Denture marking--patient preference of various methods

Dental forensic organizations world wide have recommended that dental prostheses should be labeled with at least the patient's (wearer's) name and preferably with further unique identifiers such as social security number. A range of methods are available and the purpose of this study was to determine, via the means of a visual questionnaire, which are the most preferable to those patients who wear complete dentures. One hundred edentulous patients attending the Manchester Dental Hospital were shown a range of denture labeling methods and asked to rank these according to their preference. The most preferred method was that of an embedded radio frequency identification microchip (38% rated this as first) and the second was an inclusion technique using onion paper (24% rated this as first). The least preferred method was the use of a groove cut into the denture flange with 71% of patients rating this as the poorest in terms of esthetics. The study demonstrates that the method of denture labeling is important to patients and to ensure that denture labeling is performed routinely esthetic preferences must be considered.     

应用RNA分析技术推断现场血痕形成时间

目的检测血痕中β-actin mRNA和18S rRNA在人体死后8～15d期间的表达残留,为推断血痕形成时间寻找新的客观依据。方法在上述时段内每天抽提血痕总RNA,利用实时定量RT-PCR技术监测18S rRNA和β-actin mRNA的扩增状况并对产物进行定量分析,通过检测18S rRNA与β-actin mRNA含量在各个时间点的变化趋势来推测血痕形成时间。结果死后8～15 d时段内18S rRNA与β-actinmRNA量的比值呈明显升高趋势,显示出两种不同类型RNA降解的时间差异性。结论一定时段内18SrRNA与β-actin mRNA量的相对变化,可作为推测血痕形成时间的参考指标。     

The evolution of methods for estimating the time of death from body temperature

A chronological survey is offered of the development of concepts and techniques to use body temperature in the estimation of time since death. For a century and a half, this method has been investigated, though accuracy still cannot be claimed, especially in operational conditions.     

The use of circular dichroism and spectrophotometric methods in establishing the time of death

Dynamics of destruction of metal-containing proteins in skeletal muscles depending on storage duration (up to 30 days) of cadaveric material was studied in vitro using spectra of circular dichroism and absorption in visible spectrum area. Dichroic absorption diminishes gradually with increase of storage duration of cadaveric material.     

Precision of estimating time of death by vitreous potassium--comparison of various equations.

This paper is a study of the precision of estimating the time since death comparing the equations developed by different authors. Our aim is to determine with the maximum degree of accuracy the exact time of death of the individual. We consider that the study has been fully justified by the observed differences in the results obtained from the different equations under study when the concentration of potassium in the vitreous humour was identical.     

Reduce optimisation time and effort: Taguchi experimental design methods

Development and validation of new methods and technologies frequently require long periods of time and high costs to determine the optimal system. A commonly used approach to optimisation is the factorial method, where each variable is tested at every level of the other variables. An alternative approach is to modify the experimental design using a multifactorial approach. The Taguchi design method utilises orthogonal arrays, which distribute the variables in a balanced manner, thus greatly reducing the number of experiments required. We applied the Taguchi experimental design method to PCR optimisation, and significantly reduced the number of reactions required to create highly successful reactions. We found the Taguchi design method a valuable tool for the optimisation of multifactor experiments.     

Significance of various analytical methods with reference to the causes and manners of death in alcoholics

It was the aim of the present investigation to apply a broad spectrum of analyses to forensic autopsies of alcoholics in order to estimate the significance of the various analytical methods with reference to the cause and manner of death. The analyses were performed on a consecutive series of 73 medico-legal autopsies in alcoholics. Both extensive histology as well as toxicology and microbiology were used. The microbiology did not contribute substantially to the determination of the cause of death, while histology was decisive in six cases. Toxicology analyses were necessary for determining the cause of death in 37 cases. The results of the investigation may help in the selection of analytical priorities.     

Determination of the time of death in a homicide-suicide case using flow cytometry.

The study of the biologic processes involved in determining the postmortem interval also can be useful for determining the time of death. In this instance, we investigated the time of death in a case of homicide-suicide using circumstantial findings and thanatochronological and flow cytometric data. The flow cytometric data confirmed the time of death as calculated from the police investigations. This method has proven more reliable than thanatochronological techniques and can be used to supplement these observations. This case indicates that the use of flow cytometry "on the spot" is useful and reliable; however, more evidence is needed to support this new, although to date very sound, method of investigation.     

Determination of the time of death according to rectal thermometry data using computer calculations

A mathematic model of estimation of time of death (TD) in newborns is proposed. This computer method of TD timing by changes of body temperature differs from earlier developed mathematical models by possibility to consider individual anthropometric and thermophysical characteristics of the body. It is more precise, shorter and easy to perform.     

