大鼠脑外伤后大脑皮质脑红蛋白的表达

目的探讨脑外伤后大脑脑红蛋白（Ngb）的时空变化规律及其法医学意义。方法实验大鼠分为打击后15min、30min、1h、3h、6h、12h、1d、2d 8组,并设正常对照组。采用硬膜外局部打击方法复制SD大鼠外伤性局灶性脑挫伤模型,在各组预设时间点断颈处死,并按损伤区、打击周边缘区和非损伤区皮质分别取材,采用半定量反转录聚合酶链式反应（半定量RT-PCR）方法和图像分析技术观测脑外伤后Ngb mRNA表达的变化规律,并对所测数据进行统计学分析。结果大鼠脑外伤后脑损伤区Ngb mRNA表达在伤后15min开始下降,24h降至最低水平;打击周边损伤区NgbmRNA表达于伤后15min即可见表达增高,12h增高达峰值;非损伤区皮质Ngb mRNA表达强于正常皮质。结论 Ngb在脑损伤的急性阶段对神经细胞有保护作用。     

大鼠脑液压冲击伤caspase-8的表达

目的探讨大鼠脑损伤后caspase-8表达情况,为脑损伤的诊断及损伤时间推断提供依据。方法建立大鼠脑液压冲击伤模型。用免疫组化与图像分析技术分别检测伤后15,30min和1,3,6,12h及1,4,7,14d大鼠皮质、丘脑、海马等部位caspase-8的表达。结果发现伤后30min大脑皮质和海马caspase-8开始出现表达,随时间增加其表达亦逐渐增加,伤后3h显著增加,24h达到高峰,4d后逐渐减少,14d基本恢复正常;而丘脑在伤后1h才开始出现阳性表达,伤后6h出现明显表达,24h达到高峰,4d后逐渐减少,14d基本恢复正常。同时发现损伤对侧海马及丘脑出现相应的变化规律。结论caspase-8阳性表达的变化规律可作为脑损伤诊断及损伤时间推测的指标之一。     

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.     

Fas-L在大鼠脑液压冲击伤后的表达

目的为探讨轻型闭合性颅脑损伤的病理诊断及损伤时间推断依据。方法通过建立大鼠脑液压冲击伤模型,用免疫组化染色方法与图像分析技术分别检测大鼠轻型闭合性颅脑损伤后15,30min,1,3,6,12h,1,4,7,14d以及正常对照组与手术对照组大鼠大脑皮质、丘脑、海马等部位Fas-L的表达。结果发现伤后1hFas-L开始在大脑皮质及海马出现表达,随时间增加表达逐渐增强,伤后3hFas-L表达显著增加,伤后12h达高峰,损伤4d后Fas-L表达逐渐减弱,14d基本恢复正常。本研究证明,Fas-L介导的细胞凋亡不仅出现于脑损伤邻近,在远离损伤部位的脑组织亦有Fas-L介导的细胞凋亡发生。结论Fas-L表达可望为轻型闭合性颅脑损伤早期诊断提供依据;根据Fas-L阳性表达的变化规律可作为脑损伤时间推测的指标之一。     

实验性大鼠脑震荡后c-jun mRNA表达

目的观察实验性大鼠脑震荡后c-jun mRNA的表达变化规律。方法 55只实验大鼠随机分为脑震荡组（0min、15min、30min、60min、3h、6h、12h、24h、48h、96h）和对照组,用原位杂交法观察大鼠脑震荡后各时间点,大脑皮质、脑干和丘脑神经元c-jun mRNA表达的变化规律。结果对照组大鼠神经元和胶质细胞均可见c-jun mRNA的弱阳性表达。脑震荡组大鼠损伤后15min神经细胞观察到c-jun mRNA阳性表达,随损伤后经过时间的延长阳性表达逐渐增强;30min时c-jun mRNA阳性反应达高峰,随后逐渐降低,至96h时回落至对照组水平。结论 c-jun mRNA表达水平可成为诊断脑震荡和推断伤后经过时间的一项敏感指标。     

Experimental Study on the Postmortem Redistribution of the Substituted Phenethylamine, 25B‐NBOMe

2‐(4‐Bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐N‐(2‐methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25B‐NBOMe) is a substituted phenethylamine, which has become highly prevalent worldwide since 2014. Recently, in an autopsy case involving fatal 25B‐NBOMe intoxication, we found the postmortem increase of 25B‐NBOMe concentration in the cardiac blood approximately 2 days after death. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of 25B‐NBOMe and reproduce the postmortem redistribution using a rat model. Sprague‐Dawley rats were killed 30 min after intraperitoneal injection of 25B‐NBOMe (0.5 mg/kg) and left for 0, 3, 6, 9, 15, or 24 h (six rats at each time point). Postmortem 25B‐NBOMe concentrations in the cardiac blood increased by more than 10‐fold at 6‐h postmortem. 25B‐NBOMe accumulated primarily in the lung. Moreover, this postmortem redistribution occurred even in rats that had died 1 week following the 25B‐NBOMe administration. These findings indicate that attention should be paid to sample collection and data interpretation in the toxicological analysis of 25B‐NBOMe.     

