Suicide in a patient with undiagnosed periarteritis nodosa

Surveys of medical examiners' records have shown that as many as one-third of suicide victims have serious physical illnesses. We report the case of a 56-year-old woman who committed suicide by drug overdose. At autopsy, she had severe widespread periarteritis nodosa, which had been unsuspected during life. The identification of treatable physical illness in suicide victims is important in suicide prevention, yet such illness may be overlooked after death unless a forensic autopsy is performed.     

The determination of cocaine and its major metabolite, benzoylecgonine, in postmortem fluids and tissues by computerized gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

An analytical procedure for the simultaneous determination of both cocaine and benzoylecgonine in postmortem fluid and tissue samples has been developed by using computerized gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography using a nitrogen/phosphorus (N/P) detector. Both methods are accurate and sensitive and allow the determination of tissue concentrations of cocaine and benzoylecgonine as low as 0.015 microgram/mL.     

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.     

The medical examiner and AIDS. Death certification, safety procedures, and future medicolegal issues

The current worldwide epidemic of AIDS will have profound consequences not only for the delivery of health care, but also for forensic pathologists and investigators. AIDS continues to spread in definable risk groups, and deaths within some of these groups may fall under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner. We outline an approach to handling AIDS deaths based upon case definition, diagnosis by available information and procedures, and proper infection control. We also discuss medicolegal issues surrounding deaths due to AIDS.     

Forensic diagnosis coding and retrieval by microcomputer

A system is described for coding of anatomic--including forensic--pathologic diagnoses from necropsy cases using a microcomputer. The SNOMED software from the College of American Pathologists is utilized. RAM-disk software is employed to enhance the speed of operation of the system. The microcomputer can be operated by clerical staff versed in medical terminology. Speed of entry and retrieval, with minimal manual interaction, is an important aspect of operation. Equipment and storage costs are minimal.     

Cognitive Salience of Subjugation and the Ideological Justification of U.S. Geopolitical Dominance in Japan

To explore the causal role of cognition about subjugation in the justification of the geopolitical status quo, Japanese attitudes about U.S.–Japan relations were assessed after experimentally making salient either Japan’s dominance or subjugation regarding the United States. In addition, participants completed measures of ideology, including system justification, social dominance orientation, and right-wing authoritarianism. Results demonstrated that those reminded of Japan’s geopolitical subjugation to (but not dominance over) the U.S. endorsed U.S. hegemony to the degree that system justification motivation was high. Findings suggest that (a) international hierarchies have attitudinal consequences that may be especially pronounced among those who endorse the status quo, and (b) current Japanese policy-related attitudes are influenced by the salience of U.S. hegemony in Japan.     

A simple histochemical technique for the identification of gunshot residue

Alizarin red S (ARS) is a commonly used organic dye useful in the histologic identification of calcium deposits. ARS also forms colored reaction products with other metal ions, including barium and lead, which are present in primer residue. In histochemical studies, ARS is shown to identify primer residues from several manufacturers as well as primer residue deposited in tissue, either experimentally or in close-range gunshot wounds. This can be easily accomplished with routine histologic techniques. ARS does not stain gunpowder residue, tattoo pigment, melanin, graphite, india ink, or anthracotic pigment.     

Hydromorphone detected in bile following hydrocodone ingestion

Two similar cases are reported here in which Tussionex, a preparation containing hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine, caused or contributed to death. Toxicological analyses revealed a high concentration ratio of hydromorphone to hydrocodone in the bile in both cases. It is postulated that the finding of hydromorphone is due to the metabolism of hydrocodone.     

Fixed human tissues: a resource for the identification of individuals

Polymorphic genetic loci of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) present in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were successfully analyzed by utilizing the polymerase chain reaction. Using this analysis, with three different polymorphic loci [human leucocyte antigen (HLA) DQ alpha, low-density lipoprotein receptor, and parathyroid hormone], fixed tissues representing 14 different individuals were genotyped and could be distinguished from each other. The techniques were further applied to the fixed autopsy tissues of a man in which a question of paternity arose postmortem. Since many individuals have surgical procedures or autopsy, these readily available fixed tissues represent an additional resource for the identification of individuals.     

Geographic forensic medicine and forensic sciences

The necessity of learning more about the criminality and the culture of persons from overseas is upon us. As forensic scientists, we have to take a lead in presenting information to our colleagues that would facilitate their investigations. In this paper, we look at many of the different cultures that have been presented to American authorities, and the activities of the Milton Helpern International Center for the Forensic Sciences are discussed.