Death associated with nitrite ingestion: report of a case

The tissue concentrations of nitrite and nitrate found at autopsy of a case of intentional ingestion of nitrite salts have been reported. The percentage of methemoglobin and the serum nitrite concentrations are consistent with those reported for acute overdoses. We conclude that noth nitrite and nitrate salts may be identified in tissues from persons ingesting only nitrite salts and that a significant conversion to nitrate may result from oxidation of nitrite during the conversion of heme iron to Fe3+.     

Death associated with fluorocarbon inhalation: report of a case.

This case documents postmortem tissue concentrations of fluorocarbons in an individual whose inhalation of cooking spray vapors was well documented. The data presented here should contribute to the information base which will assist the pathologist in determining the cause of death in cases related to inhalation of these fluorocarbons.     

Death of a 6-year-old boy with mental retardation: accident versus child abuse

This case study involved death of a 6-year-old child with a history of mental retardation secondary to meningitis at 11 months, spastic quadriplegia, seizure disorder, and hydrocephaly with a remote ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement and gastric tube feedings. Reportedly, the child was co-sleeping with his mother when she awoke and discovered him lying prone and not breathing on the carpeted floor next to the bed. He was transported to the hospital and died in the emergency room of unknown causes. The medical examiner assumed jurisdiction of the body. The external examination revealed petechial hemorrhages on the neck and face, with patterned linear pressure abrasions on the chest, arms, and face. X-rays revealed leg fractures of different ages. This case emphasizes the importance of coordination of death scene investigation, medical history review, and autopsy results through a forensic team approach to determine the accurate cause and manner of death.     

Factors associated with contact child sexual abuse in a sample of indecent image offenders

Abstract

This study explored a sample of 244 UK adult male offenders convicted of offences involving indecent images of children (IIOC): 120 had a previous contact child sexual offence (defined as dual offenders) and 124 had no evidence of an offence against a child (defined as non-contact offenders). Offender groups were compared regarding their socio-demographic characteristics, previous convictions and IIOC possession. Key discriminatory factors that differentiated dual offenders were: access to children, previous offence history, sexual grooming and possession of IIOC that depicts similar-aged victims. In contrast, non-contact offenders could be identified from their greater amount and wider range of IIOC possession. The results suggest a homology between Internet behaviours, IIOC possession and victim selection. Implications for law enforcement agencies are discussed in terms of assisting investigative prioritisation by identifying those most at risk of committing sexual abuse against children.     

Hair and fingernail gadolinium ICP-MS contents in an overdose case associated with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a rare acquired disorder affecting renal insufficiency patients. There is a growing recognition of the association between the rapid rise in the use of gadolinium (Gd)-containing contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the occurrence of acute nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. This case report concerns a 62-year-old woman with chronic renal insufficiency who underwent numerous MRI examinations using Gd-based contrast agents. For the first time, to our knowledge, Gd was performed in the NSF patient's blood, as well as in hair and in fingernails by inductively plasma coupled mass spectrometry. Gd contents in blood, hair and in fingernails were initially 300 to 1000 times higher compared to controls. These results are a new illustration of the strong association between the frequent use of Gd-based contrast media and NSF in patients with kidney diseases. Gd quantitative determination could be of major interest for patients with renal failure who are required to undergo repeated gadolinium-enhanced MRI examinations.     

Hair and fingernail gadolinium ICP-MS contents in an overdose case associated with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis

The recovery of erased identification marks is a problem for the forensic scientist, particularly with respect to vehicles and firearms. The widely accepted procedure for steel imprints is to use Fry's reagent. The present study examined the possibility of forming a paste that may be easier to use. The paste proved to be as effective as liquid in most cases, and often gave better results. The ease of using the paste gives it distinct advantages over liquid reagent.     

Fatal capnocytophaga infection associated with splenectomy

A case of fatal sepsis due to Capnocytophaga species is described. Capnatophaga canimorsus and C. cynodegmi can cause localized wound infections and/or systemic infections in people who have been bitten, licked, scratched, or merely exposed to cats or dogs, especially splenectomized individuals. A thorough social, medical, and surgical history, the clinical presentation, and cultures are important in making the diagnosis of Capnocytophaga infections. It is important that the forensic pathologist be aware of this zoonotic disease.     

