Microscopic characteristics of hacking trauma

The purpose of this study was to determine if it is possible to associate machetes, axes, and cleavers with the microscopic parallel striations they leave on the cut surfaces of the bone. Hacking trauma was experimentally inflicted on pig bones using machetes, axes, and cleavers. Negative impressions of both the cut surfaces of the bone and the weapon blades were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The results of this investigation indicate that it is possible to correlate a class of hacking weapons to trauma inflicted on bone by these weapons.     

Macroscopic characteristics of screwdriver trauma

The main objective of the study was to determine the type of macroscopic trauma created by a flat-tipped and a cross-tipped screwdriver. The second objective was to determine if the trauma inflicted by the two screwdrivers could be macroscopically differentiated. Three tests were conducted, each by a male volunteer. Each test consisted of 12 samples of fleshed pig ribs; six were stabbed with a flat-tipped screwdriver and the remaining six with a cross-tipped screwdriver (Phillips). Each sample received 15 stab wounds during the process. The stabbings were conducted at perpendicular and oblique angles, with fabric variables being utilized. Results illustrate two main categories of macroscopic skeletal trauma, fractures, and puncture wounds. By studying the macroscopic appearance in tandem with differing trauma frequencies, these two screwdriver types can be differentiated.     

Scanning electron microscopy analysis of experimental bone hacking trauma

The authors report on their macro- and microscopy study of bone lesions made by a sharp force instrument (a single blade knife), and a sharp-blunt instrument classified as a chopping weapon (a hatchet). The aim of this work was to attempt to identify the instrument by analyzing the general class characteristics of the cuts. Each weapon was used on human bones. The results indicate that macroscopic analysis is more problematic. The microscopic analysis assessed that characteristics examined were effective in distinguishing sharp from sharp-blunt injury to the bone. The microscope facilitates analysis unachievable with macroscopic methods, some three-dimensional characteristics not visible to the naked eye being clearly defined with its use. Emphasis has been placed on the value of SEM as an anthropologist's tool in bone lesion injuries.     

Scanning electron microscopy analysis of experimental bone hacking trauma of the mandible

The authors report on a macroscopic and microscopic study of human mandible bone lesions achieved by a single-blade knife and a hatchet. The aim of this work was to complete the previous data (scanning electron microscopy analysis of bone lesions made by a single-blade knife and a hatchet, on human femurs) and to compare the lesions of the femur with those of the mandible. The results indicate that the mandible is a more fragile bone, but the features observed on the mandible are quite similar to those previously observed on the femur. This work spells out the main scanning electron microscopy characteristics of sharp (bone cutting) and blunt (exerting a pressure on the bone) mechanisms on human bone. Weapon characteristics serve to explain all of these features.     

Macroscopic observation of the morphological characteristics of the ammunition gunpowder

At the present time, optical examinations are not used in routine to analyze the gunshot residues, except for the counting and the localization of particles. Indeed, the sequence of examinations often starts immediately with destructive techniques, contrary to the widely accepted law saying that we should progress from general to particular and from non-destructive to destructive and which is recommended for all the fields of forensic sciences. When a cartridge is shot, and before the projectile leaves the gun, all the powder grains should must be completely burnt; however, if this ideal case does not happen, it is possible to find unburnt and/or partially burnt gunpowder particles [H.H. Meng, R. Caddy, Gunshot residue analysis-a review, J. Forensic Sci. 42 (1997) 553-570]. The goal of this paper is to study the morphological characteristics of the powder before and after the shot, to establish if it is possible to determine which type of ammunition has been used on the basis of these characteristics. A set of 181 cartridges of different calibers was considered and various tests carried out to evaluate the technique. On the basis of the observation of the gunpowder particles found on the target, a list of potential cartridges can be established with the actually shot cartridge always found among them. It is important to underline that a maximum of eight cartridges were proposed for each experiment. Consequently, the method can be judged very discriminating. A database was then created, including information related to the morphological characteristics of the gunpowder before and after the shot as well as to the class characteristics of the analysed cartridges.     

