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PubMed1996

Forensic pathology in northern Norway. Requested medico-legal autopsies in the counties of Finnmark and Troms 1973-1992.

The aim of this study was to analyse medico-legal autopsy rates among Norwegian citizens who died in the two northernmost counties of Norway during the 20-year period 1973-1992. Medico-legal autopsy rate was defined as the number of medico-legal autopsies divided by the total number of deaths. The rates were calculated according to year of death, manner of death, sex, age, police district and county. The material included 1539 medico-legal autopsies. In the total 20-year period 37.9% (n = 1113) of the violent deaths and 1.2% (n = 426) of the natural deaths were subjected to medico-legal autopsy. The annual rates increased gradually up to 1987. In the last 5-year period 51.7% of the violent deaths and 2.1% of the natural deaths were subjected to medico-legal autopsy. Among violent deaths in this period the medico-legal autopsy rates were: suicides 65.7%, motor vehicle traffic accidents 58.3%, falls 8.6%, and other violent deaths 77.1%. Females dying after a fall and due to natural causes were significantly less frequently than males subjected to medico-legal autopsy. These two categories of death also revealed a significant decrease in autopsy rate with increasing age (age group 0-29, 30-59 and > or = 60 years) in each 5-year period. In cases of violent death the medico-legal autopsy rate according to police district varied from 24.1% to 88.9% in the last 5-year period. In conclusion, medico-legal autopsy rates depended on manner of death, sex, age and police district, besides changes in legislation.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1998

[The diagnostic significance of "contraction bands" of striated muscle in forensic pathology].

The contraction bands of cardiac and skeletal muscle probes were studied. They were taken from autopsy cases with different death causes. The morphologic characteristics of the contraction bands that were closely related to diagnosis were carefully observed. It was found that the morphological patterns of the contraction bands were various and some were regularly seen for the death with certain causes. The forensic significance of the contraction bands was then discussed and it was suggested that the morphology of contraction bands of the striated muscle correlate to the type and structure of tissues as well as to the property of injuries.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Forensic pathology of heat-and cold-related injuries.

The human body must maintain a relatively constant temperature to function. The thermoregulatory system plus human behavior control the balance of heat loss and heat gain. Heat is produced at a relatively constant rate by the body's basal metabolism. Heat production can be increased by increasing skeletal muscular activity. Heat is lost from the body to the environment by conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation. Illness due to heat stress develops when the body gains more heat than it loses. Illness due to cold stress develops when the body loses more heat than it can produce or gain from external sources. During periods of extreme heat, mortality may rise sharply, sometimes to epidemic proportions. Because nearly all heat-related deaths are preventable, early detection of these deaths will allow appropriate preventive measures to be implemented. The autopsy findings in both heat-related and cold-related deaths are nonspecific. Information about environmental conditions, scene investigation, and the available medical history are very important in formulating the diagnosis.

Body Temperature Regulation↗
PubMed1995

Reaching conclusions in forensic pathology.

Conclusions on the results of autopsy examination may be reached on the basis of experience, rather than by a formal process of reasoning. Suggestions are made for developing more precise processes of diagnosis by logical methods.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1999

[Forensic pathology studies of sudden death caused by pulmonary embolism].

The analytic result of 50 sudden death cases caused by pulmonary embolism showed that their main causes were trauma (42%), heart diseases (32%), surgical operation (20%) and so on. In majority of these cases (80%), thrombus embolus came from deep veins of lower limbs, in some cases (20%) came from cardiac cavity. These cases occurred most frequently in the period of October to December and rarely in the period of April to June. Finally, some problems in forensic examination in this sort of sudden death were discussed in this article.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Myocardial contraction bands. Definition, quantification and significance in forensic pathology.

Pathological contraction bands affecting myocardial cells are observed in many different human conditions and in different experimental models. Their morphology was defined long ago but we need to understand the pathogenesis and functional meaning. A distinction between different histological forms of contraction bands and their quantification in a large spectrum of human diseases (262 cases) and a normal population sample where death was due to various types of accidental death (170 cases) produced the following conclusions: 1) The term "contraction band necrosis", as used presently, is ambiguous and should be reserved for a specific morpho-functional entity induced experimentally by intravenous catecholamine infusion and seen in equivalent human cases with pheochromocytoma. 2) In human pathology it may represent a sign of adrenergic stress linked with malignant arrhythmia/ventricular fibrillation. 3) Beyond a histological threshold of 37+/-7 foci and 322+/-99 myocells/100 mm2, the lesion may indicate sympathetic overdrive in the natural history of a disease and associated arrhythmogenic supersensitivity. 4) The detection of few pathological contraction bands in normal subjects in some types of accidental death correlates with the survival time, suggesting an agonal adrenergic stimulation to promote the cardiac pump.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

Introduction to the forensic pathology of cocaine.

