Suicidal decapitation by guillotine: case report

A recently widowed man constructed a guillotine in the entrance to his cellar, having previously announced his intention to decapitate himself. A neighbor who saw the device from her house alerted the police. The deceased was found completely decapitated, still holding a pair of pliers that he had used to activate the mechanism. The findings of the resulting investigation are described, and the mechanism of suicidal decapitation is reviewed.     

Occult aspiration of a nut in an elderly patient: a case report

Occult foreign body aspiration is an uncommon but serious occurrence in the elderly population. A case is presented in which the foreign body, a nut, was uncovered only at autopsy.     

Suicidal decapitation using a tractor loader: a case report and review of the literature

In forensic practice, decapitated bodies are predominantly associated with decapitation by wheels of trains or with postmortem dismemberment following homicide. In the suicidal context, decapitation accounts for less than 1% of total suicide. Apart from decapitation by trains, other encountered methods involve suicidal hanging and vehicle-assisted ligature suicide. Reported here is a unique case of suicidal decapitation in a 45-year-old man using a tractor loader at the foot of a silo, on his farm. The head was recovered in the loader and there were several impact spots from the loader as well as blood on the silo wall. The autopsy revealed a complete decapitation wound with the severance plane located between the third and fourth cervical vertebra. A 1.5 cm wide abrasion on the anterior part of the neck and abrasions under the chin were noted. This very unique case of intentional suicidal decapitation is the first reported case of a planned system intended to create decapitation outside the unique case of homemade guillotine and the more common decapitation by train.     

Suicidal ligature strangulation: case report and review of the literature

An unusual case of suicidal ligature strangulation is described. The victim is a 42-year-old white male who devised a very elaborate ligature mechanism comprised of thin wire, a plastic tub filled with water, and a combination of other common objects to commit suicide while in custody. A brief review of the literature follows.     

Suicidal hanging resulting in complete decapitation--forensic, radiological, and anthropological studies: a case report

The authors report a case of complete posthanging decapitation. The decapitated corpse lay against a pillar of a road bridge. The head had rolled 5 m from the trunk. The bridge was 7.2 m above the road level. The rope was 3.6 m long, its lower end was 3.6 m from the ground and its diameter was 10 mm. The noose used was a slip knot. Plain X-rays of the skull and cervical spine were obtained. The skull X-rays showed air in the meningeal spaces, in both lateral and third ventricles. The severance plane of the cervical spine was between the third and the fourth cervical vertebrae. No other cervical vertebral injuries were noted. At autopsy, the brain was macroscopically unremarkable except for air in the meningeal veins. The decapitation injuries of the head and the torso corresponded perfectly, without apparent loss of substance. The severance plane was confirmed. Dry bone study was carried out. Except for fractures of the extremities of the spinous processes of the second and third cervical vertebrae, no other bone injury of the spine was seen. The cervical vertebrae displayed numerous osteoarthritic lesions. The traditional hangman's fracture was not found. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of complete posthanging decapitation with a severance plane between the third and fourth cervical vertebrae.     

An elliptical incised wound of the breast misinterpreted as a bite injury

Bite injuries upon homicide victims are most often initially identified by the forensic pathologist during the course of the autopsy examination. Following such recognition, the injury or photographs of the traumatized site are then referred to a forensic odontologist for his or her examination, further characterization, and subsequent comparison with any suspect's dentition. However, if the pathologist misidentifies an injury caused by another mechanism as a human bite, this mistake can potentially be perpetuated by the dental consultant, since relatively few dentists regularly examine traumatic injuries other than those arising from bites. To illustrate such an event, a case is presented involving an incised wound of the breast, which was originally identified as an avulsive bite wound. Detailed examination by two odontologic consultants confirmed the wound as having been caused by human teeth, and further, they related the "bite injury" to a specific individual. The bite injury interpretation represented the only scientific evidence implicating the suspect at a subsequent trial for capital murder. Later examination of the tissues and photographs by a forensic pathologist and another dental consultant revealed that the injury was not due to human dentition, but rather resulted from a sharp-edged instrument. These consultants conducted a unique experiment to reduplicate the injury and prove its causation. This information was presented to the jury during the suspect's trial and resulted in his acquittal on all charges.     

Prolonged activity after an ultimately fatal gunshot wound to the heart: case report

In this article, we describe an unusual case of suicide involving a gunshot wound to the left ventricle. The victim engaged in premortem activity that was both prolonged and methodical. This report stresses the importance of a complete investigation to distinguish such case from an homicide.     

