Study of losses of volatile compounds from dynamites. Investigation of cross-contamination between dynamites stored in polyethylene bags

The purpose of this work was to study the appropriateness of polyethylene bags for the preservation of explosive specimens. To this end, specimens of two types of dynamites, Goma-2 EC, containing nitroglycol (EGDN) and dinitrotoluene (DNT), and Goma-2 ECO, containing only EGDN, were placed individually inside bags and introduced into hermetically sealed glass jars, which were stored for a period of time. Losses of volatile compounds were studied by headspace analysis using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The cross-contamination between dynamites was studied by using high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) to analyse the extracts obtained after a sequential solvent extraction of these specimens. Polyethylene bags permit the loss of volatile compounds since EGDN and DNT were detected in the headspaces of the jars. Moreover, cross-contamination between dynamites was also demonstrated since DNT content decreased in the dynamite containing this compound and increased in the dynamite that had not contained it.     

LSD and 9,10-dihydro-LSD Analyses in Street Drug Blotter Samples via Easy Ambient Sonic-Spray Ionization MassSpectrometry (EASI-MS)

Normally, the identification of the LSD drug is performed by forensic laboratories, using the Ehrlich spot test. However, this is a nonspecific analysis. Additionally, the Brazilian Federal Police has identified the presence of a new compound in seized blotters: 9,10-dihydro-LSD, an uncontrolled substance. In this work, easy ambient sonic-spray ionization mass spectrometry in the positive ion mode, EASI(+)-MS, was used to characterize LSD and 9,10-dihydro-LSD compositions directly from the surface of blotters. The presence of LSD in the seized blotter samples were also confirmed via high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detector. In a set of 41 blotters analyzed by EASI(+)-MS, 28 showed positive results for LSD, seven for 9,10-dihydro-LSD, and another six samples showed negative results for both LSD and 9,10-dihydro-LSD. The combination of thin layer chromatography with EASI-MS also demonstrated to be a relatively simple and powerful screening tool for forensic analysis of street drugs.     

Suicidal Decapitation by Guillotine: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract: Suicidal decapitation is seldom encountered in forensic medicine practice. This study reports the analysis of a suicide committed by a 31‐year‐old man with a self‐fabricated guillotine. The construction of the guillotine was very interesting and sophisticated. The guillotine‐like blade with additional weight was placed in a large metal frame. The movement of the blade was controlled by the frame rails. The steel blade was triggered by a tensioned rubber band after releasing the safety catch. The cause of death was immediate exsanguination after complete severance of the neck. The suicide motive was most likely emotional distress after the death of his father. In medico‐legal literature, there has been only one similar case of suicidal complete decapitation by a guillotine described.     

The murderer is the bed: an unusual case of death by traumatic asphyxia in a hotel folding bunk bed

This paper presents the first referenced case on a death by traumatic asphyxia in a folding bunk bed. A middle-aged man was found dead in a hotel room trapped into a lower folding bunk bed where he had been sleeping after a party. The autopsy showed signs of asphyxia and excluded signs of struggle and sexual intercourse. Toxicological analyses revealed alcohol intoxication. A differential diagnosis of the manner of death including a technical study of the bed which contributed to understand the circumstances of death was made. The medico-legal investigation of the case strongly supported the hypothesis of an accidental death by traumatic asphyxia.     

The analysis of substituted cathinones. Part 3. Synthesis and characterisation of 2,3-methylenedioxy substituted cathinones

The first synthesis of the 2,3-isomers of MDPV, butylone and methylone is reported. The isomers were characterised by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy and compared to the corresponding 3,4-isomers. A GC method is described which separates the 3,4- and the 2,3-isomers from each other. IR spectra of the 2,3-isomers are also compared with the corresponding 3,4-isomers. Two seized drug samples were analysed by GCMS and the samples were found to contain the 3,4-isomers.     

Usefulness of Forensic Dental Symbols© and Dental Encoder© database in forensic odontology

Abstract: A new universal graphic dental system, Forensic Dental Symbols^©, has been created to provide precision in the construction of dental records, improve standardization, and increase efficiency in dental identification procedures. Two hundred and thirty‐four different graphic symbols representing the most frequent clinical status for each tooth were designed. Symbols can be then converted to a typographic font and then are ready to use in any computer. For the appropriate use, manipulation, and storage of dental information generated by the Forensic Dental Symbols^©, Dental Encoder^© database has been created. The database contains all the information required by INTERPOL Disaster Victim Identification (DVI)‐dental‐forms. To explore the possibilities that Dental Encoder^© offers, an antemortem dental database from a Spanish population of 3920 military personnel had been constructed. Data generated by Dental Encoder^© were classified into sex and age groups. The program can perform an automatic search of the database for cases that match a selected clinical status presented in a single tooth or a combination of situations for several teeth. Moreover, Dental Encoder^© allows information to be printed on INTERPOL DVI‐dental‐forms, or the inclusion of any completed form into any document, technical report, or identification of dental report.     

A fatal elephant attack

A rare case of an elephant attack is presented. A 44-year-old man working as an elephant keeper was attacked by a cow elephant when he tripped over a foot chain while the animal was being medically treated. The man fell down and was consequently repeatedly attacked with elephant tusks. The man sustained multiple stab injuries to both groin regions, a penetrating injury to the abdominal wall with traumatic prolapse of the loops of the small bowel, multiple defects of the mesentery, and incomplete laceration of the abdominal aorta with massive bleeding into the abdominal cavity. In addition to the penetrating injuries, the man sustained multiple rib fractures with contusion of both lungs and laceration of the right lobe of the liver, and comminuted fractures of the pelvic arch and left femoral body. The man died shortly after he had been received at the hospital. The cause of death was attributed to traumatic shock.     

Age estimation through histological study of trabecular volume and cortical bone width of the iliac crest

There have been many methods proposed to estimate the age of human bones in forensic medicine or in forensic anthropology, including those that assess histological structures. In this study, age was evaluated through the histomorphometric study of trabecular volume and cortical width of the right iliac crest. A total of 25 samples A total of 66 samples (42 male and 24 female) were obtained from necropsies of judicial cases, with ages ranging from 13 to 58years, who had died a sudden or violent death. The samples were obtained using Bordier's trocar for bone biopsy, in a period not exceeding 24h after death. The samples were examined without decalcification, with 96° alcohol dehydration, embedding in methyl methacrylate, and sectioned with a microtome Reichert (3μm). The sections were fixed on microscope slides and stained using toluidine blue, Goldner trichrome and hematoxylin-eosin methods. The samples were studied under a Leica DM LB microscope and the images were digitally captured. The digital images were processed using an image analysis program and data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical package. The results demonstrated that the combination of the trabecular volume and cortical width acted as predictors of the age in subjects which did not suffer from any deterioration of bone and/or mineral metabolism.