During the last several years, a clearer understanding of cocaine's effects on the body has emerged. Metabolism and tissue distribution are better understood. A diverse group of cocaine-related illnesses have been reported, but many appear to share the underlying mechanism of catecholamine toxicity. Knowledge of cocaine's metabolism makes possible certain conclusions about route of ingestion, time of use, and patterns of abuse in general. Knowledge of the histologic alterations known to be associated with cocaine use can pinpoint cocaine as the cause of death, even in cases where there are negligible blood levels. What follows is a brief review of recent observations that bear on the forensic aspects of cocaine abuse.

Cocaine↗
PubMed1999

[Forensic pathology analysis of factors in causing trouble by schizophrenics].

We analyzed the data of different schizophrenics. The data of those who caused trouble were compared to those who did not cause trouble and to data of other mental patients. It was found that schizophrenics had a higher rate to cause trouble and commit murder. Schizophrenics who made trouble got worse therapeutic efficacy. They seldom got married and were not supported by their family. It is suggest that keeping strict supervision and providing good treatment to schizophrenics be positive ways to secure our society.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[The changes of GFAP and PCNA after human brain contusion: an immunohistochemical study in forensic pathology].

In order to find out changes of GFAP and PCNA after human brain trauma, samples of 38 cases were studied by the immunnohistochemistry method combined with quantitative image analysis. The gray degree and area of PCNA positive cells increased to the maximum at the 4th day and then decreased gradually. GFAP positive cells began to increase significantly 12 hours after contusion, reached the maximum at the 4th day and stayed in high level until the 7th day. These results suggest that: (1) GFAP, PCNA show regular changes with survival time after brain contusion; (2) GFAP and PCNA can be used as time markers of brain contusion from 2-20 days.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Diseases associated with asbestos exposure. Diagnostic perspectives in forensic pathology.

Asbestos, a fibrous mineral, has unique physical and chemical properties, including resistance to heat, acids, and other chemicals; flexibility; and great tensile strength. The fibers subdivide into unit fibrils of molecular dimensions, resulting in a vast mineral surface area which has a direct bearing on its unusual features and its numerous applications. Its biological effects, which include fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis, may be related to the cellular reaction, to its large specific surface, or to the size and shape of the fibers. Its oncogenic action may be multiplied by other carcinogens, principally cigarette smoking. There is clinical, pathologic, and epidemiologic evidence that exposure to asbestos, following a long latent period, constitutes an important health hazard. Direct occupational exposure, followed by a long lapsed period after the initial exposure, is associated with pleural plaques and pleural effusion, pulmonary parenchymal fibrosis (asbestosis), pulmonary carcinoma, pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, and other neoplasms. Indirect exposure may also entail an increased risk of lung disease or mesothelioma or both. Medicolegal investigation of suspected cases includes a lifetime occupational history, clinical history including smoking habits, radiological findings, clinical evidence of asbestosis, and may require detection of asbestos tissue burden.

Asbestos↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Explosion-related deaths in Sweden--a forensic-pathologic and criminalistic study.

All cases of death caused by explosions of explosive solids, fluids and gases in Sweden during the 6-year period 1979-1984 were analyzed. Among the total of 61 fatalities 33 (54%) were due to accidents (2/3 of them occupational and 1/3 miscellaneous accidents), 25 (41%) were suicides, and only 3 (5%) were associated with terrorist activity. About one half of the occupational accidents were caused by deficient safety devices or defective equipment, while the other half was due to transgression of regulations. All suicides were males, relatively elderly, the majority of them burdened with somatic and mental diseases, alcoholism, social or economical problems, most of them being familiar with explosives. The anatomical localization of suicidal explosive injuries was regular and symmetric, while the accidental and terrorist injuries showed great variations. The terrorist-associated deaths had common features different from all other death cases, strongly suggesting the same type of bomb and the same terrorist group. Explosives caused only superficial burns or singes. Symmetric hemorrhages of the vocal folds and fracture of the laryngeal skeleton were found, as well as ruptures of trachea and lungs. When not ruptured, the lungs showed to different types of injury: hyperinflation, probably due to the blast-induced barotrauma to the respiratory passages, or lung contusions. In cases of suspected terrorist explosions close collaboration between the forensic pathologists and police investigators is mandatory since the bodies of victims protect parts of the bomb from fire or from being spread over a larger area and thus constitute a part of the crime scene.

Accidents↗
PubMed1997

[The use of microwave for immunohistochemical technology in forensic pathology].

A microwave oven (MWO) of National brand was applied for Labeled Streptavidin Biotin immunohistochemical staining (LSAB method) on autopsy materials of 20 cases to detect 10 kinds of antigen of heart and brain: The keys to manipulate MWO as follows: (1) Recovery of antigen: submerge sections in 0.01M citrate buffer (pH 6.0), turn MWO to the position of DEF (210W) for 10 min, reaching temperature 92 degrees C-98 degrees C. (2) add normal serum, first antibody, second biotinylated antibody and streptavidin complex, then turn MWO to the position of LOW (70W) for 5 min, reaching temperature 20 degrees C-37 degrees C. Other steps were the same as the standards. Results showed: MWO can recover the destroyed or covered antigen, improve positive staining degree, reduce background's stain and shorten staining time.

