免疫组织化学法检测HO-1在人挫伤脑组织中的表达

目的研究人脑挫伤后不同时间血红素加氧酶-1(heme oxygenase-1,HO-1)表达的变化,为法医学脑损伤时间的推断提供依据。方法选择24例因颅脑损伤死亡案例为损伤组,4例非颅脑损伤死亡的案例为对照组,应用免疫组织化学和图像分析技术,分别于脑损伤后存活时间3h、6～9h、12～24h、36h～3d、5～8d及17～20d检测脑组织标本中HO-1随时间的变化规律。结果经统计学分析,HO-1阳性细胞表达在伤后3h以内组开始升高,12～24h组表达强度最高,36h～3d组仍见高表达,以后逐渐下降。各组组间及与对照组相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 HO-1的表达可能成为实际检案中脑损伤时间推断的诊断指标。     

Sickle Cell Trait Mimicking Multiple Inflicted Injuries in a 5-Year-Old Boy

Abstract:  Sickle cell disease (SCD) and sickle cell trait (SCT) can be associated with sudden unexpected death in the pediatric population, usually due to pulmonary complications occurring within the acute chest syndrome (ACS). Musculoskeletal complications can occur and are classically limited to bone infarcts. The occurrence of bone pathology centered upon the epiphyseal growth plate in SCD/SCT is extremely rare, and multiple such injuries in a single patient have not been previously reported. Herein, we describe a case of sudden unexpected death in a 5-year-old child with undiagnosed SCT due to the ACS, with widespread epiphyseal and periosteal bone lesions mimicking multiple inflicted injuries at autopsy. This case highlights the importance of clinicopathological correlation and is the first to describe SCT pathology as a mimic of nonaccidental injury.     

早产和胎盘早剥的损伤程度鉴定(附1例分析)

本文从1例孕妇的损伤程度鉴定着手,对《人体重伤鉴定标准》的第78条、第45条、第92条等条款的应用进行研究,结合案情对现行标准应用误区进行分析,提出症结所在,为了保证鉴定结论的质量,对《人体重伤鉴定标准》进行完善和修改势在必行。     

颈椎损伤的伤残等级及“三期”法医学评定——附64例分析

目的探讨交通事故致颈椎损伤后伤残等级和休息、护理、营养时限的法医学鉴定,以及颈部损伤、原有疾患与后遗症之间因果关系法医学鉴定的原则与方法。方法收集64例颈椎损伤的伤残等级鉴定案例,对相关资料/数据进行统计分析。收集交警部门反馈的涉及伤病关系案件的处理结果,了解案件双方当事人对鉴定结论的认可程度。结果随着对颈椎损伤后伤残评定案件中原发病的认识逐渐增加,相应颈椎损伤涉及伤病关系鉴定的案件也日益增多;在受理的颈椎损伤伤病关系案件中,均按照伤病关系理论进行鉴定,案件处理机关（交通警察）以及双方当事人对鉴定结论均表示满意。结论对于各种颈椎损伤进行伤残等级和“三期”鉴定的案例,由于损伤机制不同,自身原有颈椎健康程度不同,所造成的后果也不尽相同,鉴定中应考虑原有疾病对伤残等级的影响。     

The Reconstruction of the Dynamic of a Murder Using 3D Motion Capture and 3D Model Buildings: The Investigation of a Dubious Forensic Case

Photographic surveying is fundamental to crime scene investigation. It is performed using 2D images; however, this method is limited because it does not offer a detailed view. We present a 3D (three‐dimensional) experimental model that has clarified unsolved aspects of a homicide. A woman was found dead in her home. Considering the large number of injuries on the victim, signs of the use of two weapons, and the absence of traces of the killer/s, several hypotheses about the dynamics and the number of offenders were made. The forensic surveys suggested that a single offender had used two weapons at the same time, but this hypothesis was considered to be impossible by investigators. Our 3D model allowed us to experimentally reproduce the murder and compare various dynamics. The model was used as evidence in Court to prove the hypothesis of a single killer and demonstrate that no other people were involved.     

