The Effects of Racemization Rate for Age Estimation of Pink Teeth

Pink teeth is thought to result from the seepage of hemoglobin caused by dental pulp decomposition. We investigated whether racemization can be applied for age estimation in cases of pink teeth where the whole tooth is used. The pink teeth used were three cases and the normal teeth for control were five mandibular canines of known age. Age of the pink teeth was calculated on the basis of regression formula obtained from the five control teeth. Only a slight error was noted between the actual and estimated ages of the pink teeth (R² = 0.980, r = 0.990): Cases 1–3 actually aged 23, 53, and 59 years were estimated to be 26, 52, and 60 years. Based on our results of testing pink teeth of known age, we suggest that racemization techniques allow for the age estimation of pink teeth using the same methods for normally colored teeth.     

Fatty Acid Profiles for Differentiating Growth Medium Formulations Used to Culture Bacillus cereus T‐strain Spores

Microbial biomarkers that indicate aspects of an organism's growth conditions are important targets of forensic research. In this study, we examined fatty acid composition as a signature for the types of complex nutrients in the culturing medium. Bacillus cereus T‐strain spores were grown in medium formulations supplemented with one of the following: peptone (meat protein), tryptone (casein protein), soy protein, and brain–heart infusion. Cellular biomass was profiled with fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis. Results showed peptone cultures produced spores enriched in straight‐chained lipids. Tryptone cultures produced spores enriched in branched‐odd lipids when compared with peptone, soy, and brain–heart formulations. The observed FAME variation was used to construct a set of discriminant functions that could help identify the nutrients in a culturing recipe for an unknown spore sample. Blinded classification tests were most successful for spores grown on media containing peptone and tryptone, showing 88% and 100% correct identification, respectively.     

Microscopic Residues of Bone from Dissolving Human Remains in Acids

Dissolving bodies is a current method of disposing of human remains and has been practiced throughout the years. During the last decade in the Netherlands, two cases have emerged in which human remains were treated with acid. In the first case, the remains of a cremated body were treated with hydrofluoric acid. In the second case, two complete bodies were dissolved in a mixture of hydrochloric and sulfuric acid. In both cases, a great variety of evidence was collected at the scene of crime, part of which was embedded in resin, polished, and investigated using SEM/EDX. Apart from macroscopic findings like residual bone and artificial teeth, in both cases, distinct microscopic residues of bone were found as follows: (partly) digested bone, thin‐walled structures, and recrystallized calcium phosphate. Although some may believe it is possible to dissolve a body in acid completely, at least some of these microscopic residues will always be found.     

尿液中γ-羟基丁酸及其前体物质的检测和应用

目的建立尿液中γ-羟基丁酸(gamma-hydroxybutyric acid,GHB)及其前体物质1,4-丁二醇(1,4-butanediol,1,4-BD)和γ-丁内酯(gamma-butyrolactone,GBL)的液相色谱-串联质谱法(LC-MS/MS),为相关案件提供依据。方法以GHB-d6、MOR-d3为内标,尿样经甲醇沉淀蛋白后通过液相色谱分离,电喷雾离子源进行离子化,多反应监测模式对各化合物进行检测。结果 GHB及其前体物质1,4-BD、GBL的检出限分别为0.1、0.1和2μg/m L,准确度为87.6%~98.1%,日内及日间精密度均小于15%,基质效应大于80%。结论所建立的分析方法灵敏度高、简便快速、专属性强、可靠性高,可为司法鉴定实践中涉及GHB的案件提供技术支持和基础数据。     

二氯丙基酯化-气相色谱法分析葡萄叶中3种除草剂

目的建立葡萄叶中2甲4氯、2,4-滴和2,4-滴丙酸3种苯氧羧酸类除草剂的二氯丙基酯化-电子俘获检测气相色谱分析法。方法样品捣碎、添加内标2,4-二氯苯乙酸、酸化、用乙醚提取,提取液用液液分配法净化,净化后挥干有机溶液,用硫酸和1,3-二氯丙-2-醇进行酯化,生成的酯进行气相色谱分析。结果葡萄叶中2甲4氯、2,4-滴和2,4-滴丙酸的检测限分别为20ng/g、20ng/g和30ng/g,葡萄叶中除草剂浓度100~1000 ng/g成线性关系,空白葡萄叶中添加2甲4氯、2,4-滴和2,4-滴丙酸200ng/g的平均回收率分别为98.8%、101.3%和103.1%,回收率的变异系数分别为11.4%、11.0%和9.3%。结论本文方法检测被毒害的葡萄叶中3种除草剂是灵敏和准确的。     

钙磷对体外培养SD大鼠破骨细胞生成和活化的影响

通过成骨细胞与脾细胞共培养,在体外诱导脾细胞转化为破骨细胞,转化过程中分别加入3、5mmol/L的钙或磷及不同比例的钙、磷,设不添加钙、磷因子对照。经形态学观察、抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶(TRAP)染色计数、扫描电镜观察象牙片吸收陷窝研究钙、磷因子对大鼠破骨细胞生成和活化的影响。结果表明,培养液中钙、磷浓度分别为35、mmol/L时对破骨细胞的生成及活化均有显著抑制作用(P<0.05),5mmol/L Ca对破骨细胞生成活化的抑制与对照组差异极显著(P<0.01)。CCa∶CP=2∶1组对破骨细胞生成和活化的抑制作用最强。证实钙、磷通过抑制破骨细胞的生成和活化抑制破骨细胞的骨吸收活性。     

Developmental validation of the AmpF?STR SEfiler Plus™ PCR amplification kit: An improved multiplex with enhanced performance for inhibited samples

Since its introduction in 2002, the AmpF?STR^® SEfiler™ kit has provided a highly discriminating DNA profiling option to German forensic laboratories by combining the widely used SGM Plus^® Kit loci with the SE-33 locus required for the German DNA Database. Whilst proving successful on database samples, laboratories using the SEfiler™ kit have reported the need for chemistry better able to handle the ever-increasing number of casework samples.The new AmpF?STR^® SEfiler Plus™ kit contains the same loci and primer sequences as the SEfiler™ kit but uses improved synthesis and purification processes to minimize the presence of dye-labeled artifacts. Other improvements include modified PCR cycling conditions for enhanced sensitivity and a new buffer formulation that improves performance with inhibited samples when compared to the original SEfiler™ kit.Validation studies demonstrating the effectiveness of the multiplex are presented with emphasis on the models of inhibition and casework samples.     

气相色谱法测定牙本质中天冬氨酸消旋化程度推断年龄的研究

本文应用手性毛细管柱气相色氨谱法，以酸性异丙醇、三氯乙酸酐为衍生化试剂，对不同年龄人的27颗第一磨牙牙本质中D型与L型天冬氟酸的浓度进行了测定，并计算了二者的比率，建立了消旋化程度与年龄的回归方程，r＝0．9568，SD＝4．5岁，本研究为用牙齿推断人的年龄提供了一个比较客观、准确的新手段。     

Suicide Case Due to Phosphoric Acid Ingestion: Case Report and Review of Literature

Ingesting caustic substances represents a common event which may result in serious injuries of the gastrointestinal system. Severity of injury depends on the type of ingested substance: Caustic burns are more frequently associated with acid ingestion and their severity depends on type, concentration, time of exposure, and amount of the ingested substance. We report a case of phosphoric acid ingestion leading to death in a patient with depressive disorder. While reports ingestion of other acids and organophosphates can be found in the literature, there are no reports detailing a death due to phosphoric acid ingestion. We hope that presenting the findings in this case can aid death investigators in future cases that may involve ingestion of such a substance. After autopsy pH, phosphate and calcium ions concentration in the blood were analyzed. The cause of death was due to systemic effects: metabolic acidosis, hypophosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and hyperkalemia.     

Photoluminescence of blood by acidic hydrogen peroxide—A preliminary test

In this study, the authors found that treating blood with 1 M HCl and 2% (w/v) 5-sulfosalicylic acid (SSA) in 1% (v/v) hydrogen peroxide mixture can produce photoluminescence of blood. SSA was added as a blood fixer. The photoluminescence was induced by irradiation of a forensic light source at 505 nm, which was detected using a 550 nm barrier filter. In this experiment, various level of acid and hydrogen peroxide were tested to find the optimal formulation of reagents, spot tests were conducted with diluted blood to test the sensitivity of this reagent, and impressions in blood left on porous/nonporous surfaces were enhanced. The sensitivity of this solution was slightly lower than Bluestar and was similar to leucocrystal violet or leucomalachite green on both porous/non-porous surfaces. The photoluminescence of blood treated with this reagent has been observed over 2 months. Using this reagent, it was possible to observe fingermarks or footwear impressions in blood on a black porous/non-porous surface. Through this, it was found that using this reagent could enhance bloodstains regardless of the porosity or color of the surface.