Tissue concentrations of MDMA and its metabolite MDA in three fatal cases of overdose

The recreational use of amphetamine derivatives has become increasingly popular in our country in past recent years. Their use is especially common among young people participating in dance parties known as "raves." As a direct consequence of their increased use, the number of fatal cases in which these compounds have been involved have increased dramatically since the second half of the last decade. In our laboratory, we have registered 25 cases related to amphetamine derivatives use since 1996. Three of them were deeply studied and the results obtained are presented in this paper. This information may be useful for the interpretation of the results obtained in toxicological analysis in the cases in which death may be attributed to MDMA use.     

Bite mark documentation and analysis: the forensic 3D/CAD supported photogrammetry approach

Bite mark identification is based on the individuality of a dentition, which is used to match a bite mark to a suspected perpetrator. This matching is based on a tooth-by-tooth and arch-to-arch comparison utilising parameters of size, shape and alignment. The most common method used to analyse bite mark are carried out in 2D space. That means that the 3D information is preserved only two dimensionally with distortions. This paper presents a new 3D documentation, analysis and visualisation approach based on forensic 3D/CAD supported photogrammetry (FPHG) and the use of a 3D surface scanner. Our photogrammetric approach and the used visualisation method is, to the best to our knowledge, the first 3D approach for bite mark analysis in an actual case. The documentation has no distortion artifacts as can be found with standard photography. All the data are documented with a metric 3D measurement, orientation and subsequent analysis in 3D space. Beside the metrical analysis between bite mark and cast, it is possible using our method to utilise the topographical 3D feature of each individual tooth. This means that the 3D features of the biting surfaces and edges of each teeth are respected which is--as shown in our case--very important especially in the front teeth which have the first contact to the skin. Based upon the 3D detailed representation of the cast with the 3D topographic characteristics of the teeth, the interaction with the 3D documented skin can be visualised and analysed on the computer screen.     

Genetic diversity and forensic evaluation of 10 STR loci in Lodz region of Poland

Allele frequency data and forensic efficiency parameters for 10 STR loci: D3S1358, vWA, D16S539, D2S1338, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D19S433, TH01 and FGA, were estimated from a sample of 207 unrelated individuals in Lodz region of Poland.     

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。     

Building bridges between the parole officer and the families of serious juvenile offenders: a preliminary report on a family-based parole program

Responding to a model of juvenile offender case supervision that called for a new intervention paradigm to guide the work of probation and parole officers, the present article reports on the use of a family-based parole initiative known as the Growing Up FAST program. Developed in part as a tool for use within this new intervention paradigm, the Growing Up FAST parole program targets serious youthful offenders who have been released from juvenile correctional facilities and their families. Based on elements contained within the "what works" literature and the Balanced and Restorative Justice model, this program recognizes the central role that field staff can play in rehabilitation efforts. Demographic information and formative data regarding the first set of families to participate in this program are presented, then program limitations and lessons learned as part of the initial offering of this parole initiative are discussed.     

Study of unusual phenomenon of contact firing on gelatine block using .38 Special revolver--forensic importance

Gunshot wounds in suicide cases are self-inflicted wounds. Self-inflicted wounds in suicide cases are usually caused by contact firing and are of great forensic significance. Evaluation of contact wound may be associated with difficulties if the bore gets obstruction prior to firing. This paper investigates the phenomenon and interprets the results of test firing conducted on 20% gelatine block at 10 degrees C, using .38 Special revolver with obstruction of a bullet in the bore. Test firings were conducted in three different muzzle-target contact conditions keeping the muzzle pressed against the gel block in each case. The physical evidence and the wound ballistic parameter namely bullet track, remaining velocity of the bullets and volume of permanent cavity have been studied. When compared with the results of contact firing conducted with the same firearm without having any bore obstruction under similar conditions, it has been found that the physical evidence and the wound ballistic parameters would be helpful for interpretation of such unusual incidents for forensic inference.