有限元方法在交通损伤中的应用及其法医学前景

有限元方法(finite element method,FEM)是一种基于计算机技术的数值计算方法,目前已逐渐被应用于医学及生物力学领域。通过有限元分析,可以研究交通损伤中人体结构的受力过程分析和受伤机制,为交通损伤的法医学鉴定提供帮助。本文综述了近年来国内外在交通损伤中颅脑、颈椎、胸腹部、骨盆及四肢的有限元建模和分析进展。     

Fn-EIIIA金标试纸条进行损伤时间推断的效果评价

目的评价Fn-EIIIA金标单克隆抗体试纸条在人体皮肤组织损伤时间推断中的有效性和灵敏度。方法提取不同损伤时间人体皮肤组织,匀浆,用Fn-EIIIA金标单克隆抗体试纸条检测其Fn-EIIIA的表达,对其结果进行评价;同时,将大鼠挫伤皮肤组织置于自然环境中,分别提取不同自溶时间段的皮肤样本进行检测,对自溶变化对检测结果的影响进行观察。结果正常皮肤组织样本中试纸条检测线不显色,损伤1h后即显色,随损伤时间延长,试纸条检测线有显色逐渐加深的趋势;在观察时间段内,组织自溶对检测结果无显著影响。结论Fn-EIIIA金标单克隆抗体试纸条可作为法医学损伤时间推断敏感、稳定的检测手段。     

Current state and progress of research on forensic biomechanics in China

Forensic biomechanics gradually has become a significant component of forensic science. Forensic biomechanics is evidence-based science that applies biomechanical principles and methods to forensic practice, which has constituted one of the most potential research areas. In this review, we introduce how finite element techniques can be used to simulate forensic cases, how injury criteria and injury scales can be used to describe injury severity, and how tests of postmortem human subjects and dummy can be used to provide essential validation data. This review also describes research progress and new applications of forensic biomechanics in China.

Key points

• The review shows the main research progress and new applications of forensic biomechanics in China.
• The review introduces eight cases about the application of forensic biomechanics, including the multiple rigid body reconstruction, the finite element applications, study of mechanical properties, traffic crash reconstruction based on multiple techniques and analysis of morphomechanical mechanism about blood dispersal.
• Though forensic biomechanics has a great advantage for the evaluation of injury mechanisms, it still has some uncertainties owing to the uniqueness of the human anatomy, the complexity of biological materials, and the uncertainty of injury-causing circumstances.

     

创伤性脑损伤动物模型研究进展

创伤性脑损伤(traumatic brain injury,TBI)是多因素作用的高度复杂过程,TBI动物实验研究有利于阐明TBI原发性、继发性损伤机制及病理生理学过程,为诊断及治疗提供依据.动物模型的选择依赖于研究目的,然而各种动物模型均具有局限性,仅能复制TBI关键的损伤机制或某一重要的病理生理学过程而无法全面反映...     

Can whale-fall studies inform human forensics?

Experimental knowledge of human body decomposition in the deep ocean is very limited, partly due to the logistical challenges of deep-sea research. The literature on ecological responses to the arrival of naturally sunk and implanted whale carcasses on the seafloor represents a potential source of information relevant to questions of human body survival and recovery in the deep ocean. Whale falls trigger the formation of complex, localized, and dense biological communities that have become a point of interest for marine biologists for the past 2–3 decades. Researchers have documented whale falls by whale type, size, geographic location, water depth and water chemistry, and there have been some comparative analyses of decomposition rates and faunal presence on carcasses. We undertook a review and meta-analysis of the whale-fall literature to identify and statistically model trends relevant to human forensics. Results from studies using deep-sea cameras baited with pig carcasses and simulated carrion provided further validation of noted trends. The stages of whale carcass decomposition most relevant to human forensics are those characterised by mobile scavengers that strip the soft tissues from carcasses, and to a lesser degree, other biota that degrade skeletal material. Our statistical models used the number of faunal taxa attracted to the whale carcasses as a measure of the ecological response and the potential rate of decomposition. Negative binomial models identified significant influences of carcass age and dissolved oxygen concentration on the ecological response (taxon numbers). The strongest environmental effects were identified in data from experimental studies that implanted whale carcasses across a broad range of dissolved-oxygen conditions. We propose directions for further experimental research to refine models of environmental controls on decomposition in the deep sea. Our results also highlight the potential use of publicly available global databases on environmental conditions in the deep ocean for informing body scavenging activity and thus body survival. Applying a forensic lens to whale-fall studies provides a window into an otherwise unseen world from the standpoint of human forensic taphonomy.     

