The development of forensic medicine in the United Kingdom from the 18th century.

Forensic medicine in the United Kingdom includes both forensic pathology and clinical forensic medicine on the living. It began at the end of the 18th century, long after its development in Germany, Italy, France, and other countries in Europe. Initial beginnings were in Scotland, where a program began at the University of Edinburgh with the establishment of a chair in Forensic Medicine by Prof. Andrew Duncan Sr. The development in England began in London's Kings College Medical School with a chair held by Prof. William A. Guy. Later chairs in Forensic Medicine were established in Glasgow, Aberdeen, and in London, where Forensic Medicine was taught at St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, Guy's Hospital Medical School, London Hospital Medical School, Charing Cross Hospital Medical School, St. Thomas Hospital Medical School, and St. George's Hospital Medical School. In other cities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, departments were founded in Leeds, Manchester, Cardiff, and Belfast. Many textbooks were prepared during this time by professors from these medical schools and by others working in nonacademic areas. The development of coroner activities and those of the police surgeons is also part of the study of forensic medicine.     

Witch signs in forensic medicine of the 16th to 18th centuries

Witch's marks and injecta, two magical phenomena discussed in the law-courts are here examined from the perspective of forensics and medical history. While stigmata were already deprived of their magical aura in the time of Zacchias, injecta continue to puzzle legal medicine for a long time. Gradually the solution is discovered in natural (diseases, dermatology) and psychological (simulation) phenomena.     

2 fatalities due to hyperthermia in infancy. A contribution to forensic medicine case reports of death caused by heat

Two infants aged 4 1/2 and 8 months are reported to have been exposed to overheating by an electric blanket and a heating fan in bed for a period of up to approx. 19 hours. Dehydration complicated the effects of overheating. Due to the case history in combination with the autopsy and histological findings as well as the absence of toxicological findings the following diagnosis could be established: "Death from exhaustion as a consequence of long-lasting heat effect and dehydration." The necessity of thorough investigations in causes of death during infancy is shown by means of the two cases above. If possible, the rectal temperature should already be taken by the coroner. The public should get informed about the risks caused by the use of electric cushions, heating fans as well as floorboard heating.     

丝光绿蝇的发育速度和有效积温的实验观察及其法医学应用

根据丝光绿蝇在自然条件下的发育速度及其发育过程中的有效积温推断尸体的死亡时间。对在尸体腐败过程中最常见、国内分布极广的丝光绿蝇在自然条件下的发育速度及其发育过程中的有效积温进行观察、记录结果和统计学处理 ,分别确立了K1=2 0 880 + 0 80 14X1、K2 =5 4 0 917-2 8814X2 、K3=133 2 180 -2 6 312X3 等 3个有效积温与长度 (蛆 )和卵重的线性回归方程。应用丝光绿蝇发育速度与有效积温的回归方程 ,能比较准确地进行死亡时间的推断     

The significance of inner ear fluid (perilymph) in forensic medicine (author's transl)]

An original method for collecting the perilymph in the inner ear by chiselling the pyramid of the temporal bone is presented; From 300 to 350 mul of fluid may be obtained each time. Various types of determination were performed on 399 human cadavers. The alcohol level was tested in 140 cases, the ABO(H) group antigens were determined in 89 cases, the phenotypes of the gamma-globulin (1) group system in 152 cases, and the alpha1-antitrypsin (Pi) system in 18 cases. Determinations of the alcohol level in the perilymph has been confirmed to be useful, as they allow not only determination of the degree of intoxication in cadavers in an advanced state of decomposition, but also by comparing the alcohol concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid, the vitreous humour, and the blood, the phases of elimination and absorption of alcohol may be more precisely determined. It was also found that the perilymph is a good medium for the determination of the group antigens of the red blood-cells and the gamma-globulin system, the serum and the alpha1-antitrypsin enzyme. These data suggest that the method may be more widely used in various forensic medical tests.     

The chronology of third molar mineralization in the Austrian population--a contribution to forensic age estimation

The aim of the present study was to determine the chronology of third molar mineralization and to establish Austrian reference data. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was undertaken by evaluating 610 panoramic radiographs in order to assess the mineralization status of the mandibular third molars of Austrian male and female individuals (275 males and 335 females) between the ages of 12 and 24. The evaluation was carried out using the eight grade scheme of Demirjian et al. (1973). Mean ages, standard deviations, standard errors and percentile distributions are presented for each stage of development. Significant differences between the left and right mandibular third molars were not found. Males reach the developmental stages earlier than females, statistically significant differences were noted in stages E and F. Both mandibular third molars were observed in the majority of the individuals of the Austrian sample (477 individuals, 78.2%). For medicolegal purposes the likelihood of whether an Austrian individual is older than 18 years or not was determined.