Some applications of an argon ion laser in forensic science

A two watt argon ion laser has been in use in the Metropolitan Police Laboratory for about six months. During this time it has been applied to a number of cases with considerable success. Shoeprints, fingerprints, erased writing, differences in inks, transfer of inks to other surfaces, stains on clothing, differences in paints, fibres and interference patterns in glass have all been either detected or enhanced when conventional techniques have failed.     

A case of sudden death by decidual cell embolism

A 35-year-old multipara died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism about 12 h after delivery. The morphological features and the entry site of the emboli into the circulation suggested that they were decidual cells. Intact decidual cells accounted for only a minority of the emboli: the great majority were cells that had lost their nuclei and/or had been fragmented. The presence of embolized areas, accompanied by fibroblasts and newly formed capillaries, suggested that the embolization process had started before the beginning of labor. However, no symptoms suggesting embolism had been recorded on the clinical chart.     

Orosomucoid (ORM) typing by isoelectric focusing: description of two new alleles in a German population and thermostability in bloodstains

The genetic polymorphism of serum orosomucoid (ORM) was studied in 168 unrelated German individuals using isoelectric focusing followed by immunoprinting. Two new alleles, tentatively designated ORM1*14 and ORM2*13, were identified. The method was successfully applied to demonstrate ORM1 types in dried bloodstains. Each type of ORM1 was also correctly determined in bloodstains heated at 130 degrees C for 30 min. The results indicated that ORM1 is a new powerful genetic marker system for the grouping of bloodstains.     

ABO tissue antigens of Egyptian mummies

ABO groups were investigated on skin (and muscle), bone and hair specimens from 14 Egyptian mummies dating from the Roman period. Samples were tested by the AE (absorption-elution), MA (mixed agglutination) and HIF (histo-immunofluorescence) methods, in order to evaluate the reliability of each method. For half of the mummies (7) the results were concordant on all samples (3-9 samples for each mummy) with all employed methods, suggesting an unequivocal blood group conclusion. For the other seven mummies there were discordant results with the different methods and interpretation of the results was thus inconclusive. HIF seems to be the most reliable method as specific blood group substances are identified on specific histologic structures. Failure to detect tissular ABO antigens was mainly due to excessive resin impregnation.     

Introduction of a new method of study in legal medicine: high grade direct roentgen magnification with a 1 micron roentgen focus tube

The 1 mu focal spot x-ray tube, which had been developed for industrial purposes, allows for the first time high grade direct radiographic magnification. The first results with this new technique in forensic medicine are presented. Due to the high proportion of soft radiation, tiny glass fragments which can not be detected with conventional radiographic techniques, are visualized in the radiographic magnification. Furthermore, these foreign bodies can clearly be differentiated from other contrasted structures, like dust particles, subcutaneous fat etc.     

Legal and ethical issues in the use of antiandrogens in treating sex offenders

Antiandrogen treatment of sexual offenders raises serious legal and ethical considerations in both the medical profession and in the courts. Discussion is offered on the use of antiandrogens in both an involuntary and voluntary context. The potential negative impact of this treatment modality on such constitutional issues as privacy interests, right to procreative freedom, freedom of speech and communication, and freedom from cruel and unusual punishment is explored and notable, germane court cases are presented. The need for clear ethical guidelines for the administration of this treatment is stressed.     

Malpractice issues in heart transplantation

As organ transplantation procedures become accepted as standard medical practice, it is anticipated that the frequency of liability claims against transplant care providers will increase. This article examines current statutory and common law analyses of malpractice issues in transplantation, with particular attention given to issues of informed consent as they arise both for the organ donor and donee.