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Biomedical subjects

B Brinkmann

Publications and source records attributed to B Brinkmann.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

[Introduction of a new method of study in legal medicine: high grade direct roentgen magnification with a 1 micron roentgen focus tube].

The 1 mu focal spot x-ray tube, which had been developed for industrial purposes, allows for the first time high grade direct radiographic magnification. The first results with this new technique in forensic medicine are presented. Due to the high proportion of soft radiation, tiny glass fragments which can not be detected with conventional radiographic techniques, are visualized in the radiographic magnification. Furthermore, these foreign bodies can clearly be differentiated from other contrasted structures, like dust particles, subcutaneous fat etc.

Ear Ossicles↗

[Morphologic identification of mummified tissue traces].

Post mortem tissue samples from various human organs (skin, muscle, liver, kidney, brain) were stored at room temperature for a period of one year. During this time the samples were regularly histologically tested. Without any pretreatment of the samples a histological preparation and identification was no longer possible after only a few hours. By the use of a rehydration solution consisting of absolute ethanol (30 ml), aqua dest. (50 ml) and 0.2 M phosphate buffer pH 7.0 (20 ml) a reconstitution and identification was again possible. Further immunhistochemical examinations were also unaffected by the solution. The use of microwave stimulation allowed a reduction of the rehydration process from 24 hours to only 4 hours.

Brain↗

[Problems concerning pedestrians run over while in prone position].

By the analysis of 54 traffic accidents involving prone, run-over people it is shown that the vast majority were drunken males who lay on the road during the night and were there driven over. There are many reasons for the "lying on the road" including, falling due to sickness, voluntary lying for suicide, falling of lying due to an alcoholic condition. For evidence respectively exclusion a previous accident, the clothing must be precisely examined for trace evidence (textile changes, transfer of paint, glass fragments, tyretread patterns, skidmarks from shoes). An analysis of skin, bones and internal organs indicates the cause of the injuries (driving into, throwing on to, throwing off and rolling over).

Accidents, Traffic↗

[Hanging: suicide or homicide?].

Death by Hanging: Suicide or Homicide. Six cases of homicidal hanging and murder presented as suicidal hanging are recorded. Suspension followed strangulation by ligature or throttling and head injuries in 4 cases. Distinction between homicide and suicide was easy in 5 cases: two of the perpetrators gave themselves up to the police, one committed suicide immediately after he had hanged his 15 year old daughter; in two cases tracks of blood, heavy injuries of the victims, and traces of robbery were obvious. Unless the victim is an infant or an adult person incapacitated by drink, disease, or drugs, or unless there are several assailants murder is difficult to accomplish. Distinction between murder and suicide may be impossible by an examination of the body alone. Detailed investigation of the scene, reconstruction of the position of the suspended body, examination of the rope, the knots, the direction of the fibres on the rope may serve to discover homicidal hanging. - Compared to suicidal hanging homicide has a frequency of about 1% in our autopsy material. However, we cannot estimate the number of obscure cases.

Adult↗

[2 suicides with self-fabricated gunshot devices: technical forensic and morphologic ballistic characteristics].

Two suicides with home-made guns firing conventional ammunition are reported. Three different classes of homemade guns can be distinguished. Special characteristics of the interior and exterior ballistics of the home-made guns caused unusual muzzle imprints, intensive soot deposits at the entrance wounds and on the hands, intensive CO-effects, burns and in one case a skin laceration of the hand holding the weapon. The bullets showed a reduced penetration depth, characteristic firing marks were missing.

Adult↗

[Stain examination with DNA technology--a retrospective analysis].

The extended possibilities of forensic stain analyses during recent years have mainly resulted from the application of DNA technology. Among the VNTR polymorphisms, one can differentiate between five consecutive generations of systems, i.e. multi locus systems (MLS), single locus systems (SLS), so-called AMPFLP's (amplificable fragment length polymorphisms), short tandem repeats (STR's), micro satellite systems. The routine application in our laboratory lets us distinguish 3 phases: (I) RFLP phase (MLS+SLS); (II) combined application of RFLP-SLS and AMPFLP's; (III) PCR phase (combined application of AMPFLP's and STR's.--Investigations applying conventional blood group systems and RFLP analysis have been cancelled in phase III. Since 1989 328 cases have been investigated. The number of cases per year was doubled in phase III compared to phase I, but the proportion of DNA determination has been increased by app. 800%. Although in phase III the stain material was on average more degraded and quantitatively smaller the application of STR systems was successful in 90% of all cases and therefore much more effective than other systems. Compared to phase I, the probabilities of inclusion were smaller in phase III. Problematic stains were more often investigated. Also, a strategic change has occurred. New standards had to be elaborated, i.e. to the avoidance of contamination, to the critical evaluation of stain composition and to the validation of systems.

Blood Grouping and Crossmatching↗

[Detection and documentation of masked blood stains with infrared technique].

On dark textiles the visualization of blood stains with the naked eye is either difficult or impossible. In experimental stains and in case work stains we have applied an infrared (IR) video camera in combination with a video printer. As an alternative, an IR goggle was used which could also be connected with a video printer. The results obtained on a variety of different stains and stain carriers are encouraging. Stains showing poor contrast usually become more contrasted. Stains which are partly masked can become complete. Masked stains can become visible. The system is not effective in all combinations of stains and carriers. But it solves a great proportion of formerly problematic cases. Documentation of results is quite easy if a videoprinter is used.

Blood Stains↗