Determination of sex from femora

The determination of sex from bones or bone fragments considerably contributes to identifying unknown bodies or skeletal remains. Due to temporal change and regional differences anthropometric standards have to be constantly renewed. The present study provides measurements of femoral dimensions in a contemporary German population and analyses sexual dimorphism by discriminant analysis. Maximum length (male: 46.4+/-2.4 cm, female: 43.4+/-2.4 cm), maximum midshaft diameter (male: 3.1+/-0.2 cm, female: 2.8+/-0.2 cm), condylar width (male: 8.4+/-1.0 cm, female: 7.7+/-0.5 cm), vertical head diameter (male: 4.9+/-0.3 cm, female: 4.4+/-0.3 cm), head circumference (male: 15.7+/-0.8 cm, female: 13.8+/-1.0 cm) and transverse head diameter (male: 4.9+/-0.3 cm, female: 4.3+/-0.3 cm) were measured in 170 femora, 100 from male (age: 16-92 years, mean: 60.8 years; body height: 153-190 cm, mean: 171 cm) and 70 from female (age: 20-96 years, mean: 72 years; body height: 146-175 cm, mean: 161 cm) individuals. In the discriminant analysis (leave-one-out-method) 67.7% of cases could be grouped correctly with the maximum length alone, 72.4% with the maximum midshaft diameter, 81.4% with the condylar width, 86.8% with the vertical head diameter, 87.7% with the head circumference and 89.6% with the transverse head diameter. The stepwise procedure with all head measurements showed that the results for the transverse head diameter could not be improved. With all measurements subjected to stepwise procedure 91.7% of cases could be classified correctly combining midshaft diameter and head circumference (D=3.012xmidshaft diameter in cm+0.780xhead circumference in cm 20.569).     

Y-chromosome polymorphism data in Majorcan, Minorcan and Valencian populations (eastern Spain).

Frequency data of the six STRs: (1) DYS19; (2) DYS389I; (3) DYS389II; (4) DYS390; (5) DYS391 and (6) DYS393, and the DYS287 polymorphism (YAP) were determined in a sample of 117 unrelated males from three eastern Spanish populations: 53 from Majorca, 40 from Minorca and 24 from Valencia.     

挤压伤大鼠血清对血管内皮细胞凋亡的作用及机制探讨

目的观察挤压伤大鼠血清对血管内皮细胞凋亡的影响及可能机制。方法培养小牛主动脉内皮细胞,观察挤压伤大鼠血清对培养的血管内皮细胞凋亡及胞内钙浓度的影响,并检测血浆内皮素-1(endothelin-1,ET-1)及心钠素(atrial natriuretic peptide,ANP)的含量。结果与正常大鼠血清相比,挤压伤大鼠血清致细胞的凋亡百分数由(8.26±1.75)%降为(2.75±0.90)%,胞内钙浓度由(96.98±3.95)nmol/L增加到(118.79±3.22)nmol/L,挤压伤大鼠血浆内皮素-1和心钠素含量显著增高。结论肢体挤压伤大鼠血清可抑制血管内皮细胞的凋亡,此效应可能与内皮素-1和心钠素诱发胞内钙浓度增加有关。     

Sex determination and estimation of stature from the long bones of the arm

The determination of sex and the estimation of stature from bones play an important role in identifying unknown bodies, parts of bodies or skeletal remains. In medico-legal practice statements on the probable sex of a decomposed body or part of a body are often expected even during autopsy. The present study was, therefore, restricted to few easily accessible dimensions from bones which were prepared only by mechanically removing soft tissues, tendons and ligaments. The specimens came from the Anatomical Institutes in Munich and Cologne from the years 1994-1998 including a total of 143 individuals (64 males and 79 females). The mean age was 79 years (46-108), the mean body height 161cm (134-189). The following measurements were taken: maximum humeral length (mean: 33.4cm in males; 30.7cm in females), vertical humeral head diameter (mean: 5.0cm in males, 4.4cm in females), humeral epicondylar width (mean: 6.6cm in males; 5.8cm in females), maximum ulnar length (mean: 26.5cm in males, 23.8cm in females), proximal ulnar width (mean: 3.4cm in males, 2.9cm in females), distal ulnar width (mean: 2.2cm in males; 1.8cm in females), maximum radial length (mean: 24.6cm in males; 22.0cm in females), radial head diameter (mean: 2.6cm in males, 2.2cm in females) and distal radial width (mean: 3.6cm in males; 3.2cm in females). The differences between the means in males and females were significant (P<0.0005). A discriminant analysis was carried out with good results. A percentage of 94.93% of cases were correctly classified when all measures of the radius were applied jointly, followed by humerus (93.15%) and ulna (90.58%). Applied singly, the humeral head diameter allowed the best distinction (90.41% correctly grouped cases), followed by the radial length (89.13%), the radial head diameter (88.57%) and the humeral epicondylar width (88.49%). The linear regression analysis for quantifying the correlation between the bone lengths and the stature led to unsatifactory results with large 95%-confidence intervals for the coefficients and high standard errors of estimate.     

