Morphologic identification of mummified tissue traces

Post mortem tissue samples from various human organs (skin, muscle, liver, kidney, brain) were stored at room temperature for a period of one year. During this time the samples were regularly histologically tested. Without any pretreatment of the samples a histological preparation and identification was no longer possible after only a few hours. By the use of a rehydration solution consisting of absolute ethanol (30 ml), aqua dest. (50 ml) and 0.2 M phosphate buffer pH 7.0 (20 ml) a reconstitution and identification was again possible. Further immunhistochemical examinations were also unaffected by the solution. The use of microwave stimulation allowed a reduction of the rehydration process from 24 hours to only 4 hours.     

Why Immigrants Stay in Fashion: Insights from New York's Garment Industry

For many observers the influx of immigrants into New York's garment industry seemed to exemplify the deleterious impact of undocumented immigration: native displacement and a simultaneous deterioration of wages and working conditions. This article argues that this conventional view is incorrect. There is little evidence linking immigrant presence to the availability of undocumented workers. Rather, the immigrant presence is the consequence of the industry's basic labor strategy; immigrants have moved into garments as an older labor force deriving from earlier waves of migration has cyckd out.     

Case report of pathologic and criminal self injury]

A case of morbid self-violence (Münchhausen Syndrome) leading to death and a case of criminal self-violence (cutaneous emphysema) are reported. The issue of such cases is discussed with regard to the consequences concerning judicial procedure of punishment and insurance.     

Perceptions of repressed memories: A reappraisal

College students read a trial summary of a sexual abuse case. The victim in the case either claimed that (a) her memory for the abuse had been repressed for 20 years and only recently recovered during therapy, or (b) she consciously remembered the abuse for 20 years but never discussed it until recently in therapy. Participants were significantly more likely to convict the defendant when the testimony was described as nonrepressed (67%) versus repressed (58%). This effect was not modified by the age of the victim at the time the alleged abuse occurred (either 3, 8, or 13 years of age), although the younger and older victims were significantly less believable than the 8-year-old victim. Compared to female participants, male participants were significantly less likely to convict the defendant and rated the victim as significantly less believable. These findings are discussed in the context of recent research on juror reactions to repressed memory testimony.     

Causes of death of patients in an institution for the developmentally disabled

The causes of death of 53 severely to profoundly developmentally disabled patients who died in an intermediate care facility were reviewed. Respiratory disease, predominantly pneumonia and aspiration, accounted for 72% of deaths. Seven patients died of nonrespiratory causes, and in 8 patients, no cause of death could be determined, even after a complete autopsy or investigation. The median age at death was 20 years. The weights of these patients' organs at autopsy were lower than those for normal individuals of the same age. The lifespan of these severely impaired individuals continues to be significantly shortened, even with improved methods of care.