Nocturnal Oviposition Behavior of Forensically Important Diptera in Central England

Timing of oviposition on a corpse is a key factor in entomologically based minimum postmortem interval (mPMI) calculations. However, there is considerable variation in nocturnal oviposition behavior of blow flies reported in the research literature. This study investigated nocturnal oviposition in central England for the first time, over 25 trials from 2011 to 2013. Liver-baited traps were placed in an urban location during control (diurnal), and nocturnal periods and environmental conditions were recorded during each 5-h trial. No nocturnal activity or oviposition was observed during the course of the study indicating that nocturnal oviposition is highly unlikely in central England.     

Potential Use of Bacterial Community Succession in Decaying Human Bone for Estimating Postmortem Interval,,

Bacteria are taphonomic agents of human decomposition, potentially useful for estimating postmortem interval (PMI) in late‐stage decomposition. Bone samples from 12 individuals and three soil samples were analyzed to assess the effects of decomposition and advancing time on bacterial communities. Results indicated that partially skeletonized remains maintained a presence of bacteria associated with the human gut, whereas bacterial composition of dry skeletal remains maintained a community profile similar to soil communities. Variation in the UniFrac distances was significantly greater between groups than within groups (p < 0.001) for the unweighted metric and not the weighted metric. The members of the bacterial communities were more similar within than between decomposition stages. The oligotrophic environment of bone relative to soft tissue and the physical protection of organic substrates may preclude bacterial blooms during the first years of skeletonization. Therefore, community membership (unweighted) may be better for estimating PMI from skeletonized remains than community structure (weighted).     

A Novel Method for the Photographic Recovery of Fingermark Impressions from Ammunition Cases Using Digital Imaging

The photographic preservation of fingermark impression evidence found on ammunition cases remains problematic due to the cylindrical shape of the deposition substrate preventing complete capture of the impression in a single image. A novel method was developed for the photographic recovery of fingermarks from curved surfaces using digital imaging. The process involves the digital construction of a complete impression image made from several different images captured from multiple camera perspectives. Fingermark impressions deposited onto 9‐mm and 0.22‐caliber brass cartridge cases and a plastic 12‐gauge shotgun shell were tested using various image parameters, including digital stitching method, number of images per 360° rotation of shell, image cropping, and overlap. The results suggest that this method may be successfully used to recover fingermark impression evidence from the surfaces of ammunition cases or other similar cylindrical surfaces.     

Emergence of fentanyl-related deaths in Travis County,Texas and surrounding areas: A retrospective review of postmortem fentanyl-related drug toxicities from 2020 to 2022

The opioid epidemic has affected the United States (US) for decades with fentanyl and its analogs accounting for a recent surge in morbidity and mortality. Currently, there is a relative lack of information characterizing fentanyl-related fatalities specifically in the Southern US. A retrospective study was conducted to examine all postmortem fentanyl-related drug toxicities in Travis County, Texas, encompassing Austin (one of the fastest-growing cities in the US), from 2020 to 2022. Fentanyl contributed to 2.6% and 12.2% of deaths submitted for toxicology between 2020 and 2022, respectively, representing a 375% increase in fentanyl-related deaths over this 3-year period (n = 517). Fentanyl-related fatalities primarily occurred in males in their mid-30s. Fentanyl and norfentanyl concentrations ranged from 0.58 to 320 ng/mL and 0.53 to 140 ng/mL with mean (median) concentrations of 17.2 ± 25.0 (11.0) and 5.6 ± 10.9 (2.9) ng/mL, respectively. Polydrug use was present in 88% of cases, with methamphetamine (or other amphetamines) (25%), benzodiazepines (21%), and cocaine (17%) representing the most frequently identified concurrent substances. Co-positivity rates of various drugs and drug classes widely varied over time. Scene investigations reported illicit powder(s) (n = 141) and/or illicit pill(s) (n = 154) in 48% (n = 247) of fentanyl-related deaths. Illicit oxycodone (44%, n = 67) and illicit “Xanax” (38%, n = 59) pills were frequently reported on scene; however, toxicology only identified oxycodone and alprazolam in 2 and 24 of these cases, respectively. The results of this study provide a better understanding of the fentanyl epidemic in this region creating an opportunity to promote increased awareness, shift focus to harm reduction, and aid in minimizing public health risks.     

The rise and rise of fentanyl in postmortem casework

Forensic toxicology laboratories are navigating a period of time with increasing drug overdose deaths, an opioid epidemic, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the illicit drug market flooded with novel psychoactive substances. In New York City, the Department of Forensic Toxicology has experienced a 56% increase in postmortem casework in the past decade with fentanyl detected in 80% of all overdose deaths. Over a period of 2.5 years, 15,638 postmortem cases were tested for the presence of fentanyl and fentanyl analogs using liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LCMSMS). Fentanyl was detected in approximately one third of cases and of these 4447 cases with femoral blood. A twofold increase in cases with high concentrations of fentanyl (>100 ng/mL) was observed between 2021 and 2022. The minor metabolite and precursor chemical, 4-ANPP (4-anilino-N-phenethylpiperidine) may help differentiate between illicit and licit fentanyl. 4-ANPP blood concentrations were <10 ng/mL in 98% of the cases and the 4-ANPP:fentanyl ratio was <0.67 for 99.1% of blood specimens. Only six cases had 4-ANPP concentrations higher than the corresponding fentanyl blood concentration. This study also highlights, the changing fentanyl analogs found in postmortem cases since 2016 in NYC with the emergence of fluorofentanyl initially identified in 2020 and continuing to dominate in comparison with the prevalence of other analogs, many of which are no longer detected in casework. The detection of one of the latest drugs to be mixed with fentanyl, namely xylazine, has also increased in prevalence by 36.7% in 2022 compared with 2021.     

