Canguilhem and the problem of pathology

This article examines continuities and change in Cangilhem's thought with particular reference to the status of biology and sociology and to the theme of intellectual and social progress. It is suggested that one of the central issues of Cangilhem's writings is an attempt to work through the problems raised by the programme of Comtean positivism. The fact that Canguilhem's reflections were not completely unambigous is dusscussed through an examination of those parts his work which deal directly or indirectly with pathology.     

A “concrete” identification in a dismemberment case

Homicide perpetrators can use concrete as a means to conceal their victims. When concrete encasement is encountered in the forensic field, albeit rarely, it is often coupled with postmortem dismemberment. This method of obscuring the evidence presents unique investigative obstacles, specifically related to identification. Various approaches to obtaining fingerprints from decedents encased in concrete have been suggested and implemented over the years. The presented case is that of an initially unidentified 44-year-old male, who was subject to postmortem dismemberment and concrete encasement. Meticulous excavation techniques facilitated preservation of evidence and an anatomical reconstruction of the body. These techniques enabled inspection of the incision sites of the dismembered remains during the postmortem examination. Identifiable jewelry and tattoos were noted at autopsy. Further, the resulting concrete molds could be utilized to obtain fingerprints. These prints were used to ultimately identify the decedent.     

Alligator attacks in southwest Florida

The American alligator inhabits bodies of fresh water in Florida and other southeastern states. Although attacks on pets are frequent, alligator attacks on humans are relatively rare because of the animal's natural fear of man. Because of the rarity of attacks on humans, the pathologic findings and pathophysiology of death in such cases have not been well characterized in the literature. We report three cases of fatal alligator attacks that occurred in southwest Florida, each with different pathologic findings and mechanisms of death. Although the cause of death in each case was attributed to the alligator attack, the mechanisms of death differed and included exsanguination because of amputation of an extremity, overwhelming sepsis, and drowning. These cases illustrate the varied pathophysiologies associated with deaths due to alligator attacks on humans and the features that distinguish alligator bites from those of other aquatic predators.     

Infrared spectra of U.S. automobile original finishes. VII. Extended range FT-IR and XRF analyses of inorganic pigments in situ--nickel titanate and chrome titanate

The identification, analysis, and occurrence in U.S. automobile original finishes (1974-1989) of Nickel Titanate (yellow) and Chrome Titanate (yellow-orange) are described in this report. The titanate pigments are based on the rutile (titanium dioxide) structure and there are only minor differences between the infrared absorptions of rutile and the titanates. Titanate pigment absorptions in paint spectra can thus be easily mistaken for those of rutile. Each of the titanates, however, contains two elements in addition to titanium that can serve to distinguish them using elemental analyses. Fourier transform infrared (4000-220 cm(-1)) and X-ray fluorescence instruments were used in combination for the in situ analysis of the titanates. In addition to titanium, nickel, and antimony, the three main detectable elements comprising Nickel Titanate, all of the commercial products of this pigment that were examined also contained impurities of zirconium, niobium, and usually lead. These elements were also detected in most of the monocoats in which Nickel Titanate was identified, as well as in the Chrome Titanate pigments, and the zirconium to niobium ratio was found to exhibit a wide variation. Nickel Titanate is a relatively common pigment that was identified in nearly three dozen U.S. automobile yellow nonmetallic monocoats (1974-1989), while Chrome Titanate appears to have been used in only a few yellow and orange nonmetallic monocoats. The use of the titanate pigments likely increased after this time period as they were replacements for lead chromate pigments (last used in a U.S. automobile original finish in the early 1990s), and are more amenable for use in basecoat/clearcoat finishes than in monocoats. Minor distortions of the infrared absorptions of rutile, anatase, and the titanates obtained using accessories with diamond windows were noted, and their origins are discussed.     

应用SME/EDX和ICP-AES检测元素成份判定致伤工具

目的应用扫描电镜／能谱联合分析仪(Scanning electron microscopy&Energy dispersive X-ray apparatus SEM／EDX)和电感耦合原子发射等离子光谱(inductively coupled plasma-atom emission spectrometer ICP-AES)对金属致伤工具本身及所致创口残留物元素成分分析，探讨两者在推断认定此类工具的应用条件及价值。方法镀层和普通铁质工具在乳猪皮肤各致创5例，SEM／EDX对创口内遗留金属颗粒元素检测；用标准样品检测实验方法的精确度；普通铁质工具于刀背、刀刃处各取5个样本，ICP-AES测定元素成分与含量。结果镀锌工具所致创口中存在单一含有锌的金属颗粒，镀黄铜工具则同时含有锌和铜，未发现其它元素；不锈钢或普通铁质菜刀创口中，发现同时含有铁、铬、硅或铁、锰、硅的颗粒；除5号菜刀外同一把铁质菜刀在刀刃、刀背处元素含量无明显差别；ICP-AES分析表明不锈钢菜刀之间在铬、锰、硅、铜、钼和5号刀背部以及其他铁质菜刀在锰、硅元素含量差别具有显著意义，5号刀刃部锰、硅、钼、钛、磷、硫、镍元素RSD明显升高。结论SEM／EDX可以通过创口的检测对金属致伤工具进行种类的推断认定，ICP-AES则可在同种类致伤工具中进行相对同一的判定有应用价值。     

图像分析技术在测定细胞DNA含量推断死亡时间中的若干问题

图像分析技术为法医学早期死亡时间推断提供了一种新的方法,但目前仍有许多局限,本文将重点讨论标本的取材及固定、涂片或切片的选择、细胞群聚和重叠的处理、参考细胞核及门槛问题,以及个体差异对图像分析的影响及相应的解决方法。     

论远红外线在汽车节油降低空气污染方面的原理及实践

波长 3～ 2 0 μm的远红外线光子可以激发汽车燃油中碳氢分子的键能 ,以提高其热燃效率 ,故能增加发动机输出功率 ,并有节油与降低废气排放的功效     

法医病理检案工作中的人为现象

目的 研究法医病理检案工作中常见的人为现象及其造成法医学鉴定结论错误的原因。方法 收集13例法医病理复核鉴定案例,并对其进行回顾性分析。结果 胸外心脏按压所致肋骨骨折,胸、腹腔出血及肺动脉栓塞栓子破碎,误认为生前外伤或死因不明5例;胰腺死后变化(自溶和被膜下及间质出血),误认为急性出血坏死性胰腺炎4例;死后动物咬伤误认为生前损伤2例;腐败尸斑误认为皮下出血1例;死后颈部解剖不当造成颈部肌肉出血,影响死因分析1例。结论 法医病理检案工作中的人为现象,常导致法医学鉴定的结论错误。     

根据双刃刺器刺创口推断刺器宽度

解决根据皮肤创口推断刺器宽度的问题。实验在自愿捐献的12具男性尸体的胸部,用不同宽度和厚度的双刃匕首致创221个。应用法医学、解剖学及数理统计的理论和技术对创口形成机理、影响因素及其与刺器宽度的相关关系进行分析,得出了以下结论：刺器厚度与创口长度无明显相关,刺器宽度与创口长相关,创口回缩程度与创口方向及刺器宽度相关。并建立了两个最优回归方程,提出了一个根据皮肤双刃利器创口推断刺器宽度的方法。     

病毒性心肌炎猝死的法医病理学诊断及猝死机理

通过对典型病毒性心肌炎猝死案例的分析，提出了心肌炎猝死的法医病理学诊断的要点，并对心肌炎猝死的机理进行了讨论。