Different Mechanisms of Decapitation: Three Classic and One Unique Case History

Abstract: Three classic cases and one exceptional case are reported. The unique case of decapitation took place in a traffic accident, while the others were seen after homicide, vehicle‐assisted suicide, and after long‐jump hanging. Thorough scene examinations were performed, and photographs from the scene were available in all cases. Through the autopsy of each case, the mechanism for the decapitation in each case was revealed. The severance lines were through the neck and the cervical vertebral column, except for in the motor vehicle accident case, where the base of skull was fractured. This case was also unusual as the mechanism was blunt force. In the homicide case, the mechanism was the use of a knife combined with a saw, while in the two last cases, a ligature made the cut through the neck. The different mechanisms in these decapitations are suggested.     

大鼠电击死心脑肺及皮肤超微结构的改变

目的 观察电击致死大鼠的心、脑、肺、皮肤超微结构形态学改变，寻找电击死的法医学鉴定依据。方法 大鼠12只，其中电击致死6只，另6只对照；取心、脑、肺、皮肤，用戊二醛固定、锇酸染色后透射电镜观察。结果 所取组织细胞均见明显细胞凋亡样改变，其中红细胞肿胀变形，充填整个毛细血管管腔。结论 心、脑、肺、皮肤组织细胞与血管内皮细胞的超微结构形态改变对鉴定电流死有参考价值。     

大鼠创伤性脑损伤后Bcl-2及Fas-L的表达

目的 观察大鼠创伤性脑损伤后,脑组织中Bcl-2及Fas-L不同时间的表达变化,探讨其与脑损伤经过时间的关系。方法 自由落体法制作大鼠脑创伤模型,在伤后不同时间处死动物并取材后,进行Bcl-2、Fas-L免疫组织化学(SP法)和HE染色观察;图像处理大鼠脑挫伤后不同时间Bcl-2及Fas-L免疫反应阳性细胞并进行统计学分析。结果 染色阳性细胞主要分布在挫伤灶的周围。Bcl-2在伤后30min即有阳性表达,后逐渐加深;至伤后4h达高峰,然后随时间延长,阳性细胞染色强度逐渐减弱。脑挫伤后30min,损伤灶的周围即出现Fas-L阳性表达,随后呈缓慢增长;从伤后4h,Fas-L阳性反应的程度及数量逐渐显著增加。结论 脑挫伤后Bcl-2和Fas-L的表达在伤后不同时间,呈现一定的规律性变化。     

Traumatic basal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Report of six cases and review of the literature

Basal subarachnoid hemorrhage due to rupture of normal extra- and intracranial arteries, in association with minor trauma to the face and neck and alcohol intoxication, has been well described but often goes unrecognized at autopsy. This results in the incorrect classification of the manner of death as natural. Six cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to mild-to-moderate blows to the head or neck are presented. All were men in the age range 28-61 years (mean, 38.8 years). Four had blood alcohol levels of 0.09-0.28 g % at autopsy, and five of six were comatose or dead within 30 min of the initiating trauma. Traumatic ruptures of otherwise normal extra- and intracranial arteries were identified in four cases. The site of rupture was not found in one case, and the final case had rupture of a fibrotic intracranial vertebral artery. Multiple sites of incomplete and complete rupture were found in four cases. Postmortem angiography was used in one case to demonstrate the site of rupture prior to removal of the brain. Postmortem angiography and careful gross and histologic examination of extra- and intracranial cerebral arteries is recommended in all cases of basal subarachnoid hemorrhage where minor trauma to the head or neck has occurred prior to collapse or death, especially if the decedent was intoxicated at the time of the trauma.     

Homicide by blunt force in 2 Scandinavian capitals

In the Oslo and Copenhagen areas, 77 instances of blunt force homicides were committed from 1985-1994, accounting for 18% of all homicides in that 10-year period. Fifty-four (70%) of the victims were male, often killed by an acquaintance during a fight. Almost 70% of the female victims were killed in their own home, whereas that was the case for only 30% of the male victims. The majority of the victims (of both sexes) had been hit in more than 1 region of the body. A female offender was encountered in 4 instances; none of their victims were children. Of the 3 children in the blunt force victim group, 2 were battered children. Many of the victims with a blood alcohol level of 0 turned out to have lived for some time after the injury.     