The characteristics of gunshot and blast trauma in Moscow in 1997

Forensic medical, social, and criminological characteristics of 417 cases with gunshot and explosion injuries investigated at Bureau of Forensic Medical Expert Evaluations of Moscow in 1997 are presented. Public and social groups of victims and types of violent deaths are discussed.     

An approach to minimizing legal and reputational risk in Red Team hacking exercises

Robust cyber-resilience depends on sound technical controls and testing of those controls in combination with rigorous cyber-security policies and practices. Increasingly, corporations and other organizations are seeking to test all of these, using methods more sophisticated than mere network penetration testing or other technical audit operations. More sophisticated organizations are also conducting so-called “Red Team” exercises, in which the organization tasks a small team of highly skilled and trained individuals to try to gain unauthorized access to physical and logical company assets and information. While such operations can have real value, they must be planned and conducted with great care in order to avoid violating the law or creating undue risk and reputational harm to the organization. This article explores these sometimes tricky issues, and offers practical risk-based guidance for organizations contemplating these types of exercises.     

交通肇事眼损伤鉴定及其VEP检查特征分析

对 30例交通肇事眼损伤鉴定及其VEP检查结果进行回顾性分析 ,旨在探讨交通肇事眼损伤鉴定的特征 ;结果表明 :与普通伤害案件相比 ,(1)交通肇事眼损伤鉴定时合并颅脑损伤 (83% )及多颅神经损伤 (53% )的比例较高 ;导致复视及眼球运动受限 (30 % )的情况较多 ;视神经损伤 (2 0 % )及眶壁骨折 (2 0 % )的发生率较高 ;鉴定时应注重这些方面的检查。 (2 )交通肇事眼损伤鉴定当事人主诉双眼视力下降 (53% )的比例较高 ,雾视法进行伪盲试验受到限制 ,VEP检查显得更为主要。VEP检查是确证视神经损伤的良好方法 ,不同程度的视功能障碍其VEP表现为波形熄灭、波形离散、波幅降低、潜伏期延长不等。另一方面 ,交通肇事后弥漫性脑组织损伤也在眼底及VEP上有一定表现。     

The forensic medical characteristics of the injuries to the spleen in blunt trauma of the abdomen

Analysis of 220 sectional cases with blunt spleen trauma is given in this article. Trauma circumstances, morphologic features of spleen injuries depending on the kind of blunt trauma, mechanism of their formation were studied.     

The morphological characteristics of the brain injuries in acceleration trauma depending on the conditions of its occurrence

The series of 175 cases of cranio-cerebral trauma (acceleration trauma by mechanism of its formation) was studied. Morphology of percussion and anti-percussion cerebral lesions was shown to depend on conditions of trauma formation and other factors including presence or lack of cranial bone fractures, cerebral vascular pathology, nature of trauma (isolated or combined) etc.     

The pathomorphological characteristics of the vascular plexuses and ependyma of the cerebral ventricles in human craniocerebral trauma]

The morphology of the studied substrates was analyzed in lethal craniocerebral injuries of various origins and in various periods after it was suffered. The data on the pattern and time course of pathomorphologic shifts and functions extend the general notions on the role of the liquor circulation system in the pathogenesis of craniocerebral injury. These results may serve as additional expert criteria of the mechanisms of brain injury.     

Comparative characteristics of hydration distribution in various structures of the brain in the deceased of a severe cerebrocranial trauma

Hydration in the brain structures was analysed in 34 victims who had died of a severe craniocerebral trauma with pathological processes (hematoma, foci of brain crushing) of different location. Some of the patients had undergone open operations on the brain. Mosaic distribution of water was revealed in various structures of the brain where normohydration and dehydration occurred more often than hyperhydration.     

Macroscopic, histological and toxicological aspects of early Gammarus pulex scavenging

Two cases of scavenging postmortem freshwater shrimps (Gammarus pulex) are presented. We report the two first illustrated observations of cutaneous postmortem injuries inflicted by a G. pulex population, a small freshwater crustacean, on two non putrefied drowning victims, and we describe their particular histological features and their potential in forensic investigations.     

Biomechanical features of spinal trauma depending on conditions of the trauma

The aim of the study was to investigate biomechanical features of spinal trauma (fractures) depending on external impact, position of a human body or its parts in the moment of the trauma and before it; to reveal morphological signs of fractures characterizing specific trauma mechanisms. From a position of theoretical mechanics, the vertebral column is an elastic stem the strength of which depends on elastic properties of the pulpous nuclei and intervertebral disks, the column length and curvature. To determine the mechanism of the trauma, it is recommended to make the following measurements: the length of the body, the length of the vertebral column, the length of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar parts, size of the chest kyphosis.     

Macroscopic observations of the effects of varying fresh water pH on bone

Little is known about the decomposition of remains in aquatic environments of varying pH, and even less is known about the specific effects of these environments on bone. Bovine bones were placed in solutions of pH 1, 4, 7, 10, and 14 and observed over a period of 1 year. All solutions eventually removed or dissolved the soft tissues from the external surface of the bone. The pH 7 and pH 10 solutions had little effect on the bone, but the other solutions affected the bone to varying degrees. Extreme pH levels were the most destructive, while more moderate pH levels had lesser but significant and interesting effects. Empirical data on postmortem aquatic changes may be extremely useful in forensic contexts for both improving time since death estimates and also for providing better information to underwater recovery experts thereby potentially increasing the quantity and quality of remains recovery.     

The Effects of Soil Environment on Postmortem Interval: A Macroscopic Analysis

Abstract:  Burial environment, in particular soil moisture, has a significant impact on the type, rate, and extent of bone degradation, which ultimately affects estimations of the postmortem interval (PMI). The purpose of this research is to determine the effects of soil moisture on the color, weight, condition, and texture of bone as it relates to the PMI. Bone changes occurring over two different time intervals (2 and 5 months) were examined using 120 sus scrofa leg bones. During each time interval bones were buried in two soil environments, one of which was drier than the other. The bones in both environments lost weight over time but the net weight loss was greater for bones in the higher moisture environment. There was no change in color, texture, or overall condition, indicating that 150 days is not long enough for such alterations to occur, regardless of the moisture level of the burial environment.     

Rape trauma syndrome

This article analyzes recent case law on the admissibility of rape trauma syndrome evidence. Because many rulings on the admissibility of this evidence have been based on judicial assumptions about human behavior, rather than on scientific evidence, we next describe psychological research relevant to concerns raised about its scientific reliability, helpfulness, and prejudicial impact. Following this review, we evaluate both the expert testimony provided and the judicial decisions in recent cases in light of current research. Finally, we provide suggestions for future psychological research that could 1 inform discussions of the admissiblity of rape trauma syndrome evidence.     

高位视路损伤与管内段间接视神经损伤的比较

目的 探讨高位视路损伤的法医学鉴定问题。方法 搜集11例头部外伤致高位视路损伤的案例资料,与随机选取的20例管内段间接视神经损伤的案例资料进行比较,并就相关临床检查所见、电视野及闪光VEP特征进行分析。结果 与视神经损伤相比,高位视路损伤的临床常规检查,除视功能障碍的主诉外瞳孔对光反射及眼底均无阳性所见;电视野检查表现为双眼同向性偏盲,管内段视神经损伤表现为单眼视野缺损。在11例高位视路损伤者中,8例为枕叶皮层损伤,闪光VEP表现为双眼P1波潜伏期轻度延长,波幅基本正常;3例为皮层下损伤,表现为P1波潜伏期明显延长,波幅明显降低。视神经损伤闪光VEP表现为伤眼PI波潜伏期明显延长,波幅明显降低,甚至无波诱出。结论双眼视野同向性偏盲是高位视路损伤的特征性改变,高位视路损伤闪光VEP的异常率较低,但一旦双眼闪光VEP异常可以支持高位视路损伤的诊断,鉴定时应同时结合头颅CT及脑电图结果综合分析,加以确认高位视路损伤的存在。