The designer drug situation in Ibiza

A total of 137 urine samples and 46 serum samples, corresponding to 154 self-confessed designer drugs consumers in Ibiza island, were analyzed for the presence of designer drugs: amphetamine and amphetamine derivatives (methamphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), p-methoxymethylamphetamine (PMMA), p-methoxyamphetamine (PMA), etc.), ketamine and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid. Among this population, coming both from the forensic clinic and from the emergency room of a hospital, a total of 99 cases were found positive for some designer drug. This study shows the prevalence of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) among designer drug users, sole or in association with other drugs. Also, the mixture of MDMA with other designer drugs, ethanol and/or cocaine is shown to be more likely to produce toxic symptoms requiring clinical attendance in a hospital emergency room. These findings along with the consumption history, the concentrations of drugs and metabolites in urine and serum and the toxicological significance for the interpretation of some MDMA metabolites such as 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA) are discussed in this study.     

Value of fetal autopsy after medical termination of pregnancy

We carried out a retrospective study of 352 medical terminations of pregnancy (MTP) carried out in a large French administrative region over two consecutive years. We analysed the indications for MTP and then compared the prenatal ultrasound diagnosis with fetal autopsy findings in order to demonstrate the value of pathological examination of the fetus in prenatal diagnosis and genetic counselling as well as the need to check by autopsy the quality of ultrasound screening. Preliminary analysis of the indication for these MTP showed that in 69.9% ultrasound screening had been carried out, revealing mainly brain abnormalities (22.2%) and heart defects generally associated with chromosomal abnormalities (32.1%). Prenatal findings were in agreement with autopsy results, showing no false-positive prenatal diagnoses. However, in 7.9% of cases in which brain abnormalities were detected, confirmation was not possible at autopsy because of tissue autolysis, showing the need for optimal conditions of expulsion. In 35.8% of cases, confirmation of the diagnosis by autopsy was not useful for management but still added to medical knowledge and demonstrated to the mother the reality of the defects. In 50.9%, the autopsy findings were decisive for genetic counselling.     

Characterization and haplotype analysis of 10 novel Y-STR loci in Chinese Han population

In this study, we analyzed allelic sequences of 10 novel Y-specific STR loci, DYS454, DYS510, DYS513, DYS520, DYS542, DYS544, DYS552, DYS561, DYS587 and DYS593, surveyed the distribution of haplotypes in a Chinese Han population. Extracted DNA was amplified with PCR, followed by a horizontal non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with discontinuous buffer system. Purified alleles were sequenced on DNA sequencer (ABI Model 377) to verify the number of motif repeats. The number of alleles observed at each locus ranged from 3 to 8, yielding 102 haplotypes in 103 unrelated males samples. The allele diversity values for each locus ranged from 0.2099 (DYS544) to 0.7523 (DYS552). The haplotype diversity using all these loci was 0.9998. Our study revealed that they were valuable Y-specific markers for forensic applications.     

Fatal firearm wounds: a clinicopathologic study

Firearm-related injuries are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in South Africa. This retrospective autopsy study included all firearm-related fatalities seen at a central mortuary in Durban. These cases had initially been assessed by a clinician before death, from July 1998 to June 1999.A total of 322 cases of fatal gunshot wounds were reviewed. Medical records and postmortem findings were compared by data capture onto a spreadsheet. Twenty-eight cases were excluded because of surgical alteration of the wounds, making autopsy evaluation impossible. In 50.7% of cases, the number of wounds was correctly identified and in 55.1% the position was correctly identified. In only 36.1% of cases were the entry and exit wounds correctly identified. The total number of missed wounds was 504 (48.3% of cases). The majority of missed wounds were on the upper limbs (25%), with the anterior trunk (21.8%) and lower limbs (18.5%) making up the remainder. This study demonstrates that physicians in South Africa do not adequately document and interpret gunshot wounds, which may influence the treatment of the patient and have medicolegal consequences. Emphasis should be placed on undergraduate and postgraduate teaching for physicians to correctly identify, interpret, and document firearm wounds.     

