小鼠肝组织GAPDH mRNA降解与死亡时间关系

目的探讨小鼠在不同的死亡方式下肝组织管家基因甘油醛-3-磷酸脱氢酶(glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase,GAPDH)mRNA降解与死亡时间(postmortem interval,PMI)的关系。方法将60只NIH小鼠分别采用窒息法和断颈法处死,分别置于10℃和25℃温控系统内,利用两步法RT-PCR技术和核酸蛋白测定仪检测小鼠肝组织中GAPDH mRNA在死后0～48h的降解情况。结果在10℃温控系统内的小鼠死后0～48h及25℃温控系统内的小鼠死后0～36h肝组织均可检测到GAPDH mRNA,且其扩增产物呈规律性下降趋势。结论小鼠死亡后肝组织GAPDH mRNA降解与PMI呈负相关,可为PMI推断提供一种新的观测指标。     

兔死后角膜内皮细胞核DNA降解随死亡时间变化规律

目的研究兔死后角膜内皮细胞核DNA降解与死亡时间的关系。方法应用单细胞凝胶电泳(SCGE)技术结合荧光显微镜和专业的计算机图像分析技术,检测27只家兔死后48h内不同时间点角膜内皮细胞核DNA降解情况。结果家兔死后角膜内皮细胞产生彗星现象,彗星样细胞出现率于兔死后6h开始逐渐增加。死后6～18h彗星样细胞出现率增加缓慢,死后24～36h出现率上升较快;死后36～48h彗星样细胞出现率上升缓慢,但仍始终保持在较高的水平上(M185.4%),其回归方程为y=-0.0096x2+2.4548x+5.7964,与死亡时间呈正相关(R2=0.9743)。结论家兔死后角膜内皮细胞彗星样细胞出现率随死亡时间增加而逐渐增加。     

紫外光谱成像技术显现潜在油汗混合指印的初步探索

目的研究运用紫外光谱成像技术显现潜在油汗混合指印的可行性和方法。方法使用紫外光谱成像仪获取典型潜在油汗混合指印的光谱影像数据资料,比较不同数据处理软件的分析结果。结果紫外光谱成像技术具有显现潜在油汗指印的能力。结论紫外光谱成像技术能够成功显现非渗透性客体表面潜在油汗混合指印。     

To Test or Not To Test?: The Value of Toxicology in a Delayed Overdose Death

A case demonstrating the necessity of thorough death investigation processes where toxicology plays an active role is presented. A 33‐year‐old white man presented to the emergency room in respiratory distress after an overdose episode where he was revived on the scene by fire rescue. His condition continued to deteriorate and he expired 6 days after the initial incident. No admission specimens were available for testing; however, there were specimens drawn 4 and 5 days after the incident. Drug paraphernalia from the scene was obtained by the laboratory through collaboration with local law enforcement. Drug paraphernalia was initially tested in the laboratory and after obtaining the results, the antemortem and postmortem specimens were tested identifying mitragynine and U‐47700, among other drugs. These results indicate the value in obtaining and testing drug paraphernalia, and the value of testing antemortem specimens even in the event of a delay.     

A Case of Fatal Dehydration During Police Custody

In the forensic literature, fatal dehydration predominantly concerns young children or incapacitated elderly persons. The postmortem diagnosis of fatal dehydration can be challenging to confirm, especially if the preceding circumstances are unknown. Here presented is a case of a 23‐year‐old man who died while held in an isolation cell during police custody for 18 days. Autopsy findings were unspecific, but vitreous fluid analysis showed 192 mmol/L sodium, 179 mmol/L chloride, 16 mmol/L potassium, 352 μmol/L (3.98 mg/dL) creatinine, and 81 mmol/L (226.9 mg/dL) urea nitrogen. Based on the findings and circumstances, the cause of death was determined as severe dehydration and manner of death accident. This case illustrates the importance of performing postmortem biochemistry.     

The Accuracy and Applicability of 3D Modeling and Printing Blunt Force Cranial Injuries

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting the accuracy of 3D models and 3D prints of cranial blunt force trauma, to evaluate the applicability and limitations of modeling such injuries. Three types of cranial blunt force lesions were documented (hinge, depressed, and comminuted) using three forms of surface scanning (laser, structured light scanner, and photogrammetry) at two different quality settings (standard and high). 3D printed models of the lesions were produced using two different materials (a gypsum‐like composite powder called VisiJet^® PXL and an acrylic engineered composite plastic called VisiJet^® M3 in crystal colour). The results of these analyzes indicate the prints in this study exhibit some statistically significant differences from the actual bone lesions, but details of the lesions can be reproduced to within 2 mm accuracy.     