Comparative characteristics of various methods of sample preparation for determining ethanol in muscle tissue

Three methods for sample preparation for ethanol detection by gas chromatography are compared. The highest ethanol output was obtained after preparation by 5-min heating of the biological object and the internal reference object with addition of trichloroacetic acid as the acidifier. Relationship between the results of ethanol measurements and the degree of muscle crushing was evaluated.     

8种方法显现的汗潜指印STR分型研究

目的研究常见指印显现方法对指印STR检验的影响。方法采用Invisorb spin forensic试剂盒提取纯化人汗潜指印DNA,低拷贝模板(LCN)STR复合扩增,荧光电泳检验。结果用铜粉、铝粉、荧光粉、黑磁粉、"502"胶、茚三酮、磺酸双三嗪荧光显色液显现的玻片、纸张和胶带纸粘面上的汗潜指印可成功进行STR分型。结论常见指印显现方法不影响指印STR检验。     

Sensitive and specific multiresidue methods for the determination of pesticides of various classes in clinical and forensic toxicology

Original and sensitive multiresidue methods are presented for the detection and quantitation, in human biological matrices, of 61 pesticides of toxicological significance in human. These methods involved rapid solid-phase extraction using new polymeric support (HLB and MCX) OASIS cartridges. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for volatile (organophosphate, organochlorine, phtalimide, uracil) pesticides and liquid chromatography-ionspray-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for thermolabile and polar pesticides (carbamates, benzimidazoles). Acquisition was performed in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Extraction recovery varied owing to the nature of pesticides, but was satisfactory for all. Limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantitation (LOQs) ranged, respectively, from 2.5 to 20 and from 5 to 50ng/ml. An excellent linearity was observed from LOQs up to 1000ng/ml for all the pesticides studied. The proposed procedures yielded reproducible results with good inter-assay accuracy and precision. A few cases of intoxication are presented to demonstrate the diagnostic interest of these methods: in two cases were determined lethal concentrations of endosulfan and carbofuran; in four other cases, the procedures helped diagnose intoxication with, respectively, parathion-ethyl, the association of bromacil and strychnine, bifenthrin and aldicarb.     

Death time estimation in case work. II. Integration of different methods

The mean value of the time of death is not reliable because of the great variability of the time-dependent criteria of dead bodies. However, it is possible to narrow down a reliable time period for a stated death by means of the lower and upper limits of error of different criteria. The external data of lividity, rigor, mechanical and electrical excitability of facial muscles and the chemical excitability of the iris have all been gathered from literature, chronologically arranged and clearly presented. After rectal temperature measurement and a corresponding nomogram reading, it is simple to choose other suitable criteria and to integrate them with the aid of a chart thus producing a rational and practical procedure for use at a scene of crime.     

Temperature variations in automobiles in various weather conditions. An experimental contribution to the determination of time of death

From January 1995 through March 2000, temperatures in the passenger compartment of automobiles of different sizes were measured under varying weather conditions (sunshine, cloudy skies, rain) at two locations in eastern Switzerland. During the cold season, the interior temperature rose to 21 degrees C when cars were exposed to sunshine, whereas in summer interior temperature extremes of up to 89 degrees C were recorded. Make, model, and color of the vehicles were of only minor influence.     

Determination of a mechanism of the coming of death by morphological methods in strangulation mechanical asphyxia

Described in the paper are morphological data characterizing the tempo and type of thanatogenesis in strangulation asphyxia. The cerebral thanatogenesis was shown to prevail in mechanical asphyxia. The results of determination of a degree of hydration of the brain by drying its samples are described. Medullary substance was demonstrated to be hypohydrated in such death.     

Determination of glucose in human vitreous humor. Various analytical methods give different results

In twenty cases, human vitreous humor glucose concentrations were measured with five different methods in common use. Striking differences in glucose values were obtained by the various analytical procedures. The reasons for these discrepancies remain obscure. Before interpretation of a given vitreous value, therefore, the analytical method employed must be known.     

利用GC—CI—MS／MS时间编程技术分析混合农药

目的研究生物组织中两种混合农药(敌敌畏、克百威)的痕量确认方法;方法采用时间编程方法和GC-CI-MS/MS技术,选择在共振方式下,用CI化学源在4min~6.5min以敌敌畏的分子离子(M 1)221为母离子进行MS/MS分析;结果其碰撞诱导电压为0.5v,产生的二级质谱子离子为141,145;在6.5min~13min以克百威的分子离子(M 1)222为母离子进行MS/MS分析,其碰撞诱导电压为0.4v,产生的二级质谱子离子为165,123;结论排除背景干扰、定性快而准确。