Methadone maintenance programs--a two-edged sword?

Retrospective review was undertaken of all autopsies in which methadone was detected at the Forensic Science Centre, South Australia, during a 3-year period from July 1996 to June 1999. Thirty-five cases were found in which methadone had either caused or contributed to death (age range = 14-54 years; average = 31 years; M:F = 3.4:1). Ten victims were participating in a methadone maintenance program, of whom four died within a week of enrollment. Eight victims (23%) not enrolled in a methadone maintenance program were found who had died after the use of "diverted" methadone (i.e., prescribed for someone else) (age range = 14-34 years; average = 25 years; M:F = 6:2). Deaths were directly attributable to methadone toxicity in seven of the eight cases, with additional drugs or alcohol being found in seven cases. Prevention of ongoing deaths caused by methadone diversion could be achieved by allowing only daily releases of methadone, with the addict having to consume the drug under close supervision.     

Resistance of degraded hair shafts to contaminant DNA

We have investigated the susceptibility of degraded human hair shaft samples to contamination by exogenous sources of DNA, including blood, saliva, skin cells, and purified DNA. The results indicate that on the whole hair shafts are either largely resistant to penetration by contaminant DNA, or extremely easy to successfully decontaminate. This pertains to samples that are both morphologically and biochemically degraded. We suggest that this resistance to the incorporation of contaminant DNA relates to the hydrophobic and impermeable nature of the keratin structures forming the hair shaft. Therefore, hair samples represent an important and underestimated source of DNA in both forensic and ancient DNA studies.     

The pathological features and circumstances of death of lethal crush/traumatic asphyxia in adults--a 25-year study

A 25-year retrospective study of cases of crush/traumatic asphyxia autopsied at Forensic Science SA, Adelaide, Australia from 1980 to 2004 was undertaken. A total of 79 cases of crush asphyxia was found consisting of 63 males (80%) and 16 females (20%). The age range of the males was 19-86 years (mean=41.8 years) and of the females was 19-75 years (mean=38.6 years). In 18 cases the exact circumstances of death were unclear, leaving 61 cases in which details of the fatal episode were available. Major categories included vehicle crashes (N=37), industrial accidents (N=9), farm accidents (N=6) and entrapment beneath vehicles (N=5). Forty of the 79 victims (51%) had only very minor bruises and abrasions; 28 (35%) had evidence of chest compression with rib and sternal fractures and large areas of soft tissue bruising of the chest; 7 cases (9%) had other significant injuries or findings that had contributed to death. All of these victims had signs of crush asphyxia in the form of intense purple congestion and swelling of the face and neck, and/or petechial hemorrhages of the skin of the face and/or conjunctivae. The pattern of pathological findings of crush asphyxia was not influenced by the presence or absence of concomitant serious or lethal injuries. In 4 cases (5%) where the circumstances of the lethal episode were those of crush asphyxia there were no characteristic pathological findings. This study has shown that a high percentage of crush asphyxias may be caused by vehicle accidents. It has also demonstrated that on occasion fatal crush asphyxia may have to be a diagnosis of exclusion, made only when there are characteristic death scene findings, and no evidence of lethal natural diseases or injuries at autopsy, with negative toxicological screening.     

Perceived positive aspects of intimate relationships among abused women in methadone maintenance treatment programs (MMTP)

This study examines the positive aspects of intimate relationships perceived by drug-involved women victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). The article examines the association of psychological distress, childhood abuse, and severity of IPV with the different positive aspects the women indicated. Most analyses were conducted on a subsample of 149 women in methadone maintenance treatment who intended to continue their relationship with their abusive partner. The women most frequently valued fulfillment of the role of an intimate partner such as "he takes care of me, loves me, makes me laugh" (29.7%). Fewer than one tenth of the women valued their partners' role as economic provider; however, these women reported more physical IPV. Women intending to continue the relationship (more than two thirds of the participants) reported less physical or sexual IPV and experienced less psychological distress. Policy and practice implications are discussed.     

The Evolving American Policy on Investment Protection: Evidence from Recent FTAs and the 2004 Model BIT

Twelve years after the inception of the North American FreeTrade Agreement (NAFTA), the US policy on the protection offoreign investment is evolving. This article compares the provisionson investment in the recent US free trade agreements (FTAs)and the 2004 model bilateral investment treaty (BIT) with NAFTA’s.While most of the provisions are similar, some differences canbe identified, both in substantive and procedural forms. Weexplain this evolution by a learning process of the US administrationfrom the NAFTA experience. We argue that the new features ofthe FTAs and of the revised model BIT result from the US interestin reaching a better balance between the protection of investmentand the protection of state sovereignty. This American concernstems from a reaction to the claims filed by foreign investorsunder NAFTA Chapter 11, at least some of which were perceivedas ‘frivolous’ by the US government. However, therecent US FTAs and model BIT do not reveal a thorough policyreorientation but rather adjustments to the policy at the basisof NAFTA’s investment chapter.     

