Criteria for the classification as a "domestic-setting corpse"--a literature search and review to define the term

In German medical and media circles (daily routine, specialist literature, press, novels), the term "domestic-setting corpse" is frequently used, but the term is only vaguely defined. The authors thus decided to perform an in-depth study of the literature, including historic textbooks and all German- and English-language medicolegal journals, going as far back as their first issues, in an attempt to more clearly define the term. Inclusion criteria used in the search were a post-mortem interval of at least 24 hours prior to discovery and discovery of the corpse in a domestic setting. In the literature, 37 cases that complied with the above-mentioned inclusion criteria were found. These cases frequently described "advanced decomposition", often "unclear cause of death" and "problems in identification". These characteristics can thus be considered as being additional pointers in the definition. However, we suggest that the two general defining characteristics of a "domestic-setting corpse" are a post-mortem interval of more than 24 hours before discovery and the discovery of the corpse in a domestic setting.     

Forensic medical assessment of late cadaveric changes in examination of dismembered corpses

The investigation was made of dismembered corpses parts in time aspect. Various conventional features of the late postmortem period were under consideration: corpse potherb, emphysema, maceration of the skin. The time of manifestation of rotten transformation of a corpse was specified for each dismembered part: the head, the upper and lower parts of the body, the extremities. The results allow the investigator to define time of death by each fragment of a dismembered corpse.     

152例火场尸体的法医学检验分析

目的 探讨火场尸体的法医学检验特点及其鉴定。方法 对86起火场中152例尸体的相关检验资料进行回顾性研究。结果 152例火场尸体,生前烧死109例,纵火焚尸38例,无明显高温作用的尸体5例。主要死因有“烧死综合征”100例,火场有毒气体中毒8例,机械性损伤32例(含高坠死4例),机械性窒息5例,电击、服毒各1例;不能确定死因5例。自杀5例,他杀40例,意外107例。在生前烧死尸体,87例呼吸道内有炭末沉着,71例皮肤局部烧伤边缘组织有红肿,46例检见水泡,17例有“闭眼反应”征象,大部分尸体血中HbCO浓度超过20％;纵火焚尸少见或不见上述改变。结论 检验火场尸体,根据烧死尸体征象和血中HbCO浓度检测,并结合火场勘验资料综合分析,其死因鉴定和死亡方式推断结论方能准确。     

Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA); interpretation of "federal means-tested public benefit"--HHS. Notice with comment period

This notice with comment period interprets the term "Federal means-tested public benefit[s]" as used in Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Pub. L. 104-193, to include only mandatory spending programs of the Federal Government in which eligibility for the program's benefits, or the amount of such benefits or both, are determined on the basis of income or resources of the eligibility unit seeking the benefit. At HHS, the benefit programs that fall within this definition (and are not explicitly excerted from the definition by Section 403 (c)) are Medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).     

Definition of "positional isomer" as it pertains to the control of schedule I controlled substances. Final rule

On May 25, 2006, DEA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which proposed the addition of a specific definition for the term "positional isomer" to allow for the systematic determination of which isomers of schedule I substances would be considered to be "positional," and therefore, subject to schedule I control. This rulemaking finalizes that definition. The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and its implementing regulations specify which hallucinogenic substances are considered schedule I controlled substances. The CSA states that all salts, isomers, and salts of isomers of these substances are also schedule I controlled substances. In non-technical terms, an isomer of a substance is a different compound, but a compound which has the same number and kind of atoms. The terms "optical isomer" and "geometric isomer" are specific scientific terms and it is easy to determine whether one substance is an optical or geometric isomer of another. The term "positional isomer," however, is subject to scientific interpretation. The addition of a definition for the term "positional isomer" will assist legitimate research[ers] and industry in determining the control status of materials that are "positional isomers" of schedule I hallucinogens. While the DEA will remain the authority for ultimately determining the control status of a given material, providing a specific definition for "positional isomer" will ensure consistent criteria are utilized in making these determinations. This rule does not change existing laws, regulations, policies, processes, and procedures regarding the determination of control status for schedule I hallucinogenic substances. This rule merely makes available to the public the longstanding definition of "positional isomer" which DEA has used when making these scheduling determinations. This rule is relevant only to specialized forensic or research chemists. Most of these individuals are existing DEA registrants who are authorized by the DEA to handle schedule I hallucinogenic substances.     

The value of skull-photo superimpositions in identifying corpses found in domestic settings

The identification of decomposed corpses found in domestic settings is frequently problematic because comparative material for methods such as forensic odontostomatology, comparative X-ray analysis, or DNA analysis, is not available. In the case presented here, a photograph from an old, expired passport could be used to successfully identify a "domestic setting" corpse in a skull-photo superimposition. In an additional DNA analysis, 13 STR-loci could be amplified from tissue samples taken from the corpse. DNA comparison with the presumed brother of the deceased yielded a probability of 97.09% for siblingship. Y-STR-analysis was, therefore, performed. The results showed that all of the systems for the presumed brother and the corpse conformed, with the exception of the DYS390 locus, in which allele 21 was found for the corpse and allele 22 for the brother. Despite the rapid development of other identification procedures, skull-photo superimpositions remain an important means of identification. Last not least this is due to the increasing ubiquity of personal photo documents in the age of digital photography. The validity of the results from a DNA analysis in an identification process depends largely on the authenticity of the samples available for comparison and the degree to which the DNA from the corpse is preserved. In the case presented by the authors, positive identification of the corpse solely on the basis of the DNA analysis would not have been possible. Numerous constellations can be imagined for decomposed corpses found in domestic settings for which skull-photo superimpositions may be the only possible option for identifying the corpse.     

Medical criminological personality identification by morphological signs of upper limbs segments

Studies of the morphology of segments of human upper limbs helped develop a method for medical criminological personality identification by metric parameters of the arm and hand in expert evaluation of a dismembered corpse. The sampling consisted of 270 corpses of Europeoids of both sexes (150 men and 120 women) aged 17-98 years. Ten quantitative signs of the upper limbs were analyzed. Statistical modeling of body length and weight and of head and chest circumferences was performed on the basis of the hand, arm, and forearm characteristics. The data can be used for rapid personality identification in criminal cases, war actions, terroristic acts, and calamities with multiple victims.     

Stress deformations of skeletal remains from prehistoric cremation burials

Vertebrae and parts of joints from long bones from prehistoric cremations of the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age are presented, showing marked deformations caused by pressure during cremation when bones exposed to temperatures of 400 degrees-500 degrees Centigrade display minimal hardness. The vertebrae with deformation of the arcus parts are only from the lower vertebral column; on account of the weight of this body region, this suggests that the corpse lay in the dorsal position at the place of cremation. The fact that there were deformed arches only on one side might suggest an irregular structure of the surface on which the corpse lay. In the prone position, i.e. in the absence of pressure caused by body weight, all vertebrae should be unaltered; alternatively, if cremation wood was piled on top of the corpse, the arches of thoracic and cervical vertebrae are also likely to be deformed. Deformations resulting from weight bearing were found in the joints of extremities only, with flattening of the heads of joints as well as fissures in the external layers of bones and compression into folds. Some bones show distinct even grooves caused by direct pressure, possibly resulting from the fixation of joint regions for cremation? Evidently the deformations caused by the weighting down of different skeletal regions provide hints that may help in the recognition of cremation rites. It would be helpful if experimental cremations could be performed to establish the pressure necessary to cause deformations.     

对尸体指纹种类认定依据的研究

指纹状态属性的认定是当前指纹鉴定工作的一个新课题。指纹鉴定中的押名指印一般情况下都是押名人生前主动捺印形成的,但在实践中有时会出现作案人为了扰乱侦查视线、逃避惩罚或获取某种利益,而利用尸体指纹捺印伪造死者生前的押名指印的情况,因此对尸体指纹种类认定的研究将有助于侦查破案或对事实的确认。早期尸体现象是尸体指纹具备区别于活体指纹的特定性和相对稳定性的关键,再加上指纹本身所具有的反映性,这＂三性＂共同构成了尸体指纹种类认定的科学基础,为判定尸体指纹提供了理论依据。对于尸体指纹的研究,一方面须得益于尸体指纹捺印外观特征规律的深入总结,而另一方面也需要将微观层面的尸体指纹汗孔特征作为研究的切入点。总之,研究的最终目的就是提高尸体指纹种类认定的科学可靠性,进而使这一认定结论能作为一种科学的鉴定意见在诉讼中运用。     

Unilateral occurrence of blowfly maggots in the face of a decomposing body

The corpse of a 41-year-old medical doctor was found in his bed. The body was partially dried out; parts of the hip region were skeletonized due to maggot activity. In the facial region of the corpse, blowfly maggots (Lucilia (Phaenicia) sericata [Meigen]) were found exclusively in one eye socket. This is an unusual occurrence since on that side, a bedlight (40 W light bulb) had been burning during the seven week post mortem interval. All other lights in the apartment were switched off, and no direct sunlight could enter the space where the body was found (only a TV set had been running all the time, ca. 2 m away from the head at the foot end of the bed). Obviously, the maggots who usually flee light had used up the one eye that was further away from the bedlight as a feeding source. Since the continuing mummification of the corpse led to a substantial restriction of feeding material, the maggots finally switched to the eye that the light was shining on.     

Calculation of tension exerted on a ligature in incomplete hanging.

The study is devoted to one of the numerous factors (namely, body posture), which determine the strength of the neck compression in hanging. Mathematical modeling method and achievements of biomechanics were used. Human body was supposed to consist of 16 freely joined hard parts. The possibility of ligature tension calculation in any position in incomplete hanging is shown. Weight ranges for hanging of male persons in different body positions are presented: in standing posture the ligature is stretched by more than 65% of the body weight, in kneeling position by 64-74%, in sitting by 17-32%, in recumbent posture by less than 18% of the body weight. The importance of the accurate recording of a corpse posture at the place of accident is emphasized, as well as the necessity of the corpse mass evaluation. Significance of the work for medico-legal practice is illustrated by the study of the neck organocomplex trauma in 108 cases of suicidal hanging. Injuries were revealed stereomicroscopically after the complete preparation of the hyoid bone and laryngeal cartilages, preliminary fixed in the formalin solution. Trauma to the neck complex (fractures, infractions, fissures) was found in more than 64% of cases, differences in many of the groups compared are significant, P<0.05. Vulnerability index hyoid bone/thyroid cartilage was 1.75 in complete hanging of the body, 0.88 in standing position, 0.63 in kneeling, 0.33 in sitting, 0.25 in recumbent posture. Results of the study may be used for investigation of dying processes and morphology of hanging.     

The cocaine "body stuffer" syndrome: a fatal case

Body stuffer, sometimes called "mini packer", is the definition of someone who admits to or is strongly suspected of ingesting illegal drugs in order to escape detection by authorities, and not for recreational purposes or to transport the drug across borders. Cocaine is the drug most commonly involved in the body stuffer syndrome. Reported cases of body stuffer deaths are rare, however a fatality related to the ingestion of a plastic bag containing cocaine is described regarding a 17-year-old dealer. The authors describe how the cocaine body stuffer syndrome differs from the usual body packer. Histological and toxicological findings are examined and discussed for a better definition of this unique syndrome.     

The use of the term "obesity" in deaths reported to coroners in Australia

There is growing government awareness of the increasing incidence of obesity in the Australian community and its potential impact on health policy issues. This column considers the appropriateness of the WHO definition of the term "obesity" and analyses its use by Australian forensic pathologists and coroners as a cause of death in "medical cause of death" statements. While families may have concerns about the use of this term in reference to a deceased family member, the use of "obesity" in medical cause of death statements could have considerable influence on coroners' recommendations with regard to health policy in this area.     

Virtual autopsy and forensic identification-practical application: a report of one case

The body of an unidentified elderly woman was found trapped in a floodgate. Prior to autopsy, full-body multislice computed tomography (MSCT) was performed for study of bone lesions and cause of death. Age was estimated by analysis of the sternal end of the fourth rib and of the pubic symphyseal medial articular surfaces. The results were then compared with the autopsy findings. MSCT was superior to autopsy in diagnosis of traumatic bone lesions and also revealed dental anomalies and signs of drowning. Age estimation gave a similar result for both methods. This case report illustrates the potential value of MSCT for medico-legal investigations of death: diagnosis of injuries, possibility of determining the cause of death, and anthropological study in order to estimate age or to visualize features likely to enable identification of a corpse.     

Computer analysis of face and skull size by "quantitative verbal portrait" method

The aim of this study was to develop a "quantitative verbal portrait" method on the basis of universal measured signs of the face and skull. The database includes 90 cases with expert evaluation of photocompatibility with proven identity. Four groups of signs were investigated: DX and DY--the width and height between accurately fixed concrete craniometrical (facial) points and the so-called RX and RY indices--the ratio between distances within the framework of the same direction. The proposed scheme of evaluation helps compare the photograph of a live human and the skull. For evaluating the degree of identity, one should have a summary characterization of all selected signs for the skull and compare it with the sum on the photograph; sometimes it is possible to rule out the identity of the photograph and the skull by the absolute size, e.g., a very large skull cannot belong to a human with a very little face. The score for each group of signs is used for analysis of the information for detecting the similarities. Accumulation and comparative analysis of two information flows are possible: database on portraits of lost subjects and database on graphic images of the skulls of unidentified corpses.     

Towards a "crime pollen calendar" - pollen analysis on corpses throughout one year

A palynological study was carried out on 28 corpses brought in one year (June 2003-May 2004) to the morgue of the Institute of Legal Medicine of Parma (Northern Italy). This preliminary research focuses on the date of death, which was known for all corpses examined. Pollen sampling and analyses were made with the first aim of comparing the pollen grains found on corpses with those diffused in the atmosphere in the region in the same season as the known date of death. Eyebrows, hair-line near the forehead, facial skin and nasal cavities were sampled. Most of the corpses had trapped pollen grains, with the exception of two December corpses. All pollen grains were found with cytoplasm and in a good state of preservation. In this way, a series of reference data was collected for the area where the deaths occurred, and we examined whether pollen grains on corpses could be an index of the season of death. To verify this hypothesis, the pollen analyses were compared with data reported in the airborne pollen calendars of Parma and the region around. Pollen calendars record pollen types and their concentrations in the air, month by month. The quantity of pollen recorded on corpses did not prove to be directly related to the quantity of pollen in the air. But qualitatively, many pollen types which are seasonal markers were found on corpses. Main corpse/air discrepancies were also observed due to the great influence that the local environmental conditions of the death scene have in determining the pollen trapped by a corpse. Qualitative plus quantitative pollen data from corpses appeared helpful in indicating the season of death. A preliminary sketch of a "crime pollen calendar" in a synthetic graphic form was made by grouping the corpse pollen records into three main seasons: A, winter/spring; B, spring/summer; C, summer/autumn. Trends match the general seasonal trend of pollen types in the air.     

Asphyxia protracted after shaking trauma

A case of "shaken baby syndrome" (SBS) is reported. A 3 1/2 months old female baby has been found by his mother death in bed. The circumstances predicted a case of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), but the father, a disc-jockey, who had to look for the baby, had left a notice: "Gitti--i didn't want it, I don't know what had happened, I'm sorry!". The corpse of the baby had no external signs of violence. At the medicolegal examination we found small subarachnoidal and subdural hemorrhage from ruptured bridge veins and signs of prolonged asphyxia. Few hours later the father could be arrested. He told that he had shaken the baby, because she didn't stop crying. The infant lost conscious and he layed him down to the bed with his face below. Then he looked TV for at least a few minutes. After insufficient reanimation he had left the house. The court found the man to be guilty of fatal infant child abuse and convicted him to detention of 8 months. The main signs of SBS are discussed (subarachnoidal and subdural hemorrhage, intraretinal and periretinal hemorrhages, brain edema). Especially in the german speaking Europe many medical examiners are not familiar with this form of infant child abuse.     

利用积温和昆虫发育历期推测死亡时间的研究

目的积累尸食性蝇类虫态发育历期和积温的资料。方法采用动物尸体作诱饵,分别对自然飞到诱饵上繁殖生长的6种尸食性蝇类的虫态发育历期和积温进行观察研究。结果经过观察,取得了棕尾别麻蝇、丝光绿蝇、紫绿蝇、宽丽蝇、巨尾阿丽蝇、大头金蝇等6种尸食性蝇类的虫态发育历期和积温的基础数据。并采用倒计积温的方法推测实际案例中死者死亡时间,破案后证实推测时间与实际死亡时间一致。结论本文数据可为利用尸食性蝇类虫态育历期的积温推测死亡时间提供依据。     

摘取尸体器官涉及的刑法问题

摘取尸体器官构成侵犯尸体的犯罪,尸体解释为已经死亡的人的身体的全部或一部分较为妥当,我国目前不可以"脑死亡"的标准取代传统的"心肺死"标准。死者生前对于自己身体的处分权优越于其亲属和国家的占有和处分权。当存在某种违法性阻却事由时,摘取尸体器官的行为则不构成犯罪。