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Biomedical subjects

C Schyma

Publications and source records attributed to C Schyma.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

[Dangers of blank firearms--risk of injury and expert assessment].

Starters' pistols have a wounding potential which strongly depends on the shot range and the combination of weapon and ammunition. The detrimental effect consists of five aspects: gas pressure, particles, thermal effect, chemical irritation and shooting noise. Fatal injuries are caused by contact shots in the head, neck or chest. Shots from less than 5 cm distance can lead to loss of the eye. Particles work as small projectiles at distances of less than 50 cm and cause powder tattooing, concerning the eye however severe cornea injuries are possible. The thermal effect can be observed with shooting distances of up to 30 cm. The chemical irritation depends on the kind of irritant and the exposure of the victim. The acoustic trauma leads in some cases to irreversible lesions of the inner ear, depending on the distance and the position of the victim to the weapon. To provide evidence of shooting, the polyvinyl-alcohol method (PVAL), adhesive films and the examination of clothing are recommended. For the shot range, determination imaging procedures (microfocus X-ray, infrared optics etc.) and analytic methods like X-ray fluorescence (EDX) are used. A reconstruction of injury cases is performed with gelatine models (Fackler system) used in wound ballistics.

Expert Testimony↗
PubMed2000

Neck injuries caused by being run over by a motor vehicle.

We report a homicide involving the use of a motor vehicle and simulating a traffic accident. This observation was the reason for a retrospective analysis of neck injuries in victims of traffic accidents, in which a person has been run over (RO) by a motor vehicle. The autopsy material of two institutes from 1990-1996 was used. The following findings were obtained in 63 victims: laryngohyoid fractures (LH-fx): 10 cases (16%) with a clear difference between the institutes (22% versus 7%). This resulted from examination with special regard to such injuries in many cases at one of the institutes, whereas only autopsy reports were taken retrospectively from the other institute. Five of these cases had suffered only minor LH-fx (as seen frequently in strangulation), although extensive run over (RO) injuries of the other cervical tissues were present. All LH-fx were caused by direct compression of the neck; in eight of the cases they were combined with mandibular fractures. Petechial hemorrhages (petH) at the eye lids/conjunctivae were seen in 19 cases (30%); 16 of these were related to thorax RO injuries, three to abdominal RO only. Four cases involved LH-fx, petH as well as cervical skin lesions and additional cervical soft tissue hemorrhages. Interpretation can be extremely difficult with this combination of findings if the character of the event cannot be established as accidental beyond doubt on the basis of the circumstances.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2000

The accelerated polyvinyl-alcohol method for GSR collection--PVAL 2.0.

The polyvinyl-alcohol collection method (PVAL) is used in forensic practice to gather topographical information about gunshot residues (GSR) from the hands to decide if the subject has made use of firearms. The results allow a distinction between suicide and homicide. The only inconvenience of PVAL was that the procedure took about 60 min because three layers of liquid PVAL had to be applied and dried. Therefore, the collection method was only applied to corpses. The improved and accelerated PVAL 2.0 uses a sandwich technique. Cotton gauze for stabilization is moistened with a 10% PVAL solution. A solid film of PVAL (Solublon) is spread on the cotton mesh. The gauze is then modeled to the hand and dried with a hair dryer. After removing the cotton gauze, the traces are embedded in the water-soluble PVAL. The procedure does not take more than 15 min. The results demonstrate the qualities and advantages of PVAL: topographical distribution of GSR, highest gain of GSR, sampling of all other traces like blood, backspatter etc., and humidity does not reduce the gain. In addition, with the new PVAL 2.0 dislocation of GSR or contamination are excluded. PVAL 2.0 can also be applied on live suspects.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1999

[Greater success by cooperation between claim review experts and the police].

The examination of claims settlement in life assurance usually begins when police investigation is finished. During the acute phase of police investigation there is very rarely contact between the police and the life insurance company concerned. The advantages of early cooperation are demonstrated by two case reports. Immediate communication during the first four days after death initially helps the police investigators; later the life insurance company profits from the accelerated examination of the insured event.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

DNA-PCR analysis of bloodstains sampled by the polyvinyl-alcohol method.

Among the usual techniques of sampling gunshot residues (GSR), the polyvinyl-alcohol method (PVAL) includes the advantage of embedding all particles, foreign bodies and stains on the surface of the shooter's hand in exact and reproducible topographic localization. The aim of the present study on ten persons killed by firearms was to check the possibility of DNA-PCR typing of blood traces embedded in the PVAL gloves in a second step following GSR analysis. The results of these examinations verify that the PVAL technique does not include factors that inhibit successful PCR typing. Thus the PVAL method can be recommended as a combination technique to secure and preserve inorganic and biological traces at the same time.

Blood Stains↗
PubMed1997

[Gunshot wounds--homicide, suicide or accident?].

