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PubMed2005

Using accumulated degree-days to estimate the postmortem interval from decomposed human remains.

Forensic anthropologists often rely on the state of decomposition to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI) in a human remains case. The state of decomposition can provide much information about the PMI, especially when decomposition is treated as a semi-continuous variable and used in conjunction with accumulated-degree-days (ADD). This preliminary study demonstrates a supplemental method of determining the PMI based on scoring decomposition using a point-based system and taking into account temperatures in which the remains were exposed. This project was designed to examine the ways that forensic anthropologists could improve their PMI estimates based on decomposition by using a more quantitative approach. A total of 68 human remains cases with a known date of death were scored for decomposition and a regression equation was calculated to predict ADD from decomposition score. ADD accounts for approximately 80% of the variation in decomposition. This study indicates that decomposition is best modeled as dependent on accumulated temperature, not just time.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

An alternative for the extraction and storage of DNA from insects in forensic entomology.

An important area of recent research in forensic entomology has been the use of insect DNA to provide identification of insects for fast and accurate estimation of time since death. This requires DNA to be extracted efficiently and in a state suitable for use in molecular procedures, and then stored on a long-term basis. In this study, Whatman FTA cards were tested for use with the Calliphoridae (Diptera). In particular, testing examined their ability to effectively extract DNA from specimens, and store and provide DNA template in a suitable condition for amplification using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The cards provided DNA that was able to be amplified from a variety of life stages, and thus appears to be of sufficient quality and quantity for use in subsequent procedures. FTA cards therefore appear suitable for use with calliphorids, and provide a new method of extraction that is simple and efficient and allows for storage and transportation without refrigeration, consequently simplifying the handling of DNA in forensic entomological cases.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Characterization of adipocere formation in animal species.

Adipocere is a soft white substance formed postmortem from fatty tissue in a decomposing body. In this preliminary study the formation of adipocere in soil was investigated for a number of animal species. Adipocere was formed from the fatty tissue of pig, cattle, sheep and rabbit. It was found that adipocere did not form from the fatty tissue of chicken or kangaroo in the time frame investigated. The issues being considered are relevant to the forensic examination of remains whose origin is otherwise uncertain or which are, in some way, related to human remains. Infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to characterise the composition of adipocere formed in the various species after different burial durations. Adipocere was observed to form at different rates among the species, but there was no distinct evidence of the fundamental composition varying between species.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2005

A report of decomposition rates of a special burial type in Edmonton, Alberta from an experimental field study.

Regional studies that examine decomposition rates of certain faunal remains can help to determine time since death. Forensic anthropologists have long used qualitative decomposition data, but linking these to more quantitative data could improve time since death estimations. Experiments were developed in which domestic pigs (Sus scrofa) were buried with varying characteristics then excavated and observed over a period of 15 months in Edmonton, Alberta. Data recorded after two weeks, five weeks, three months, one year, and 15 months were correlated with stages of decomposition as well as time since death, climate data, grave type, clothing, burial depth, and other factors. Results from these experiments provide useful regional information about stages of decomposition in a burial context. Pigs buried in June were skeletonized by approximately three to five weeks, while those buried in May were skeletonized between five weeks and three months. Climate data, insects, and grave type contributed the most to advanced decomposition, mainly in the form of mummification, and skeletonization.

Alberta↗
PubMed2005

Heterosexual intimate partner homicide: review of ten years of clinical experience.

Most of the literature on intimate partner homicide addresses violence between the two partners, spousal abuse, and family violence. There is less focus on the relationship of mental illness, intellectual functioning, and drug and alcohol abuse to these homicides. We investigated this type of homicide in a collection of forensic cases seen by the first author over a period of 10 years. Twenty-eight patients who underwent forensic psychiatric evaluation for heterosexual intimate partner homicide from August 1993 to June 2003 were studied using a retrospective case review methodology. We found that firearms were used as the method of killing more often by females than by males. We also compared method of killing with substance abuse and intoxication at the time of the homicide. Educational status indicates that this group of accused perpetrators is functioning at higher intellectual levels compared with a previously studied sample of filicides. We also found significant presence of serious mental illness in our sample of accused perpetrators of heterosexual intimate partner homicide.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Utilizing the urinary 5-HTOL/5-HIAA ratio to determine ethanol origin in civil aviation accident victims.