HSP70,NF应用于脑挫伤时间推断的实验研究

应用免疫组化技术 (SABC法 ) ,检测实验大鼠脑挫伤灶周围神经元和胶质细胞中热休克蛋白70(HSP70)和神经丝蛋白(NF)的染色变化。结果发现NF和HSP70在脑挫伤后30min便可检测到 ,而且仅出现在脑挫伤灶周围 ,12～24h后逐渐消失 ,故此两项指标既可作为早期脑挫伤时间推断的依据 ,同时也可作为判断脑挫伤灶是否存在及区分生前和死后脑挫伤的重要标志。     

An unusual airplane crash--deadly life saver. Unintentional activation of an automated reserve opening device causing airplane accident

A Pilatus PC 6 "Turbo-Porter" crashed after having dropped skydivers. The interdisciplinary investigation of the crash revealed that the automated reserve opening device "Student-CYPRES" which the passenger wore on his parachute system had been set off during the landing approach. The parachute pulled the passenger out of the airplane. Subsequently the parachute got caught at the horizontal tail, and its wearer was instantly killed by internal decapitation. The airplane crashed because of its damaged horizontal tail, and the pilot lost his life.     

大鼠液压冲击脑损伤bFGF及其受体FGFR1 mRNA表达

目的 观察脑损伤后 bFGF及其受体 FGFRl mRNA表达及其时序性变化,探讨脑损伤的分子机制及法医学脑损伤时间推断。方法 用原位杂交(ISH)和RT-PCR技术观察大鼠液压冲击脑损伤后bFGF及FGFRl mRNA在伤后不同时间(30min、1h、3h、6h、12h、1d、3d、7d)的表达情况,以正常大鼠及手术大鼠作为对照。结果(1)正常及手术对照组大鼠脑组织内有低水平的bFGF及FGFRl mRNA表达;(2)脑损伤后6h～3d,大脑皮质和脑干bFGF/FGFRl mRNA水平逐渐增加,7d时已有所下降,但仍未恢复到基础水平;(3)海马冲击后3h即开始显著增加,3d开始下降,7d时已恢复到基础水平。结论 脑损伤可诱导bFGF/FGFRl基因表达,机体对脑损伤存在自身保护机制,其表达的时序性改变可望用于法医学脑损伤时间推断。     

大鼠肥大细胞的法医学实验研究──过氧化物酶活性变化、脱颗粒超微结构改变及分布

采用植物血凝素（PHA）致敏S、D大鼠，2周后处死，灌洗腹腔，用阿拉伯胶分离液分离肥大细胞（MC），将PHA与MC在37C水治中孵育，攻击MC使之受损伤，于伤后5、10、15、20、30和60分钟，分别吸取孵有液作聚丙烯酰胺凝胶圆盘电泳，分离MC过氧化物酶；用抗坏血酸-联苯胺染色显带，并计算酶的相对活性。另取20分钟时孵育液，常规固定，包埋，切片及染色后用透射电镜观察MC脱颗粒叶的形态。用常规石蜡切片，甲苯胺蓝染色，对SD大鼠的35种组织中MC的分布进行光镜观察。结果发现；（1）大鼠腹腔MC显示-条过氧化物酶电泳区带；（2）MC经PHA攻击受损伤10分钟内，过氧化物酶相对活性升高不明显；15、ZO、3O分钟时实验组酶活性升高，与对照组的差异明显；到60分钟时两组酶活性无显著差异；（3）MC与PHA孵育20分钟时，脱颗粒率为76％，MC浆内可见有膜性和无膜性两种类型的空泡．对照组大鼠MC脱颗粒仅为16％；（4）大鼠皮肤、肺、呼吸道、消化道、骨髓及胸腺MC含量较多；泌尿生殖道次之；心、肝、脾、肾等组织较少；脑、脊髓、脑垂体、肾上腺及睾丸等组织中未见MC，从而为法医损伤时间的推测提供方法与依据。     

Dismemberment and mutilation (2)

31 cases of criminal dismemberment or mutilation were investigated in the period from 1959 to 1987 at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Hamburg. With regard to all legal autopsies the average frequency was about 1:500. A distinct increase of the number of cases is noticeable within the last years; i.e. 1984 there were 6 victims. Our study enclosed the autopsy findings, the police investigations and the available court records. 12 cases were classified as defensive and 14 cases as offensive dismemberment of bodies; 2 cases of necrophilous dismemberment occurred after stealing the corpse and 3 victims were killed by intravital decapitation or mutilation. The victims were of all ages, but mainly between 20 and 60 years old; 22 of them were female and 9 male. 23 perpetrators could be identified; 18 of them were male and 5 female, most of them were between 30 and 40 years of age. The psychiatric expertises classified 17 of the perpetrators as "normal", 3 as abnormal and 3 as psychotic. Many morphological and criminological details concerning victims, perpetrators, used instruments for killing and dismembering, elimination and identification of the dismembered bodies and some juridical aspects are presented.     

