Death certification of "suicide by cop"

Death certification of "suicide by cop" is controversial among some medical examiners and coroners. We present five such deaths that were certified as suicides and discuss the medico-legal issues involved with these certifications. To certify such a death as a suicide, certain criteria should be met. Suicide by cop is a circumstance that involves competing intentional acts that may result in dichotomous determinations of the manner of death. Despite the absence of direct self-infliction, there is overwhelming evidence that these five individuals intended to end their own lives. Their use of an unusual method to accomplish this goal may inappropriately result in a reflexive certification of homicide. All of the decedents possessed weapons or a facsimile of a weapon. We present five instances of suicide by cop and contend that these types of deaths are best certified as suicides.     

Gunshot residues on dry bone after decomposition-a pilot study

Abstract: Very little literature exists concerning radiochemical and microscopic analyses of gunshot wounds in decomposed material, and even less concerning skeletonized samples; the most advanced technologies may provide useful indications for the diagnosis of suspect lesions, especially if gunshot wounds are no longer recognizable. However, we know very little of the survival of gunshot residues (GSR) in skeletonized samples. This study examined nine gunshot wounds produced on pig heads which then underwent skeletonization for 4 years, and four gunshot entries on human heads from judicial cases which were then macerated to the bone in water; the samples underwent scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X‐ray (SEM‐EDX) analysis. Positive results for GSR were observed only in four of the nine animal samples and in all four human samples. Among the human samples, two lesions showed Pb and Sb, one lesion only Pb, and one Pb, Sb, and Ba. This pilot study showed the survival of GSR in skeletal material and therefore the crucial importance of SEM‐EDX analyses on skeletonized material. Further studies are needed in order to ascertain the role of environmental modifications of GSR.     

Comparison of injuries caused by the pistols Tokarev,Makarov and Glock 19 at firing distances of 25, 50, 75 and 100 cm

Firings in the horizontal direction at cloth targets and at human skin from autopsy material were performed using the pistols 7.62 mm Tokarev (TT), 9 mm Makarov (PM) and 9 mm × 19 mm Glock 19 with common ammunition.     

Firearm Deaths by Law Enforcement

Abstract:  The use of deadly force during law enforcement is a matter that compels public scrutiny. There were 42 gunshot deaths caused by police over a 4-year period in New York City. The decedents' average age was 31 years and ranged from 17 to 64 years. There were 41 males and one female; and 26 Black, nine Hispanic, and seven White decedents. Ethanol and/or drugs of abuse were detected in 78% (31/40) of the decedents. The vast majority of shootings occurred with the police responding to a crime and 90% of the decedents were armed (26 handguns, six knives, one axe, one metal pipe, and one toy gun). Vehicles were used as weapons in two incidents. A total of 177 bullets struck the 42 decedents. Fourteen decedents sustained single gunshot wounds (GSWs), and the remainder had multiple GSWs ranging from 2 to 21. In the majority of the cases in this study, the number of GSWs of the body was three or fewer. Thirteen decedents had at least one GSW of the back or buttocks, accounting for 25 of the total 177 wounds, and four of the 13 had GSWs of only the back. With the exception of the upper extremities, GSWs of all locations were more likely to penetrate than perforate. Although these deaths may be high profile, the certification is typically straightforward and the cause (i.e., GSW) and manner of death (homicide) are readily apparent. Although police shootings in which the decedent was unarmed and/or sustained numerous GSWs are widely reported by the lay press, these types of shootings were not typical in our study.     

Pseudo-Stab Wounds: Putrefactive Dehiscence of Remote Surgical Incisions Masquerading as Stab Wounds

Abstract:  Artifacts due to decomposition can be mistaken for antemortem injury leading to an incorrect suspicion of foul play. We describe an instance of postmortem wound dehiscence that mimicked antemortem stab wounds. A man with a history of colon cancer and substance abuse was found dead. There were advanced putrefactive changes and multiple defects of the anterior torso that resembled stab wounds. Subsequent investigation revealed that 11 months earlier, he had a laparoscopic-assisted colon resection that involved surgical incisions corresponding in location and size to the above defects. Putrefactive gases may cause bloating of the body. This distension may cause recent and remote healed incisions to dehisce. Correlation of these "defects" at autopsy with the antemortem clinical history is crucial in determining their etiology.     

Microscopic Indicators of Axe and Hatchet Trauma in Fleshed and Defleshed Mammalian Long Bones*

Abstract: The characterization of wounds in bone caused by chopping weapons has been based on either semi‐fleshed or defleshed specimens. This approach has not been adequately justified as reflecting actual cases involving fleshed bone. Likewise, the histological appearance of features in chopping wounds also deserves further attention. We used 11 fresh pig (Sus scrofa) articulated hind limbs, including the femur, tibia, and fibula with contiguous surrounding flesh (including an intact epidermal layer), to receive wounds using two axes and two hatchets. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of these wounds exhibited osteon pullouts in the fracture surfaces of fleshed specimens, suggesting the attenuation of force by the surrounding flesh. Lamellar separation was also exhibited at the impact sites and fracture surfaces of both fleshed and defleshed specimens. A consistently rough morphology is characteristic of fracture surfaces while impact surfaces are smooth and yielded evidence of striations from each implement.     

用SEM观察真皮浅层微小刺伤的研究

本文报道了一种用酶水解表皮与真皮的连接,然后用扫描电镜观察微小损伤在真皮乳头层的损伤特点的新方法。研究结果表明,这种方法有利于微小刺伤的鉴定,并提供一些具体的鉴定指标。     

关于变异型刺创形成机制的研究附380例刺创分析

本文通过380例刺杀案中823个创口的分类统计分析,结合动物实验,研究了单刃、双刃、三棱、四棱四种刺器造成变异型刺创的形成机制。并对刺创的检验方法进行了探讨。     

大鼠原发性脑干损伤后S100B和GFAP的表达变化

目的观察大鼠原发性脑干损伤后脑干组织中S100B、胶质纤维酸性蛋白(glial fibrillory acidic protein,GFAP)的表达变化,探讨其与脑干损伤时间的变化规律及在损伤中的作用机制。方法建立机械性打击脑干损伤动物模型,利用HE染色、Gless嗜银染色和SP免疫组织化学法观察脑干组织中S100B、GFAP在损伤后不同时间的表达,并应用图像分析技术对其进行统计学分析。结果 S100B阳性表达于伤后30 min开始增多,随时间延长逐渐升高,于24 h达到高峰后开始下降,并于72 h基本降至正常水平;GFAP阳性表达于伤后30 min开始升高,48 h达到高峰后开始下降,但仍高于对照组。结论原发性脑干损伤后S100B、GFAP的表达具有时间规律性,在原发性脑干损伤时间的推断及神经修复过程中具有一定的作用。