Suicidal electrocution in Sydney: a 10-year case review

A retrospective study was undertaken of all cases of death due to suicidal electrocution in Sydney, Australia between 1996 and 2005. A total of 25 cases were identified with 20 cases (80%) as a result of direct attachment to an electrical outlet and five cases (20%) as a result of immersion in a body of water with an electrical appliance. Twenty of the 25 individuals were men (mean age = 57 years, range 22-90) and five were women (mean age 67, range 53-88). At least 35% of decedents were either currently working or had worked as electricians. Electrical timers had been used in eight (32%) cases, the fuse blown in one case, but the remaining 16 (64%) bodies were "live" on arrival of witnesses or electricity personnel. This study demonstrates the phenomenon of electrical suicide as a regular occurrence in Sydney. We highlight the need for investigators and emergency workers to remain vigilant upon discovery of electrical suicides, due to the fact that most bodies remain electrically active after death.     

Fatal overdose of zopiclone in an elderly woman with bronchogenic carcinoma

The death of a 72-year-old woman with respiratory debilitation due to bronchogenic carcinoma is described. She overdosed herself with probably 200 to 350 mg of zopiclone. Zopiclone, quantitated by HPLC in femoral postmortem blood, was found to be 1.9 mg/L (4.8 micromol/L). This level is higher than many other zopiclone fatalities reported. We report a case where only zopiclone was detected.     

小鼠皮肤切创愈合过程中Ⅱ型大麻素受体的表达

目的观察皮肤切创愈合过程中CB2R表达变化的时问规律性。方法 健康小鼠50只,随机分为10组,建立皮肤切创模型,应用免疫组织化学技术及Westernbloting方法检测切创后不同时间段小鼠背部正中皮肤CB2R的表达。结果免疫组织化学结果显示,对照组CB2R表达于表皮、毛囊、皮脂腺、皮肌层、血管平滑肌、神经纤维外膜及神经纤维束束膜;伤后6h损伤区及周边区多核粒细胞少量表达CB2R,12～24h以单个核细胞阳性表达为主,3d以单个核细胞和梭形成纤维细胞表达为主,5～14d以梭形成纤维细胞为主。CB2R阳性细胞率于0h～3d逐渐升高,5d达最高峰,随后逐渐下降。经Westernblotting检测显示,对照及各个损伤时间段都有CB2R阳性条带,其中5d为CB2R表达高峰。结论小鼠皮肤切创愈合过程中,CB2R于损伤区及周边区多核粒细胞、单个核细胞、梭形成纤维细胞中表达,并具有规律性,提示CB2R可能参与皮肤损伤愈合,并可用于皮肤损伤时间的推断。     

小鼠皮肤切创愈合过程中p-JNK变化及其与时间的相关性

目的 探讨小鼠皮肤切创愈合过程中损伤区磷酸化JNK（p-JNK）的变化及不同损伤时间p-JNK的变化规律。方法 应用免疫组织化学和Westernblot方法检测小鼠皮肤切创后各个时间段p-JNK的变化情况。结果 正常组织中有少量p-JNK阳性着色。伤后3～12h损伤区p-JNK阳性着色主要在中性粒细胞,1～5dp-JNK阳性着色主要为单核细胞和成纤维细胞,7～14dp-JNK阳性着色以成纤维细胞为主。阳性细胞率3h～1d逐渐增高,1d达到峰值,3～5d有所下降,7d阳性细胞率达第二峰值。10～14d逐渐降低。Westernblot显示各个时间段均有p-JNK的阳性条带,其中12h和3d为p-JNK含量的2个高峰。结论 小鼠皮肤切创愈合过程中p-JNK在损伤区对诱导中性粒细胞、单核细胞和成纤维细胞的凋亡起非常重要的作用。同时P-JNK的规律性变化可用于损伤时间推断。     

One-in-a-million shot: a homicidal thoracic air rifle wound, a case report, and a review of the literature

A homicidal shooting with an air gun is reported. The history, mechanisms of action, and crime scene implications of air guns are discussed. The wounds produced by air guns are compared to those produced by powder firearms.     

小鼠皮肤切创黏着斑激酶和磷酸化黏着斑激酶的表达及其变化规律

目的研究小鼠皮肤切创愈合过程中,黏着斑激酶（focal adhesion kinase,FAK）和磷酸化黏着斑激酶（phospho—FAK,p—FAK）在损伤区及损伤周边区内的表达及其变化规律。方法应用免疫组织化学染色技术和免疫印迹（Western blot）方法观察小鼠背部切创后损伤区及损伤周边区FAK及p-FAK的表达情况。结果伤后3h,FAK和p-FAK主要表达于多核粒细胞;伤后6～24h,主要表达于大部分浸润的多核粒细胞和单核细胞;伤后3～14d。主要表达于单核细胞和成纤维细胞。伤后FAK的阳性细胞率逐渐增高．于3d达到高峰．随后迅速下降;伤后p-FAK的阳性细胞率也逐渐增加,于12h达到高峰,之后逐渐下降。Westernblot结果显示,正常皮肤中FAK及P—FAK均有表达。FAK表达强度变化不是十分明显,但仍可见在3d时含量达到最高。p-FAK蛋白含量伤后逐渐增加．12h表达最强,随后逐渐下降。结论在小鼠皮肤切创愈合过程中,FAK和p-FAK阳性细胞率呈时间规律性变化．可用于皮肤切创损伤时间的推断。p-FAK呈现出明显的时间规律性变化,说明作为皮肤损伤时间的推断指标要优于FAK。     

