Meta-analyses in research in forensic medicine: Alcohol, drugs, diseases and traffic safety

The meta-analytic approach is one of the most informative methods to structure and combine findings of different studies. Hence, even in forensic sciences meta-analyses were used to arrange knowledge. At most this technique was applied to summarize results of experimental and epidemiological studies on alcohol, illegal drugs, medicines, diseases and driving or skills related to driving. The article demonstrates the method used and the results obtained.     

Demands on scientific studies: vitality of wounds and wound age estimation

Research on vitality and wound age estimation belongs to the classic fields in forensic medicine. Despite large literature data there is still considerable demand of further research and practical transfer of knowledge and techniques to daily casework. Scientific studies must fulfil basic criteria as to appropriate methods, selection of case material, analysis of results and quality control. Nowadays, immunohistochemistry, biochemical tests and molecular biological techniques are mainly used studying questions of vitality and wound age. Investigations can be based on human tissue samples (autopsy material, vital specimens) or animal experiments. The possibilities, advantages and disadvantages of these study designs are described. Indispensable is the use of appropriate control groups or control samples and a sufficient case number which permits statistical analysis. Main strategy is to minimize variations due to methods and investigators as the unavoidable biological variation of vitality processes and wound repair is large enough.     

Biochemical investigation of vitreus: applications in forensic medicine, especially in relation to alcohol

Vitreus biochemistry is useful in subjects dying with uraemia, dehydration, hyponatraemia; and in the presence of osmotically active substances such as alcohol and drugs. Useful tests include sodium, potassium, chloride, urea, creatinine, osmolality, osmolar gap estimation and ethanol. The significance of calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, pH, phosphate and urate is still not clear. Transaminases and lactate dehydrogenase are found to be significantly raised; these may be associated with sudden release of hyalocyte contents at death.     

Tasks of research in forensic medicine - different study types in clinical research and forensic medicine

In the last years the research output of forensic medicine has sometimes been regarded as insufficient and as of poor quality, especially when parameters as impact factors and external funding were taken into account. However, forensic medicine has different tasks compared to clinical medicine. The main difference between basic subjects, clinical and forensic medicine is not a lack of scientific efficiency in forensic medicine but is a result of the questions asked, the available methods and specific aims. In contrast to natural-scientific research, forensic science has furthermore important intersections with arts and socio-scientific disciplines. Etiologic and pathogenetic research is of only limited relevance in forensic medicine. Thus, forensic medicine is excluded from these research fields, which are mainly supported by external funding. In forensic medicine research mainly means applied research regarding findings, the probative value and reconstruction as well as examination at different points of intersection between medicine and law. Clinical types of research such as controlled randomised, prospective cross-sectional, cohort or case-control studies can only rarely be applied in forensic medicine due to the area specific research fields (e.g. thantatology, violent death, vitality, traffic medicine, analytical toxicology, hemogenetics and stain analysis). The types of studies which are successfully established in forensic medicine are comparison of methods, sensitivity studies, validation of methods, kinetic examinations etc. Tasks of research in forensic medicine and study types, which may be applied will be addressed.     

Scientific integrity in the forensic sciences: Consumerism,conflicts of interest,and transparency

The goal of this paper is to discuss scientific integrity, consumerism, conflicts of interest, and transparency within the context of forensic science. Forensic scientists play crucial roles within the legal system and are constantly under various pressures when performing analytical work, generating reports based on their analyses, or testifying to the content of these reports. Maintaining the scientific integrity of these actions is paramount to supporting a functional legal system and the practice of good science. Our goal is to discuss the importance of scientific integrity as well as the factors it may compromise, so that forensic practitioners may be better equipped to recognize and avoid conflicts of interest when they arise. In this discussion we define terms, concepts, and professional relationships as well as present three case studies to contextualize these ideas.     

