Vitreous humor biochemical constituents: evaluation of between-eye differences

The present study was conducted to investigate the differences in the vitreous humor biochemical concentrations for vitreous electrolytes and calcium in the same pair of eyes at identical postmortem interval (PMI). The vitreous humor samples were collected independently in both eyes from 48 autopsies (PMI range, 4.5-84.3 hours) with documented time of death. The samples were analyzed for potassium, sodium, chloride, and calcium using a Beckman Coulter LX20 Automated Analyzer based on ion-selective electrode methodology. There were no statistically significant between-eye differences at identical postmortem interval. A significantly high correlation was observed between paired potassium concentrations of both the eyes. A highly significant linear correlation was observed between the individual eye and mean potassium concentrations of both the eyes with postmortem interval. The observed differences were not significantly correlated with postmortem interval. The results demonstrated that the between-eye differences for vitreous electrolytes and calcium are insignificant. Therefore, the utility of vitreous biochemistry, particularly potassium in postmortem interval estimation and other forensic applications, cannot be questioned solely on the basis of these differences.     

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: is death by seizures a cardiac disease?

RESULTS: Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) gains more and more acknowledgment across the various interdisciplinary fields. Accordingly, we performed in a prospective setting a case-control study of all SUDEP cases in a well-defined part of Denmark (Northern Jutland), between January 1998 and September 2000. We attempted to look into the cardiopathologic mechanism behind this phenomenon by assessing the degree of myocardial fibrosis in SUDEP patients versus controls. The histologic evaluation was possible in 65% of the cases (15/23) whose death was attributed to SUDEP and in 71% (15/21) of controls. Forty percent of the SUDEP cases (6/15) presented several foci of fibrotic changes in the deep and subendocardial myocardium in contrast to 1 control (6.6%, P = 0.03). None of the subjects from the SUDEP group showed fibrotic changes in their conduction system as compared with 1 control (6.6%). The quantitative evaluation of fibrosis demonstrated a trend toward more fibrosis in the deep and subendocardial myocardium of the SUDEP cases. Forty percent of cases in the SUDEP group were men (6/15), characteristically young at time of death (mean age 38 years) and with a late epilepsy onset (mean age 21 years). Antemortem, 73% of the SUDEP patients (11/15) had experienced infrequent seizures (self-reported). We conclude that the SUDEP cases displayed significant fibrosis of the myocardium when this was assessed by qualitative means. This fibrosis may be the consequence of myocardial ischemia as a direct result of repetitive epileptic seizures, which, associated with the ictal sympathetic storm, may lead to lethal arrhythmias.     

The role of moral disengagement in the execution process

The present study tested the proposition that disengagement of moral self-sanctions enables prison personnel to carry out the death penalty. Three subgroups of personnel in penitentiaries located in three Southern states were assessed in terms of eight mechanisms of moral disengagement. The personnel included the execution teams that carry out the executions; the support teams that provide solace and emotional support to the families of the victims and the condemned inmate; and prison guards who have no involvement in the execution process. The executioners exhibited the highest level of moral, social, and economic justifications, disavowal of personal responsibility, and dehumanization. The support teams that provide the more humane services disavowed moral disengagement, as did the noninvolved guards but to a lesser degree than the support teams.     

Fatal gunshot wounds between 1995 and 2001 in a highly populated region in Finland

Gunshot injuries are a major problem worldwide from the human, medical, and economic perspectives. The number and characteristics of gunshot fatalities have been observed to vary significantly between countries. This study analyzes fatal gunshot wounds in the region of Uusimaa, Southern Finland, between 1995 and 2001. Gunshot wounds were typically found in suicides committed by men aged between 20 and 60 years. In most cases, a handgun was used. Mental disorders were present in the history of almost one quarter of the victims. Alcohol was identified in postmortem toxicology in half of the cases, but drugs of abuse were relatively uncommon. The autopsy rate in Finland is among the highest of the European Union countries, and a medicolegal investigation is performed in virtually all fatal gunshot incidents. This study is therefore representative of forensic investigations of gunshot fatalities in Finland overall.     

Employing glass refractive index measurement (GRIM) in fiber analysis: a simple method for evaluating the crystallinity of acrylics

The refractive index (RI) of 40 colorless acrylic fiber samples was determined by the immersion oil and Mettler hot stage method, implemented in the glass refractive index measurement (GRIM) instrument by Foster and Freeman. Low standard deviations for nearly all the samples were obtained and differentiation of fibers even with the same trade name was possible just on the basis of RI. Wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were employed to establish a linear correlation between RI and the degree of crystallinity. Insights on the structural order of this group of fibers is then obtainable by a quick and easy technique, adding value to casework comparisons.     

