Blood aspiration as a vital sign detected by postmortem computed tomography imaging

Blood aspiration is a significant forensic finding. In this study, we examined the value of postmortem computed tomography (CT) imaging in evaluating findings of blood aspiration. We selected 37 cases with autopsy evidence of blood in the lungs and/or in the airways previously submitted to total-body CT scanning. The CT-images were retrospectively analyzed. In one case with pulmonary blood aspiration, biopsy specimens were obtained under CT guide for histological examination. In six cases, CT detected pulmonary abnormalities suggestive of blood aspiration, not mentioned in the autopsy reports. CT reconstructions provided additional data about the distribution and extent of aspiration. In one needle-biopsied case, the pulmonary specimens showed blood in the alveoli. We suggest the use of CT imaging as a tool complementary to traditional techniques in cases of blood aspiration to avoid misdiagnosis, to guide the investigation of lung tissue, and to allow for more evidence-based inferences on the cause of death.     

Spectroscopic characterization of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrrolidinobutyrophenone: a new designer drug with α-pyrrolidinophenone structure

This study presents and discusses the infrared spectroscopic, the nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic and mass spectrometric data of the designer drug 3,4 methylenedioxypyrrolidinobutyrophenone (MDPBP), a homolog of 3,4 methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV). MDPBP was first seized in Germany in the year 2009. The structure elucidation of the aliphatic part of MDPBP was carried out by product ion spectrometry of the immonium ion with m/z=112 formed after electron ionization, and by one- and two-dimensional (1)H- and (13)C NMR spectroscopy.     

Fabulous Front-Runners. Eine empirische Untersuchung zur Bedeutung der physischen Attraktivität von Spitzenkandidaten für den Wahlerfolg ihrer Parteien

The fact that attractive candidates of constituencies or electoral lists have more electoral success has been shown by a number of studies. However, there exists no study on the influence of the attractiveness of front-runners. Using data from German federal state elections since 1990 the effect of the front-runners’ attractiveness will be analyzed and also if the effect of attractiveness is intensified or weakened by the regulations of the electoral law. The statistical analysis shows that the front-runners’ attractiveness affects electoral success as well. Moderating effects of the electoral law cannot be proved.