大鼠海绵体神经的解剖及神经性ED模型的建立

目的对大鼠海绵体神经进行解剖并制作损伤致神经性ED的动物模型。方法通过10只废弃大鼠的解剖了解海绵体神经的解剖结构,将30只雄性SD大鼠分为实验组和对照组,术后一个月通过低频电刺激证实造模是否成功。结果大鼠海绵体神经解剖结构与人体非常相似,位于盆神经节的下方,电刺激海绵体神经,勃起试验阳性,造模后勃起试验阴性(P<0.01)。结论由于大鼠海绵体神经分布与人体有高度相似性,且价格适合,是ED研究的理想动物,海绵体神经损伤是建立神经性ED的可靠方法。     

A review of experimental design in forensic taphonomy: moving towards forensic realism

Forensic taphonomy as a discipline requires standardization to satisfy Daubert criteria for scientific data to be admissible in court. In response, there has been a shift towards quantification of methodology and estimating the postmortem interval. Despite these advances, there are still biases and limitations within the discipline not explicitly addressed in the early stages of experimental design nor in final published works. In this article, unresolved debates with respect to the conductance and reporting of forensic taphonomic research are reviewed, beginning with the nature of experimental cadavers, human or animal analogues and their body size, and second, the forensic realism of experimental setups, specifically with respect to caging, clothing and number of carcases. Pigs, albeit imperfect, are a good model to gain a general idea of the trends that may be seen in humans in subsequent validation studies in facilities where human donors are available. To date, there is no consensus among taphonomists on the extent of the effect that body mass has on decomposition progression. More research is required with both human cadavers and non-human analogues that builds on our current knowledge of forensic taphonomy to answer these nagging questions. This will enable the discipline to make the reliable assumption that pigs and donor decomposition data can be applied to homicide cases. A suite of experimental design aspects is suggested to ensure systematic and standardized data collection across different biogeoclimatic circumstances to identify and quantify the effects of potential confounding variables. Such studies in multiple, varied biogeographic circumstances with standardized protocols, equipment and carrion will facilitate independent global validation of patterns. These factors are reviewed to show the need for adjustments in experimental design to ensure relevance and applicability of data within locally realistic forensic situations. The initiation of a global decomposition data network for forensic taphonomists is recommended.

Key points

• Pigs are a valuable, albeit imperfect, proxy for human decomposition studies.
• There are few or conflicting data on effects of carcase size, carrion ecology, exclusion cages and scavengers.
• We recommend single, clothed, uncaged carcases for baseline research to reflect regionally specific forensic casework.

     

A sandwich enzyme immunoassay for human muscle-specific beta-enolase and its application for the determination of skeletal muscle injury

A sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassay for human beta-enolase was developed and used to examine beta-enolase in blood or bloodstains as a marker for the determination of skeletal muscle injury. Human beta-enolase was purified from human skeletal muscle, and then an antibody against it was prepared. Polystyrene balls coated with rabbit anti-human beta-enolase IgG were incubated with human beta-enolase and then with anti-human beta-enolase Fab'-peroxidase conjugate. Peroxidase activity bound to the polystyrene balls was assayed by fluorometry using 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid as a hydrogen donor. The detection limit for human beta-enolase was 2.6 pg (30 amol) per assay. The degree of cross-reaction of the sandwich enzyme immunoassay for other organs except for heart (1/10) was about 1/150 or less. Moreover, the localization of beta-enolase in various human tissues was examined by Northern blot analysis, and this confirmed that beta-enolase was expressed only in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Antigenic activity in bloodstains containing beta-enolase was recovered well after storage for 60 days at room temperature. The ratio of beta-enolase to total protein in bloodstains made from non-traumatic blood, nasal hemorrhage and menstrual blood, was within the normal range. In contrast, the ratio of beta-enolase in bloodstains from traumatic blood was obviously elevated (10-30 fold) in comparison with non-traumatic blood. Furthermore, the ratio of beta-enolase was proved to be higher in stains adhering to weapons that had passed through skeletal muscle, indicating that detection of beta-enolase in bloodstains could be used to distinguish crime weapons. These results suggest that beta-enolase is a useful marker for identification of skeletal muscle injury as well as for detecting the origin of bleeding.     

Entomotoxicology, experimental set-up and interpretation for forensic toxicologists

Forensic entomotoxicology studies the usefulness of insects as alternative toxicological samples. Use of insects as alternative matrix for drug detection is well documented and recommended when conventional matrices such as blood, urine or internal organs are no longer available. However, several limitations of entomotoxicology have been highlighted, especially concerning interpretation of the drug concentrations in insects on human forensic cases. In addition, the lack of knowledge in pharmacokinetic of drugs in insects, large variability of experimental set-up and toxicological analysis compromise the utility of this science. This review focuses on the current knowledge of factors influencing drug detection in insects. Reasons for the current limitations, but also recommendations for future research are discussed and proposed in this paper.     

Fibronectin EIIIA splicing variant: a useful contribution to forensic wounding interval estimation

A fibronectin splicing variant, Fn containing an extra type III domain (EIIIA in rat, ED1 or EDA in human) has recently attracted more attention because of its sensitive response in injury of adult tissue. The characteristic that this form is absent in adult tissue while it is commonly expressed in fetal tissues and injured adult tissue is useful in estimation of injury interval in forensic science. The regulation of fibronectin splicing was studied by immunohistochemistry by using monoclonal antibody to EIIIA on sections from paraffin embedded rat skin sample after contusion. The results indicated that epidermic cells and hair follicle epithelium of rat skin were found positive staining at 6h after injury, and the color became darker with prolonged wounding time. Based on the above result, we invented a type of test paper assayed for EIIIA-Fn splicing variant by using immune colloidal gold technique. After dipping one end of test paper in the supernatant fluid of tissue homogenates of injury skin for few minutes, detecting line could be found. It showed that all experimental injured samples revealed positive staining; the darkness of positive staining was dependent on the injury time, while control normal skin cannot found positive staining. It is concluded that there is a close relationship between the expression of EIIIA-Fn splicing variant and wounding interval, and that the gold-labeled test paper can be useful in distinguishing ante- and post-mortem injury, and in estimation of wounding interval in forensic science.     

'Morphological imprint': determination of the injury-causing weapon from the wound morphology using forensic 3D/CAD-supported photogrammetry

Forensic three-dimensional/computer aided design (CAD)-supported photogrammetry (FPHG) plays an important role in the field of the documentation of forensic relevant injuries; particularly so when a detailed, 3D reconstruction is necessary. This is demonstrated in the case of a patterned blunt injury to the face of a victim, which injury was subsequently proven by FPHG to have been caused by a blow from the muzzle of a soft air gun.The objects to be evaluated had to be series photographed in order to be evaluated virtually on the computer. These photo series were then analyzed with the RolleiMetric system. This system measures and calculates the spatial location of distinctive points on the objects' surfaces, and creates 3D data models of the objects. In a 3D/CAD program, the "virtual 3D model of the injury" is then compared against the "virtual 3D model of the possible injury-causing instrument".The validation of FPHG, as shown by the 3D match between certain characteristics of the muzzle form and the facial injury, demonstrates how this 3D method can be used for patterned wound documentation and analysis.     

