摘要:

This study examines the temperatures at the point that bullets impact human skin. With the assistance of infrared thermography, measurements were taken after shots were fired by .22-, .25-, .32-, .38-special-caliber, and 9-mm Luger pistols and revolvers. The highest temperature readings at the entry point were recorded with the .22 caliber and the lowest with the .32 caliber. The measurement of projectile temperatures in flight resulted in readings of 147°-152°C for the 9-mm Luger.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

A 29-year-old woman was strangled, beaten, and shot by her estranged boyfriend. According to investigative reports, she was shot once with a full-metal-jacket, .45-caliber bullet fired from a Ruger P90 at 30–40 cm. A stellate, irregular wound was on the right cheek and a larger stelliform defect with three radial tears but no obvious central perforation involved the left occipital scalp. Radiographically, the wound at the back of the head exhibited external beveling and a small metallic fragment was visible in the overlying soft tissue. Further examination of the occipital wound revealed partial external beveling and circumferential, complete internal beveling characteristic of an entrance gunshot wound. Although external beveling of entrance gunshot wounds has been previously described, this unique case illustrates a cranial entrance wound of indeterminate range exhibiting an atypical, stelliform skin defect with subtle marginal abrasion, no discernible central perforation, and subjacent external beveling mimicking an exit wound.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Primer residue typically contains some combination of lead, antimony, or barium, whereas bullet residue from nonjacketed bullets is 70–100% lead. The amount of lead particles produced by low-velocity bullets (projectile residue) may be exceedingly high. Copper- or brasscoated bullets generate an admixture of lead and copper particles whereas jacketed and semijacketed bullets produce the least amount of lead particles and only a small amount of copper-containing residue. We recently studied a suicidal contact small-caliber gunshot wound with an unusual amount of bullet residue deposited on the epidermal margins and within the wound track. The entrance wound was encircled by radiopaque particulate material visible on the postmortem radiograph. Soft radiography delineated the material to the wound track and adjacent epidermis. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive analysis of x-rays identified the principle element as lead.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We report the case of 44-year-old man who committed suicide using multiple crossbow arrows. The first arrow that he fired went between the left eye and nose and passed into a frontal lobe of the brain with no exit wound. He fired a second arrow that entered the palate and went through the brain but did not exit the skull. To the best of our knowledge, no cases of suicide using multiple crossbow arrows have previously been reported.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

A young married couple committed suicide by hanging, using an unusual arrangement in which the weight of the other partner's body was essential in successfully completing the suicide. Suicide pacts are unusual and the following case history illustrates features that are somewhat atypical, even considering the infrequent nature of such events.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Peptic ulcer perforation is well recognized as a cause of peritonitis and can result in death. Although amenable to surgery, delay in making the correct diagnosis results in increased mortality. Accurate diagnosis has been hindered by demographic changes in the affected population. In recent years, the population at risk has increased. Specifically, a rising incidence has been observed in women, in the elderly, and in patients with previously undiagnosed peptic ulcer disease. Described are four patients with perforated peptic ulcers, three of which were not detected prior to autopsy. In three of the four instances, the patient had been observed in and discharged from a hospital emergency room during the 30 h prior to death. In the fourth case, the decedent had been seen in and discharged from the emergency room four times during the month prior to death. In all patients, the presenting historical, physical, and/or radiographic findings were indicative of perforation. The death of a patient within days of a visit to an emergency room should prompt a forensic autopsy. The role of medical examiners in providing quality assurance feedback to emergency rooms located within their jurisdiction is emphasized.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Acute pancreatitis has been the cause of death in several patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex (ARC). Documented etiologies include several microorganisms and adverse drug reactions. We present a case of an HIV-positive prison inmate who died of acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Although he was infected withMycobacterium avium-intracellulare, it is more likely that 2‘,3’-dideoxyinosine, an antiretroviral agent, induced pancreatitis. It is important to obtain a thorough pharmaceutical history in HIV-positive patients. Fatal medicinal reactions may result in death in ARC or AIDS patients. Documentation of opportunistic infection in AIDS patients may prove difficult and expensive, but costs may be minimized and diagnostic accuracy optimized if appropriate tissue samples, including lymph nodes, are submitted for histologic analysis.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

A case of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in a young woman after cesarean section for placenta previa and accreta is presented. Evidence of extensive pulmonary embolization by trophoblastic tissue, together with microthrombi in the cerebral and pulmonary blood vessels, is found at autopsy. Awareness of this syndrome and prompt action are necessary to prevent tragic consequences.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The body of a deceased woman was found in a car. The circumstances were typical for suicidal carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning by inhalation of exhaust gases, except that the vacuum cleaner hose had become detached from the exhaust. Autopsy revealed only decompositional changes. No CO or other drugs were detected. Hypoxic changes were present in the cortex and hippocampus, with an age of 2–3 days. It is consistent that this woman inhaled sufficient CO to cause coma, at which stage the hose became detached, and that she then exhaled CO over the next 2–3 days before finally dying. Delayed death following CO poisoning is an uncommon occurrence. This case is reported because of its unusual nature.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We report here a case of an adult seeking a late night peanut butter snack who mistook for peanut butter a fluoride containing glass etching compound. The glass etching compound was of a color and consistency similar to peanut butter and was packaged in a similar appearing container. The decedent survived for six hours after the fluoride ingestion. He was admitted to the emergency room in stable condition with severe gastrointestinal symptoms. His condition deteriorated rapidly prior to death with abrupt cardiac arrest and profound hypocalcemia (5.5 mg/dl). Autopsy showed only gastric hyperemia and discoloration with a postmortem blood fluoride level of 19 mg/L.

ISSN:0195-7910    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID