Pediatric acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); health care demonstration projects--HRSA. Notice of availability of funds

The Bureau of Maternal and Child Health and Resources Development (BNCHRD), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces that Fiscal Year (FY) 1990 funds are available for grants for Pediatric AIDS Health Care Demonstration Projects, Pediatric AIDS Comprehensive Center Demonstration Projects, and National Issues of High Priority. Projects will be funded to demonstrate strategies and innovative models for intervention in pediatric AIDS and coordinated services for children, youth, and women of childbearing age with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, AIDS or other related conditions, or those at risk for developing infection and its consequences. Funds were appropriated for this purpose by Public Law 101-166.     

Further evidence of a silent plasminogen (PLG) allele in two paternity cases

Routine paternity testing has yielded two different cases of an apparent inverse homozygosity in the plasminogen (PLG) system. In one case, the child presented the phenotype PLG A and his putative father the type PLG B. The alleged father could not be excluded from the paternity in 25 additional blood group marker systems (biostatistical probability of paternity W greater than 99.75%). In the other case an incompatibility was found in a mother- child pair. Analysis of PLG was carried out by isoelectric focusing on neuraminidase-treated sera. In both cases the immunologic and functional detection showed weaker banding pattern of the affected PLG types. The assumption of a silent allele in the PLG system was confirmed by quantitative investigations. The allele frequency of PLG*Q0 in the South German population was estimated to be 0.0013. In the same sample the variant PLG A3 has been shown to be polymorphic.     

The evidential value of intra-alveolar haemosiderin-macrophages in cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

This study aimed to determine the effect of cocaine on the development and growth of immature and adult blowflies, in an attempt to better understand the impacts of such effects on postmortem interval (PMI) estimation. Twice the lethal dose of cocaine was injected into rabbits. The control animals were injected only with saline solution. Experimental and control rabbits were autopsied, and portions of their livers were exposed to newly eclosed larvae of Chrysomya putoria and Chrysomya albiceps. Larvae were weighed individually every 6 h, up 54 h of exposure. The larvae were then placed on an artificial diet to continue their development. Pupariation time, adult emergence and adult longevity were also analysed. The larvae of both species that fed on the cocaine-containing livers developed faster than those that fed on the livers of the control animals, leading to the conclusion that cocaine influences and stimulates larval growth. The difference in growth between the control and treated flies was best observed from 12 h of exposure onward. This finding has important implications for forensic investigations.     

论毒品犯罪案件的证据

毒品犯罪案件有许多不同于普通刑事案件的特殊性，毒品案件中的证据又具有相对的单一性，必须当场缴获毒品和毒资才能证实犯罪。本文结合缉毒侦查中的具体情况，强调办理毒品案件必须增强证据意识，要把握好破案的时机，适时取证；收集证据一定要十分仔细，获取的证据应做好固定保全工作，并特别注意取证的合法性；采用技术侦察手段须把握住一条底线：不得诱人犯罪；应正确运用推定规则判定“明知”，对推定结论允许以确凿的事实予以反驳。     

论毒品犯罪案件的证据

毒品犯罪案件有许多不同于普通刑事案件的特殊性,毒品案件中的证据又具有相对的单一性,必须当场缴获毒品和毒资才能证实犯罪。本文结合缉毒侦查中的具体情况,强调办理毒品案件必须增强证据意识,要把握好破案的时机,适时取证;收集证据一定要十分仔细,获取的证据应做好固定保全工作,并特别注意取证的合法性;采用技术侦察手段须把握住一条底线:不得诱人犯罪;应正确运用推定规则判定"明知",对推定结论允许以确凿的事实予以反驳。     

Immunohistochemical techniques improve the diagnosis of myocarditis in cases of suspected sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Immunohistochemical techniques have improved the diagnosis of myocarditis. In a post mortem study, eight specimens in each case of the formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded hearts of 20 suspected cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) were investigated with traditional hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical methods. The hematoxylin-eosin stained specimens were examined for myocarditis according to the Dallas criteria; only in one case was a myocarditis diagnosed. The subsequent definition of the major histocompatibility complex class II antigens (HLA-DP,DQ,DR and HLA-DR), known to be enhanced in cases of myocarditis, the quantification of leucocytes with leucocyte common antigen (LCA) and characterization and quantification of T-lymphocytes using a specific marker (CD-3) allowed the definite diagnosis of myocarditis in three additional cases, six cases were found with moderate changes and ten cases without signs of inflammation.     

Legal constraints for the protection of privacy and personal data in electronic evidence handling1

This paper describes the application of personal data protection rules in the process of e‐evidence handling. It focuses mainly on the application of Directive 95/46/EC rules to the digital environment. It also makes reference to the legal risks derived from the collection and processing of e‐evidence in violation of privacy and personal data protection law.     

Forensic issues in cases of Diogenes syndrome

Diogenes syndrome is a syndrome described in the clinical literature in elderly individuals characterized by social isolation and extreme squalor. A number of typical features are found in the forensic evaluation of these deaths as the cases usually initiate medicolegal investigations due to the circumstances and the lack of recorded medical histories. Examinations of the death scenes are often difficult as victim's houses are in a state of disrepair, with filth and clutter, and pet dogs may resent the intrusion of strangers. Bodies are often filthy, with parasitic infestations, and are often putrefied due to the social isolation of the deceased and the delay in the finding of the corpse. Bodies may be traumatized from postmortem animal depredation by rodents or pets (eg, cats, dogs), and injuries such as bruises and lacerations may be present from falls associated with terminal illnesses or alcoholism. Blood or putrefactive fluids may be spread throughout the house by pets. Treatable medical conditions are often present in advanced stages, and features of hypothermia may be found. Attending police may suspect robbery due to disarray of the house and homicide due to apparent "bleeding" around the body from purging of putrefactive fluids, injuries from falls, or postmortem animal activity and "blood stains" throughout the house from antemortem injuries and/or fluid spread by animals. Finally, the identification of the deceased may be compromised by decay and/or postmortem animal activity. Thus, in addition to having typical clinical manifestations, such individuals appear to form a distinct subset of forensic cases having characteristic death scene and autopsy features and presenting particular difficulties in postmortem evaluations.     

Paternity analysis in deficiency cases with related putative fathers: simulation of a deficiency analysis in 27 families

During the last few years, the number of privately ordered paternity investigations has increased considerably. Probably due to financial reasons in more and more cases only the putative father and the child are investigated. Additionally, very often only one method, such as STR analysis, is employed. This raises the question whether such a reduced analysis leads to reliable and clear results when investigating cases with related putative fathers. We investigated 165 individuals from 27 families using the AmpFlSTRIdentifiler multiplex PCR and calculated the paternity probabilities of the children to their biological fathers, uncles, grand fathers and other relatives. In more than 30% less than three exclusions between child and relative were detected. In five cases no exclusions were found between child and uncle, always leading to paternity probabilities >99.9%. These results show that the calculation of high probabilities (>99.9%) does not necessarily lead to the accurate conclusion of fatherhood. In many of our cases misleadingly the brother of the real father or another close relative would have been declared to be the biological father.     

DNA profile evidence in complex disputed paternity cases: The analysis of 300 real cases

In disputed paternity cases where the putative father is unavailable DNA from one or more of his relatives could be used. However, interpreting results is often difficult, because of the partial information regarding the parental genotype obtained from his relatives. We analyzed results obtained in 300 real paternity cases performed through close relatives of the real father (sib, half-sibs, one grandparent and/or uncle). DNA was typed with PowerPlex (Promega) and the LR estimated with the Software BDGen. As expected the higher LR values were achieved with sibs and half-sibs (in such cases where his/her mother was available for testing). The LR values were tight related to the number of uninformative loci, which varied between 0 and 13. In 10% of the reviewed cases, 10 or more non-informative loci were observed; all of them associated LR values below 0.01. Thus, providing evidence in favor of no relatedness.     

Study of fatal burns cases in Kanpur (India)

Epidemiological and medicolegal, including forensic pathological, aspects of 180 cases of fatal burns were studied in Kanpur (India) during the period of one year (October 1985 to September 1986). These constituted 10.79% of the total medicolegal deaths autopsied. Majority of the victims were young Hindu housewives burnt within 5 years of their marriage. The most common source of fire was cooking apparatus like chulha, coalfire, stove or cooking gas. In a substantial number of cases, kerosene oil was poured over the victims and fired with a match stick. About half of the burn cases were accidental, in which cooking on open unguarded flames and loose highly inflammable synthetic sarees of the victims can be blamed. Among the others who died in suspicious circumstances, i.e., burnt alive or forced to commit suicide by fire, dowry and family quarrels and marital disharmony were the two important predisposing factors. Illiteracy, arranged and child marriages, joint family structure, oedipal dominance of mother-in-laws, unemployment and economic dependence of the husband on the parents, near complete dependence of women on their husbands and inlaws, and lack of social security amongst Hindu females were other contributory factors affecting the incidence in some way. Male burn deaths were few and usually accidental.     

Rupture of the spleen or splenic vessels (splenic emergency syndrome) in late pregnancy: a report of two autopsy cases

During the years 2004-2006, seven divers, who had deadly accidents, underwent post-mortem examination at the Institute of Legal Medicine of the University of Munich. The cause of death in all divers was drowning with typical pathomorphological findings. This should be regarded as separated to the triggering reason for drowning. The trigger for accident was established in four of seven cases by technical analysis and police investigation. High risk-taking, lack of technical service, and deficiency of dive equipment care were main reasons for death. We present two of these cases which showed several problems occurring concurrently. Autopsy always is necessary to look for indices for application of force or to exclude competitive reasons for death.     

AIDS fatalities in Hamburg (status: February 1985)--legal medicine aspects

The registration of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS deaths is centralized for medical research. A short review of the epidemiological state of AIDS in Hamburg is given (situation as of February 1985), and the autopsy results of seven postmortem examinations are referred to. Kaposi's sarcoma was seen in four patients and opportunistic infections in all cases, especially as a result of Pneumocystis carinii and cytomegalovirus. Due to the constellation of groups with an increased risk of acquiring AIDS--homosexual males, intravenous drug abusers and prostitutes--forensic implications have to be expected.     

Parental alienation (syndrome) in child custody cases: survivors’ experiences and the logic of psychosocial and legal services in Italy

ABSTRACT

Parental alienation (syndrome) is a controversial issue, criticized by experts in different fields. However, this concept is often used by professionals and is frequently cited in courtrooms. This qualitative study focuses on parental alienation and explores women’s experiences as well as legal and social services’ practices in child custody cases. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with separated mothers who were victims of intimate partner violence, and with social workers and psychologists/psychiatrists designated by courts to evaluate parenting skills. Expert reports, psychological assessments and legal documents were also analysed. Results show that professionals endorsed parental alienation and considered it a ‘feminine problem’. Women were often blamed and labeled as ‘engaging in parental alienation’ when they were trying to ensure their children’s safety. Children’s accounts were interpreted as being a result of their mothers’ manipulation. In contrast, fathers were treated as victims of vindictive women who want to keep children to themselves. Men’s violent behaviours were not considered, and their role as fathers was seen as ‘inviolable’. These practices seem to reflect the ‘good-enough father’ approach, according to which the presence of the father is essential for children’s development, regardless of his violent behaviours.     

A study of fatal strangulation cases in Varanasi (India)

Strangulation is one of the oldest and widely used methods of committing murder in the Indian subcontinent. It is usually carried out by constricting the neck either with the hands, elbow, or other parts of body or by ligature, stick, and the like. In this paper we report a study of 26 cases of fatal strangulation occurring in the district of Varanasi (India) during 1982-1983 and analyze their epidemiological, medicolegal, and forensic pathological aspects. The paper also projects the mentality of perpetrators who, after strangling their victims, tried to hide the crime by disposing of the dead bodies by burning, burying, hanging, throwing them into water, or concealing them in distant places in most of the cases.     

Borderline cases in law and medicine (author's transl)

Medical problems and their solution may call for consideration of legal consequences in advance, as medical action can result in a violation of the penal code. This is illustrated in the case of homoiotransplantation, using fetal kidneys, which leads to prolicide without abortion (96, 97 StGB) and the surgical separation of Siamese twins an unpaired common organ. The predictable death of one constitutes the fact of murder (75 StGB) while prolicide is possible under the regulations of the Austrian penal code.     

Further evidence of in vitro production of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in urine samples

This study was designed to supplement previous studies that documented in vitro production of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in urine samples. Urine samples were provided by subjects who reported that they had never used GHB (n=31). The specimens were stored under standard conditions of refrigeration (5 degrees C) without any preservatives added. All specimens were repeatedly analyzed for the presence of endogenous GHB over a 6-month period using a previously reported headspace GC-MS method. Significant elevations in GHB were observed in many of the urine samples as storage time increased. As a result, the in vitro production of GHB may increase the apparent GHB concentrations in urine during storage. This potential for an artificial increase in GHB concentration must be appreciated when establishing the threshold between endogenous and exogenous concentrations of GHB.