Identification of mechanical asphyxiation in cases of attempted masking of the homicide

Five homicides are described that had remained unexplained as to the causes of death after gross pathology. Although general signs of asphyxiation were present, they were lacking injuries specific of strangulation or oro-nasal occlusion. The diagnoses of asphyxiation were established by microscopical investigation of the lung and confirmed by subsequent police inquiries. An oro-nasal occlusion was involved in three cases, a strangulation or an oro-nasal occlusion, in another case. The victims were young and healthy. Toxicological investigations remained negative in four cases; one victim was anaesthetized by bromazepam and ether and had a blood alcohol concentration of 80 mg/100 ml. Lung histology and electron microscopy revealed acute emphysema, the development of a haemorrhagic-dysoric syndrome and a microembolism syndrome. With regard to the haemorrhagic-dysoric syndrome, the development of alveolar-interstitial edema is particularly important. This finding may also be diagnosed by light microscopy in semi-thin sections. It is emphasized that the combined action of several pathomechanisms is responsible for the rapid manifestation of the pulmonary lesions. Especially, the haemorrhagic-dysoric syndrome is brought about by the combined action of inspiratory intrapulmonary vacuum and raised intracapillary pressure. The complex pattern allows to compile the diagnosis of mechanical asphyxia even if there is no corresponding injury.     

THE EFFECT OF LONGITUDINAL ARREST PATTERNS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROBBERY TRENDS AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL *

Although the current resurgence of ecological deterrence research has addressed many of the methodological and theoretical problems of earlier studies, the question concerning the appropriate level of aggregation for such models has not been resolved. In this paper, we argue that there is strong evidence in the criminological literature that the neighborhood is the most meaningful level of aggregation for such studies. However, in an analysis of robbery incidents and arrests over 100 weeks in five Oklahoma City neighborhoods we did not find any significant support for the deterrent effect of arrests on subsequent illegal behavior. We propose that the lack of such a relationship reflects periods of short-term equilibrium in the local community, during which the levels of crime and arrests are relatively stabilized.     

A COMPARISON OF DELINQUENCY TRENDS

Comparative data are presented assessing trends in the juvenile crime rates for Japan and the United States over the past decade. Both court and arrest records show that the rate of juvenile crime has increased substantially in the United States while remaining essentially stable in Japan. The analyses demonstrate that this conclusion holds even when appropriate controls are introduced for the age groups involved. Suggestions are made for future research that might explain the differences reported for the two nations.     

Liver histopathology in autopsied drug-addicts

Liver specimens of 150 randomly selected autopsied drug addicts from the province of Milan (Italy) were studied using light microscopy, polarized light and immunohistochemical methods. Simple histological changes and the main diagnoses are described. The main histological diagnoses in order of frequency were: non-specific reactive hepatitis (NSRH) (52%), chronic aggressive hepatitis (CAH) (24%), acute hepatitis (AH) (12%), normal liver (6%), steatosis only (3.3%) and cirrhosis (2%). In 24 cases (16%) one or more viral antigens (HBsAg, HBcAg and Delta Ag) were detected in hepatocytes by immunohistochemical methods. Three liver specimens revealed epithelioid cell granulomas, but in no case was birefringent material identified in the liver. AH and CAH were more frequent in the group of livers with viral antigens. Our histological and immunohistochemical data confirm the current opinion that, in most cases, liver pathology in drug addicts has a viral aetiology, while no significant pathogenic role has been identified for drugs, alcohol or contaminants. Recurrent infections by one or several viruses possibly explain the relatively peculiar histological features of hepatitis in drug addicts.