Investigation of cremations and severely burned bodies

Among the most difficult cases for law enforcement and medicolegal investigators to investigate are those in which victims have been deliberately burned to cover up a crime, or those in which cremation has resulted from an accident or suicide. This difficulty arises from the fact that the bodies may be destroyed or fragmented. The major objective in these investigations are twofold: The first task is to identify the body using every means available, including the aid of such experts as forensic pathologists, forensic anthropologists, dentists, toxicologists, and serologists as well as fire investigators, who can contribute to the investigation by providing information about the course of the fire.     

The history of the forensic applications in radiology

The history of progress in any field of science is related directly to technical advances which have occurred during that period. The microscope contributed immensely to the advancement of forensic investigations in the late 19th century, with its use to study trace evidence including blood, semen, soil, paint, and biological material. The application of the discovery of x-radiation by Dr. R?entgen of Würzburg, Germany, in 1895 provided an important new tool for medical practitioners throughout the world. Its application was also realized as a potential weapon by medicolegal investigators. Discovery of the location of foreign objects, including bullets, thus became a clinical as well as a forensic technique in support of the investigation of living and deceased persons. The early application of x-ray methodology in England in 1896 by Prof. Arthur Schuster of Owens College, Manchester, in a case of a gunshot wound of a woman, is described as well as some aspects of the primitive technique which were used.     

The forensic or medicolegal autopsy. Friend or foe?

The major issue in questioning the performance of general pathologists doing medicolegal or forensic autopsies is that they are very often without a firm basis for performing this task. With minimal training in medical school and minimal exposure during their residency, practicing general pathologists, although expected or even forced to do these cases, may face criticism after their performance in a case. The necessity for teaching forensic medicine and pathology in medical schools is obvious, and the necessity of there being more forensic pathology exposure in residency training programs in the United States and overseas is also obvious. Medical educators are responsible for all phases of medicine being taught to medical undergraduates and graduates and must be pressured to support the practice of all kinds of medicine in American communities, including legal or forensic medicine, in those cases in which questions arise that lead to the performance of postmortem examination.     

Disinterments. Their value and associated problems

This article presents our experience with several cases of disinterment, including reasons for disinterment, the methodology involved, and the value of this activity in solving medicolegal problems.     

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.     

The unusual accidental death of a pregnant woman by sexual foreplay.

This is the case of a young pregnant black woman who died during foreplay when her male partner with his hands accidentally forced air from her vaginal cavity into her uterine cavity, causing air embolization in the veins on the surface of her heart and her brain. Her premature infant was removed by cesarean section by emergency-room personnel after she died. The infant survived for 12 days before being declared brain dead.     

The forensic pathology specialty certifications

The subspecialty of pathology known as forensic pathology has been certified by the American Board of Pathology since 1959, when the first examinations were offered in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. This article provides information on those who have been certified since 1959 and also the requirements for this certification by the American Board of Pathology.     

Trial elution of semen stains and measurement of IgG level: a contribution to Gm typing

The conditions for the elution of IgG in seminal stains have been investigated systematically. The amount of IgG recovered could neither or hardly be influenced by variation of the time (15 minutes to 120 hours) and temperature (4 degrees C, 20 degrees C, 37 degrees C, 56 degrees C) of elution, nor by mechanical treatment (cutting in small pieces, crushing), ultrasonic treatment or addition of a detergent. For fresh traces and such of an age of several weeks an elution time of 30 minutes at room temperature is sufficient; for very old stains an elution up to 2 hours may be recommended for safety. The investigations were restricted to the measurement of the IgG concentration in the eluates. No statement can yet be given about the biological value of the IgG for Gm typing due to this investigation alone.     

Identification by Identi-Kit composite from skull appearance. Combined efforts of the anthropologist, forensic pathologist, and criminal investigators

It is always difficult to succeed in identifying skeletal remains unless one has good anthropological, dental, and investigative support. This case adds a new dimension, involving a law enforcement expert who was skilled with the use of the Identi-Kit. The picture of the victim, as developed by the Identi-Kit expert with the recommendation and support of the anthropologist, was shown on a television news program and was identified within 15 min of the show by a relative as the likeness of a missing 17-year-old black girl who was last seen months before. The combined expertise was instrumental in identifying a person who otherwise would have been recorded as another "Jane Doe."     

The writings of Sir Bernard Spilsbury: Part II

This is the second and final part of the compilation highlighting the rate works of Sir Bernard Spilsbury. Despite his vast experience he never chose to write a textbook or training book for his lectures. The second part of this work includes an address entitled "Some Medico-Legal Aspects of Shock", which was presented on October 26, 1933. It was published in the Medico-Legal and Criminological Review, Vol. 2, Part 1, January 1934. (This is a publication of the Medico-Legal Society of Great Britain). The second article is a case report entitled "A Hat from a Fatal Case of Shooting". This was published in The Transactions of the Medico-Legal Society, 1927, p. 103, and was presented at a meeting held March 24, 1927.