Mother-fetus postmortem toxicologic analysis in a fatal overdose with mecarbam

A suicidal poisoning committed by a 19-year-old pregnant woman, who ingested an unknown quantity of an aqueous solution mecarbam (trade name includes 'Murfotox') containing 68 g/l of S-(N-ethoxycarbonyl-N-methylcarbamoyl methyl) O,O-diethyl phosphorodithioate (C.R. Worthing (Ed.), The Pesticide Manual, 6th end, BCPC, 1980) is described. The pesticide crossed the placental barrier and caused the death of the fetus. Toxicologic analysis of mecarbam in several tissues and fluids of mother-fetus revealed its distribution. The analysis was performed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and gas-liquid chromatography (GC). The case described serves to point out the ease with which mecarbam crossed the placental barrier, its high concentration in the lungs and the considerably higher concentrations in fetal than in mother's tissues.     

Sudden cardiac death in a 5-year-old girl associated with parvovirus B19 infection

We report on a 5-year-old girl who suddenly collapsed and died while dancing at a family party. Histological examination of the heart including the cardiac conduction system revealed lymphocytic infiltrations of the sinu-atrial node and perivascular infiltration in the atrio-ventricular region. Additionally, foci of mononuclear infiltrates were observed in the myocardium. Consequently, myocarditis was diagnosed as cause of death. The child also had lymphocytic conjunctivis, parotitis and tracheitis. Evaluation of infections by means of nested polymerase chain reaction revealed parvovirus B19 DNA (PVB19) in tissue samples of the trachea.     

Toxicological findings in a fatal overdose of verapamil

Presented is a case where the death was attributed to the deliberate ingestion of an overdose of verapamil (V). Blood, urine, and gastric concentrations of the drug were determined by gas chromatography with nitrogen phosphorus detection (GC-NPD). Identification of norverapamil (NV) was made. A presumptive identification of o-demethylnorverapamil (DNV) was also made.     

论死缓适用的变更

死缓核准执行死刑的条件是"故意犯罪",不少学者从死刑限制论的立场出发,主张将"故意犯罪"限制解释为"严重的故意犯罪","重罪说"过分重视人道价值而忽视了报应和功利价值,不符合立法的本意,但仍然应当对"故意犯罪"采取克制的解释立场。"故意犯罪"要"查证属实"才能成为核准执行死刑的条件,不论"查证属实"在何时完成,只要"故意犯罪"未超过追诉时效,均应核准执行死刑。死缓犯在死缓考验期间既有故意犯罪又有重大立功表现的,都应当报请最高人民法院核准执行死刑。"故意犯罪"并非"执行死刑"的充分条件,而是启动死刑核准程序的充分条件。     

Death in a fold-away bed

The term "death in abnormal body position" refers to deaths caused by a position-induced impairment of the vital functions of respiration and circulation. In the described case from the autopsy material of the Berlin Institute of Legal Medicine (CCM), the 82-year-old woman died in a folded up fold-away bed in a fixed head-down position. Death was caused by the combined effect of neck compression, traumatic asphyxia and head-down position.     

Death in a tetany attack

A case of latent tetany in a 24-year-old woman is reported. She had suffered several attacks of tetany in the last 12 years, mostly triggered by external stimuli. One evening, the woman was found dead in the hall of her flat beside the telephone with the upper limbs in a tetanic convulsive attitude. The attack of tetany was triggered by a telephone conversation. The parathyroid glands were normal. Day-old purulent myocarditis could be demonstrated in the left ventricle under the light microscope. The two possible pathogenetic explanations of the causal chain leading to death are discussed. It was astonishing that a clinical symptom (tetanic convulsion) was fixed in rigor mortis.     

Sudden Cardiac Death in a Young Man with Migraine-associated Arrhythmia

A 31-year-old man with migraine-induced syncope and bradycardia with subsequent pacemaker implantation died unexpectedly. Clinically unsuspected cardiac anomalies were found at autopsy including myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending artery and shelf-like coronary artery ostia. Nortriptyline was identified by toxicologic analysis. A review of the autopsy findings, the historical information, and the effects of the possible arrhythmogenic circumstances is undertaken and the potential contributions to the death are discussed. Cardiac arrhythmias have been documented during migraines. Coronary artery bridging has been known to lead to ischemia and infarction, ventricular tachycardia, and sudden death; however, these are very rare sequelae. Congenital coronary artery anomalies have been linked to sudden cardiac death, but only rarely cause death in people younger than 31 years. Migraines and the autopsy findings described have been associated with cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death. Altogether, they led to the unexpected death of this young man.