Dermal absorption of kerosene components in rats and the influence of its amount and area of exposure

The influences of amount and area of dermal exposure to kerosene upon the levels of kerosene components in biological samples were examined in vivo and in vitro. Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups and exposed to kerosene through the abdominal skin for 2h. The amounts (soaked in cotton) and area of kerosene exposed were 1 ml/4 cm(2) in Group I, 4 ml/4 cm(2) in Group II, 4 ml/16 cm(2) in Group III and 16 ml/64 cm(2) in Group IV. Before, then 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min after exposure, 0.5 ml of blood was collected. Solid tissue samples, including the exposed skin area, were harvested at 120 min. Kerosene components were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Trimethylbenzens (TMBs) that are easily absorbed kerosene components, appeared at 5-20 min. The time course changes in TMB levels in blood were significantly different between Groups I and II or Groups I and III, and almost identical between Groups II and III. Similar trends were observed in tissue samples at 120 min. High concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHCs) were detected in the exposed skin and the AHC levels were dependent on the amount of kerosene exposed per unit area. These results suggest that (1) dermal absorption of kerosene occurs soon after dermal exposure started, (2) absorption of TMBs is influenced by the total amount of kerosene rather than area of exposure, and (3) AHCs remaining in the skin at significant levels are influenced by the amount of kerosene per unit area exposed.     

Suicidal Decapitation by Guillotine: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract: Suicidal decapitation is seldom encountered in forensic medicine practice. This study reports the analysis of a suicide committed by a 31‐year‐old man with a self‐fabricated guillotine. The construction of the guillotine was very interesting and sophisticated. The guillotine‐like blade with additional weight was placed in a large metal frame. The movement of the blade was controlled by the frame rails. The steel blade was triggered by a tensioned rubber band after releasing the safety catch. The cause of death was immediate exsanguination after complete severance of the neck. The suicide motive was most likely emotional distress after the death of his father. In medico‐legal literature, there has been only one similar case of suicidal complete decapitation by a guillotine described.     

Further investigations into the speed of cerebral swelling following blunt cranial trauma

An anesthetized sheep model of traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been developed to assess early changes in intracranial pressure (ICP) following closed head injury. Immediately after TBI, a transient (<10 min) hypertensive response occurred, followed by significant and prolonged systemic hypotension. ICP demonstrated a biphasic response, being seven times baseline values of 8 ± 2 mm Hg 10 min after injury, decreasing to 25 ± 2 mm Hg by 30 min, and then increasing to values exceeding 30 mm Hg by 4 h postinjury. ICP was always significantly higher than baseline values, which combined with hypotension, reduced cerebral perfusion pressure to less than 60% of normal. This early and sustained increase in ICP after craniocerebral trauma acutely alters cerebral perfusion pressure and brain oxygenation and provides a potential pathophysiological explanation for immediate clinical manifestations in humans following significant TBI.     

Potential for error when assessing blood cyanide concentrations in fire victims.

The present study explores toxicologic significance of blood cyanide concentrations in fire victims. Headspace gas chromatography was used for cyanide detection. Analysis of blood samples from ten fire victims (postmortem interval = 8 h to 3 to 5 d) detected zero to 11.9 mg/L of cyanide and a large difference in cyanide concentrations among victims. Carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) saturation was in the range of 24.9 to 84.2%. To examine the effects of methemoglobinemia and postmortem interval on blood cyanide concentrations in fire victims, an experiment was carried out using rabbits as the animal model. The rabbits were sacrificed by intramuscular injection of 1 mL/kg 2% potassium cyanide 5 min after intravenous injection of 0.33 mL/kg of 3% sodium nitrite (Group A, n = 3) or physiological saline (Group B, n = 6). Average methemoglobin contents immediately before potassium cyanide administration were 6.9 and 0.8% in Groups A and B, respectively. Average cyanide concentrations in cardiac blood at the time of death were 47.4 and 3.56 mg/L, respectively. When blood-containing hearts of the rabbits (n = 3 for Group B) were left at 46 degrees C for the first 1 h, at 20 to 25 degrees C for the next 23 h and then at 4 degrees C for 48 h, approximately 85 and 46% of the original amounts of blood cyanide disappeared within 24 h in Groups A and B, respectively. After the 72-h storage period, 37 and 10%, respectively, of the original amounts of cyanide remained in the blood. When the other three hearts in Group B were left at 20 to 25 degrees C for the last 48 h without refrigeration, cyanide had disappeared almost completely by the end of the experiment. The present results and those published in the literature demonstrate that the toxic effects of cyanide on fire victims should not be evaluated based solely on the concentration in blood.