The faces of death: regional differentiation in cause-specific mortality in the past

In mortality research, much attention has been paid to the strong geographical differentials in mortality levels and in modern mortality decline, as the analysis of this geographical differentiation might hold the key to explaining the determinants of mortality change. The use of historical cause-specific mortality data has proved a challenging, although very insightful, means to this end. The four contributions to this special issue focus on cause-specific mortality in the past, both to reassess older data using new insights and to challenge existing insights by using new data and methods. These papers, of which earlier versions were presented during the thirty-eighth Social Science History Association (SSHA) Meeting in Chicago, 21–24 November 2013, explore mortality at different stages of the life course, ranging from early infancy to old age. Moreover, each paper revolves around a different group of causes of death. Although the papers are in many ways rather different, together they demonstrate how different data, theoretical frameworks and methodologies can push the boundaries of research into the trends and determinants of historical mortality patterns.     

Sudden Death Due To Acute Cocaine Toxicity—Excited Delirium in a Body Packer

Excited delirium denotes a life-threatening medical condition characterized by the acute onset of agitated and violent behavior that often results in a sudden and unexplained death. Cocaine-induced excited delirium refers to fatal cocaine intoxication with the following symptoms occurring sequentially: hyperthermia, delirium with agitation, respiratory arrest, and death. We present a case of cocaine-induced excited delirium in a cocaine “body packer” or a “mule”, specifically an individual who attempts to smuggle cocaine within the body. Investigators at the scene initially suspected homicide due to the victim's sharp and blunt force injuries. Three rubber packets containing cocaine were removed from the victim's rectum. Blood toxicological analysis revealed an alcohol concentration of 0.016 g/100 and cocaine >1 mg/L. The forensic pathologist should consider cocaine-induced excited delirium when an individual exhibits aggressive behavior, unexpected strength, and resistance to pain who dies suddenly. Further analysis should be performed during the scene investigation and autopsy for evidence of body packing.     

Death from Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is an inflammable gas that gives no smell or taste. It has a history of abuse as long as its clinical use, and deaths, although rare, have been reported. We describe two cases of accidental deaths related to voluntary inhalation of nitrous oxide, both found dead with a gas mask covering the face. In an attempt to find an explanation to why the victims did not react properly to oncoming hypoxia, we performed experiments where a test person was allowed to breath in a closed system, with or without nitrous oxide added. Vital signs and gas concentrations as well as subjective symptoms were recorded. The experiments indicated that the explanation to the fact that neither of the descendents had reacted to oncoming hypoxia and hypercapnia was due to the inhalation of nitrous oxide. This study raises the question whether nitrous oxide really should be easily, commercially available.     

Why Do People Hang Themselves on Trees? An Evaluation of Suicidal Hangings on Trees in Konya,Turkey, between 2001 and 2008

Hanging is the most common method of suicide in the world, and many public places offer a means or opportunity to carry out the activity. Of 4,452 death examinations and autopsies, there were 378 (8.5%) suicides and suicide method was hanging in 185 (48.9%) cases. In 20 of these (10.8%), the suspension point was the branch of a tree. The incident location was the garden of the victim's house in nine cases, the woodlands in seven cases. The suicides were attributed to psychiatric disorders in nine cases, economic problems in six cases, and family problems in five cases. It is concluded that hanging on a tree as a suicide method is often committed by males and the underlying motive may be different in suicidal hangings on trees occurring at daytime and night. For preventional purposes, the reporting of such suicides in public places by the media may be restricted by local authorities.     

711例道路交通事故死亡案例分析

目的分析711例道路交通事故死亡案例,探讨道路交通死亡事故的特点。方法收集相关市区711例道路交通事故死亡案例,按照死者性别、年龄、死亡原因、死者交通方式等项目分类进行统计分析。结果 711例死者中男性多于女性(2.18∶1),21~60岁占70.6%,气温较低的季节发生交通事故较多,一天中高发时间段为6~8、18~20及23~1时,死者中以非机动车驾乘者和步行者居多,分别占41.4%和29.1%;肇事车辆主要为货车和轿车,分别占38.2%和25.1%;交通事故造成颅脑损伤导致死亡的占损伤致死亡的比例最高(54.7%),联合损伤致死的其次(30.9%)。结论本文数据来源地交通事故造成人员死亡案例的特点,与沿海其他较发达城市的相关调查数据相符,需综合治理以减少相关事故的发生。     

跨境犯罪中死刑问题研究

由于中国内地与港澳死刑政策的冲突,及三法域间各自独立的刑事管辖权的并行存在,使得跨境犯罪的死刑案件的司法协助变得更为复杂。本文探讨两个问题:跨境犯罪死刑案件中死刑犯是否该移交及移交的标准。在对前一个问题作出肯定回答的同时,进一步论述在跨境犯罪死刑犯移交中应遵循坚持“属地管辖原则”为基础,加强三法域间平等的“协议管辖”协商。从立法和司法方面进行三法域间刑事方面的联系与协助,有效打击严重的跨境刑事犯罪。     

心肌及传导组织内3种蛋白的变化与SMDS的相关性

目的 观察心肌及传导组织内肌动蛋白、血浆白蛋白及纤维连接蛋白的染色变化，探讨青壮年猝死综合征(SMDS)死后诊断的新方法。方法 应用免疫组化S-P法，对SMDS及冠心病猝死者心肌及传导系统内肌动蛋白、血浆白蛋白和纤维连接蛋白的进行染色观察。结果 22例SMDS例猝死者心肌及传导系统内的肌动蛋白缺染17例；血浆白蛋白染色阳性18例；纤维连接蛋白染色阳性15例。并发现在SMDS中，8例有CCS严重病变。结论 心肌及传导系统内血浆蛋白、肌动蛋白改变与SMDS密切相关，部分SMDS病例死前存在早期心肌缺血或梗死的改变。     

对无电流斑电击死的勘验

无电流斑电击死与有电流斑电击死的主要区别在于肢体触电部位有无电流通过时形成的烧伤 ,而死亡机理基本相同。     

我国死刑制度现状评析

随着社会的发展 ,我国死刑制度的弊端日渐显现。基于我国国际形象和国际交往的需要 ,与国际条约、惯例接轨的要求 ,以及理论和实践的需要 ,在现实和理想之间 ,限制死刑理所当然 ,而废止死刑也应作为不懈追求的目标。