Case study of dissolving allele dropout

Allele typing performed using the original components of the AmpFlSTR Identifiler kit led to unbalanced peak heights and allele dropouts. However, allele typing was completely successful when substituting the QIAGEN Multiplex PCR Master Mix for the AmpFlSTR PCR Reaction Mix of the Identifiler kit. The successful range for allele typing was 250 pg to 1.5 ng of DNA. The running times for PCR amplification were reduced by about 30 min from the original protocol.     

Analysis of pituitary lesions in fatal closed head injury

We analyzed forensic autopsy findings of 66 consecutive patients with fatal closed head injury who survived up to 48 days after trauma to ascertain the causal factors and the time course of development of posttraumatic pituitary lesions. Pituitary lesions were identified in 27 patients. In patients with pituitary lesions, posterior lobe hemorrhage was observed in 21 patients, followed by anterior lobe hemorrhage in 10 patients and anterior lobe infarct in 7 patients. Comparisons between patients with and without pituitary lesions showed that falls and subdural hematoma were significantly frequent in patients with pituitary lesions. Immunohistochemistry of neurophysin showed increased immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus of patients with pituitary lesions and brain edema, providing morphologic evidence of pituitary dysfunction. Hemorrhage in the anterior or posterior lobe was identifiable in patients with short survival periods, whereas infarct in the anterior lobe appeared in patients surviving at least 14 hours. These data further our understanding of the mechanisms of pituitary dysfunctions and help in the estimation of the survival period after head trauma.     

Bringing Realism Back In: Explaining China's Strategic Behavior in the Asia-Pacific

This article argues that offensive realism is applicable to explain China's strategic behavior. Contrary to constructivist and liberal arguments, ideational and domestic factors are not the primary causes of China's strategic behavior. Instead, structural and material factors such as anarchy and the distribution of relative power significantly shape how China behaves in the Asia-Pacific. Furthermore, they have a larger impact relative to non-material/unit-level variables on China's policymaking. Available evidence strongly indicates that China's strategic behavior is driven by power maximizing calculation. China's grand strategy, its maritime ambition as well as naval modernization, and rapid growth rate of military expenditure all confirm the hypotheses of offensive realism.     

Fast PCR amplification of AmpFlSTR Identifiler

To increase throughput for DNA typing, we examined fast PCR cycling using AmpFlSTR Identifiler by three methods. In this study, we reduced PCR running times by 1/3 to 2/3 (approximately 1-2 h). This means DNA typing, including PCR reactions, can be completed within a timeframe ranging from 90 min to 2 h and 30 min.     

Examination of spur marks found on inkjet-printed documents

In this paper, we propose the examination of spur mark evidence on inkjet-printed documents. Spur marks are tool marks created by the spur gears in the paper conveyance system of many inkjet printers. The relationship between printouts and printers were investigated by comparing the spur marks found on printed documents with reference spur marks sampled from known printers. The comparison was based on two characteristics of spur marks: pitch and mutual distance. These characteristics extracted the geometric features of spur marks and provided information on the type of spur gears and their location in the paper conveyance system. The spur marks on a printout matched the reference spur marks within three percent of the measured values. Spur marks were considered to be effective class characteristics to identify certain brands of inkjet printers since spur gears are used in many types of these machines.     

Neuropathology of human immunodeficiency virus infection: a forensic autopsy study in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

The objective of this study was to examine the neuropathological changes in the brain of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the Tanzanian capital Dar Es Salaam, and investigate whether the prevalence of different forms of HIV-related neuropathology varies from other countries. The subjects were patients with risk factors for HIV infection in whom forensic autopsies were performed between 1997 and 1999. In Dar Es Salaam, forensic autopsy constitutes more than 90% of all autopsies, because hospital autopsy is limited due to socio-cultural and religious reasons. HIV infection was identified in 52 of 143 patients selected from forensic autopsies. Neuropathological findings were observed in 31 of 52 HIV-infected patients; these include lymphocytic meningitis 19, bacterial meningitis 3, tuberculous brain abscess 3, cryptococcal meningitis 3, basal ganglia calcification 3, and toxoplasma encephalitis 1. HIV encephalitis, lymphoma, and cytomegalovirus encephalitis could not be found in this study. Whereas the findings should be interpreted cautiously because of possible autopsy bias and a low percentage of cases examined compared to the total number of HIV-infected patients in Tanzania, our observations provide information on the likely diagnostic possibilities to be considered in the evaluation and management of HIV-infected patients with neurological symptoms in Tanzania. In the face of decreased hospital autopsy, most studies have focused mainly on the end-stage HIV disease; forensic autopsy is a potential source of materials for studies on HIV disease spectrum at different stages.     