A rapid and simplified extraction of haloperidol from plasma or serum with bond elut C18 cartridge for analysis by high performance liquid chromatography

This method for the determination of haloperidol (HAL) in plasma is based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a reversed-phase column, ODS-C18. HAL is rapidly extracted from human plasma by using Bond Elut C18 cartridge and its recovery is over 90%. The mobile phase is a mixture of 1% acetate/acetonitrile/tetrahydrofuran/triethylamine (69.5: 28.2:1.9:0.4, by vol.). The method is rapid, simple and free from intereferences and gives good precision.     

GANGS,DRUGS, AND DELINQUENCY IN A SURVEY OF URBAN YOUTH*

Youth delinquent gangs have been given considerable academic and media attention during the past decade. Much of the attention has focused on the violence and drug dealing in which gang members are assumed to be involved. Recent knowledge about gangs has relied primarily on data obtained from police gang units and from observational or case studies. Very little information has been derived from surveys or interviews with a more general sample of youths. In this paper, data from the Denver Youth Survey, a longitudinal study of families, are used to examine: (1) the prevalence and demographic composition of gangs: (2) the degree to which gang members are involved in illegal activities: and (3) the temporal relationship between criminal offending and gang membership.     

PCR－RFLP技术鉴定ABO基因型的法医学应用研究

目的建立PCR－RFLP、非变性PAG胶垂直电泳和银染技术进行ABO基因分型的方法体系,并对200名广东汉族人群ABO基因型频率进行了调查。方法用Chelex－100和酚、氯仿抽提法处理样本,PCR扩增后用非变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶垂直电泳和银染技术检测分型。结果ABO位点特异性扩增片段长度为175bp～210bp,6种基因型频率分布为0.0250～0.4300,杂合度H值为0.5162,个体识别力DP值为0.7111。结论该方法可成功运用于血液、血痕、精斑、毛发、骨组织和混合斑等检材的个体识别及亲权鉴定的检验。     

Prevalence of potential risk factors in victims of electrocution.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors of fatal arrhythmia following electrical shock, by comparing the prevalence of transthoracic current, tetany, decreased skin resistance because of wet extremities, skin burns and heart disease in victims of electrocution with instant as opposed to delayed death. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study, based on the charts from the coroner's office. RESULTS: A total of 124 deaths from electrocution occurred between 1987 and 1992. One victim presumably died from delayed arrhythmia and was excluded from the study. Twenty victims had decreased skin resistance because of wet extremities and five had tetany. Autopsy revealed coronary heart disease in 21 cases, and burns in 109; 10 did not have any skin lesion. There was no difference in risk factors between those who died instantly presumably from arrhythmia (n=114) and those who died later from other causes (n=9). CONCLUSION: No differences in risk factors were found between victims who died immediately from arrhythmia following electrical shock and those died later from other causes.     

未知病变类型脑血管中β-amyloid、α-actin、collagen Ⅳ的含量

目的研究未知病变类型脑血管病变的结构特征。方法通过刚果红染色、免疫组织化学染色、计算机图像分析技术对未知病变类型脑血管病变的β-amyloid、α-actin、collagenⅣ的含量进行研究。结果未知病变类型脑血管壁α-actin、collagenⅣ呈少量阳性染色,与正常脑血管存在显著差异(P<0.05);β-amyloid染色呈阴性,与正常脑血管无差异(P>0.05)。病变血管壁中上述三种蛋白的表达特点与脑血管淀粉样变(cerebralamyloidangiopathy,CAA)及小动脉硬化玻璃样变不同。结论未知病变类型脑血管病变具有不同于CAA的病变特征。     

A novel multiplex PCR system consisting of Y-STRs DYS441, DYS442, DYS443, DYS444, and DYS445

We have developed a new sensitive multiplex PCR system consisting of five male-specific and polymorphic tetranucleotide STRs--DYS441 (GDB: 10013873), DYS442 (GDB: 10030304), DYS443 (GDB: 10807127), DYS444 (GDB: 10807128), and DYS445 (GDB: 10807129) on the Y chromosome. Fifty pg DNA per 10 microL reaction volume was required for the correct typing of five STRs. Using this system, the five Y-STRs were correctly typed from blood and semen stains that had been stored for several years at room temperature.     

Vitreous humor sodium levels in immersion deaths

To determine whether vitreous humor sodium levels might be of use in evaluating deaths associated with immersion, samples of vitreous humor were prospectively evaluated at autopsy over a 4-year period from 2006 to 2009. There were 19 cases of saltwater immersion (age range 9-76 years; mean age 44 years; M:F, 2.8:1) and 16 freshwater immersions (age range 2-81 years; mean age 27 years; M:F, 2.2:1). In the group of saltwater drownings, vitreous humor sodium levels were elevated, ranging from 145 to 184 mM (mean = 160.2 ± 9.9 mM), and in the cases of freshwater drowning, the levels were reduced, ranging from 73 to 148 mM (mean = 129.8 ± 17 mM; p < 0.0001). Alterations in electrolyte levels may have been because of hemoconcentration or dilution from electrolyte fluxes in the lungs, or from passive diffusion during immersion. This study has demonstrated that vitreous sodium level is an easily performed test that may be a useful adjunct to the investigation of possible immersion deaths.     

Searching the Soil: Forensic Importance of Edaphic Fauna After the Removal of a Corpse

Abstract: Arthropods at different stages of development collected from human remains in an advanced stage of decomposition (following autopsy) and from the soil at the scene are reported. The corpse was found in a mixed deciduous forest of Biscay (northern Spain). Soil fauna was extracted by sieving the soil where the corpse lay and placing the remains in Berlese–Tullgren funnels. Necrophagous fauna on the human remains was dominated by the fly Piophilidae: Stearibia nigriceps (Meigen, 1826), mites Ascidae: Proctolaelaps epuraeae (Hirschmann, 1963), Laelapidae: Hypoaspis (Gaeolaelaps) aculeifer (Canestrini, 1884), and the beetle Cleridae: Necrobia rufipes (de Geer, 1775). We confirm the importance of edaphic fauna, especially if the deceased is discovered in natural environs. Related fauna may remain for days after corpse removal and reveal information related to the circumstances of death. The species Nitidulidae: Omosita depressa (Linnaeus, 1758), Acaridae: Sancassania berlesei (Michael, 1903), Ascidae: Zerconopsis remiger (Kramer, 1876) and P. epuraeae, Urodinychidae: Uroobovella pulchella (Berlese, 1904), and Macrochelidae: Glyptholaspis americana (Berlese, 1888) were recorded for the first time in the Iberian Peninsula.     

Medical devices; reclassification and codification of Neodymium:Yttrium:Aluminum:Garnet (Nd:YAG) Laser for peripheral iridotomy. Food and Drug Administration, HHS. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that it has issued an order in the form of a letter to Intelligent Surgical Lasers, Inc. (ISL), (now doing business as Escalon Medical Corporation), reclassifying the Neodymium:Yttrium:Aluminum:Garnet (Nd:YAG) Laser for use in peripheral iridotomy from class III to class II (special controls). Accordingly, the order is now being codified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) as described below.     

Diagnosis of chronic alcohol consumption. Hair analysis for ethyl-glucuronide

This paper describes a procedure for the detection and quantification of ethyl-glucuronide (EtG) in hair samples. During method development the efficacy of extraction of EtG from hair was compared in four extraction methods: (a) methanol; (b) methanol:water (1:1); (c) water; and (d) water:trifluoroacetic acid (9:1). In addition, three derivatizing agents were compared as well: N,O-bistrimethylsilyl-trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA): trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) (99:1), pentafluoropropionic anhydride (PFPA) and heptafluorobutyric anhydride (HFBA). Water was found to be the best extracting solvent and PFPA the best derivatizing agent. Both provided the highest recoveries, with cleaner extracts and more stable derivatives. The final method is as follows: about 100mg of hair are sequentially washed with water and acetone. The decontaminated sample is finely cut with scissors, then the deuterated internal standard (EtG-d5) and 2 mL of water are added. After sonication for 2 h, the sample is maintained at room temperature overnight. Derivatization is performed with PFPA. Derivatives are injected into a GC-MS system in the electronic impact mode. The method shows linearity over the range of concentrations from 0.050 to 5 ng/mg. Detection and quantification limits are 0.025 and 0.050 ng/mg, respectively. Mean recoveries for the three studied concentrations (low, medium and high) are higher than 87%. The coefficients of variation in intra- and inter-assay precision are always lower than 7%. The method is being routinely applied in our lab for the diagnosis of chronic alcohol consumption.     

Crime prevention through environmental design: financial hardship, the dynamics of power, and the prospects of governance

Borrowing from Foucault (Governmentality. In G. Burchell, C. Gordon, & P. Miller (Eds.), Governmentality: The Foucault effect: Studies in governmentality (pp. 87–104). Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1991) and Foucault and Gordon (Power-knowledge: Selected interviews and other writings, 1972–1977. Hassocks: Harvester Press, 1980) and the work of governmentality scholars in general, this paper examines Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) as a strategic form of governance. Using qualitative data gathered from semi-structured interviews with CPTED practitioners and supporters, I argue that the putative availability of expendable capital mediates, although does not necessarily negate, a practitioner’s ability to secure the conduct of conduct through the sharing of CPTED expertise. The importance of shifting power dynamics are examined before evaluating the data vis-à-vis contemporary scholarship in the areas of governmentality and crime and criminal justice research.     

ABO genotyping by mutagenically separated polymerase chain reaction

ABO blood groups were determined by the mutagenically separated polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR). The products from two sets of PCR reactions using the same program for the nucleotides at positions 261 and 703 from cDNA at the ABO locus were used to distinguish A, B and O alleles. Two forward mutagenic allele-specific primers of different lengths for the ABO polymorphic site were paired with the same reverse primer in each PCR reaction. The 216 bp fragment of the PCR products for the 261th nucleotide was A or B allele-specific and the 195 bp fragment was O allele-specific. The 126 bp fragment of the PCR products for the 703th nucleotide was B allele-specific and the 106 bp fragment was A or O allele-specific. The ABO genotypes were determined by the intersection of the predicted alleles from these two PCR reactions. The PCR products were obtained using 10 ng of DNA in 50 μL of PCR reaction mixture, and electrophoresed in 4% agarose gel. In this study, 265 ABO-phenotype known samples (A: 31, B: 48, AB: 6 and O: 180) in Chinese were used. The results of ABO genotypes were AA: 1, AO: 30, BB: 2, BO: 46, AB: 6 and OO: 180. These results were confirmed by the PCR-RFLP ABO genotyping method. This technique is a simple, rapid, and reliable method for ABO genotyping.     

Plasma protein and red cell enzyme groups in Galicia (north west Spain)

Galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT), esterase D (EsD), and plasminogen (PLG) phenotypes were determined by isoelectric focusing in thin-layer polyacrylamide gels (PAGIF) in a random sample from Galicia. Haptoglobins (Hp) were determined by conventional electrophoresis. The following gene frequencies were observed: for GALT: GALTN: 0.930; GALTD1: 0.044; GALTD2: 0.025; for EsD: EsD1: 0.874; EsD2: 0.104; EsD3: 0.021; for PLG: PLG1: 0.800; PLG2: 0.199; for Hp: Hp1: 0.426; Hp2: 0.573. Population data results of all electrophoretic markers typed until now in Galician population are also included.     

Polymorphism of the human phosphoglycolate phosphatase in Northrhine-Westphalia (F.R.G.) and its application to paternity testing

Blood samples from 563 unrelated German and from 110 Turkish individuals living in the Düsseldorf area were studied for phosphoglycolate phosphatase polymorphism. The distribution of the observed phenotypes in the population genetic study did not diverge from the expected values according to Hardy-Weinberg law. In our series, the gene frequencies were calculated as follows: (a) Germans: PGP1 = 0.851, PGP2 = 0.118, PGP3 = 0.031, (b) Turks: PGP1 = 0.973, PGP2 = 0.018, PGP3 = 0.009. The assumed autosomal codominant mode of inheritance was confirmed by the examination of 109 mother-child pairs and by analysis of 70 cases of disputed paternity. The plausibility to exclude German non-fathers from paternity is 12.78%.     

Treatment-Related Changes in Behavioral Outcomes of Psychopathy Facets in Adolescent Offenders

This study examines the association between the facets of psychopathy embedded in the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV; Forth et al., Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version, 2003), and changes in institutional behavior and post-treatment violent and general offending in a sample of juvenile delinquent males treated in the Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center (MJTC), an intensive treatment program. Affective, Interpersonal, Behavioral and Antisocial facet scale scores were calculated from items of the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV; Forth et al., 2003). Data on daily institutional behavior were collected from treatment records. In order to analyze re-offense patterns, the number and type of new criminal charges were collected over a mean follow-up of 54 months (range = 24–79 months), after the youth was released from custody. The Interpersonal facet of the PCL:YV was significantly related to admission behavior problems, while other facet scores were not. Youth with elevated Interpersonal facet scores showed the greatest improvement in institutional behavior during treatment. Treatment was also associated with a significant decrease in general and violent offending for each facet. The Interpersonal facet of the PCL:YV was found to play a key role in institutional and community violence in this study. Treatment appeared to disrupt the link between institutional and community violence and psychopathy features in this population.