An experimental study of postmortem decomposition of methomyl in blood
Methomyl (S-methyl-1-N-[(methylcarbamoyl)oxy]thioacetimidate) is a carbamate pesticide. The mechanism underlying its toxicity is based on acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Methomyl caused approximately 60 fatalities annually from 2009 to 2013 in Japan, contributing to about 15% of all poisoning-related deaths caused by agricultural chemicals [1]. In studies on methomyl-poisoning deaths, methomyl was either not detected or detected only in low concentrations in the blood of the victims. Meanwhile, in some cases, methomyl was detected at quite a higher concentration in the vitreous humor than in the blood [2 –5]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - January 12, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Yuka Kawakami, Chiaki Fuke, Maki Fukasawa, Kenji Ninomiya, Yoko Ihama, Tetsuji Miyazaki Source Type: research
Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism profiling of bacterial flora derived from single human hair shafts can discriminate individuals
Among the evidence that an offender leaves at a crime scene, human hairs are often found in criminal investigation [1 –3]. Their judgment is mainly carried out by morphological observation using microscopy [1,4] and human short tandem repeat (STR) typing [3,5]. It is estimated that 50-150 strands of human hair are shed naturally every day [2,6]. Therefore, there is some possibility of collecting an offender’s h air as forensic evidence, without their knowledge. If personal discrimination of the shed hairs were possible, it would be very helpful for identifying an offender, or for establishing an offender's action [1]. ...
Source: Legal Medicine - January 8, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Eiji Nishi, Kota Watanabe, Yukihiro Tashiro, Kenji Sakai Source Type: research
Evaluation Of The Medial Clavicular Epiphysis According to The Schmeling And Kellinghaus Method In Living Individuals: A Retrospective Ct Study
Forensic age determination is an important issue due to legal requirements. Age determination from living individuals is requested by legal authorities in different situations such as determining whether the child has reached the age of legal responsibilities, child abuse, suspected birth records or illegal immigration [1]. The number of illegal refugees, especially in western countries is increasing due to the wars in the last few years. Approximately 2.7 million Syrians are living in Turkey as part of the temporary protection law [2]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - December 30, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Selma Uysal Ramadan, Murat Serdar Gurses, Nursel Turkmen Inanir, Cigdem Hacifazlioglu, Recep Fedakar, Samil Hizli Source Type: research
Analysis of postmortem changes in internal organs and gases using computed tomography data
Postmortem imaging is a useful technique for determining the cause of death in cases of natural death involving no damage to the body surface, or when the bereaved do not wish to have an autopsy performed. Computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging are mainly performed to derive internal body information. Many reports have confirmed that postmortem imaging is useful in the detection of various causes of death and/or conditions such as the presence of putrefactive gases, pneumothorax with a mediastinal shift, or comminuted fracture [1 –3]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - December 29, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Miki Okumura, Yosuke Usumoto, Akiko Tsuji, Keiko Kudo, Noriaki Ikeda Source Type: research
Age estimation by ossification of thyroid cartilage of Japanese males using Bayesian analysis of postmortem CT images
Identification of an unknown body is important in forensics. Many unidentified bodies are decomposed and without personal effects. In these cases, “narrowing down” is performed using characteristics of bones and/or the ossification stage of cartilages to estimate sex and the approximate age range. However, only a few estimation methods have been applied in forensic practice because many observation methods are difficult for inexperienced f orensic staff. In addition, age-related morphological changes in bone or cartilage have wide individual differences [1]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - December 26, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Tomomi Aramaki, Tomoya Ikeda, Akihito Usui, Masato Funayama Source Type: research
Sex prediction potential of hyoid metric measurements in Iranian adults
Establishing identity of decedents from their skeletal remnants is a challenging task of professionals in the field of forensic medicine [1 –3]. Bones remain intact even years after death and in some cases they are the only clues for identification of incognito dead bodies [4]. Sexing unknown skeletal remains is a priority in recognizing their identity [3,5]. Since early 1900s that sex determination by using hyoid bone had been propos ed [6], many studies have documented sex prediction potential of human hyoid [7–9]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - December 23, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Siamak Soltani, Kamran Aghakhani, Fardin Fallah Source Type: research
Simultaneous quantification of batrachotoxin and epibatidine in plasma by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Various types of wildlife have natural toxins that are important analytical targets in forensic toxicology because of their lethal effects. Among these toxins, many types of toxic alkaloids have been discovered in amphibian skin secretions [1,2], including batrachotoxin and epibatidine. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - December 21, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Yosuke Shiraishi, Tadashi Ogawa, Takayoshi Suzuki, Masae Iwai, Maiko Kusano, Kei Zaitsu, Fumio Kondo, Akira Ishii, Hiroshi Seno Source Type: research
Post-mortem detection of bacteremia using pairs of blood culture samples