A Japanese computer-assisted facial identification system successfully identifies non-Japanese faces

The method developed by Yoshino et al. in [Forensic Sci. Int. 109 (2000) 225 and Jpn. J. Sci. Tech. Iden. 5 (2000) 9] and already being applied in Japan utilizes a three-dimensional (3D) physiognomic rangefinder combined with a computer-assisted superimposition system. Facial outlines can be compared between two-dimensional (2D) surveillance images and data extracted from 3D images obtained from the rangefinder. Also, the loci of potentially concordant features can be compared and differences measured. The method is largely objective and gives statistics for false positive/false negative findings. This recently developed method by Yoshino et al. is currently being introduced to the Japanese courts. To enable courts outside Japan to assess the admissibility of this new method, studies of non-Japanese faces have been undertaken and shown to produce similar low error rates. The present authors, therefore, consider the Yoshino method to be applicable in a non-Japanese context. As part of this study a comparison of morphological features between two ethnic groups has been undertaken using 3D measurements for the first time and will serve as the foundation for an anthropological database in the future.     

Detection of methamphetamine in mouse femurs exposed to high temperature

Bone samples are valuable for examining the cause of death and circumstance leading up to death when body fluids are not available for forensic toxicological analysis. Examined were heat-induced changes in methamphetamine and amphetamine concentrations in femurs removed from methamphetamine-injected mice to determine if the burned bones could be used for toxicology testing. The femurs were heated at 100°C, 300°C, or 500°C for 10 or 30 min. The tissue structure of the heated femurs was preserved at 100°C for 30 min but was destructed at higher temperatures. Methamphetamine and amphetamine were detected in femurs heated at 100°C for 10 min, 100°C for 30 min, and 300°C for 10 min (with methamphetamine and amphetamine concentrations ranging from 0.36 to 35 μg/g and 0.54 to 47 μg/g, respectively). Methamphetamine and amphetamine were detectable when heated above their decomposition temperature as a result of limited heat transfer do to protection provide by the femoral muscle. Thus, the bone could be a useful analytical sample in cases of burn-related deaths, where it is difficult to collect body fluids.     

Individual identification of disguised faces by morphometrical matching

The reliability of a morphometrical matching method for identifying disguised faces was examined experimentally using a computer-assisted facial image identification system. The 2D right oblique facial images of three target persons disguised with sunglasses, cap and gauze mask were each compared with each of the 3D facial images of 100 subjects, yielding 900 face-to-face superimpositions. The average perpendicular distance between the facial outlines and the average point-to-point distance of the corresponding landmarks in the 2D image of the disguised face and the 3D facial image, were calculated. As a matching criterion, the sum of the values of the average perpendicular difference of the facial outlines and the average point-to-point difference between the corresponding landmarks was used (abbreviation: average difference).The range of the average difference was 2.3-2.8mm for the same person (a match) and 4.0-14.6mm for different (non-matching) people, respectively. The ranges for matching and non-matching faces did not overlap. Even the 3D facial images of the non-matching person showing the closest value of average difference to the average difference for the matching person could be excluded easily. It was concluded that the morphometrical matching method can reliably identify disguised faces and the results produced by this method could be easily understandable by a court of law.     

Dementing diseases among elderly persons who suffered fatal accidents: a forensic autopsy study

The demographics and forensic autopsy findings of 125 elderly persons were analyzed to identify the risk factors of fatal accidents among elderly and to develop preventive measures to minimize such events. Cliniconeuropathologic dementing diseases were diagnosed in 13 of the 69 accidental death but only 1 of the 56 nonaccidental death cases, indicating that dementing diseases are associated with accidental deaths of elderly in forensic autopsy populations and suggesting that interventions for preventing fatal accidents should focus on elderly persons with dementia. Blood alcohol was only detected in persons without dementia, indicating that dementing diseases and drunkenness are not coexisting factors for fatal accidents among elderly. Living alone might increase the risk of mortalities associated with accidental injuries because of the absence of a caregiver at the scene and delayed medical help. The majority of fatal accidents occurred outdoors, emphasizing the need for interventions to reduce environmental hazards such as those related to traffic, open water, and cold weather. Increased public awareness of accident risks and preventive interventions will reduce accidental deaths among community-dwelling elderly people.