Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) for the Documentation of Saw Mark Characteristics

Photography is widely accepted as a means of forensic case documentation and evaluation. In cases of criminal dismemberment digital microscopy is commonly used to assess marks left on the bone. Reflectance transformation imaging (RTI) is a computational photography technique which documents and enhances the three-dimensional (3D) reflectance properties of the surface of an object. RTI has primarily been used in the cultural heritage sector but has recently transitioned into forensic science. This study examines the use of RTI for the documentation and presentation of cut surface characteristics on fully sectioned long bones. Juvenile pig radii were bisected using three different handsaws, chosen as handsaws are the most common implement used in criminal dismemberments. The resulting 42 cut surfaces were then documented with a digital microscope and RTI. Four rendering modes were applied to the default RTI image, with diffuse gain being the most beneficial to accentuate cut surface features. Although great care must be taken when obtaining the photographic sequences necessary for detailed RTI analysis, RTI is relatively inexpensive, expeditious, and easy to use, and creates highly detailed, virtually interactive images. RTI may not replace microscopic methods of saw mark analysis, however could prove useful for the documentation, image sharing, and presentation of forensic evidence.     

光谱成像技术和暗视场配光结合显现潜指印初探

研究显现光滑彩色客体上潜指印的方法。用暗视场配光方式,使用光谱成像仪,对30种不同颜色的彩色照片上的皮脂汗潜指印进行拍照,并处理光谱影像集。所有彩色客体上的潜指印图像纹线,整体清晰或部分清晰,可以用于比对。光谱成像技术和暗视场照明技术相结合,可以有效显现光滑彩色客体上的潜指印。     

磁性门锁结构及开启痕迹的研究

系统论述了磁性门锁的结构、开启原理和常见的开启方法,并通过试验研究弄清了各种开启方法的留痕特点。     

A study of drug detection in a postmortem pediatric population

At The Office of the Cuyahoga County Coroner (CCCO), Cleveland, Ohio, it is customary to perform an autopsy and conduct toxicological testing on decedents less than 19 years of age. This study provides a retrospective evaluation of drugs detected in a pediatric postmortem population between the years 1998 and 2002 (n = 730). Demographic information, cause and manner of death, and toxicological results were examined. Blacks comprised 54% of cases, males 59%, and 48% were less than one year of age or stillborn. Forty-two percent of deaths were ruled natural, 27% accident, 13% undetermined, 5% suicide, and 2% homicide. Of the 640 cases subjected to comprehensive testing, 38% of the cases were positive for at least one compound. Resuscitative/treatment drugs were detected most frequently (56% of positive results), followed by illicit drugs (26%), ethanol (11%), carbon monoxide (8%), and antihistamines (6%). Eighty-seven cases contained more than one drug. The deaths of 47 individuals were drug related (6%). In this population, it is recommended that illicit drugs and ethanol are targeted for testing, especially when limited specimens are available for analysis.     

Postmortem dental radiography

Comparison of postmortem and antemortem dental radiographic films or digital images is a common procedure for establishing identity of human remains. This article describes some problems with producing postmortem dental radiographs in a medical examiner setting and gives methods for circumventing these difficulties. Resection of the jaws, when permitted, significantly simplifies the postmortem radiographic technique. When producing an actual postmortem panoramic dental radiograph (orthopantomogram) from a dry skull, stabilization of the specimen for exposure by the moving beam source may be accomplished simply by placing the specimen upside down on an anthropologist's skull ring. Image "burnout" in the anterior segment, which results from absence of the tissues of the neck, may be avoided by appropriate placement of radiodense objects such as "zippered" plastic bags filled with water or other fluid material, freezer gel packs, or a block of self-polymerizing acrylic. These methods may increase future postmortem dental radiography efficiency.     

磁共振波谱技术推测不同温度下的死亡时间

目的利用单体素质子磁共振波谱技术推断不同温度下的死亡时间(postmortem interval,PMI),探讨不受外界环境温度影响下推断PMI的可行性。方法选取24只白兔,分为A组(10℃)、B组(30℃),利用磁共振单体素波谱测定死后0.5、1、2、4、6、8、12、16和24h脑内N-乙酰天冬氨酸(N-acetyl-aspartate,Naa)、胆碱复合物(Choline,Cho)、磷酸肌酸和肌酸(phosphocreatine and creatine,Cr)峰下面积(相对含量)及各代谢物之间相对含量的比值。结果在死后24h内Naa和Cr峰下面积随PMI的延长而减少,Naa/Cr、Cho/Cr随PMI的延长而降低。回归分析:自变量为Naa/Cr的二次多项式方程为:y=0.0019x2-0.803x 1.4498(R2=0.962);自变量为Cho/Cr的二次多项式方程为:y=-0.0024x2 0.926x 1.1777(R2=0.986)。用Naa/Cr的方程推测PMI,当PMI<24h时,平均偏离时间为2.10～37.90min,用Cho/Cr的方程推测PMI,当PMI<24h时,平均偏离时间为1.69～40.87min。结论Naa/Cr、Cho/Cr的死后变化与时间呈强相关性且受环境温度影响不大,可用于不同温度下PMI推断。     

