The role of cytomedins in establishing the sequence of causing injuries

The results of investigation of biological activity of information molecules, i.e. cytomedines, obtained from injuries by using the method of acetous extraction (V.G. Morozov, V. Kh. Havinson, 1981) are presented in the experimental manner and on the basis of practical materials. The sequence of formation of hemorrhages and injuries was demonstrated accurately enough by using the biological activity of extracted cytomedines.     

Opiate poisoning (an analysis of section material)

Section specimens from subjects dead from narcotic poisoning in 1998-1999 are analyzed. The results indicate that narcotic poisonings were primarily due to opiates or their combinations with other drugs (primarily ethanol). The ratio of male to female mortality was 3:1. Death after narcotic poisoning occurs at home in the majority of cases. The concentration of morphine/heroin in the blood and urine of victims varied within a very wide range. Acute renal failure, myoglobulinuremic nephrosis, and compression syndrome are not typical of acute narcotic poisoning. Use of immunotest for urinary morphine-heroin deserves further investigation.     

Distribution of HLA DQA1, LDLR,GYPA, HBGG,D7S8, and GC locus alleles in the population of Russia

The distribution of chromosome locus alleles HLA DQA1, LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8, and GC of PolyMarker molecular genetic individualizing system was studied for the first time in a representative "mean statistical" sampling of Russian population. Typing of these locuses was carried out in 391 donors (no relatives) from 63 regions of the Russian Federation. The incidence of genotypes of all 6 locuses corresponded to the expected values, estimated on the basis of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium hypothesis. This allows us to use the frequency characteristics of HLA DQA1 locus and the PolyMarker locuses determined in our study as the reference parameters for standard probability estimations in DNA identification. The frequencies of PolyMarker locuses alleles in the Russian sampling (in comparison with other ethnic groups) coincided best of all for allele frequencies in Europeoids living in the USA. For expert evaluation of the efficiency of using these locuses as molecular genetic markers with identification purposes, the discrimination potential was estimated separately for each locus and combinations thereof. HLA DQA1 locus was the most informative of the studied 6 locuses. The main population characteristics of this locus (probability of accidental coincidence, potential of discrimination--PD, polymorphism coefficient--PIC, exclusion potential--Pe, and mean value of parentage index--PI) were estimated for the population of Russia. The frequency distribution of alleles of the studied panel of locuses in the mean statistical Russian population obtained in our study can be used in molecular genetic personality identification and in anthropological studies.     

New possibilities of detecting blood and seminal fluid in traces on material evidence using Fluorat-02-3M analyzer

Fluorat-02-3M liquid analyzer essentially extends the range of hemoglobin measurements, increasing its concentration in the studied extract from 0.1 to 100 micrograms in a 100 microliters sample (the lower threshold concentration remains unchanged: 0.005 in a 100-microliters sample) in detection of the blood in stains on material evidence pieces by fluorescent hemotest. This allows detection of blood in both washed and clearly seen blood stains on pieces of material evidence. Examples of using this method for measuring mass concentrations of zinc in water extracts on a Fluorat-02-3M analyzer are presented. The analyzer was developed at the Bureau of Forensic Medical Expert Evaluations of the Leningrad region for tentative detection of seminal fluid in stains on material evidence pieces. The results of this method are objectively recorded.     

Serological detection of Rhesus antigen D in blood traces from Rh-negative (cde) people

A D-like structure was serologically detected on the internal side of Rh-negative (cde) erythrocyte membrane. This structure is absolutely inaccessible for anti-D antibodies in morphologically intact liquid blood erythrocytes. In hemolyzed erythrocytes of blood stains this antigenic structure, serologically identified as Rh antigen D, is accessible for binding with anti-D antibodies and for detection by the absorption-elution test, particularly so after blood stain treatment with proteases.     

Autopsy confirmation of severe pulmonary interstitial fibrosis secondary to Munchausen syndrome presenting as cystic fibrosis

Chronic factitious disorder with physical symptoms, or Munchausen syndrome, is a well-recognized but uncommonly diagnosed psychiatric condition characterized by the deliberate production of signs and symptoms of disease in order to receive medical attention. Clinical suspicion of this disease is rarely confirmed by autopsy, as the patients usually do not die as a consequence of feigning illness. Here we report the autopsy confirmation of a case of a suspected Munchausen syndrome patient who presented with a history of cystic fibrosis. Examination of the lungs demonstrated extensive severe interstitial fibrosis, and polariscopic examination revealed a large quantity of crystalline material throughout the tissue; X-ray diffraction identified the material as talc. Synopses of published cases of Munchausen syndrome presenting as cystic fibrosis, and cases of Munchausen syndrome with pulmonary talcosis are presented as part of the discussion.     

Estimation of postmortem interval in real cases based on experimentally obtained entomological evidence

Using the entomological evidence obtained in several forensic cases analyzed in our laboratory for comparison, we evaluated the results of an experimental study carried out in a semiurban setting to determine the structure of the sarcosaprophagous fauna from a Mediterranean region of SE Spain. In all, 18 orders of arthropods were collected. The summarized experimental results refer to the most important taxa for estimating the postmortem interval. Thus, the seasonal character of certain Diptera species, such as Phaenicia sericata, Calliphora vicina, Chrysomya albiceps and Musca domestica, is cited. Among the Coleoptera, the role of Dermestidae as a necrophagous species, and of Staphylinidae and Histeridae as necrophilous, or Cleridae, Tenebrionidae and Nitidulidae as omnivorous, as well as their appearance on the corpse, is described. Among the Hymenoptera, Formicidae were as the most abundant group, acting as omnivores and not apparently related to any particular decomposition stage. The real cases are discussed using data from the literature and the experimentally obtained results. In every case, the most relevant factors for estimating PMI are briefly discussed, mentioning, when possible, the relation with the experimental results. We confirm the significance of the experimental results because they seem to be applicable to actual forensic cases, the details of which enlarge our very little knowledge on the subject in the Iberian Peninsula. The importance of regional faunistic studies of the sarcosaprophagous arthropod community, the results of which may be applied to forensic practice, is mentioned.     

Adolescent death: a 15-year retrospective review

Adolescents comprise an eclectic mix of people vitally important to society yet long-term comprehensive studies on the circumstances of their deaths are lacking in the pediatric forensic literature. The authors reviewed all forensic cases referred to the Medical University of South Carolina Forensic Pathology section over the fifteen years between January 1989 and December 2003. In accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of adolescents, only decedents 10-19 years of age were included. The authors examined the cause and manner of death, age, gender, and race of the victims in all cases. The toxicology results, perpetrator, death scenario and location, and victim traits were analyzed when available. For all adolescents, the most common manner of death was accident followed by homicide, suicide, natural, and undetermined. Within the adolescent population two distinct groups, 10-14 years old and 15-19 years old, were identified. Though both groups were similar in that they experienced a high number of accidental deaths, decedents of older age group suffered a higher percentage of violent deaths while decedents of the younger group were more likely to die of natural causes. Many of the accidental deaths in this review were preventable, including deaths due to motor vehicle collisions and drowning. In deaths due to homicide, the perpetrator was often known to the victim, whether as an acquaintance or family member. Toxicology testing was often positive in decedents of the older age group, while only rarely positive in decedents of the younger age group. With a solid understanding of the circumstances, it may be possible to predict, and hopefully prevent, future cases of adolescent death. The authors present their findings in this 15-year retrospective study to better aid forensic pathologists, death investigators, law enforcement, and epidemiologists.