Smartphone Image Acquisition During Postmortem Monocular Indirect Ophthalmoscopy

The medical usefulness of smartphones continues to evolve as third‐party applications exploit and expand on the smartphones’ interface and capabilities. This technical report describes smartphone still‐image capture techniques and video‐sequence recording capabilities during postmortem monocular indirect ophthalmoscopy. Using these devices and techniques, practitioners can create photographic documentation of fundal findings, clinically and at autopsy, without the expense of a retinal camera. Smartphone image acquisition of fundal abnormalities can promote ophthalmological telemedicine—especially in regions or countries with limited resources—and facilitate prompt, accurate, and unbiased documentation of retinal hemorrhages in infants and young children.     

Detection of Acetaminophen–Protein Adducts in Decedents with Suspected Opioid–Acetaminophen Combination Product Overdose

Acetaminophen overdose is a leading cause of drug‐induced liver failure in the United States. Acetaminophen–protein adducts have been suggested as a biomarker of hepatotoxicity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether protein‐derived acetaminophen–protein adducts are quantifiable in postmortem samples. Heart blood, femoral blood, and liver tissue were collected at autopsy from 22 decedents suspected of opioid–acetaminophen overdose. Samples were assayed for protein‐derived acetaminophen–protein adducts, acetaminophen, and selected opioids found in combination products containing acetaminophen. Protein‐derived APAP‐CYS was detected in 17 of 22 decedents and was measurable in blood that was not degraded or hemolyzed. Heart blood concentrations ranged from 11 ng/mL (0.1 μM) to 7817 ng/mL (28.9 μM). Protein‐derived acetaminophen–protein adducts were detectable in liver tissue for 20 of 22 decedents. Liver histology was also performed for all decedents, and no evidence of centrilobular hepatic necrosis was observed.     

Drunk Person Screening using Eye Thermal Signatures

Temperature distribution on the eyes of drunk persons is studied by means of thermal infrared images. The sclera and the iris are of the same temperature for the sober person, while for the intoxicated person, the sclera temperature increases. Consequently, only the thermal images from the drunk persons are necessary for intoxication screening. Forty‐one participants drank in a controlled alcohol consumption procedure. Their breath alcohol concentration was above the threshold of 0.2 mg/L of exhaled air, which corresponds to about 0.5 mg of alcohol per cubic centimeter of blood. Histogram modification algorithms were employed to prove that for 36 among the 41 intoxicated persons, the sclera becomes hotter. The Student t‐test verified with over 99% confidence the drunk discrimination capabilities of the procedure. The forensic science potential contribution of the method is that face infrared imagery is available to the authorities for supporting intoxication in case of criminal actions.     

外温变化下小鼠肝细胞18s rRNA降解与死亡时间关系研究

目的探讨在外界环境温度变化条件下,小鼠肝细胞18s rRNA降解与死亡时间的关系。方法小鼠断颈处死后置于10℃、15℃、20℃、25℃、和30℃温度下保存;从死后6h至72h,每6h分别提取肝细胞组织中总RNA。利用实时荧光定量PCR检测18s rRNA循环阈值(Ct值)的变化。应用插值函数进行分析拟合,建立死亡时间推断方程。结果各温度组Ct值随死亡时间延长均呈上升趋势,对所得数据进行插值拟合,得到一定温度变化区间内(10℃~30℃),Ct值变化与PMI关系的三元五次曲面方程:f(x,y)=-426.9+30.82x+44.48y-1.297x~2-1.837xy-1.388y~2+0.034 38x~3+0.038 17x~2y+0.038 67xy~2+0.028 77y3-0.000 612 9x~4-3.897e~(-7)x~3y-0.001 223x~2y~2+0.000256 6xy3-0.000 537 4y~4+3.606e~(-6)x~5-2.846e~(-6)x~4y+1.009e~(-5)x~3y~2-3.439e~(-6)x~2y3-2.556e~(-7)xy~4+2.664e~(-6)y~5(r2=0.999 4)。结论在外界温度变化条件下,小鼠肝细胞18s rRNA降解与死亡时间关系符合三元五次方程分布,利用插值函数拟合的方法可在外界环境温度变化条件下进行死亡时间推断。     

地西泮及去甲地西泮在大鼠体内的死后再分布研究

目的观察地西泮及其主要代谢物去甲地西泮在大鼠体内的死后再分布特点。方法大鼠24只,随机分成8组,以安定90 mg/kg灌胃,2 h后脱颈椎处死,左侧卧位,分别置于室温(10℃)条件下,于死后不同时间(0h、2h、4h、8h、12h、24h、48h、96h)取心、肝、脾、肺、肾、大脑、肌肉,固相萃取、高效液相色谱法检测其中地西泮及其主要代谢物去甲地西泮的含量。结果地西泮及其主要代谢物去甲地西泮在染毒处死大鼠内各时间点、各脏器都有分布并呈现出一定的规律性。结论地西泮及其主要代谢物去甲地西泮在染毒处死大鼠内可发生死后再分布。