Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Dirnhofer

Publications and source records attributed to R Dirnhofer.

83 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1975

[Concerning survival time in primary hematomas of the brain-stem (author's transl)].

The autopsy on a 54-year old man, who had a motorcycle-accident 17 days before and suffered a head injury, showed a large traumatic hemorrhage in the oral pontine region. The lesion must be considered primarily traumatic because of the brain-stem symptoms which appeared immediately after the accident (immediate unconsciousness, extension spasms, miosis) the macroscopic and histological findings (proliferation around the hemorrhage, hematoidin in the centre of the hemorrhage) and the biomechanical circumstances (impact on the occiput). Furthermore, considering the clinical findings and the autopsy results, pathogenetic factors which might have produced secondary hemorrhage seem to be unlikely. It seems as if the timing of death after traumatic hemorrhage in the oral pontine region depends less on the direct lesion in these areas, but on the extension of the hemorrhage to the caudal brainstem with concomittant edema. For the differentiation between primary and secondary brainstem lesions the duration of the survival time is therefore only of relative significance.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Extended CT scale overcomes restoration caused streak artifacts for dental identification in CT--3D color encoded automatic discrimination of dental restorations.

OBJECTIVE: Besides DNA, dental radiographs play a major role in the identification of victims in mass casualties or in corpses with major postmortem alterations. Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly applied in forensic investigations and is used to scan the dentition of deceased persons within minutes. We investigated different restoration materials concerning their radiopacity in CT for dental identification purposes. METHODS: Extracted teeth with different filling materials (composite, amalgam, ceramic, temporary fillings) were CT scanned. Radiopacities of the filling materials were analyzed in extended CT scale images. RESULTS: Radiopacity values ranged from 6000-8500HU (temporary fillings), 4500-17000HU (composite fillings) and >30710HU (Amalgam and Gold). The values were used to define presets for a 3D colored volume rendering software. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of filling material caused streak artifacts could be distinctively reduced for the assessment of the dental status and a postprocessing algorithm was introduced that allows for 3D color encoded visualization and discrimination of different dental restorations based on postmortem CT data.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Self-strangulation?].

A sixty year old man was found stangled to death with a part-elastic belt. As the ecchymosis, which are typically found above the mark of strangling, were missing, considerable doubt emerged at first as to the cause of death and to a suicide by strangling. Measurements of the elasticity of the instrument of strangulation, of the size of the neck and the head, as well as self-experiments aimed at reconstruction the circumstances had, in pathophysiological respect, the result of a method of self-strangulation similar to a typical hanging. The remaining circumstances also point to a suicide.

Forensic Medicine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Etiology of combined inhalational hydrocyanic acid and carbon monoxide poisoning].

A young man was found dead in a kitchen, that was partly burnt. Autopsy revealed, as cause of death, a combined intoxication following inhalation of carbon monoxide and hydrocyanic acid. Own investigations on the pyrolysis of pieces of furniture found in the kitchen (plastic plates containing melamine and plates containing formaldehyde) showed, that hydrocyanic acid was liberated through combustion of such substances and inhaled by the victim. The poisoning picture is discussed, and discussion includes especially considerations on the peculiar sensitivity of the brain toward the action of hydrocyanic acid and the relative insensitivity of the heart muscle. It is thought that the cause of such sensitivity difference lies in the physiological differences of the intracellular energy production. Finally the dangers of combustion gases developing from burning plastic materials are reemphasized.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Heat thrombosis of burned skin].

The vital reaction to heat-induced thrombosis is discussed here using a case of sudden death in the Sauna. The dead body was lying for about one hour in the heat (90 degrees C). Beside the beginning formation of bubbles there was subcutaneous blood vessel exposition, especially in parts outside of the Livor mortis. The cause of death was viral infection with florid Myocarditis.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A spectacular sailing accident. A contribution to the problem of combined/concurrent causes of death in high-voltage injuries].

During a sailing maneuvre the mast of the boat was brought into contact with a high-voltage transmission line; the metal parts of the boat caused a ground connection into the water. At first, the four men on board the boat attempted to interrupt the flow of electric current. In doing so, one of them got into the electric circuit and became unconscious. A second sailer jumped into the water, in order to save his unconscious colleague by pulling him ashore. This attempt, however, was not successful. Only the bodies of the two sailors could be recovered by divers. The forensic findings concerning each of the two bodies, as well as the results of an on-the-spot examination done with the help of the two survivors of the accident, are discussed with emphasis on the electrophysical laws related to the causes of death.

Accidents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Intracerebral hemorrhage in a burn victim--burn hematoma, salvage injury or intra vitam origin?].

Central sections of the brain of a severely charred, mortified cadaver showed extensive centers of hemorrhage which had partly ovular and partly slash forms. There was no doubt of the traumatic origin of the hemorrhage. Whether the origin occurred vitally or post-mortum, could only be established after reconstructing the case at the scene of the event and checking the testimonies of the firemen. The origin was traced back to the use of force during the recovery action made on the body.

Burns↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Clarification of a break-in theft crime by multiplex PCR analysis of cigarette butts].

This paper describes the first use of multiplex PCR amplification kits for the analysis of DNA extracted from cigarette butts in a criminal case. Two suspects could be excluded as potential contributors to the samples, whereas the multi locus PCR-based DNa profile derived from the cigarette butts was consistent with a DNA profile derived from a third suspect. For identity testing in criminal cases where cigarette butts are involved, commercially available PCR amplification kits provide currently the most powerful tool. Furthermore this PCR-based analysis can be implemented into most application orientated laboratories.

DNA↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A foldable cardboard box for drying and storage of by cotton swab collected biological samples].

The ability to perform successful DNA analysis on biological evidence obtained at a crime scene or during a sexual assault examination depends very much on the first step--how specimens are collected and preserved. Body fluids and their wet or dry stains, are often recovered using dry cotton swabs or cotton swabs moistened with sterile water or saline. In order to prevent decomposition and deterioration of a specimen, resulting in degradation or loss of DNA, it is recommended to either air dry or freeze these swabs as soon as possible after collection. We designed a simple, foldable cardboard box, which is suitable for the drying and storage of biological evidence collected on cotton swabs. Immediately after collection swabs are placed into the drying racks within the cardboard box, which is subsequently folded, labeled, sealed and initialed. At room temperature swabs completely air dry within the sealed box within 6-9 hours. In this box the evidence is properly packed, labelled and sealed, thus preventing cross contamination, degradation and sample switch. It is a valuable device for the collection of biological evidence at a crime scene, during sexual assault examinations, and for the collection of buccal swabs for PCR-based databasing and paternity testing.

DNA↗