Age estimation from the rib by phase analysis: white females

Metamorphosis at the sternal extremity of the rib has already been established as a reliable indicator of age at death. Using a sample of white males, it was shown that an accurate estimation of age can be made by direct examination of the bone itself. However, because of sexual differences in hormonal production and dimorphism in the skeleton, the present study was carried out to develop an appropriate standard for age determination from the sternal rib in white females. The sample consisted of 86 ribs of known age, sex, and race. Observations were made at the costochondral junction with special attention to pit formation (its shape and depth), changes in the walls and rim surrounding it, and overall bone density and texture. Based on changes in these areas, the ribs were separated into nine phases (0 through 8). The most rapid metamorphosis occurred in Phases 1 through 4 (mean ages 14-28) with changes noticeable at 3 to 4 year intervals. After mean age 28, this process slowed, considerably expanding the interval between phases to 10 to 15 years. The female ribs showed both earlier initial pit formation and a different morphologic pattern of aging as compared with males. Statistical analysis revealed that the features chosen to delineate the phases are valid predictors of age. This study has shown that the sternal rib can provide an accurate estimation of age in females spanning a mean age of 14 to 76 years.     

Application of an immunological method to detect trace amounts of dried human semen

An immunological assay based on a monoclonal antibody was used for identification of trace amounts of dried human semen in forensic science evidence. The monoclonal antibody (Mab 4E6) produced recognizes a human sperm-coating antigen which is specific to human seminal plasma. This antigen seems to be a protein secreted by the epithelial cells of the ejaculatory duct, which is stable indefinitely at room temperature. Mab 4E6 reacts positively with semen samples from individuals independently to their ABO group or secretory status, but does not react with semen from bull, ram, boar, horse, rabbit and dog. In the assay system developed, Mab 4E6 can detect human seminal plasma at concentrations of 0.5 micrograms/ml total protein. A similar sensitivity is found when human semen stains are eluted from forensic science samples and tested by the same assay. This method shows a good correlation with the microscopic methods routinely used. The method described is very sensitive and reproducible, it is time saving and special laboratory equipment is not needed.     

Determination of total hemoglobin in forensic blood samples with special reference to carboxyhemoglobin analysis

For the determination of total hemoglobin (Hb) in blood containing elevated carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), a newly developed reagent containing a 100-fold concentration of ferricyanide (20 g/l) and a 2-fold concentration of Sterox SE was compared with a standard reagent (0.2 g/l ferricyanide), the reagent of van Kampen and Zijlstra, using forensic blood samples and experimentally heated blood samples. There were no significant differences between the spectra of hemiglobincyanide (HiCN) solution produced with our reagent and the van Kampen and Zijlstra reagent using experimentally heated blood samples. Although the spectra of HiCN changed gradually with increased heating time and with the passage of time after mixing, the absorbance at 540 nm (A540) did not change until at least 120 min for both the reagents. When forensic blood samples containing elevated COHb were mixed with the van Kampen and Zijlstra reagent, total-Hb concentrations determined 5 min after mixing were 10-20% higher than those determined after 180 min. The overestimates of total Hb determined after 5 min resulted in comparable underestimates of percentage saturation of COHb (COHb%) when COHb% was obtained from the ratio of COHb content, determined by gas chromatogrpahy, to total-Hb concentration in blood. However, there was an extremely good correlation between the values of total Hb in forensic blood samples determined with the van Kampen and Zijlstra reagent after 180 min and those determined with our reagent after 5 min. From the results obtained, our reagent proved to be suitable for the determination of total Hb in forensic science practice.     

Transferrin polymorphism detected in human urine using isoelectric focusing followed by immunoblotting

Genetic polymorphism of transferrin (TF) was revealed in human urine by isoelectric focusing and immunoblotting on thin-layer polyacrylamide gels. Using this technique more than 300 urine samples were examined, and correct TF typing from a small volume of urine (approx. 0.5 ml) was achieved, in comparison with the results of direct grouping for plasma. Three common phenotypes, TF C1, C2-1 and C2, were differentiated. In addition, the rare types TF C1D, C2D, and C1B were observed. The frequencies of the TF alleles in our samples were found to be: TF*C1 = 0.7265, TF*C2 = 0.2624, TF*D = 0.0083 and TF*B = 0.0028.     

日本技术士法

<正> 施行一九五七年八月十日(一九五七年第二五一号政命)修改一九六一年第一四五号法律;一九六七年第三十六号法律。第一章总则(目的)第一条本法的目的,确定技术士资格,使其正确执行业务,以资提高科学技术     

东京都关于健康培养青少年条例(一九六四年八月一日第一八一号条例)

<正> 我们都民作为社会一员,热爱肩负未来社会重任的青少年,并且期望他们在良好环境中,获得身心健康成长。我们都民必须铭记,无论在家庭、学校,或者工作岗位以及其他场所,都要竭力对青少年予以正确指导,以便对青少年人格的形成做出贡献。我们都民必须深刻认识自己担负培养身心健康青少年的责任,以便致力于使青少年成为遵守生活纪律,具有自觉性和责任性的社会成员。     

法律与文学:可能性及其限度

<正>找那不可能的东西,绝望中练一身技艺。——燕卜荪:《最后的痛苦》一、引论法律与文学(Law and Literature)是发源于美国法学院的一场学术运动,并演变成为一个法学流派或者领域。法律是一门历史悠久的学科,然而自1960年代以来,其学科自主性在美国逐渐走向衰落。法律与经济学、社会学、政治学、女权主义、种族理论等交叉学科研究("Law-and")蓬勃兴起,而且硕果累累。四十多年来,法律交叉学科研究中声望最高、影响最大的莫过于如今     

汽车碰撞中乘员损伤成因分析与计算机仿真研究

目的运用计算机仿真技术模拟汽车碰撞过程,为法医学鉴定及交通事故处理提供参考依据。方法通过对汽车碰撞中乘员损伤成因分析及车辆痕迹检验,建立有效的人体、车辆仿真模型,利用动量冲量法与多刚体动力学结合仿真求解乘员运动模式,客观再现乘员交通伤特点。结果计算机仿真汽车碰撞过程中,人体模型上碰撞部位的分布符合法医学检验所得结果。结论计算机仿真求解乘员交通伤的方法在法医学鉴定和事故责任认定中具有参考价值。