Ilium growth study: applicability in sex and age diagnosis

The use of coxal elements for age and sex diagnosis from the skeleton is the primary and most widespread way of bringing us closer to the identity of dead individuals in archaeological and certain forensic scenarios. Diagnosis in sub-adults, especially in fetus and infant age, is not clear; and further studies are needed. This work presents the analysis of the growth of six variables in the ilium, from birth to 97 years of age, in order to evaluate its significance and its capacity for age and sex determination during and after growth. The materials used were 327 specimens from four documented Western European collections. Growth curves were calculated for the three classical variables of the ilium (width, length and index) and three new variables of the acetabulum area (horizontal and vertical diameter of the ilium acetabular surface and the ilium acetabular index). None of the curves showed a lineal growth, except those of the horizontal diameter of the ilium acetabular surface for the male series. The ilium width has the most complicated growth and it is explained by a four-degree polynomial. All the variables studied can be useful for adult sex discrimination with the exception of the ilium width and ilium acetabular index. Furthermore, the most useful variables for subadult and adult age estimation in archaeological samples, as well as in forensic samples, are the absolute measurements (ilium length and width, horizontal and vertical diameter of the ilium acetabular surface); however, the ilium width is the best variable, as this can be applied to all growth ages using both sexual series together up to 20 years of age.     

Genetic variability of 16 Y-chromosome STRs in a sample from Equatorial Guinea (Central Africa)

Nine Y-STR loci from the "minimal haplotype" included in Y-STR Haplotype Reference Databases (YHRD) together with eight additional Y-STRs (DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS460, DYS461, GATA C4, GATA H4 and GATA A10) were analyzed in a sample of 101 males from Equatorial Guinea living in Madrid. Haplotype and allelic frequencies were calculated and genetic diversities were estimated for each genetic system as well as for the whole haplotype. An unexpected high frequency (6%) of intermediate alleles (13.2 and 14.2) was found in DYS385. For DYS19, two alleles were found in one sample. Another sample failed to amplify with DYS393 primers using either PowerPlex Y System (Promega Corporation) or the Y-PLEXtrade mark 12 (Reliagene, New Orleans, LA) commercial kits. Comparison between Equatorial Guinea and another African population (Mozambique; South East Coast) revealed a significant pairwise Phi(st) value between them (Phi(st)=0.03309; P=0.00000).     

Forensic interpretation of Y-chromosomal DNA mixtures

The mathematical concept previously introduced for the forensic interpretation of DNA mixtures using non-associated genetic markers has been adapted to the assessment of haplotypes. Such calculus is required, for example, when Y-chromosomal markers are used in forensics. In addition to outlining the general mathematical framework, we devise two approaches to its practical computational implementation, involving either the inclusion-exclusion principle of probability theory or a recursion in the number of unknown contributors invoked. The two approaches scale differently, depending upon the complexity of the case and the diversity of the markers used. The performance of Y-chromosomal microsatellites (Y-STRs) as a means of trace donor discrimination has been assessed by simulation, using the derived formulas. Based upon data from the Y-chromosomal Haplotype Reference Database (YHRD), the exclusion chance of a non-contributor is shown to vary between 95% in the case of two contributors, and 70% for five contributors. With only one additional contributor, half of all contributing suspects would yield a log-likelihood ratio in favour of donorship of 1.61 or higher, although the median drops to 0.66 with four additional contributors. It must be emphasised that these estimates of the discriminatory power of Y-STRs are likely to be conservative since the simulations involved only haplotypes known to occur in YHRD.     

Survey of crowbar and household paints in burglary cases-population studies, transfer and interpretation

Experimental data useful for the interpretation of paint evidence recovered during burglary cases were obtained. A population study was carried out on 41 blue crowbars seized on suspects in Switzerland and 37 blue paints traces found at burglary scenes. Paint traces were also searched on the blades of 207 crowbars seized by the police in Switzerland and 24 white traces were analysed: these paints were analysed using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in order to estimate relative frequencies of each paint type. Simulated contacts were carried out between crowbars and painted wood in order to study the phenomenon of transfer and to evaluate the amount of paint transferred: a total of 198 simulations were carried out including individual, successive and cross transfer. The paint properties such as the chemical composition and its age influenced the amount of paint transferred. Cross transfer from the tool paint to the wood and vice versa was regularly observed. Moreover, secondary transfer of paint coming from the preceding wooden surfaces was also systematically observed: this could establish links between several burglary scenes and a suspected tool. A scenario of a burglary case involving the cross transfer between tool and household paints is proposed as a numerical example: the evaluation of such case was formalised using likelihood ratios based on the experimental data obtained.