Forensic Radiology Pitfalls: CT Imaging in Gunshot Wounds of the Head

Computed tomography (CT) imaging is increasingly used in emergency departments and trauma services and is being offered as a supplemental tool with autopsy in coroner's and medical examiner's offices throughout the United States. The availability of CT images in lieu of traditional X‐rays for medicolegal autopsies may lead to misinterpretation of images for forensic pathologists who are not familiar with these types of images. Forensic pathologists must become familiar with CT imaging, the basis of CT image formation and how to interpret CT images appropriately. We highlight potential pitfalls of CT image interpretation through two cases of fatal gunshot wounds of the head. Antemortem CT imaging available at the time of autopsy led to discrepancy between the initial image findings and the autopsy due to inexperienced manipulation of the images. With appropriate understanding of CT image interpretation and manipulation, forensic personnel should be able to avoid most sources of misinterpretation.     

The Role of Postmortem Computed Tomography in the Evaluation of Strangulation Deaths

We explored the value of postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) to augment autopsy in evaluating strangulation fatalities. A literature search identified 16 studies describing autopsy findings in 576 deaths and two studies describing autopsy and PMCT findings in six deaths. Similar cases were identified from our institution, yielding 130 deaths with autopsy findings and 14 deaths with both autopsy and PMCT findings. The presence of laryngohyoid fracture and soft tissue hemorrhage was compared from autopsy and autopsy+PMCT cases. The detection rates of fractures in autopsy and autopsy+PMCT cases were not significantly different. PMCT identified all fractures observed at autopsy and five fractures not identified. While PMCT may not detect soft tissue injuries in decomposed remains or subtle internal hemorrhages in neck injury, it is equally able to detect bony injuries as autopsy and might surpass autopsy in detecting subtle fractures. We conclude PMCT is useful to supplement autopsy in strangulation cases.     

Skeletal Trauma Resulting From Fatal Low (≤3 m) Free Falls: An Analysis of Fracture Patterns and Morphologies

The skeletal trauma resulting from fatal low (≤3 m) free falls is poorly researched and understood by forensic practitioners. The aim of this study was to identify the types of skeletal trauma resulting from low falls through investigating fracture patterns and morphologies. Skeletal trauma was analyzed using full‐body postmortem computed tomography scans of 145 individuals who died from a low free fall. Trauma was then contextualized to the variables that influence how a person falls using multiple logistic regression. Results showed fracture patterning primarily involved the axial skeleton and that there were a number of patterns significantly associated with the height fallen, pre‐existing health conditions, and age. Analysis of fracture morphologies showed 108 possible fracture types, six of which were significantly associated with the height fallen. Understanding the skeletal trauma characteristic of low free falls will further inform anthropological interpretations of trauma in cases where a fall may be considered the possible mechanism.     

5F-UR-144的热不稳定性研究

目的利用气相色谱-质谱法(GC-MS)、液相色谱-四级杆-飞行时间质谱(LC-Q-TOF/MS)和核磁共振光谱法(NMR)研究合成大麻素5F-UR-144遇热分解的具体变化情况。方法对照品用无水乙醇定容稀释后,经GC-MS和LC-Q-TOF/MS检测得到对应的色谱图和质谱图;对照品分别于常温和280℃密封加热后用无水乙醇定容稀释,经LC-Q-TOF/MS和NMR检测得到对应的质谱图、¹H和¹³C核磁共振波谱;对照品分别于常温逐步提升至300℃密封加热后用无水乙醇定容稀释,经LC-Q-TOF/MS检测得到对应的色谱图。结果5F-UR-144在高温下会开环产生新的物质;5F-UR-144从130℃开始分解,随着温度升高分解程度提升,240℃时分解率达到98%;随着温度继续升高,超过260℃,分解产物会碳化。结论基于5F-UR-144的热不稳定性,在检测时应考虑若通过烫食方式吸食5F-UR-144,其进入人体的成分会发生变化;气相色谱或气相色谱-质谱法不适合定量检测5F-UR-144。