小鼠皮肤切创愈合过程中iNOS和eNOS表达的免疫组织化学研究

目的观察小鼠皮肤切创愈合过程中,iNOS和eNOS在损伤区及损伤周边区内的表达及其变化规律。方法小鼠背部制作全层切创,应用免疫组织化学技术观察伤后切创组织中iNOS和eNOS的表达,并和无切创的小鼠作为对照。结果损伤区及损伤周边区细胞,伤后3h的损伤皮肤组织中可见少量的多型核细胞表达iNOS和eNOS,伤后6～24h,大部分浸润的中性粒细胞和单核细胞为iNOS和eNOS阳性。随着时间的延长,iNOS和eNOS阳性细胞以单核细胞和成纤维细胞为主。伤后3hiNOS的阳性细胞比率较低,6h～1d持续性增加并于1d达到最高峰,3～7d维持在一个相对稳定的水平直至伤后10d再次达高峰,10～14d开始下降。eNOS的阳性细胞率在伤后1～3h表达较低,6h～3d持续性增高,并在3d达到最高峰,在其后的5d内保持稳定表达,之后开始下降。而且损伤区及损伤周边区、特别是肉芽组织内的新生血管可见iNOS和eNOS不同强度的表达。结论小鼠皮肤切创愈合过程中,iNOS和eNOS在损伤周边区内多型核细胞、单核细胞和成纤维细胞中表达,其时序性变化可望用于皮肤损伤时间的推断。     

Fatal acute alcohol intoxication in an ALDH2 heterozygote: a case report

On an evening in November, a 25-year-old man was found dead in his bedroom. There were many empty snap-out sheets for flunitrazepam tablets in the trash at his bedside. He had been beaten by a gang of young people earlier in the morning of the same day. At the medico-legal autopsy, although there were many bruises and/or abrasions on the whole body, only slight subdural hemorrhage was observed, and none of them was thought to be the cause of death. Flunitrazepam and its metabolites were not detected in his body fluid by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Marked lung edema and a severe congestion of organs were observed. His blood alcohol concentration from the femoral vein was 2.00 mg/ml. Fatal cases of acute alcohol intoxication usually have shown higher alcohol concentration (2.25-6.23 mg/ml). Although the genotype of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) has not previously been mentioned as a contributing factor in determining the cause of death, in this case the genotype of ALDH2 was ALDH2*1/2 and thus is important. Those who possess the ALDH2*2 gene show high concentrations of acetaldehyde (AcH) at even comparatively lower alcohol levels. Consequently, the cause of death was considered to be acute alcohol intoxication including AcH poisoning.     

小鼠皮肤切创后calpain1和calpain2的表达

目的观察小鼠皮肤切创愈合过程中calpain1和calpain2表达变化。方法应用免疫组织化学染色技术检测小鼠皮肤切创后calpain1和calpain2的表达。结果对照组的calpain1和calpain2均有表达,伤后1d calpain1阳性细胞率显著增加,达最大值。伤后3d阳性细胞比率显著下降。伤后5d阳性细胞比率再次显著增加,以后逐渐下降。伤后1d calpain2阳性细胞比率显著增加,伤后3d阳性细胞比率显著下降,达最低值。伤后5d阳性细胞比率再次显著增加,达最大值。伤后7d至10d,阳性细胞比率逐渐下降。结论小鼠皮肤切创后,calpain1和calpain2的表达随愈合时间而呈现双峰式变化。     

大鼠皮肤切创后E-选择素表达及稳定性研究

目的探讨大鼠皮肤切创后E-选择素表达规律及法医学意义。方法健康SD大鼠90只,随机分成4组：正常对照组、活体切创组（30min～7d12个时间点）、死后切创组（30min～3h3个时间点）、死后稳定性组（-20％6h-7d9个时间点,25％6h～3d5个时间点）。在大鼠头部建立皮肤切创模型,按设定的时间点取皮肤检材,运用免疫组化和图像分析技术,检测血管内皮E-选择素的表达规律。结果在活体切创组中,伤后1hE-选择素在血管内皮细胞内即呈阳性表达,持续至伤后7d,且随时间变化呈规律性表达。在正常对照及死后切创组未见阳性表达。死后-20％稳定性组各时间点E-选择素表达与死后即刻比较无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。25％各时间点与死后即刻比较有显著性差异（P〈0．01）。结论E-选择素在创伤后血管内皮细胞内特异性的表达具有时序性规律,且低温条件下稳定性较好。