Antigens↗
PubMed1999

[The changes of GFAP, PCNA after brain contusion: an immunohistochemical study in forensic pathology].

After the model of experimental brain contusion was set up, the changes of GFAP, PCNA were studied by immunohistochemistry SP method combined with image quantity analysis. After contusion, the gray degrees and areas of GFAP-positive cells increased significantly at the 3rd hour, reached the highest level in the 4th day and kept until the 7th day. PCNA-positive cells appeared in the 12th hour, simultaneously, their gray degrees tended to increase and positive areas tended to decrease. It showed regular changes of GFAP, PCNA with various survival times, and these changes were useful in the diagnosis of brain contusion especially in the period from the second to 7th day after injury. The numbers of astrocytes increased and reached the highest level in the 3rd day after contusion while the reactive proliferation of astrocytes is only a minor phenomenon.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Aspects of the hyoid-larynx complex in forensic pathology.

Post-mortem radiological studies of the hyoid-larynx complex on excised specimens were undertaken. The post-mortem specimens were fixed to polysterene boards by ratio-translucent plastic pins. Radiological examinations revealed a fracture of the left greater cornu of the hyoid bone in a case of suicidal hanging; a fracture through the calcified right superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage in a case of blunt trauma to the left side of the head and neck; and a fracture artefact through the middle of the left greater cornu of the hyoid bone through compression of the structure by manipulation during the process of removal of the neck structures. In each instance the fracture sites were exposed and photographed. The use of a technique which permits a radiological examination of free dissected specimens of the hyoid-larynx complex has many advantages in the medicolegal investigations of injuries of the neck.

Forensic Medicine↗
PubMed1994

Forensic pathology--a different perspective: investigative medicolegal systems in the United States.

The author's experience and impressions of the proceedings of the Office of the Medical Examiner, Cook County, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America are discussed. This experience demonstrates the limitations of the South African medicolegal system, particularly its lack of credibility among the greater proportion of the community. The medical examiner's office in the United States, being independent, enjoys credibility and the confidence of the community at large and of the courts, without alienating the police or other law enforcement agencies. These organizations feature in the medical examiner system by courtesy of the chief medical examiner. In the United States two types of investigative medicolegal systems coexist, sometimes in the same state or adjacent country: the coroner system (unlike the English coroner system) and the medical examiner system. Of the two, the coroner system is the older, is not always headed by a medically trained person, and is a political appointment. This system has been accused of lacking autonomy and scientific objectivity.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1992

[Sudden, unexplained infant death--sudden infant death syndrome. Forensic pathological aspects].

Delimitation of the sudden unexplained infant death syndrome (SIDS) is difficult as the diagnosis is made by exclusion. The difficulties in the differential diagnosis are concentrated on interpretation of the significance of positive viral and bacterial findings, inflammatory changes in the respiratory organs, heart and central nervous system together with malformations. Classification of SIDS appears, therefore, to vary according to time and place. New techniques, e.g. DNA analysis, have explained the etiology in a few per cent of the cases but have not yet solved the riddle of SIDS. The article reviews hypotheses about apnoea, arrhythmia, overheating and inefficient surveillance of the infant. It is emphasized that assessment of risk factors for SIDS requires valid epidemiological investigations where the basis for the diagnosis is a uniform classification of SIDS infants as compared with other groups of sudden death in infancy. An investigation of this nature has been initiated in the Nordic countries. It is important to examine and treat infants with abnormal sleep apnoea but generalized employment of monitoring has not reduced the number of unexplained infantile deaths.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1992

Prevalence of HIV-1 antibodies in drug addicts autopsied at the University Institute of Forensic Pathology in Copenhagen 1988-1991.

In the period 1988-1991 the HIV-1 antibody test was performed in a total of 389 autopsied drug addicts. The HIV-1 incidence rose from 6% in 1988 to 14% in 1990 and 14% in 1991. There was no significant difference between the cumulated incidence in males and females. The HIV-1-positive addicts were compared to the HIV-1 negative addicts as regards mean age, duration of abuse, residence and cause and manner of death. Except for residence, where significantly more HIV-1-positive than negative addicts lived in Copenhagen, there were no significant differences between the two groups. In about one-third of the HIV-1-positive cases, equal both for males and females, the HIV-1-positivity was not known beforehand. The results are discussed in relation to the findings in other countries and to the findings in selected groups of living addicts in Copenhagen. It is concluded, that the diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in autopsied drug addicts is important from epidemiologic and hygienic points of view.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