Gunshot residues on the hand are an important evidence of shooting. Different methods for sampling gunshot residues from the hands are presented and critically analyzed. The topographic methods-adhesive film and polyvinyl alcohol technique (PVAL)-have serious advantages over the cumulative methods like tape-lift or cotton swab. Case examples demonstrate the limited interpretation of results with cumulative methods. Negative results of tape-lifts or cotton swabs can also be explained by the presence of blood or dirt, positive results however don't prove shooting. The sampling method with the highest gain of gunshot residues is the PVAL technique which takes about 2 hours of sampling traces. Therefore PVAL is mostly applied post mortem. PVAL shows the distribution of gunshot residues also on bloody hands and is a powerful instrument for the reconstruction of the firing position. But the final differentiation between homicide, suicide or accident is not only based on gunshot residues, but requires a complex analysis of all findings in a case (scene, blood traces, autopsy, shot range).

Accidents↗
PubMed1997

Traces of ricocheted action safety bullets.

Experimental gunshots were made with Action-1 and -3 ammunition (9 mm Luger) using a part dummy made of textile, pig skin, and gelatine as the target. After ricocheting off a concrete floor tile with impact angles of 15 degrees or 20 degrees, the deformed projectiles penetrated the gelatine block to a depth of between 21 and 37 cm. The ricochet angles varied between 5 degrees and 11 degrees. None of the bullets mushroomed after ricochet; a few bullets even overpenetrated. The ricocheted projectiles sprayed a substantial amount of copper particles onto the textile, and metallic fragments were also deposited along the bullet path. These traces were detected by high-resolution radiography. The Action-3 brass bullet was more resistant, had more kinetic energy, and was less deformed than the Action-1 copper bullet. The morphology of the wounds presented a very varied spectrum; round lesions were also observed. The results of the experimental study prove that ricocheted Action bullets present a serious risk of injury.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The MEN frangible: study of a new bullet in gelatin. Metallwerk Elisenhütte Nassau.

Experimental gunshots were made with 9 x 19 mm (9-mm Luger) Frangible ammunition using skin, gelatin, and bones as targets. Direct gunshots penetrated 50 cm into gelatin blocks without mushrooming or fragmentation. Skull bone was easily perforated. Head models were penetrated by the bullets, which broke down to myriad fragments within or outside the head. Gunshots through windshields and steel plates led to dangerous bullet fragmentation with a high risk of injury. Gunshots perforating tibias produced comminuted fractures. In all soft tissues, except the direct gunshots into gelatin, high-resolution radiography revealed many metallic fragments along the bullet path. Clinical radiography can show the larger copper fragments, but the explosion-like distribution of metallic foreign bodies in soft tissue is a serious surgical problem.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Radiological findings in gunshot wounds caused by hunting ammunition. An experimental study.

Experimental gunshots were made with hunting ammunition using a dummy model made of skin and foam rubber as the target. After penetration of intermediate targets of wood by the bullets, the characteristics of the wounds changed and their dimensions increased. The morphology of the wounds presented a very varied spectrum. When the gunshots had initially passed through wood 50 mm thick, radiographs of the skin showed a quantity of metallic residues between 10 microns and 1 mm. The metallic particles were wiped off the surface of the projectile by the target itself, whereby the best "wipe-off effect" was achieved with skin. The experimental findings suggest that the formation of the fine metallic residues is analogous to the development of the bullet wipe formed by lead bullets. Larger fragments flew into the target independently of the bullet and depending on the distance between the intermediate and final targets. A case example is documented.

Forensic Medicine↗
PubMed1996

[Reliability of back-calculation of blood alcohol concentration to the time of infraction].

In order to be able to give an accurate legal judgement of a drink driving offense, the BAC at the time of the offense has to be determined. The calculation which may be necessary is based on the time of blood sampling and on the time of the offense. The authors examined records of 854 blood samples taken in the years 1979 and 1989 with regards to the times recorded. Blood sampling recorded on the hour or on the half hour could be found four times more frequently than would have been statistically expected. Blood sampling recorded to the nearest five or ten minutes were documented three times as often as those ending on the exact minute. Times of the offense were recorded at least ten times as often to the nearest five minutes. The rounding up of times could cause discrepancies of more than 0.01% when calculating the BAC at the time of offense.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1995

[Time course of breath and blood alcohol concentration in disorders of lung function].

In order to examine the course of breath and blood alcohol concentration under the influence of disorders of pulmonary functions, tests were carried out on eight of each of the following groups: people without lung diseases, people with restrictive or obstructive lung diseases and people with lung over-flatulence. The oral ethanol intake consisted of 0.5 g/kg body weight in half an hour. The development of breath and blood alcohol concentration was determined by measurements over a period of three hours. During the absorption phase the breath alcohol concentration is greater than the blood alcohol concentration. This situation is reversed during the elimination phase. During the period of inflow, there is a higher alcohol concentration in the pulmonary circulation than in the peripheral-venous blood system. This is due to the distribution of ethanol. During the elimination phase the situation is reversed as the breakdown of alcohol occurs in the liver and this blood flows into the pulmonary system first. Within the framework of the given research conditions our examination results showed that there is no significant difference between directly and indirectly established blood alcohol concentration with regards to pulmonary disorders. By indirectly achieved measurements we mean measurements through breath alcohol. Given the relatively small number of test persons in our examinations further studies of the influence of pulmonary disorders seem necessary. These experiments would have to be carried out with a greater number of people or, alternatively with a higher alcohol intake in order not to overlook any possible, slight divergence from the rule.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Alcohol and traffic safety--study of epidemiology (II. 1990/1991 status].

