Postmortem identification of the edentulous deceased: denture tissue surface anatomy

This model evaluates the use of dental stone casts derived from maxillary tissues and from the internal aspects of maxillary dentures for edentulous postmortem identification. Tissue topography of the total cast and of rugae tracings photographed from the casts were evaluated for identification accuracy in twenty-eight trials for each of the two designs. Eight casts were examined in each trial. The trial was designed as matching or nonmatching, and as an equivocal or unequivocal decision by the examiner. Unequivocal decisions with 100% accuracy resulted when the entire dental cast was evaluated. Seventy-nine percent accuracy with equivocation in some trials resulted when only rugae tracings from the casts were evaluated. This investigation supported use of stone casts derived from the internal anatomy of maxillary dentures for forensic science identification when cast topography in toto was considered.     

Rupture of a giant splenic artery aneurysm. Report of an autopsy case.

We describe an autopsy case of a 61-year-old woman with von Recklinghausen's disease, who died suddenly following intraperitoneal hemorrhage due to the rupture of a giant splenic artery aneurysm. The aneurysm measured 16 x 13 x 5.5 cm--much larger than those in most previous reports. The pancreatic body, which was pressed by the aneurysm, was widely atrophic. In general, splenic artery aneurysms are more frequent in pregnant women or patients with portal hypertension. The pathogenesis of this aneurysm is presumed to be arterial dysplasia, focal arterial inflammation, or portal hypertension, unlike other aneurysms due to arteriosclerosis or syphilis. Since the patient had not been pregnant and had not had liver cirrhosis or arteriosclerosis, the pathogenic factor could not be determined in this case. The relationship between the genesis of the aneurysm and von Recklinghausen's disease was not clear either.     

The Value-Added Tax in Ghana

Ghana's Parliament enacted a value-added tax (VAT) in December 1994, with collection to begin on March 1, 1995. The short preparation period proved fatal for the tax. However, the nation's fiscal problems continue and the government is resolved to reintroduce the tax in 1998. This article reviews the structure of the failed tax, showing how it would have been a more effective general consumption tax than the system it would have replaced, examines the reasons for its untimely demise, and considers prospects for a successful reintroduction of the tax. Ghana's experience with the VAT can hold important lessons for countries contemplating the introduction of such a tax.     

Accidental poisonings involving carbon monoxide, heating systems, and confined spaces

Eleven incidents of carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication resulting in sixteen fatalities are reported. All of the cases involved heating systems as either the source or the means of distributing the CO. Blood samples were analyzed for ethanol and CO. Elevated blood CO saturations were found in 14 of the 16 victims while none of the victims had a blood ethanol concentration greater than 0.10% (w/v).