Different Mechanisms of Decapitation: Three Classic and One Unique Case History

Abstract: Three classic cases and one exceptional case are reported. The unique case of decapitation took place in a traffic accident, while the others were seen after homicide, vehicle‐assisted suicide, and after long‐jump hanging. Thorough scene examinations were performed, and photographs from the scene were available in all cases. Through the autopsy of each case, the mechanism for the decapitation in each case was revealed. The severance lines were through the neck and the cervical vertebral column, except for in the motor vehicle accident case, where the base of skull was fractured. This case was also unusual as the mechanism was blunt force. In the homicide case, the mechanism was the use of a knife combined with a saw, while in the two last cases, a ligature made the cut through the neck. The different mechanisms in these decapitations are suggested.     

Patterns of Trauma Induced by Motorboat and Ferry Propellers as Illustrated by Three Known Cases from Rhode Island*

Abstract: Understanding patterns of trauma is important to determining cause and manner of death. A thorough evaluation of taphonomy, trauma, and bone fracture mechanisms is necessary to reconstruct the circumstances of the death. This study examines the skeletal trauma caused by boat propeller strikes in terms of wound characteristics and location based on three cases from Rhode Island. These case studies review the traumatic characteristics caused by propeller injuries and highlight the anatomic regions most likely to sustain skeletal trauma. With this information, investigators may be able to identify propeller trauma even in severely decomposed remains. The discussion of boat propeller trauma also raises issues regarding how forensic anthropologists and forensic pathologists classify trauma (specifically blunt force vs. sharp) and highlights semantic issues arising in trauma classification. The study also discusses why these propeller cases should be classified as blunt trauma rather than sharp or chop/hack trauma. Ultimately, the authors urge consistency and communication between pathologist and forensic anthropologists performing trauma analyses.     

A fatal elephant attack

A rare case of an elephant attack is presented. A 44-year-old man working as an elephant keeper was attacked by a cow elephant when he tripped over a foot chain while the animal was being medically treated. The man fell down and was consequently repeatedly attacked with elephant tusks. The man sustained multiple stab injuries to both groin regions, a penetrating injury to the abdominal wall with traumatic prolapse of the loops of the small bowel, multiple defects of the mesentery, and incomplete laceration of the abdominal aorta with massive bleeding into the abdominal cavity. In addition to the penetrating injuries, the man sustained multiple rib fractures with contusion of both lungs and laceration of the right lobe of the liver, and comminuted fractures of the pelvic arch and left femoral body. The man died shortly after he had been received at the hospital. The cause of death was attributed to traumatic shock.     

交通伤致手功能丧失的伤残评定

在交通事故伤残评定中,手功能评定是目前法医界关注的焦点问题之一.现行《道路交通事故受伤人员伤残评定》标准规定的手功能分配比例是由国外手外科专家的理念与我国手外科的实际情况相结合而产生的.在进行手功能评定时,需考虑缺失、运动、感觉等三方面的功能丧失程度,测算相应的功能丧失比例,然后在标准中寻找对应的适用条款.然而,目前我国的手功能评定中也存在一定的问题,包括手指(拇指除外)远侧关节比例大于近侧关节比例,缺乏对于拇指内收、外展、对掌、对指等功能的评价等.手功能评定方法在司法鉴定的实践中尚需不断完善,在吸取国外成功经验的同时,不应一味追求简便而断章取义,忽视了一些重要的问题.     

交通事故中车辆安全技术状况检验及典型案例车速计算

目的 针对导致交通事故的各种原因就车辆因素进行了较详细的分析.方法 对进行车辆技术状况检验的着手方面、要点做了相关分析并结合相关实例进行举例分析,对造成事故中的关键因素车速的计算及计算方法做了简要讨论.结果 总结了进行整车配置、制动系统、转向系统、汽车灯光与信号系统与轮胎检验时需注意的要点.根据车速计算方法,得出一起追尾事故中某货车在事发时未达到高速公路最低限速的鉴定结论.结论 进行车辆安全技术状况检验时,需注意相关要点,以尽量避免道路交通事故的发生.     

道路交通事故中涉案者交通行为方式的法医学鉴定

目的回顾道路交通事故中需要进行涉案者交通方式鉴定的案例。探讨此类案例鉴定的思路和技术方法。方法收集28例近年本单位进行的道路交通事故涉案者交通行为方式鉴定案例,统计涉案者一般情况、损伤程度与交通行为方式的关系,交通事故发生的时间和地点、交通事故中车辆碰撞类型、采用的技术方法等,进行统计学处理。结果本组资料共28起道路交通事故案件,涉案人员共57人,男性50人．女性7人。交通事故发生时间夜间为19例（67．86％）,白天为9例（32．14％）。道路类型中,城市市区道路10例（35．7％）,城市郊区道路1例（3．6％）,省级道路10例（35．7％）,高速公路7例（25％）。酒后驾车9例（32．1％）。交通事故类型中,电动自行车与机动车事故5例（17．8％）,机动车与自行车事故1例（3．6％）,机动车单方事故7例（25．0％）;机动车与机动车事故11例（39．3％）,机动车与行人事故4例（14．3％）。涉案人员死亡27人,损伤29人,无明显伤害1人。损伤存活者中轻微伤10例（34．5％）,轻伤8例（27．6％）,重伤1l例（37．9％）。涉案者交通行为方式鉴定种类中,汽车驾驶人和乘车人认定16例（57．1％）,摩托车驾驶人和乘车人认定1例（3．6％）,电动自行车驾驶人和乘车人认定5例（17．8％）,自行车推行和骑行状态认定1例（3．6％）,摩托车推行和骑行状态认定1例（3．6％）,行人横过公路方向4例（14.3％）。涉案者交通行为方式鉴定采用的技术手段和方法．包括法医学活体损伤检验、法医学尸表检验、涉案肇事车车辆痕迹检验、DNA检验鉴定、现场人体模拟实验等。结论根据人体（活体或尸体）的体表损伤形态特征、痕迹分布,分析其致伤物和致伤方式,结合车辆痕迹检验结果,得出确认符合某种交通行为方式或者不符合某种交通行为方式的判断,结合案件的相关情况分析重建交通事故过程．是进行涉案者交通行为方式鉴定的基本思路。     

我国地方性道路交通事故过错认定程度的分析

如何认定交通事故的过错大小,是交通事故责任认定的关键。通过对国内外相关法规的研究,提出了过错程度的概念。对于单项违法行为的过错,介绍了其量化的表示方法和《道路交通安全法》等配套法规对过错程度的部分规定。     

建筑安全犯罪:以犯罪学为视角

建筑安全犯罪是指在在建筑工程的施工、装修和使用过程中,由于当事人在管理和施工中的过错,造成建筑物和施工存在安全缺陷,以致造成伤亡事故或者财产损失的犯罪.对其进行犯罪学意义上的阐释,有利于该类犯罪的预防、立法的完善和司法上的操作.     

1110例汽车驾驶员及乘员交通伤特点分析

目的比较道路交通事故中汽车驾驶员及乘员的损伤特点,为汽车安全设计及事故预防提供参考。方法选择2006～2009年受理的交通伤害案件中373例汽车驾驶员及737例汽车乘员的伤残评定资料进行回顾性分析,对损伤部位的分布,多发伤的数量以及伤残等级进行比较。结果驾驶员损伤部位明显较乘员多,肢体、胸腹损伤发生率明显较乘员高,脊柱损伤的发生率明显较乘员低;驾驶员身体左侧受伤的几率较右侧高,而乘员左右损伤差异不显著;两类人员损伤所致伤残等级腹部、盆部分布显著不同,而其他部位无显著差异,但胸部、脊柱部位高等级伤残构成比乘员略多于驾驶员。结论汽车驾驶员与乘员损伤部位、数量及部分部位的损伤致残程度有差异,值得汽车安全设计及交通管理部门参考。     

成都地区酒后驾车交通事故的流行病学调查

目的了解成都地区酒后驾车交通事故的流行病学特点,为预防酒后驾驶提供科学依据。方法回顾性分析2004—2008年成都市交通事故档案资料,酒后驾车组为病例组,非酒后驾车组为对照组,对其驾驶员性别、年龄、交通方式、事故发生的时间、事故特点及损害后果等进行统计学分析。结果酒后驾车交通事故发生时间主要集中在14：00-8：00及20：00-01：00,一年中1月、2月酒后驾驶交通事故较其他月份高;发生单车事故、碰撞固定物、追尾、翻车事故及发生事故后逃逸病理组明显高于对照组：对他人及驾驶员本人造成的伤害病理组均明显较对照组严重。结论酒后驾驶对社会的危害性很大,应针对其流行病学特点．采取相应措施,预防酒后驾驶交通事故。