Serum C-reactive protein levels in postmortem blood--an analysis with special reference to the cause of death and survival time

We have investigated postmortem serum CRP levels in 408 forensic autopsy cases consisting of 216 acute and 192 non-acute death cases having postmortem interval of less than 48 h. CRP ranged from 0.03 to 66.13 mg/dl with the median of 0.28 mg/dl. In 362 traumatic death, survival time and the presence of severe infection were the major factors contributing to CRP elevation, while postmortem interval, age, gender, hepatic injury and liver cirrhosis was not. In almost all the immediate deaths (15/16) CRP remained at a low level (<0.5 mg/dl). Acute deaths and subacute deaths within 6 h showed lower CRP levels compared to longer survivors, consistent with the clinical and experimental studies. As for natural diseases, the CRP level reflected the pathological findings. The results suggest a possibility of CRP as a forensic diagnostic marker.     

Automated determination of carboxyhemoglobin contents in autopsy materials using head-space gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

To establish a method for the routine analysis of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) in autopsy materials including those which have undergone postmortem changes, e.g. thermo-coagulation, putrifaction and contamination, an automated head-space gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was utilized. The procedure consisted of preparation of the sample in a vial and a carbon monoxide (CO) saturated sample, for estimation of hemoglobin content, in another vial, the addition of n-octanol, potassium ferricyanide and an internal standard (t-butanol), GC separation and determination of CO using a GC/MS system equipped with an automated head-space gas sampler. The method was practical not only with the blood and bone marrow aspirates to confirm the findings on the CO-oximeter system, but also with the thermo-coagulated and putrified blood.     

A dangerous direction: legal intervention in sexual abuse survivor therapy

In this Article, Professors Bowman and Mertz question recent popular and academic commentary that disputes the validity of all delayed-recall memories of childhood sexual abuse. They examine one court's decision to allow a father, accused by his daughter of childhood sexual abuse, to recover malpractice damages from his daughter's therapist in connection with therapy during which the daughter recovered memories of the abuse. The authors argue that such third-party liability is unsound in terms of established principles of tort doctrine and in terms of public policy. After a review of the scientific evidence, the authors further conclude that, although some memories may be inaccurate, delayed-recall memory can also accurately reflect that past abuse occurred. Permitting third-party liability against therapists when accurate memories of abuse surface in therapy gives abusers a weapon to use against their victims. Because such suits exclude the party in privity (the client), they effectively erase the victim's voice. Professors Bowman and Mertz argue that such a novel extension of third-party liability is at best a misuse of the courts' resources and ultimately harms abuse survivors, therapists, and the community far more than it helps any wrongfully accused parents.     

Forensic medical identification of death due to poisoning of tetrodotoxin in puffer fish

One case died of poisoning of tetrodotoxin in dry fugu fillet was reported. Through the detailed forensic examination for this lethal case, many questions about forensic medical identification of death due to poisoning of tetrodotoxin was discussed and its medico-legal significance was also discussed. In particular, emphasis was placed on the details of a case, extraction of TTX in specimen, quantitative detection of TTX, purplish mouth and nails, dilatation of stomach and intestines, excluding other causes and combining animal experiment in order to get definite forensic medical identification.     

Medicolegal appraisals of 22 cases of ocular penetration

22 cases of ocular penetration injury were analyzed and a clinical criteria of the injury's degree was proposed. The reasons causing ocular penetration and the characteristics of injuries were discussed.     

肾上腺结核猝死的法医学鉴定

通过两例肾上腺结核猝死的案例观察发现：肾上腺和肾上腺以外器官的结核病变均表现为不典型的慢性陈旧性的病理学特征。提示在法医学鉴定中,对患过结核病和“不明死因”猝死尸体剖验时肾上腺的组织病理学检验尤为重要