case. This study illustrates that intentional paraquat poisoning is not generally considered, even when physicians are faced with an atypical clinical course for inflammatory disease. The mechanism of action and symptoms of paraquat poisoning are presented, guidelines for when to suspect paraquat are given, and recommendations for treatment are outlined.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Positive identification of human remains is one of the most important tasks in mass disaster management. Here we report on the use of radiography for positive identification of fragmentary human remains recovered from the scene of a terrorist bombing in the Jewish-Argentine Mutual Association Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in July 1994. Radiographic examination of all human remains from mass disaster scenes is recommended for identification purposes. Establishing a computerized data bank of antemortem information on missing persons and postmortem findings in disaster victims greatly facilitates and expedites the identification process.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The modified zinc test is evaluated as a screening instrument in forensic semen identification using the classical acid phosphatase test as a "gold standard" reference. Both tests were applied to vaginal swabs taken from women (n = 456) at varying time periods after sexual intercourse and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were calculated for both tests separately and for their parallel and serial combination strategies, with the microscopical visualization of sperm as end criterion. The results were submitted to Bayesian calculations and a model was obtained, giving the posterior probabilities of finding or not finding sperm in a microscopical preparate for any possible prior probability. For the largest part of the theoretical sperm prevalence range, negative predictions were more informative than positive ones. With the prior probability of finding spermatozoa set at P = 0.5 (Bayes' postulate of neutral prior probability), the model was applied to a set of 192 pieces of evidentiary material from alleged sexual assaults.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

An adolescent boy who was being treated for psychiatric illness went missing. The body was discovered a year later, and he appeared to have committed suicide by inhaling the exhaust fumes from his motorbike. This report highlights the procedure used for the identification of his skeletonized body and the unusual nature of the source of exhaust fumes.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

An unusual case of a homicidal gunshot wound to the chest is reported in which two bullets were fired in unison as tandem bullets from a handgun. At autopsy, two intact bullets were retrieved from the body of the victim, yet there was only one entrance wound and a single bullet track across the chest wall and thoracic organs. An examination of the weapon and ammunition supported the likelihood of tandem bullets and suggested the probable mechanism for this event. Very few similar cases have been documented.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID