Microscopic Pattern of Bone Fractures as an Indicator of Blast Trauma: A Pilot Study

The assessment of fractures is a key issue in forensic anthropology; however, very few studies deal with the features of fractures due to explosion in comparison with other traumatic injuries. This study focuses on fractures resulting from blast trauma and two types of blunt force trauma (manual compression and running over), applied to corpses of pigs; 163 osteons were examined within forty fractures by the transmission light microscopy. Blast lesions showed a higher percentage of fracture lines through the Haversian canal, whereas in other types of trauma, the fractures went across the inner lamellae. Significant differences between samples hit by blast energy and those runover or manually compressed were observed (p < 0.05). The frequency of pattern A is significantly higher in exploded bones than in runover and compressed. Microscopic analysis of the fracture line may provide information about the type of trauma, especially for what concerns blast trauma.     

A Pilot Study Examining the Reduction of Trauma Symptomatology in Families to Prevent Child Abuse And Neglect: Trauma Adapted Family Connections

This article presents the preliminary outcomes of a 6-month, in-home trauma-adapted neglect prevention program intended to reduce trauma-related risk factors in families and increase caregiver, child, and family well-being. Standardized measures were administered via a computer assisted self-interview (CASI) at intake and case closure. At the time of the analyses 72 caregivers and 105 children completed both an intake and closing CASI. Significant differences were found over time in the reduction of caregiver and child related post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptomatology. Outcomes in overall caregiver, child, and family well-being and safety significantly improved over time. Evidence suggests that trauma adaptation of the empirically supported neglect prevention program shows great promise in filling a service gap and in helping families who are chronically traumatized and struggling to meet their children's basic needs.     

TV tip-over morbidity and mortality in children

Twenty-eight non-fatal cases of TV related injuries were noted in San Diego in the 2 years prior to September 2008. We reviewed the scene, witness reports, past history, and autopsy findings from three fatal cases and distinguished them from abusive head trauma. The recent literature was also reviewed. Our fatal cases resulted from TVs falling on small children and causing severe head injury. The literature review showed increasing injuries and deaths relating to TV tip-over, TV stands and dressers. Most of the fatalities were head injuries in small children. The reporting methods may not be complete or accurate. Some authors in the literature review suggested preventive measures so as to decrease these injuries. Forensic scientists should become familiar with these injuries and measures so that they may communicate effectively with their communities.     

流产的病因及其法医学鉴定中应注意的问题

流产的病因复杂多样,常见的原因有:遗传基因的异常、免疫疾病、内分泌异常、精子异常等。其他如感染、生殖器官疾病、全身性疾病、环境因素、外伤及其精神刺激与手术等也会导致流产。在法医学鉴定中,对于外伤后流产应排除非外伤性流产因素后,才能认定外伤性流产。     

Mediated and unmediated access to the past: Assessing the memoir as literary genre

A survey was conducted of a number of younger generation members of Estonian and Latvian émigré communities (11 and 16 subjects, respectively) who had ‘returned’ to the ancestral homeland, to determine the reasons for their decision. A detailed questionnaire was provided for the respondents. Attempts were made to ascertain the subjects’ level of ‘Latvianness’ or ‘Estonianness’ and their emotional commitment to their new-found homeland. While the small sample may not provide definitive answers, the study gives richly suggestive insights into the thought processes and motivations of these young Baltic people.     

Schmorl's nodes in an American military population: frequency, formation, and etiology

This research investigates the frequency of Schmorl's nodes in differing populations, with new data from a skeletal sample from the Central Identification Laboratory (CIL) at the Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command, while also reviewing the etiology of Schmorl's node formation. Processes implicated in Schmorl's node formation include trauma, old age, disease, intrinsic abnormalities, and biomechanical factors, and they correlate with Schmorl's node formation to varying degrees. A survey of research from the anthropology and medical literature revealed Schmorl's node population frequencies ranging from 8 to 80%. The current study consists of two samples, one derived from CIL case reports and one analyzing skeletal remains. The case report sample yielded a Schmorl's node frequency of 19.8%. The examined sample yielded a frequency of 73.7%. The disparate frequencies reported are likely due mainly to differences in completeness and observability. It is likely that trauma was a major factor in the formation of Schmorl's nodes in the CIL study.     

致伤工具微量残留物提取和检验研究

目的研究猪皮损伤创口内微量物证提取检验方法,探索致伤工具残留物成分认定方法。方法用锤子打击猪皮,并用滤纸、棉花棒提取损伤创口的微量物质,应用扫描电镜X射线能谱技术检验,确定致伤工具成分。结果猪皮残留微小颗粒可以定量地与锤子成分进行比对检验,扫描电镜X射线能谱技术可对微小颗粒成分分析。结论该方法可以作为致伤工具成分认定的参考,对致伤工具推断具有现实意义。     

The Forensic Implications of Amphetamine Intoxication in Cases of Inflicted Blunt Craniocerebral Trauma

The effects of D‐amphetamine on outcome after blunt craniocerebral trauma are characterized and the potential legal implications discussed. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) was induced under general anesthesia in adult, male Sprague Dawley rats using the impact acceleration model. At 10 min prior to injury, D‐amphetamine (5 mg/kg) or saline vehicle was administered subcutaneously; animals were subsequently assessed over a 7‐day period post‐trauma for motor outcome using a rotarod device. D‐amphetamine treated animals performed significantly better (p < 0.001; ANOVA) than vehicle treated controls on their motor assessment, suggesting that D‐amphetamine exposure prior to injury either is neuroprotective or enhances motor performance. It is possible, therefore, that an individual who has taken amphetamines may function at a better motor level after head trauma than one who has not been exposed to the drug. Future interpretations of the potential effects of amphetamines on TBI should include this possibility.