Sulfide concentrations in postmortem mammalian tissues

Postmortem changes in sulfide concentrations in body tissues were examined in autopsied rats exposed to hydrogen sulfide concentrations of 550 to 650 ppm, and in nonexposed rats and humans. Analyses were made by gas chromatography, following an extractive alkylation. Sulfide concentrations in the blood, liver, and kidneys of rats increased in both the exposed and nonexposed groups, depending on the lapse of time after death. On the other hand, the lung, brain, and muscle showed little or no change in sulfide concentration with elapse of time after death. The data obtained from human tissues were almost the same as those for rats, except data for blood, in which no or little increase of sulfide was observed.     

Forensic discrimination of match heads by elemental analysis with inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

In arson and bombing cases, matches are often used as the ignition method. We have investigated the use of elemental analysis by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry to discriminate match heads used in arson cases. Six elements, magnesium, aluminum, calcium, iron, zinc, and barium, in match heads were detected after the match heads were dissolved in HNO3, and these elements were quantified in 8 wood stick matches and 5 paper stick matches by means of calibration curves prepared from standard sample solutions. Using this method, we were able to distinguish all the matches from one another both before and after combustion. The method has the potential to be very useful for resolving arson cases.     

5-(4-Nitrophenyl)-2,4-pentadien-1-al (NPPD) used as a tracer by nonscientists at a simulated crime scene

5-(4-Nitrophenyl)-2,4-pentadien-1-al (NPPD) was used as a tracer by nonscientists at a simulated crime scene. A card with both a plastic-coated smooth surface and a porous cellulose matrix paper surface was coated with a methanol solution containing 0.5mg/mL of NPPD. The card was touched with bare fingers and fingers covered by a cotton glove. A color-change protocol was then used to detect the presence of NPPD. The bare fingers or the fingers of gloves were swabbed with a cotton swab, or the parts of the glove that had touched the card were cut out. The swabs or the cloth pieces were dipped in methanol, a 0.1% methanol solution of naphthoresorcinol was added, and then concentrated hydrochloric acid was added. The observation of a red color at this point indicated a positive test. NPPD was easily observed in the experiments involving bare fingers, but no color change was observed from the swabbing of the cotton glove. However, when the cloth pieces cut from the fingers of the glove were subjected to the test, the red color was observed. In an attempt to enhance the sensitivity of the test, the volumes of the reagent solutions were reduced, but no improvement in sensitivity was obtained.     

Population data on the AmpF/STR Identifiler loci in Africans and Europeans from South Africa

Allele frequencies of 15 short tandem repeat (STR) loci, D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818 and FGA, were determined for 98 unrelated Africans from South Africa and 98 unrelated Europeans from South Africa using the AmpFlSTR Identifiler PCR amplification kit. The genotype frequency distributions of the 15 STR loci were in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for both populations.     

Returning to the Original Point of Normalization of China-Japan Relations and Renewing Peaceful and Friendly Relations between Governments

正Japan and China are neighbors that cannot move away from each other.Thus,it’s quite natural that there are quarrels between them because we are so close to each other.There is no other option between Japan and China except peace and friendship.On the occasion of the 3rd Anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China diplomatic relations on September 29,1975,in order to solidify the     

A novel method for the identification of saliva by detecting oral streptococci using PCR

We have used DNA amplification methods to detect common oral bacterial strains to test for the presence of saliva in forensic samples. Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus mutans were detected in various forms of saliva samples, whereas these streptococci were not detected in semen, urine, vaginal fluid, or on skin surfaces. Therefore, we demonstrated that these streptococci are promising new marker for the forensic identification of saliva. Our data indicated that S. salivarius is more reliable than S. mutans as an indicator of saliva presence, because the detection rates for S. salivarius and S. mutans by this method were 100% and 90%, respectively. Furthermore, S. salivarius was detected in all saliva stain samples, whereas S. mutans was only identified in 60% of the stains. Finally, using this method we were able to successfully detect S. salivarius and S. mutans in mock forensic samples. We therefore suggested that this method is useful for the identification of saliva in forensic science.     

A simple identification method of saliva by detecting Streptococcus salivarius using loop-mediated isothermal amplification

We previously reported that detection of Streptococcus salivarius is feasible for proving the presence of saliva in a forensic sample. Here, a simple and rapid method for the detection of S. salivarius in forensic samples was developed that uses loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). The LAMP primer set was designed using S. salivarius-specific sequences of glucosyltransferase K. To simplify the procedure, the sample was prepared by boiling and mutanolysin treatment only, and the entire analytical process was completed within 2.5 h. The cut-off value was set at 0.1 absorbance units, measured at 660 nm, upon termination of the reaction. S. salivarius was identified in all saliva samples, but was not detected in other body fluids or on the skin surface. Using this method, S. salivarius was successfully detected in various mock forensic samples. We therefore suggest that this approach is useful for the identification of saliva in forensic practice.