Determination of bromazepam, clonazepam and metabolites after a single intake in urine and hair by LC-MS/MS. Application to forensic cases of drug facilitated crimes

The number of reports on drug facilitated crimes is increasing these last years. Apart from ethanol and cannabis, benzodiazepines (BZD) and analogs are the most common drugs reported to be used probably due to their amnesic and sedative properties. We have developed a rapid and sensitive method using LC-MS/MS triple stage quadrupole (TSQ) for the determination of single exposure to bromazepam (Lexomil, 6 mg) and clonazepam (Rivotril, 2 mg) in urine and hair of healthy volunteers. Chromatography was carried out on a Uptisphere ODB 5 microm, 2.1 mm x 150 mm column (Interchim) with a gradient of acetonitrile and formate 2 mM buffer, pH 3. Urine was extracted with Toxitube A (Varian) and allowed the detection of bromazepam, 3-hydroxy-bromazepam, clonazepam and 7-Aminoclonazepam for more than 6 days. Head hair, collected 1 month after the exposure, was treated by incubation with Soerensen buffer pH 7.6, followed by liquid-liquid extraction with dichloromethane for common BZD. A specific pre-treatment for amino-BZD, with an incubation of 15 min at 95 degrees C in 0.1 N NaOH before liquid-liquid extraction with dichloromethane, gave better recoveries and repeatability. After single exposure, bromazepam was present in powdered hair at 28 pg/mg and 7-Aminoclonazepam at 22 pg/mg in the first 1-cm segment, while no clonazepam was detectable. This method was applied in two forensic cases. It allowed us to determine bromazepam in urine 3 days after the alleged offense and in cut head hair at a concentration of 6.7 pg/mg only in the 2-cm proximal segment. The other case showed the presence of clonazepam and 7-Aminoclonazepam in urine a few hours after the offense and the presence of 7-Aminoclonazepam at about 3.2 pg/mg in axillary hair 4 months later.     

Sino–Vatican Relations at the Century's Turn

In this article we discuss Sino–Vatican relations which have not evolved from dispute into rapprochement. Changes in the international political landscape have added new complications to old questions. The course of this relationship has not been smooth due to the ideological questions. The Chinese Communist Party and the Vatican have been struggling for teaching authority over 12 million Chinese Catholics over the last few decades. The fundamental difficulty rests in the ideological incompatibility between the dialectic materialism embedded in Marxism Leninism and religious idealism.     

Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and extracranial vertebral artery injury: a case report and review of the literature

The case is presented of a 19-year-old man who was assaulted and died shortly afterward from a large traumatic basal subarachnoid hemorrhage (TBSAH) that arose from rupture of the left vertebral artery, proximal to the point at which the artery penetrated the dura. The literature regarding TBSAH and vertebral artery rupture is reviewed, and a number of points are highlighted: patients with TBSAH may remain conscious for a period of hours after injury, subcutaneous or muscular bruising may be contralateral to the ruptured vessel, fractures of the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae and significant pathology of the vertebral artery are not typically associated with TBSAH, and rupture of the vertebral artery may be intracranial, junctional, or extracranial.     

Murder-suicides involving children: a 29-year study

Review was undertaken from February 1969 to January 1998 at the State forensic science center (Forensic Science) in Adelaide, South Australia, of all cases of murder-suicide involving children <16 years of age. A total of 13 separate cases were identified involving 30 victims, all of whom were related to the perpetrators. There were 7 male and 6 female perpetrators (age range, 23-41 years; average, 31 years) consisting of 6 mothers, 6 father/husbands, and 1 uncle/son-in-law. The 30 victims consisted of 11 daughters, 11 sons, 1 niece, 1 mother-in-law, and 6 wives of the assailants. The 23 children were aged from 10 months to 15 years (average, 6.0 years). The 6 mothers murdered 9 children and no spouses, with 3 child survivors. The 6 fathers murdered 13 children and 6 wives, with 1 child survivor. This study has demonstrated a higher percentage of female perpetrators than other studies of murder-suicide. The methods of homicide and suicide used were generally less violent among the female perpetrators compared with male perpetrators. Fathers killed not only their children but also their wives, whereas mothers murdered only their children. These results suggest differences between murder-suicides that involve children and adult-only cases, and between cases in which the mother rather than the father is the perpetrator.     

Cross-national integration in Northeast Asia: Geopolitical and economic goals in conflict

To shed light on conflicting views of the regional readjustment under way, this article views Northeast Asia from various geographical angles. It compares local strategies for regionalism, identifying the perspectives of six border cities, two each in China, Japan, and Russia. Problems of regionalism are treated in light of the poor fit among local strategies. The past five years have produced more conflict than cooperation, which can also be explained by differing national strategies. The article examines linkages among the region’s powers, suggesting how they affect regionalism, and concludes with an analysis of divergence in national strategies.