c-fos基因及其在神经病理和法医学中的研究进展

c－fos基因是最先被分离出来的初级反应基因（primaryreesponsegenes）之一，它早已引起医学界，尤其是神经生物学界的高度重视。对它的研究既关系到初级反应基因如何传递细胞外信号，又关系到神经系统如何对外界产生适应性反应等一系列重大课题。当前，c－fos是基因研究的热点之一。仅1992～1996年间有关脑损伤、脑缺血致脑组织C－fos表达的研究，就有甚多的论文发表。现根据查阅到的部分文献，对C－fos在脑损伤、脑缺血过程中的表达研究作一简要综述。一、概述癌基因（oncosene，又称原癌基因Proto－oncogene，包括病毒癌基因v－one和细…     

c-fos基因及其在神经病理和法医学中的研究进展

c-fos基因是最先被分离出来的初级反应基因(primary reesponse genes)之一,它早已引起医学界,尤其是神经生物学界的高度重视.对它的研究既关系到初级反应基因如何传递细胞外信号,又关系到神经系统如何对外界产生适应性反应等一系列重大课题.当前,c-fos是基因研究的热点之一.仅1992～1996年间有关脑损伤、脑缺血致脑组织c-fos表达的研究,就有甚多的论文发表.现根据查阅到的部分文献,对c-fos在脑损伤、脑缺血过程中的表达研究作一简要综述.     

The rebirth and blooming of forensic medicine, Milton Helpern Lecture.

This features a presentation by Dr. Sidney Kaye on the occasion of the Milton Helpern Lecture at the annual meeting of the National Association of Medical Examiners near Fort Myers in Florida in 1989. The author experienced the "golden age" of forensic medicine as a student and associate of Dr. Alexander Gettler in the New York Medical Examiner's Office. He also worked with Dr. Rutherford Gradwohl in the St. Louis Police Department and was one of the founders of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. He was the toxicologist in the Virginia medical examiners' system before moving to Puerto Rico. His discussion is a historical review of his experiences in developing forensic sciences.     

Kumho, Daubert, and the nature of scientific inquiry: implications for forensic anthropology

In the last 15 years, the US Supreme Court has implemented major changes concerning the admittance of expert testimony. In 1993, Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals superseded the Frye ruling in federal courts and established judges, not the scientific community, as the gatekeepers regarding the credibility of scientific evidence. In 1999, a lesser-known but equally important decision, Kumho Tire v. Carmichael, ruled that technical expert testimony needed to employ the same rigor as outlined in Daubert, but experts can develop theories based on observations and apply such theories to the case before the court. Anthropology has never been defined as a hard science. Yet, many recent publications have modified existing techniques to meet the Daubert criteria, while none have discussed the significance of Kumho to anthropological testimony. This paper examines the impact of Daubert and Kumho on forensic anthropology and illustrates areas of anthropological testimony best admitted under Kumho's guidance.     

人体不同体液内PSA含量及其法医学意义

目的检测人体不同体液内前列腺特异抗原(PSA)含量,探讨其法医学价值。方法收集成年人(19～63岁)晨尿40份(男28份、女12份)、血液58份(男45份、女13份)、唾液25份(男14份、女11份);青少年(10～15岁)男性晨尿205份;哺乳期(25～31岁)女性乳汁9份;使用Cobas e411型全自动电化学发光免疫分析系统及T-PSA定量测定试剂盒,检测各样本T-PSA含量;分析不同体液及不同年龄青少年男性尿液PSA含量差异。结果除男、女性唾液外,其它样本均可检测到PSA,其中成年男性尿液含量最高,与其它体液比较具有显著性差异(P<0.000 1);青少年男性各年龄组尿液PSA含量随年龄逐年增高,11岁及以下年龄组含量不足1ng/mL,14岁及以上年龄组可超过1 000ng/mL。结论前列腺发育成熟的男性尿液PSA含量较高,在进行精液斑的法医学检验时应给予充分注意。     

Spotlight on research integrity: international insights on strengthening research culture in the forensic sciences and beyond

The Singapore Statement on Research Integrity, articulated during the 2nd World Conference on Research Integrity in 2010, encompasses principles that apply to all research endeavours, including the various disciplines that comprise the field of forensic science Singapore Statement on Research Integrity (2010) (https://wcrif.org/guidance/singapore-statement). Cases of research misconduct and breaches of research integrity in any field undermine the trustworthiness of research and make it difficult if not impossible for others to rely upon and replicate research results. Moreover, problems in the research environment, whether in the academic, public, or private sector, can include bullying and harassment, discrimination, abuse of power and corruption, as well as competitive pressures related to employment and status.     

Forensic medicine in the Indo-Pacific region: history and current practice of forensic medicine

A brief history of forensic medicine in the Indo-Pacific region followed by the extent of medical education imparted to undergraduates and current practice in various countries of the region are examined.