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Biomedical subjects

R Vock

Publications and source records attributed to R Vock.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Massive hemorrhage causes changes in morphometric parameters of lung capillaries and concentration of leukocytes in microvasculature.

The study examines the changes in morphometric lung parameters caused by a massive acute blood loss. Three groups of rats were compared: In one group, massive hemorrhage was elicited prior to instillation of the fixative; in the first reference group, standard instillation fixation was performed, and in the second, the circulation was abruptly stopped before instillation of the fixative by contracting a snare around the atrioventricular sulcus of the heart. The two reference groups showed identical morphometric data except for the capillary erythrocyte volume density and its derived parameters, since the standard lung fixation procedure leads to a certain hemoconcentration in the lung microvasculature, as described previously. In the hemorrhage group the capillary volume was reduced to 43% of the value of the snare group. Together with a decrease in morphometric hematocrit (from 0.43 to 0.29), this led to a reduction of the erythrocyte volume to 27%. The alveolar surface area remained unchanged, the capillary surface area showed a tendency to be smaller in the hemorrhage group. As a consequence, the morphometric estimate for the pulmonary oxygen diffusing capacity DLO2 was reduced to about 40% of the controls. A surprising finding was the high leukocyte content in the capillaries after hemorrhage, suggesting that the leukocytes are retained in the capillaries even after severe blood loss.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Fatal propane-butane poisoning].

Two lethal poisonings by butane and propane are described, and the corresponding concentrations in the body fluids and organ tissues are evaluated. One case appeared to be an accident after deliberate inhalation for butane, one was a suicide. The mechanism of the inhalation could be reconstructed in both cases. The concentrations in the biological material agreed well with observations in similar cases.

Accidents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Fatal child abuse (caused by physical violence) in Germany during 1 January 1985 to 2 October 1990. Results of a multicenter study].

UNLABELLED: No reliable data are available on cases of lethal child abuse (by active force) in the area of Federal Republic of Germany prior to reunification (the former West Germany). In a multicenter study we therefore examined the police and court records for such cases occurring in the period 1 January 1985 to 2 October 1990 in nearly the entire area of Federal Republic of Germany. RESULTS: The study center received information on 58 cases of lethal child abuse. Extrapolated to all institutes of legal medicine, this corresponds to 62 cases in all of West Germany in the period studied. An approximately equal number of unreported cases should be added to this figure. Including unreported cases, at least 20 cases of lethal child abuse occurred per year; thus only one in every two cases ever came to light. Almost two thirds of the victims were younger than one year old. At autopsy 59% exhibited signs of repeated abuse at autopsy. By far the most common cause of death was direct impact from a blunt object, usually to the head. Mostly, the male person to whom the victim relates most closely (father, stepfather, partner of the mother) has killed the child. Twenty-one of the 74 persons charged saw the charges against them dropped or were acquitted due to lack of evidence; 51 received sentences ranging from one year probation to life. In the remaining two cases the outcome of the trial was unknown. Signs of abuse were readily apparent at autopsy in almost all cases. The high number of unreported cases underscores the need to educate medical students and practicing physicians to be on the look-out for signs of abuse and argues for an increase in the rate of autopsy.

Autopsy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Inhalation heat shock].

Using the example of a recent case, we examine the possibilities of trace analysis and fire protection techniques in the investigation of fire deaths. The effective cooperation between forensic pathologists and fire inspectors is presented and we discuss the mathematical-physical uses of fire simulation calculations. We review the trace analysis results and discuss the variety of technical possibilities of modern engineering techniques for fire protection.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Fatal child neglect in West Germany 1 January 1985 to 2 October 1990. Results of a multicenter study].

UNLABELLED: Up to now reliable data were available on cases of lethal child neglect in the area of the Federal Republic of Germany prior to reunification (the former West Germany). In a multicenter study we therefore examined the police and court records for such cases occurring in the period from 1 January 1985 to 2 October 1990 in nearly the entire area of Federal Republic of Germany. RESULTS: The study center received information on 19 cases of lethal child neglect. Extrapolated to all institutes of legal medicine, this corresponds to 20 cases and thus 3.5 cases a year in the whole of West Germany in the period studied. There is to be added a dark-field which cannot be limited more precisely. However, the cases of fatal child neglect might have occurred much more seldom than fatal child abuse caused by use of physical violence. Slightly more than half the victims were younger than 1 year, the oldest one was 7 10/12 years old. Most frequently the children died of starvation and thirst. Mostly the mothers/nursing mothers killed the child alone or together with the victim's father/stepfather. In the majority of the cases there was not a close affection between parents and child. Nearly 30% female/male perpetrators suffered from chronic alcohol abuse. Only 15 (= 56%) of 27 female/male perpetrators were sentenced to imprisonment (period between 7 months on probation and 10 years). Mitigation circumstances existed for nearly half the persons sentenced to imprisonment. It is true that child neglect is a rarer crime, but the experts of legal medicine always have to indicate errors made during the external inspection of the corpse (among others failures to see indications of neglect).