MNCV检验在尺神经损伤法医学鉴定中的应用

目的评测运动神经传导速度(MNCV)检查对于确证尺神经损伤的价值,初步研究各项MNCV相关指标与肌力(MP)的相关性。方法以25例尺神经损伤的男性患者作为患病组,同时选择25例健康男性作为对照组。MNCV测定指标包括:潜伏期,波幅,MNCV值。测定前,由同一操作医师测定患者相应的MP(小指展肌、第一骨间肌和尺侧腕屈肌)。结果两组间对比,各项指标均存在显著性差异;患病组MP与MNCV和波幅存在显著相关性。结论MNCV检验可用于确证尺神经损伤,并可初步推测相应肌肉的MP丧失程度,可为尺神经损伤的法医学鉴定提供可靠证据。     

Internal validation of 29 autosomal SNP multiplex using a ABI 310 genetic analyser

In the last few years genetic identification and paternity testing have begun to make increasing use of autosomal SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) typing as a supplement or alternative to STR analysis. With the improvement in detection technology SNP analysis is likely to be easier and more sensitive, with the generation of new methods and multiplex systems for a growing array of SNP markers. SNPforID consortium developed 52 SNP PCR multiplex for human identification purposes detected with 23 plex and 29 plex single base extension reactions (Auto1 and 2 respectively). In this study, internal validation for the 29 SNPs of Auto2 was carried out by performing a 29 plex PCR and single base extension reaction on control samples and previously analyzed forensic casework and subsequent detection with an AB 310 Genetic Analyzer. We tested the accuracy, precision, sensitivity and reproducibility of the Auto2 multiplex with this instrument in our laboratory. We used 9947A control DNA samples of the AmpF?STR Identifiler™ kit to test the validation parameters together with non-probative DNA samples from whole blood and buccal swab samples of 29 healthy donors from different parts of Istanbul. Good results were obtained but interpretation of the peak patterns obtained on the AB 310 requires care and thorough optimization before they can be readily compard to those obtained from multiple capillary AB 31xx Analyzers. We succesfully optimized and validated the SNPforID Auto2 multiplex system for identification analyses in our laboratory.     

有限元方法在法医学颅脑损伤分析中的应用

有限元方法(finite element method,FEM)是一种与现代计算机技术相联系的计算应力分析方法,已逐渐被应用于生物力学领域仿真人体结构力学功能研究,尤其是在颅脑损伤研究中最为广泛和深入。本文综述了现有头部有限元模型的特点、材料属性的赋值以及颅脑损伤有限元模型在钝力击打、高坠、交通事故等鉴定中的应用情况,探讨FEM建模在法医学颅脑损伤预测中的优劣势及其应用价值。     

Fn—EⅢA金标单克隆抗体试纸条的试制和初步应用

目的开发可用于法医病理学损伤时间推断临案的金标Fn-EⅢA单克隆抗体试纸条.方法选取两种敏感、特异的片段特异性Fn-EⅢA单克隆抗体,ELISA方法进行效价观察,标记胶体金后分别采用渗滤法及层析法检测其效果,抽提阳性对照中目标蛋白进行初步测评,并以大鼠皮肤损伤模型进行验证.结果两种单克隆抗体均可用于Fn-EⅢA肽段的金标法检测,以IST9搭配Fn多抗效果最佳;正常皮肤组织样本中试纸条检测线不显色,损伤3h后显色,随损伤时间延长,染色逐渐加深.结论该试纸条可靠性、可重复性以及可操作性均佳,可望在法医学损伤时间推断有广阔的应用.     

