An unusual fatal injury due to tyre burst: a case report

A 20 year-old male driver of a heavy duty crane, employed in an industry located in an industrial area on the outskirts of Delhi was fatally injured while repositioning an ill-fitted locking rim of a crane tyre (Fig. 1). The inner tube of the crane tyre had accidentally burst, dislodging the loose iron-locking rim, which hit the individual with a great force resulting in multiple injuries. He died on his way to the hospital.     

The importance of a urine sample in persons intoxicated with flunitrazepam--legal issues in a forensic psychiatric case study of a serial murderer

The sedative-hypnotic benzodiazepine flunitrazepam (FZ) is abused worldwide. The purpose of our study was to investigate violence and anterograde amnesia following intoxication with FZ, and how this was legally evaluated in forensic psychiatric investigations with the objective of drawing some conclusions about the importance of urine sample in a case of a suspected intoxication with FZ. The case was a 23-year-old male university student who, intoxicated with FZ (and possibly with other substances such as diazepam, amphetamines or cannabis), first stabbed an acquaintance and, 2 years later, two friends to death. The police investigation files, including video-typed interviews, the forensic psychiatric files, and also results from the forensic autopsy of the victims, were compared with the information obtained from the case. Only partial recovery from anterograde amnesia was shown during a period of several months. Some important new information is contained in this case report: a forensic analysis of blood sample instead of a urine sample, might lead to confusion during police investigation and forensic psychiatric assessment (FPA) of an FZ abuser, and in consequence wrong legal decisions. FZ, alone or combined with other substances, induces severe violence and is followed by anterograde amnesia. All cases of bizarre, unexpected aggression followed by anterograde amnesia should be assessed for abuse of FZ. A urine sample is needed in case of suspected FZ intoxication. The police need to be more aware of these issues, and they must recognise that they play a crucial role in an assessment procedure. Declaring FZ an illegal drug is strongly recommended.     

人体皮肤切创纤维连接蛋白EDA、EDB的表达与损伤时间关系的研究

目的研究纤维连接蛋白(fibronectin,FN)可变剪接片段EDA、EDB在人体皮肤切创的表达情况,并摸索EDA、EDBmRNA在离体皮肤上最长检出时限,以期为早期损伤时间的推断提供实用的参考指标。方法采用DIG标记的反意RNA探针,原位杂交检测人体皮肤在损伤早期(从30min开始)FNEDA、EDBmRNA表达的变化。结果正常人体皮肤无EDA、EDBmRNA表达;在损伤早期(≤3h)FNEDA、EDB的表达随时间的延长而呈现一种不断上升的趋势;EDA、EDBmRNA主要出现在表皮基底层细胞;EDA、EDBmRNA在标本离体后4h就不能检测到。结论FNEDA、EDB可作为早期损伤时间推断的较理想的参考指标,但原位杂交的检测方法不适用于实际应用。     

中国汉族及日本群体7个Y—STR位点及单倍型的遗传多态性和群体差异

目的调查Y染色体7个STR位点及单倍型的遗传多态性并分析其群体差别。方法应用PCR、变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳结合银染显色分型技术,检测45例中国汉族及59例日本男性DNA样品。结果在DYS393、DYS389Ⅰ、DYS19、DYS390、DYS389Ⅱ、DYS392等6个位点中共检出33个等位基因,DYS385位点检出39个等位基因组,其频率分布在0.0169～0.6444之间,DP值分布在0.5406～0.9579之间,以DYS385位点最高。7个位点数据综合比较,二组群体间在遗传学上存在显著性差异P<0.05。由7个位点组成的单倍型有95种,中国汉族有41种,DP值为0.9960,日本群体有54种,DP值为0.9965,2群体间未发现相同的单倍型。结论上述7个STR位点属于高鉴别能力位点,单倍型具有很高的遗传多态性并显示出明显的民族特征。     

中国北方汉族与维吾尔族群体8个STR位点的遗传多态性

目的调查中国北方汉族与维吾尔族群体8个STR位点的遗传多态性。方法应用荧光标记引物试剂盒及基因扫描技术检测vWA、TH01、TPOX、CSF1PO、D5S818、D13S317、D7S820、D16S539位点等位基因。结果100例汉族群体共检出62个等位基因,累计非父排除率为0.9975;50例维吾尔族群体共检出52个等位基因,累计非父排除率为0.9973。2群体总个人识别机率均超过0.9999。基因频率分布2群体间存在显著性差异。结论8个STR位点在汉族与维吾尔族群体中具有较高的遗传多态性,频率分布有民族差别。     

The time-dependent expression of fibronectin,MRP8, MRP14 and defensin in surgically treated human skin wounds

Fibronectin, MRP8, MRP14 and defensin were detected immunohistochemically in 46 surgically treated, fresh (hours old) human wounds and in wounds of 13 individuals who died immediately from fatal trauma (airplane crashes or train rollovers). In immediate fatal trauma, it was not possible to detect fibronectin outside of bleeding areas nor could inflammatory cells be visualized in the interstitium using MRP8, MRP14, or defensin antibodies. Fibronectin staining could be regularly demonstrated in wounds at least 20 min-old. Granulocytic infiltrates limited to the perivasal space could be detected 20-30 min after infliction of the wound expressing MRP8, MRP14 and defensin. It was also possible to detect fibronectin networks and MRP8-, MRP14-, and defensin-positive granulocytes and macrophages in particular wounds up to 30 days-old. No differences between the expression of MRP8 and MRP14 could be demonstrated in the wounds, the majority of which were only several hours old. As wound age increased, the number of defensin-positive granulocytes detected decreased. The immunohistochemical detection of fibronectin is a useful way to demonstrate vitality in fresh wounds, beginning about 20-30 min post-trauma. However, detection of MRP8, MRP14 and defensin provides no advantage over the routine histological detection of granulocytes and macrophages in wounds under 1-2 days old.     

The inpatient evaluation and treatment of a self-professed budding serial killer

The authors present the case of a man who was hospitalized after claiming that he was about to become a serial killer. The patient presented with extensive written homicidal fantasies and homicidal intentions without evidence of actual homicidal acts. In addition to routine assessments, hospital staff members used case conferences, psychological testing, outside forensic consultation, and a forensic review process to make decisions regarding diagnosis, treatment planning, and discharge. The patient was discharged after 8 months of inpatient treatment and was apparently free of homicidal impulses or symptoms of severe mental illness. A 2-year court commitment allowed for the enactment and potential enforcement of a discharge plan that was endorsed by the patient, the hospital, and community care providers. The authors review diagnostic and risk management issues. Comparisons with known features of typical serial killers are made.