Supercritical fluid chromatography in forensic science: a critical appraisal

The application of supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) in forensic science is reviewed. The applications centre on the analysis of explosives and of drugs of abuse. The systems employed are discussed in the context of comparison with gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography methods which are traditionally used for such analyses. The advantages and disadvantages of SFC over these methods are discussed. Recommendations are made for the developments which are required in SFC technology if it is to find greater application in forensic science.     

Forensic identification of a rapist using unusual evidence.

This case report demonstrates a rape case, where no semen, hair, or fingerprints were left by the perpetrator at the crime scene, but rather uncharacteristic biological and physical evidence in the form of a lollipop and a pair of glasses. Three separate forensic laboratories collaborated using conventional forensic methods of PCR DNA typing, photography, and toolmark comparisons to provide investigators with scientific evidence which in turn was instrumental in bringing a violent criminal to justice. The importance of evaluating each item of evidence and realizing its forensic value is stressed in this case report.     

Characteristics of gunshot wounds in the skull.

The analysis of trauma to the skeleton is an important aspect of forensic case work, but most pathology references devote limited attention to this topic. This paper describes various aspects of gunshot wounds, including entrance and exit patterns, angle and path, range of fire and velocity, and caliber of the bullet, based on observations of a series of known cases. Skeletal remains of 21 victims of gunshot wounds were studied. In most cases, there was documentation of the investigation, autopsy, and victim's identity. Each case was analyzed in terms of wound location, shape, size and exit/entry surface area ratio, beveling, and direction of shooting Skull entry wounds were most often round or oval. Unusual shapes were observed in bones like the mandible and mastoid process, but were also found to be triangular, nearly rectangular or irregular. Tunneling was observed in the mastoid process. The expected internal beveling was obvious in all but one skull. External beveling of an entry wound was only observed in one case (parietal bone). Exit wounds were roughly round, oval, square, and rectangular and were always more irregular than entry wounds. External beveling of exit wounds was observed in most vault bones, but there was none in the orbit, maxilla, greater wing of the sphenoid, temporal, or left occipital bone. Tangential gunshot wounds were seen in a mastoid process, zygomatic process, mandibular ramus and condyle, and occipital condyle. Most of the exit to entry surface area ratios (cm2) varied from 1.4 to 2.0. In four cases the ratio indicated that entrances were larger than exists. In conclusion, understanding of gunshot wound characteristics is an important matter to interpret distance, velocity, direction and sometimes caliber size. Assessment of this nature of gunshot wounds helps reconstruct events surrounding the death.     

病毒性心肌炎肌动蛋白的免疫组化观察

对１０例尸检心脏标本进行了肌动蛋白（Ａｃｔｉｎ,Ａｔ）的免疫组化观察。依据Ｄａｌｓ标准的明确或界限性病毒性心肌炎５例,心肌组织内Ａｔ含量减损,呈局灶性或弥漫性淡染,偶见小灶性单个心肌细胞内Ａｔ缺失。心肌梗死２例,心肌组织内Ａｔ大片缺失;非心性死亡对照组３例,心肌组织内Ａｔ呈均匀一致的强阳性染色。结果表明,心肌组织内Ａｔ的免疫组化观察可望提高对不典型病毒性心肌炎诊断的敏感性,同时对区分轻度缺血性与炎症性心肌细胞损伤有参考价值