Consensus on validation of forensic voice comparison

Since the 1960s, there have been calls for forensic voice comparison to be empirically validated under casework conditions. Since around 2000, there have been an increasing number of researchers and practitioners who conduct forensic-voice-comparison research and casework within the likelihood-ratio framework. In recent years, this community of researchers and practitioners has made substantial progress toward validation under casework conditions becoming a standard part of practice: Procedures for conducting validation have been developed, along with graphics and metrics for representing the results, and an increasing number of papers are being published that include empirical validation of forensic-voice-comparison systems under conditions reflecting casework conditions. An outstanding question, however, is: In the context of a case, given the results of an empirical validation of a forensic-voice-comparison system, how can one decide whether the system is good enough for its output to be used in court? This paper provides a statement of consensus developed in response to this question. Contributors included individuals who had knowledge and experience of validating forensic-voice-comparison systems in research and/or casework contexts, and individuals who had actually presented validation results to courts. They also included individuals who could bring a legal perspective on these matters, and individuals with knowledge and experience of validation in forensic science more broadly. We provide recommendations on what practitioners should do when conducting evaluations and validations, and what they should present to the court. Although our focus is explicitly on forensic voice comparison, we hope that this contribution will be of interest to an audience concerned with validation in forensic science more broadly. Although not written specifically for a legal audience, we hope that this contribution will still be of interest to lawyers.     

Forensic Biomechanical Analysis of Falls from Height Using Numerical Human Body Models*

Abstract: This article describes the method of using human body models developed originally for the use in automotive safety in forensic reconstructions of falls from height. The MADYMO^® software package and multibody human body models were used in forensic analyses of two real cases—a fatal fall from a window c. 13.8 m above the ground and a fall into a c. 2.5‐m deep cellar pit resulting in isolated ankle joint injury. The performed series of numerical simulations helped to reconstruct the events and to resolve legally relevant questions concerning various aspects of the falls. The benefits as well as limitations and potential biases associated with the use of numerical simulation in forensic biomechanical settings are discussed. The method has proven to be effective under specific circumstances, though the cost (both financial and temporal) still prevents it from wider use.     

大鼠骨骼肌挫伤愈合过程中caspase-3的表达及时间规律

目的观察大鼠骨骼肌挫伤愈合过程中,caspase-3的表达及其变化规律。方法制作大鼠右小腿骨骼肌挫伤模型,应用免疫组织化学法、Western blot法及caspase-3活性测定法对不同时间段大鼠骨骼肌挫伤后caspase-3表达进行检测。结果免疫组织化学及Western blot均显示,挫伤周边区caspase-3的活性随时间延长逐渐升高,5d时达最高峰,随后活性逐渐下降。免疫组织化学染色结果显示,伤后3～5d挫伤处坏死的骨骼肌细胞被清除干净,新形成的肌细胞大量增生,且新形成的肌细胞胞浆内有caspase-3表达;损伤后7～14d,新形成的肌细胞内仍然有caspase-3的阳性表达。结论大鼠骨骼肌挫伤后,挫伤周边骨骼肌表达caspase-3有一定的时间规律性,可望作为推断骨骼肌挫伤时间的指标之一;大鼠骨骼肌挫伤后,新形成的肌细胞表达caspase-3,提示caspase-3可能在骨骼肌分化过程中起重要作用。     

Developmental validation of a novel lateral flow strip test for rapid identification of human blood (Rapid Stain Identification™-Blood)

Human blood is the body fluid most commonly encountered at crime scenes, and blood detection may aid investigators in reconstructing what occurred during a crime. In addition, blood detection can help determine which items of evidence should be processed for DNA-STR testing. Unfortunately, many common substances can cause red-brown stains that resemble blood. Furthermore, many current human blood detection methods are presumptive and prone to false positive results. Here, the developmental validation of a new blood identification test, Rapid Stain Identification™-Blood (RSID™-Blood), is described. RSID™-Blood utilizes two anti-glycophorin A (red blood cell membrane specific protein) monoclonal antibodies in a lateral flow strip test format to detect human blood. We present evidence demonstrating that this test is accurate, reproducible, easy to use, and highly specific for human blood. Importantly, RSID™-Blood does not cross-react with ferret, skunk, or primate blood and exhibits no high-dose hook effect. Also, we describe studies on the sensitivity, body fluid specificity, and species specificity of RSID™-Blood. In addition, we show that the test can detect blood from a variety of forensic exhibits prior to processing for DNA-STR analysis. In conclusion, we suggest that RSID™-Blood is effective and useful for the detection of human blood on forensic exhibits, and offers improved blood detection when compared to other currently used methods.