Fatal accident with a special automobile

The authors report on a traffic accident in which the passenger of a Light Four-wheeled Vehicle (Microcar) approved for use by a disabled person was killed after a rear collision with a compact car. The severity of the accident trauma was critically determined by the vehicle's light construction. Consideration is also given to the legal situation regarding registration and driver's license issues.     

Fatal high cervical spinal cord injury in an automobile accident complicating os odontoideum

We report a case where spinal instability from incomplete fusion of the dens of C2 (os odontoideum) allowed anterior displacement of the skull and first cervical vertebra following right frontal impact against the A pillar in an automobile accident. Resultant crushing and laceration of the spinal cord occurred at the level of C1 and C2. Without either radiographic investigation or detailed examination of the spine, the fatal injury might have been overlooked and death attributed to acute alcoholic poisoning because the blood alcohol level was .613%.     

Positive identification of cremains recovered from an automobile based on presence of an internal fixation device

We report on the use of a surgically implanted device, an EBI osteostimulator, as a means of establishing the identification of a homicide victim. The use of such an appliance for securing positive identification has not been previously reported. Additionally we stress the importance of intensive and accurate excavation at scenes involving intense burning where the potential for non-skeletal contaminants is high.     

Injury pattern in fatal automobile accident passengers due to rear-end collisions

The article reports on the injury pattern seen in fatally wounded car passengers after rear-end collisions on motorways. The study material included 5 rear-end collisions, in which 9 car occupants (5 drivers and 4 front-seat passengers) were killed. The change in velocity (delta v) was above 60 km/h in all the reported cases. The injury pattern showed the following characteristics: extensive soft-tissue traumatization (subcutaneous haematomas, blood-filled pockets, "décollements") not discernible from outside on the back of the trunk, mostly in the lumbosacral region; dorsal serial rib fractures, often combined with fractures of the spine (including the sacrum and the coccyx) and/or the pelvis; ruptures of the aorta at the typical sites of predisposition; ruptures of the liver and spleen (particularly at the visceral surfaces).     

A case of suicidal hanging in an automobile

A case of suicidal hanging inside an automobile is presented. To our knowledge, hanging has not been previously reported as a cause of death in a motor vehicle driver. The causes of death in automobile-related suicides are discussed.     

Identification of the driver in an automobile collision

We report on a three-occupant automobile collision in which one of the two survivors claimed that the deceased had operated the vehicle. We attempted to identify the driver. The left face and neck of the deceased appeared to have struck the vehicle's interior. The survivors were slightly injured on the right side of their faces. In Japan, the passenger side is on the left, and in this case, the right side of the vehicle had been damaged. By comparing the injuries of the deceased and the survivors in relation to the vehicle damages, we concluded that the deceased occupant had probably been a passenger, not the driver.     

Suicidal hanging within an automobile.

Accidental asphyxia related to cars has been described in different reports, but suicidal hanging in an automobile is very unusual. Two cases of suicidal hanging inside an automobile are described, illustrating an unusual form of hanging. In one case, the deceased used his belt as a ligature, and the point of attachment was the window of the car. The second victim used the safety belt of the passenger seat. In both cases, the automobile engine was turned off, all the windows were closed, and the door locks were blocked. The medicolegal cause of hanging was based on the scene of the investigation, police and witness reports, social history, autopsy findings, and toxicologic examinations.     

Socially constructing an image in the automobile industry

Due to its large-scale, often unrecognized effects, corporate deviance in America is a societal concern that demands further attention. The present research provides deeper insight into the area, with the hope of furthering our knowledge and ultimately reducing the problem. Among the measurements presented are: 1) the corporate image socially constructed by General Motors (GM); 2) the “safety” of GM vehicles; and 3) GM's constructed safety-related image compared against its actual performance. GM's image was measured through a content analysis of Newsweek and Motor Trend magazines, while GM's safety-related performance was measured using various vehicle crash test data. Through advertising and marketing strategies, the auto industry has approached the general public with an alleged commitment to automotive safety. The present research tested those commitments, and although determinations of guilt are beyond the scope of the present research (for reasons discussed in the text), several conclusions regarding involvement in corporate deviance are provided. Those conclusions are discussed in the context of how they relate to crime and the societal implications they present. Suggestions for future research are presented. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The detection of tubazid and saliuzid metabolites in internal organs and biological fluids

Detection of tubaside and saluside metabolites by methanol extraction from homogenized object with subsequent investigation by UV spectrophotometry, microcrystalloscopy, thin-layer chromatography and coloured reaction methods is suggested. Sensitivity for hydrazine, acetylisoniazid was 0.1 mg%, for opianic and isonicotinic acids--0.05 mg%.