A test of the effectiveness of the revised maxillary suture obliteration method in estimating adult age at death

The effectiveness of the original maxillary suture method for estimating age at death, introduced in 1987 by Mann and colleagues, has been tested, but their revised maxillary suture method (1991) has not been subject to similar scrutiny. The purpose of this study is to test the accuracy of the revised maxillary suture method in estimating age at death on a genetically diverse skeletal sample of 155 maxillae (96 males, 59 females, aged 26 to 100 years) of known age at death from the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, South Africa. Results from a prior study of the original maxillary suture method will be compared. With age category correctly estimated for 83% of this sample, the results of this study indicate that the revised method is more effective in estimating age at death than the original method. The revised method appears to perform best for older individuals and tends to underestimate age for individuals of all age groups. The results suggest that the revised method is useful as a method for age estimation when it is used conjunction with other estimators.     

Extraction of basic metabolites of monomethyloxybenzene isomers from aqueous solutions

The results are presented of extraction of 1-methyl-3,4-dioxybenzene, 1-methyl-2,5-dioxybenzene and 4-oxybenzene acid from aqueous solutions with hydrophobic and hydrophilic organic soluvants. It is shown that the degree of extraction depends on the nature of the extragents and pH of the aqueous phase medium. Extraction multiplicity for obtaining necessary quantities of the compounds is calculated.     

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.     

The relationship between performance on the standardised field sobriety tests, driving performance and the level of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in blood

The consumption of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as cannabis has been shown to result in impaired and culpable driving. Testing drivers for the presence of THC in blood is problematic as THC and its metabolites may remain in the blood for several days following its consumption, even though the drug may no longer have an influence on driving performance. In the present study, the aim was to assess whether performance on the standardised field sobriety tests (SFSTs) provides a sensitive measure of impaired driving behaviour following the consumption of THC. In a repeated measures design, 40 participants consumed cigarettes that contained either 0% THC (placebo), 1.74% THC (low dose) or 2.93% THC (high dose). For each condition, after smoking a cigarette, participants performed the SFSTs on three occasions (5, 55 and 105 min after the smoking procedure had been completed) as well as a simulated driving test on two occasions (30 and 80 min after the smoking procedure had been completed). The results revealed that driving performance was not significantly impaired 30 min after the consumption of THC but was significantly impaired 80 min after the consumption of THC in both the low and high dose conditions. The percentage of participants whose driving performance was correctly classified as either impaired or not impaired based on the SFSTs ranged between 65.8 and 76.3%, across the two THC conditions. The results suggest that performance on the SFSTs provides a moderate predictor of driving impairment following the consumption of THC and as such, the SFSTs may provide an appropriate screening tool for authorities that wish to assess the driving capabilities of individuals suspected of being under the influence of a drug other than alcohol.     

The mathematical versus anatomical methods of stature estimate from long bones

The mathematical and anatomical methods of estimating living stature from long limb bones are discussed. In forensic cases, when one has a nearly complete skeleton, the anatomical method is preferable to the mathematical method. The anatomical method may also be used to derive stature estimation equations in samples where living statures or cadaver lengths are unavailable, such as some dissection hall and museum collections.     

A new method for detecting diatoms in human organs

A new method for diatom detection is described. It includes an ultrasonic irradiation procedure with the use of a tissue solubilizer. The method is easy to carry out and is less time-consuming than previous techniques.