TAKING STOCK OF THE LOCAL AUTHORITY ASSOCIATIONS

This article examines the achievements of the local authority associations in the period from 1974 to the present. In particular, it considers whether the associations have met the major objectives set by their predecessors. The conclusion indicates that there are a number of factors which have inhibited the achievement of these objectives.
Two of the main inhibiting factors are the close connection between the associations and central government, and their readiness to respond to every move the centre makes. The associations might now consider adopting a weaker connection and a more discriminating response in relation to central government.     

The investigation of the density of human hair in the forensic medical expert assessment of its similarity

Principally new, simple and objective method for investigation of human hair density is suggested. Hair identity in relation to a concrete person can be confirmed or excluded by statistical processing of the results obtained.     

Hepatotoxicity of dichloromethane

We studied hepatotoxicity of dichloromethane using primary cultures of parenchymal cells (hepatocyte) from adult rat livers. The production of carbon monoxide from dichloromethane increased with time, the increased cell number, and the concentration of dichloromethane. However, the carbon monoxide production per hepatocyte decreased with increasing cell density. When dichloromethane was in a high concentration, the metabolism of dichloromethane to carbon monoxide was extensively depressed, total glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and mitochondrial GOT (m-GOT) levels in the cultured medium were extensively elevated, and the cultured hepatocytes were destroyed by dichloromethane. A case of accidental exposure to dichloromethane which occurred in Japan was also considered, and it is suspected that the inhalation of dichloromethane vapors in a high concentration for many hours may cause hepatotoxicity.     

Prediction of stature from hand measurements

A sample of 166 normal adult males and females was taken from different colleges of Assiut representing those living in upper Egypt. Each subject has been studied for measurements of stature (S), hand length (HL) and hand breadth (HB). The data were statistically analysed in order to assess the relationship between stature and hand measurements. The correlation matrix of the study indicates close similarity of the relationship between stature and hand measurements in both sexes and in both sides. A generalized multiple regression equation has been designed to estimate stature from values of hand length and hand breadth regardless of sex or side in the form: S = 34.5 + 5.77 HL + 2.7 HB +/- 5.1. This equation may be helpful to obtain approximate stature when there is difficulty in obtaining a direct measurement or where there is a chance print of a criminal or an amputated hand or arm.     

The effect of conditions of putrefaction on species determination in human and animal teeth

Tooth fragments freshly extracted from humans and rats were stored at either 4 degrees C or room temperature in dry or humid conditions for periods ranging from 1 to 6 months. The fragments were reduced to powder and antigens were extracted. Comparison of these samples was carried out using Counter Current Electrophoresis. Extracted sera were tested against known specific antisera and resultant precipitin reactions stained for examination. Correct species identification was possible both from desiccated and humid fragments but there was species variation in the sensitivity of the method. All the extracts from human teeth were positive against human antisera. In the rat some test specimens were initially negative but became positive following further dilution of the extracts.     

HIV-infection in forensic autopsy cases

Sudden and unexpected death and violent death of persons with a high risk of acquiring HIV-infections, especially homosexual males and intravenous drug abusers, have to be investigated by forensic autopsies. Therefore every forensic pathologist has to be aware of this infection and should try to make the proper diagnosis. Three typical cases are described: (1) suicide by hanging, (2) homicide by cutting the throat and (3) intravenous heroin overdose. Merely retrospectively it could be cleared up that the deceased were homosexual but did not manifestly suffer from AIDS. The morphological findings in the lymph nodes and the postmortem serological findings are described in detail.     

Insanity plea

Examining 484 consecutive criminal cases in which the NGRI plea was made, it was found: (1) a high degree of interexaminer agreement existed on the issue of the defendant's mental state in a nonadversary examination procedure; and, (2) court verdicts were highly congruent with the opinions expressed by examiners on the issue of insanity.