The Role of Forensic Botany in Reconstructing the Dynamics of Trauma from High Falls

The analysis of botanical traces can be supportive, especially when the crime scene investigation and autopsy do not provide sufficient information. This issue arises most commonly in fatal falls from height. We report the case of a man found dead below a hill. The body showed traumatic injuries from a fall. During the scene investigation, a sampling of botanical elements was carried out on three zones of the hill called the point of loss of balance, the point of fall, and the point of impact. The botanical elements collected on the three zones were compared with those found on the victim and an autopsy was performed. The botanical analysis clarified the phases of falling, as well as allowing us to reconstruct the dynamics and the accidental manner of death.     

Evaluation of Total Nitrite Pattern Visualization as an Improved Method for Gunshot Residue Detection and its Application to Casework Samples

Visualization of nitrite residues is essential in gunshot distance determination. Current protocols for the detection of nitrites include, among other tests, the Modified Griess Test (MGT). This method is limited as nitrite residues are unstable in the environment and limited to partially burned gunpowder. Previous research demonstrated the ability of alkaline hydrolysis to convert nitrates to nitrites, allowing visualization of unburned gunpowder particles using the MGT. This is referred to as Total Nitrite Pattern Visualization (TNV). TNV techniques were modified and a study conducted to streamline the procedure outlined in the literature to maximize the efficacy of the TNV in casework, while reducing the required time from 1 h to 5 min, and enhancing effectiveness on blood‐soiled samples. The TNV method was found to provide significant improvement in the ability to detect significant nitrite residues, without sacrificing efficiency, that would allow for the determination of the muzzle‐to‐target distance.     

Severe Cardiac Rupture by Only One Blow to the Chest in a Young Boy: An Autopsy Case

Cardiac rupture by blunt chest trauma is commonly seen after motor vehicle accidents and falls; however, it is rarely caused by a blow to the chest. We herein report an autopsy case of a high school boy who sustained severe right ventricular rupture by only one knee kick to the chest during a quarrel. He was hospitalized and developed cardiopulmonary arrest. Emergency surgery was performed, but the patient died. The autopsy revealed no external severe trauma or deformation, but the side wall of the right ventricle contained a large V‐shaped laceration. The other thoracic organs had no injuries. This case illustrates that severe cardiac rupture can occur by only one blow to the chest. Blunt cardiac injuries can occur even if no severe injuries are present on the body surface. We should consider the possibility of severe cardiac injuries regardless of the presence of external injuries.     

Performance Evaluation of a Registered Ballistic Database Using the Evofinder® System

Firearms for police in China are registered along with their fired bullets and cartridge cases. A Registered Ballistic Database (RBD) of 1000 Norinco QSZ‐92 pistols with registered ammunition was established and was evaluated through the Evofinder® system. In this research, 1000 bullets and 1000 cartridge cases were randomly selected and correlated against an RBD of 2996 bullets and 2999 cartridge cases. Examiners found that successful identifications all ranked 1st, supported with land (100%), groove (97%) engraved areas, and primary marks (85.6%) for bullets, and firing pin impressions (99.8%), and breech face marks (99.9%) for cartridge cases. Two known matches (KM) for the same pistol rank in the top two (100%). The distribution of similarity scores varies from marks; however, the Evofinder® system could still effectively distinguish known matches from known nonmatches (KNM) for either bullets or cartridge cases. This study demonstrates the efficiency of the RBD.     

A Ballistics Examination of Firearm Injuries Involving Breast Implants

This ballistics study examines whether saline breast implants can decrease tissue penetration in firearm injuries. We hypothesize that the fluid column within a saline breast implant can alter bullet velocity and/or bullet pattern of mushrooming. The two experimental groups included saline implants with 7.4 cm projection and a no implant group. The experimental design allowed the bullet to pass‐through an implant and into ballistics gel (n = 10) or into ballistics gel without passage through an implant (n = 11). Shots that passed through an implant had 20.6% decreased penetration distance when compared to shots that did not pass‐through an implant; this difference was statistically significant (31.9 cm vs. 40.2 cm, p < 0.001). Implant group bullets mushroomed prior to gel entry, but the no implant group mushroomed within the gel. Bullet passage through a saline breast implant results in direct bullet velocity reduction and earlier bullet mushrooming; this causes significantly decreased ballistics gel penetration.