Cause of Death↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Lethal child abuse (through the use of physical force) in the German Democratic Republic during the period 1 January 1985 to 2 October 1990. Results of a multicenter study].

UNLABELLED: No reliable data are available on cases of lethal child abuse (by active force) in the area of the former German Democratic Republic. In a multicenter study we therefore examined the police and court records for such cases occurring in the period 1 January 1985 to 2 October 1990 in the entire area of the former German Democratic Republic. RESULTS: The study center received information on 39 cases of lethal child abuse which correspond to approximately 7 cases per year. However, a low percentage of undetected crimes which cannot be determined more precisely has to be taken into consideration. Almost 40% of the victims were younger than 1 year, 73% of the victims showed indications of repeated ill-treatment. The effects caused by using direct blunt forces, against the head in particular, were by far the most frequent causes of death. The male contact person (the victim's father, brother or stepfather as well as the life companion of the child's mother in particular) killed the child in most of the cases. As far as it is known, 37% of the male/female offenders suffered from chronic alcoholism; 32% of the male/female offenders were under the influence of alcohol when the crime happened. 83% of the male/female offenders who were found guilty made a confession shortly after the crime had happened or during the interrogations. Almost all the male/female offenders were sentenced to prison (the duration of the imprisonment varied between one year and for life). Due to the considerably lower section rate compared to the one in the German Democratic Republic, it is to fear that each second fatal child abuse is not detected in the new federal states.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Suicide by a locomotive with unusual transport of suicide victims].

Two suicides are described in which the victims were transported for 400 m and 16 km (!) hanging from the locomotive's hook coupling. According to the Deutsche Bahn AG, it would be possible for a body caught on a coupling to be dragged for almost 600 km without being discovered. Upon discovery of such a body, the police must search long stretches of the railroad tracks.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Fatal child neglect in East Germany 1 January 1985 to 2 October 1990. Results of a multicenter study].

UNLABELLED: No reliable data are available on cases of lethal child neglect in the area of the former German Democratic Republic. In a multicenter study we therefore examined the police and court records for such cases occurring in the period 1 January 1985 to 2 October 1990 in the entire area of the former German Democratic Republic. RESULTS: A total of 9 cases were reported to the study center. This does not include undetected cases, whose number, though indeterminate, is probably small due to the general obligation to perform autopsies on all children dying before their 16 birthday. Just over half of all victims were less than one year old, the oldest was 3 1/2 years old. Starvation and severe dehydration were by far the most common causes of death; in half of cases these occurred in combination with hypothermia. Most often mother killed their children by neglect, either alone or together with the victim's father. In the majority of cases no close bond existed between the parents and the child. Seventy percent of the perpetrators were chronic alcoholics. All 10 of the perpetrators were sentenced to imprisonment for periods ranging from one year to life long. Mitigating circumstances were presented at the sentencing phase of the trial on behalf of 20% of those convicted. The experience of legal medical and pathological institutes in the former German Democratic Republic underscores the need to perform an autopsy on all deceased infants and young children. Only this can ensure that no cases of lethal child neglect are overlooked.

Cause of Death↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Casuistics of unusual death from loss of blood].

7 cases of unusual natural and unnatural death due to loss of blood are reported. The case reports show the important role of acute and chronic alcohol abuse in this context. They also demonstrate the problems of necropsy caused by the unusual and suspicious situation, in which the corpses are often found; even in cases of natural death sometimes the first aspect arouses the suspicion of a crime.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[2 fatalities due to hyperthermia in infancy. A contribution to forensic medicine case reports of death caused by heat].

Two infants aged 4 1/2 and 8 months are reported to have been exposed to overheating by an electric blanket and a heating fan in bed for a period of up to approx. 19 hours. Dehydration complicated the effects of overheating. Due to the case history in combination with the autopsy and histological findings as well as the absence of toxicological findings the following diagnosis could be established: "Death from exhaustion as a consequence of long-lasting heat effect and dehydration." The necessity of thorough investigations in causes of death during infancy is shown by means of the two cases above. If possible, the rectal temperature should already be taken by the coroner. The public should get informed about the risks caused by the use of electric cushions, heating fans as well as floorboard heating.

Cause of Death↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Determination of questionable suicide as a homicide by studies of criminal stains].

In a woman found dead with cuts on both arms in a domestic sauna plastered with blood were assumed next to a bleed to death. The question self-infliction or by a third party of arm injuries could not be decided. By investigation of blood traces only could be clarified the cause of death. The husband had strangled his wife and inflicted several cuts on both arms with a razor blade to simulate suicide. Afterwards, he also inflicted several cuts on himself with a razor blade with the intention of suicide. He survived these injuries.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[At first a clear case: homicide by injury to the neck].

Reported is of a 33 year old female found dead in the basement of her home, manifesting strangulation/throttling marks on the neck. The attack on the throat was, however, not cause of death but a CO intoxication. This woman was killed by direct inhalation of 99% carbon monoxid administered by her husband (via a mask or hose). The carbon monoxid was obtained from a gas cylinder normally used for medical purposes.

Adult↗