With the co-operation of a further 13 institutes and as a continuation of our own epidemiological-statistical survey, we recorded the total and relative distribution (frequency profile) of the blood alcohol concentration of car drivers for the 3rd quarter 1990 and the 1st quarter 1991. The participating institutes recorded almost 27,000 blood samples and compared them with results of the first part of the study (1989). The survey dealt separately with sex-, age- and time of day-distribution of drivers involved and not involved in road accidents. One of our repeatedly presented field research into the problem of "alcohol and road safety", once again, provided to be a useful method in the run-up to the unprejudiced alcohol test which we are striving for. We noticed characteristic changes in the frequency profiles of the old and the new counties (Bundesländer) in Germany in the 1st (1989) and the 2nd (1990/91) report of the study. The results of Police supervisory operations in the administrative district of Cologne have basically given useful indications as to their epidemiological-statistical value as evidence.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1992

[Fatal pleasure trip--the "covered wagon catastrophe"].

17 rentiers from Hamburg took part in a trip with a covered wagon in the Siegerland. In a rugged field-path a screw in the bottom of the wagon, which was deficiently reconstructed, got loose. One of the benches tipped down so that the passengers who sat there fell backwards on the path and were covered by the rack, the lattice and the tilt. 6 persons in the age from 76 to 85 years died in the scene of accident. 3 others sustained contusions. The autopsy of the victims showed no signs of external violence, especially fractures of bones and no internal injuries. There were only found asphyctic petechial bleedings in the conjunctiva, partly in the mucous membrane of the mouth, in the facial region and the body. The internal findings corresponded to the age. The cause of death was an external, mechanical hindering of respiration because of the chest compression by the heavy wreckage.

Accidents↗
PubMed1992

[Alcohol and safety in street traffic--investigations in epidemiology and the approximation of traffic laws in Europe].

After an introductory presentation of the problem-complex, "Alcohol and Road Traffic Safety", and the past history of a danger-limiting value of 0.5%, the paper gives an extensive overview of the meaning, the development and the possibilities of an epidemiology (with statistics) of alcohol delinquency in road traffic. The various measures employed in different European countries for the combatting and punishment of "Alcohol in Road Traffic" as a cause of accidents will be thoroughly considered, and the necessary steps to be taken in the area of legislation, intensity of prosecution and penal sanctions will be pointed out. Our own epidemiological-statistical investigations with the cooperation of 28 further European institutes record the total distribution and the relative distribution of the blood alcohol concentration of listed road users and those listed who had been drinking, for the 2nd halve of 1989, in the institutes, governments and governmental groups taking part in the study. Thereby result characteristic frequency profiles with an assured tendency, and relative estimated numbers of unknown cases (beneath a BAC of 1%) as definite evidence of differing limiting value- and traffic surveillance-efficiency in various regions of Europe. The final conclusion will be drawn that the height of the limiting value alone is not able to make decisive contribution to an improvement in road traffic safety if the highly variable relativity of limiting value-efficiency is not considered at the same time, and complex, closely connected accompanying measures as an adjunct to legislation and the administration of justice are not carried out. Recommendations will be formulated concerning this matter. Further epidemiological-statistical analyses of the problem "Alcohol and Road Traffic Safety" are being prepared in cooperation with 16 European institutes and will be put together in a 2nd part of this multicenter study for T 92 (The 12th Conference of the International Committee on Alcohol, Drugs and Road-Safety in Cologne, 28. September-2. October 1992).

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A gun silencer of a special kind].

The authors report about a small bore pistol with silencer. In addition, the silencer can be sealed up by a rubber plate. This leads to a false estimation of the shooting distance. Also at close range shots the shot with the silencer and the rubber seal leaves hardly gunshot residues. The bullet wipe persists but microradiography shows his changed morphological composition. The use of the rubber seal leads predominantly to atypical bullet holes.

Autopsy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Homicide by burning].

Compared to the total number of deaths by heat (burning, scalding), homicides by the direct effect of thermal energy (setting the victim on fire, pouring hot liquids over them) are rare; accordingly this subject is seldom dealt with in forensic and criminological literature. From our own autopsy material three cases are presented describing some peculiarities of homicide by heat. Sometimes additional findings (e.g., residual traces of gagging or tying) primarily point in the direction of homicide.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[How dangerous are "mouse trap projectile traps"?].

The authors research by experiments to define the potency of wounding of a special mouse trap which belongs to the spring-guns. Besides the regular assigned 9 mm blank cartridge also the 9 x 17 mm "green" cattle stunning cartridge is tested. Shots were made on soap, cotton and skin on different conditions. As result the authors found that by close range shots (up to 1 cm) by the blank cartridge badly healing wounds are caused. The 600 Joule cattle stunning cartridge is able to mutilate the hand by contact shots.

Animals↗