Etiology of pulmonary thromboembolism in the absence of commonly recognized risk factors

Pulmonary thromboembolism is an often fatal complication of venous thrombosis. Any component or combination of the components composing Virchow's triad (venostasis, hypercoagulability, and endothelial damage) increases the propensity for a thrombophilic state. Hypercoagulable states may be inherited or acquired. While the etiology in many cases may be evident either on physical examination or on evaluation of the decedent's medical history, this is often not the case. We conducted a retrospective study of cases presenting to the Jefferson County Coroner/Medical Examiner's Office in Birmingham, Alabama, who were given a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. A search of cases within the past 23 years yielded 81 cases. An underlying cause was determined in 70 cases (86%). The remaining 11 (14%) cases had no identifiable cause. We believe that a number of these cases may represent an underlying thrombophilic disorder. Since these disorders may be of an inherited or acquired nature, the determination of an etiology may be relevant to the decedent's family. Postmortem blood analyses may in selected cases be useful and appropriate for the detection of some of these disorders. However, such analyses are not practical in all cases, with each case having to be evaluated on its own merits.     

Here comes the judge: the influence of judge personal characteristics on federal sexual harassment case outcomes

This study explored the effects of judges' personal characteristics (gender, race, age, and political affiliation) and case characteristics on the outcomes of federal cases of hostile environment sexual harassment. Results revealed that even after controlling for the effects of relevant case characteristics (e.g., severity of the harassment), judges' personal characteristics influenced case outcomes. Specifically, younger judges and Democrat judges were more likely to find for the plaintiff (the alleged victim of harassment). The probability that the decision would favor the plaintiff was only 16% when the case was heard by an older judge but 45% when heard by a younger judge. The probability that the decision would favor the plaintiff was only 18% when the case was heard by a judge who had been appointed by a Republican president but 46% when the judge had been appointed by a Democrat president.     

An unusual fatal injury due to tyre burst: a case report

A 20 year-old male driver of a heavy duty crane, employed in an industry located in an industrial area on the outskirts of Delhi was fatally injured while repositioning an ill-fitted locking rim of a crane tyre (Fig. 1). The inner tube of the crane tyre had accidentally burst, dislodging the loose iron-locking rim, which hit the individual with a great force resulting in multiple injuries. He died on his way to the hospital.     

Methamphetamine impurity profiling using a 0.32 mm i.d. nonpolar capillary column

Classification of seized methamphetamine by impurity profiling can provide very useful information in criminal investigations of drug traffic routes, sources of supply and relationships between seizures. The aim of this study is to improve and develop an analytical method for detecting impurities such as starting materials and by-products in illegally prepared methamphetamine.HCl samples. A 50mg sample of methamphetamine.HCl was dissolved in 1 ml of buffer solution (four parts 0.1M phosphate buffer pH 7.0 and one part 10% Na2CO3). Impurities were extracted with 0.5 ml of ethyl acetate containing four internal standards (ISs) (n-decane, n-pentadecane, n-nonadecane and n-hexacosane) and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) using a flame ionization detector (FID) on a DB-5 capillary column (0.32 mmi.d. x 30 m, film thickness 1.0 microm). The use of a middle-bore column offered better separation of the impurity peaks. The correction of the retention times of impurity peaks with four ISs made peak identification very accurate for subsequent data processing. Twenty-four characteristic peaks were selected for comparison and similarity and/or dissimilarity between samples, and the data were evaluated by the Euclidean distance of the relative peak areas after logarithmic transformation. The results indicate that the present method would be useful for methamphetamine impurity profiling.     

Tissue concentrations of MDMA and its metabolite MDA in three fatal cases of overdose

The recreational use of amphetamine derivatives has become increasingly popular in our country in past recent years. Their use is especially common among young people participating in dance parties known as "raves." As a direct consequence of their increased use, the number of fatal cases in which these compounds have been involved have increased dramatically since the second half of the last decade. In our laboratory, we have registered 25 cases related to amphetamine derivatives use since 1996. Three of them were deeply studied and the results obtained are presented in this paper. This information may be useful for the interpretation of the results obtained in toxicological analysis in the cases in which death may be attributed to MDMA use.