家兔死后玻璃体液电导率变化与死亡时间的关系

目的探讨家兔死后玻璃体液电导率变化与死亡时间的相关性。方法采用电导分析法检测家兔30℃下死后48h内及20℃下死后120h内玻璃体液电导率变化。结果30℃和20℃下家兔死后玻璃体液电导率随死亡时间延长而持续升高。经统计分析得到抛物线型二项式回归方程,其相关系数分别为0.970和0.983,两式P〈0.01。结论家兔死后玻璃体液电导率升高程度可以作为推断死亡时间的参考指标。     

Cadaver dogs--a study on detection of contaminated carpet squares

Introduction

Cadaver dogs are known as valuable forensic tools in crime scene investigations. Scientific research attempting to verify their value is largely lacking, specifically for scents associated with the early postmortem interval. The aim of our investigation was the comparative evaluation of the reliability, accuracy, and specificity of three cadaver dogs belonging to the Hamburg State Police in the detection of scents during the early postmortem interval.

Material and methods

Carpet squares were used as an odor transporting media after they had been contaminated with the scent of two recently deceased bodies (PMI < 3 h). The contamination occurred for 2 min as well as 10 min without any direct contact between the carpet and the corpse. Comparative searches by the dogs were performed over a time period of 65 days (10 min contamination) and 35 days (2 min contamination).

Results

The results of this study indicate that the well-trained cadaver dog is an outstanding tool for crime scene investigation displaying excellent sensitivity (75–100), specificity (91–100), and having a positive predictive value (90–100), negative predictive value (90–100) as well as accuracy (92–100).     

不同死因大鼠心肌内多种RNA相对表达量变化与PMI的关系

目的观察不同死因下大鼠心肌内多种RNA相对表达量随死亡时间（PMI）的变化。方法建立断颈死、窒息死和失血性休克死大鼠模型,提取心肌中总RNA,利用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测甘油醛-3-磷酸脱氢酶（glyceraldehyde～3-phosphatedehydrogenase,GAPDH）,β-肌动蛋白（β-actin）、诱导型-氧化氮合酶（induciblenitricoxidesynthase。iNOS）、缺氧诱导因子-1（hypoxia-induciblefactor-1,HIF-1）、肿瘤坏死因子-d（tumornecrosisfactor-d,TNF-a）、白细胞介素-6（interleukin-6,IL-6）tuRNA以及U6微核RNAfU6sreallnuclearRNA。U6snRNA）的循环阈值,观察各指标相对表达量随PMI的变化情况。结果U6snRNA表达稳定,可作为内对照。在死亡早期,CAPDH、HIF-1、iNOS、TNF-d和IL-6的相对表达量在窒息组和失血性休克组比断颈组呈现不同程度的增加,而β-actin在3个组皆呈现相对表达量下降趋势。在死亡晚期,随着RNA的不断降解,相对表达量持续下降。结论死后各RNA相对表达量的特征性变化可为不同死因下的PMI推断提供-定的参考。     

单体素~1H-MRS推断死亡时间的初步研究

目的检测脑内N-乙酰天门冬氨酸、胆碱复合物及磷酸肌酸和肌酸的变化规律,并探讨其与死亡时间的关系。方法选取12只白兔,利用单体素氢质子磁共振波谱测定死后0.5、1、2、4、6、8、12、16、24h脑内N-乙酰天门冬氨酸、胆碱复合物及磷酸肌酸和肌酸峰下面积;分析其在上述时间点的变化规律,建立与死亡时间相关的回归方程。结果在死后24h内N-乙酰天门冬氨酸、磷酸肌酸和肌酸峰下面积随死亡时间的延长而降低(各时间点比较P<0.05),胆碱复合物在死后24h内无明显变化(各时间点比较P>0.05)。回归方程为:Naa:y=0.7425x2-27.282x+299.984(R2=0.962);Cr:y=0.3234x2-12.007x+210.503(R2=0.986)。结论死后24h内兔脑N-乙酰天门冬氨酸、磷酸肌酸和肌酸呈现出一定的变化规律,其与死亡时间相关程度较高,可用于对一定条件下死亡时间的推断。