Specimens from fatal aviation accident victims are submitted to the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute for toxicological analysis. During toxicological evaluations, ethanol analysis is performed on all cases. Care must be taken when interpreting a positive ethanol result due to the potential for postmortem ethanol formation. Several indicators of postmortem ethanol formation exist; however, none are completely reliable. The consumption of ethanol has been shown to alter the concentration of two major serotonin metabolites, 5-hydroxytryptophol (5-HTOL) and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA). While the 5-HTOL/5-HIAA ratio is normally very low, previous studies using living subjects have demonstrated that the urinary 5-HTOL/5-HIAA ratio is significantly elevated for 11-19 h after acute ethanol ingestion. Recently, our laboratory developed and validated an analytical method for the simultaneous determination of both 5-HTOL and 5-HIAA in forensic urine samples using a simple liquid/liquid extraction and LC/MS/MS and LC/MS/MS/MS. In this previous work a 15 pmol/nmol serotonin metabolite ratio cutoff was established in postmortem urine, below which it could be conclusively determined that no recent antemortem ethanol consumption had occurred. In the current study this newly validated analytical method was applied to five ethanol-positive aviation fatalities where the origin of the ethanol present could not previously be conclusively determined. In four of the five cases examined the detected ethanol was demonstrated to be present due to postmortem microbial formation, and not consumption, even though some indication of ethanol consumption may have been present.

Accidents, Aviation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Dating the time of death of an unknown individual on the basis of remnants of material culture--a case study].

The anthropological laboratory of the Forensic Medicine Department PAM carries out a lot of cases concerning identification on the basis of skeletal remains. Standard procedures are: anthropological analysis, estimation of time of burial of the remains, characteristics of morbid changes and the cause of death as well as skull based face reconstruction and super-projection. Very often some tiny details can be useful while answering questions relating to the origin of the remains, time of death, or identity of an unknown individual. In the described case, the key method was analysis of two pieces of clothing found inside the skull.

Clothing↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Morphological features of gunshot injuries of the cranial bones].

Morphological characteristics of gunshot injuries of the cranial dome bones depend on bullet speed and are determined by various mechanisms of the harmful action. A contusion action of the bullet is characterized by disruption of the bone tissue with formation of linear or incomplete fracture. A wedged impact is accompanied with disruption of bone structures with formation of depressed or comminuted fractures due to radial dislocation of the fragments. A perforative impact produces a hole defect the shape of which depends on bullet speed. A bursting impact of the bullet causes disruption of the bone tissue outside the bullet defect as a result of an additional radial effect of high pressure of the air wave reaching in the wounds inflicted by high-speed bullets the effect of the hydrodynamic shock in the spongy layer of the flat bone. Resultant morphological manifestations are aggravated by damage caused by hydrodynamic shock coming from the cranial cavity.

Firearms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Diagnostic role of organ-specific isoforms of lactate dehydrogenase in blood plasma].

Changes in plasm isoenzymic spectrum of lactate dehydrogenase (LDG), a glycolytic enzyme, were studied in death of cardiovascular diseases, ethanol poisoning and a mechanical injury. The tests used electrophoresis in 1% solution of agarose. Isoenzymic composition differed between the groups with acute coronary failure, chronic coronary heart disease, alcohol cardiomyopathy and a mechanical injury. Ethanol poisoning caused two types of characteristic shifts in LDG isoenzymic spectrum. Nomograms were designed for practical application in forensic medical expertise of sudden death.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Forensic chemical detection of furadan].

Isolation of furadan from biological material by ethyl acetate is considered. Column chromatography with silicone gel L 100/160micro was used to purify extractions from biological objects. A technique was elaborated for identification and quantitation of furadan in cadavers. It is possible to use this technique in forensic expert examination.

Carbofuran↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Detection of acetic acid in cadavers by gas chromatography].

A simple technique of sample preparation for gas chromatographic test for acetic acid in cadaveric material has been developed. The background concentration of natural content of acetates in the stomach, liver and kidneys are determined. The error of the method is no more than 10% with standard deviation +/- 0.04-0.13.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Assessment of edema fluid distribution in the brain].

The technique is proposed allowing quantitation of brain edema and typing of liquor distribution in different parts of brain tissue. In combination with other assays this test can determine a variant of tanatogenesis, detect cause of death and duration of the terminal period. The method application is illustrated by the study of brain hydration in mechanical strangulation asphyxia. It is shown that this death is associated with hypohydration of cerebral structures, especially pronounced in the cortical compartments.

Body Fluids↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Forensic medical assessment of late cadaveric changes in examination of dismembered corpses].

The investigation was made of dismembered corpses parts in time aspect. Various conventional features of the late postmortem period were under consideration: corpse potherb, emphysema, maceration of the skin. The time of manifestation of rotten transformation of a corpse was specified for each dismembered part: the head, the upper and lower parts of the body, the extremities. The results allow the investigator to define time of death by each fragment of a dismembered corpse.

Body Temperature↗
PubMed2005

[Death due to fatal hypothermia in victims dissected in Department of Forensic Medicine in Hradec Králové between 1992-2003].

Death due to hypothermia is diagnosed on the base of the unspecific morphological lesions. These lesions such as Wischewski spots, haemorrhage into the pancreas and haemorrhage into the skeletal paravertebral muscles etc. are not found periodically and regularly. We must know the anamnestic settings and the results of laboratory tests for final complete evaluation. Fatal hypothermia is under climate condition of our country quite often with the exception of summer months.

Adolescent↗