Post-mortem microbiological detection has been discussed in several studies [1,2]. Heart blood and cerebrospinal fluid are the most useful substances for post-mortem bacteriological cultures [1,3]. Although tissue from organs such as the spleen has also been shown to be useful for post-mortem microbiological cultures, false-positive results caused by contamination have been obtained during lung tissue cultures [1,3 –6]. In the clinical setting, several blood cultures are routinely obtained for detecting bacteremia [7,8]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - December 21, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Keishin Sunagawa, Masahiko Sugitani Source Type: research
Comparison of the cardiothoracic ratio between postmortem and antemortem computed tomography
High-resolution imaging modalities such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging are increasingly being used as adjuncts to traditional forensic methods in postmortem studies [1 –5]. However, clinical radiologists may find it difficult to interpret postmortem images because of specific and nonspecific postmortem signs on CT [6]. Now that guidelines for the diagnosis of postmortem images are being established worldwide [7–9], it is important to understand the normal chan ges that occur on postmortem CT [10]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - December 20, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Hidemi Okuma, Wataru Gonoi, Masanori Ishida, Go Shirota, Shigeaki Kanno, Yukako Shintani, Hiroyuki Abe, Masashi Fukayama, Kuni Ohtomo Source Type: research
Calibration and parameter variation using a finite element model for death time estimation: The influence of the substrate
Death time estimation is of major importance for the reconstruction of homicide cases and for the verification of alibis given by alleged criminals. In forensic case work different methods can be applied for death time estimation in the early post mortem phase ([1]). The interpretation of supravital reactions (e.g. electrical stimulation of skeletal muscles) and positive signs of death (rigor mortis, post-mortem lividity) as well as the reconstruction of the death time on the basis of the deep rectal temperature are approaches commonly applied in forensic routine. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - December 20, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: H. Muggenthaler, M. Hubig, S. Schenkl, S. Niederegger, G. Mall Source Type: research
The geographical distribution of fly larvae on corpses in Saitama Prefecture in Japan during the summer season
Diptera larvae from families such as Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae, are commonly observed on corpses in forensic practice. Species identification of diptera larvae on corpses are useful for estimation of postmortem interval [1]. Species identification of larvae on corpses will be useful for identifying the original locations of corpses, if the characteristics of the localization of larvae species are clarified. Zehner et al. reported the DNA analysis of selected mitochondrial genes for the identification of immature stages of flesh flies [2]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - December 18, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Yoko Toukairin, Tomomi Arai, Tomoaki Hoshi, Juan Alejandro Oliva Trejo, Makoto Nogami Source Type: research
Helium ion microscopy (HIM): Proof of the applicability on altered human remains (hairs of Holy Maria-Magdalena)
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) has long been the standard in imaging the sub-micrometer surface ultra-structure of both hard and soft materials, including altered human remains [1,2]. In the case of biological samples, it has provided great insights into their physical architecture. However, three of the fundamental challenges in the SEM imaging of soft materials are that of limited imaging resolution at high magnification, charging caused by the insulating properties of most biological samples and the loss of subtle surface features by heavy metal coating. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - December 16, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: P. Charlier, R. Weil, R. Deblock, A. Augias, S. Deo Source Type: research
Helium ion microscopy (HIM): proof of the applicability on altered human remains.
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) has long been the standard in imaging the sub-micrometer surface ultra-structure of both hard and soft materials, including altered human remains [1,2]. In the case of biological samples, it has provided great insights into their physical architecture. However, three of the fundamental challenges in the SEM imaging of soft materials are that of limited imaging resolution at high magnification, charging caused by the insulating properties of most biological samples and the loss of subtle surface features by heavy metal coating. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - December 16, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: P. Charlier, R. Weil, R. Deblock, A. Augias, S. Deo Source Type: research
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for the Determination of Thiosulfate in Human Blood and Urine as an Indicator of Hydrogen Sulfide Poisoning
Hydrogen sulfide poisoning (HSP) occurs due to industrial poisoning incidents at chemical factories, human excreta, and sludge treatment plants as well as from exposure to volcano-released gases and oral ingestion of sulfur-containing pesticides or bath additives. In addition, recent HSP incidents involving hydrogen sulfide gas released from mixing sulfur-containing products with toilet cleaner have also been reported. Hitherto, confirmation of HSP has been performed by analysis of sulfides and their metabolites in body fluids and tissues of the deceased [1 –5]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - December 16, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Chikatoshi Maseda, Akira Hayakawa, Katsuhiro Okuda, Masaru Asari, Hiroki Tanaka, Hiromi Yamada, Shigeki Jin, Kie Horioka, Kotaro Matoba, Hiroshi Shiono, Kazuo Matsubara, Keiko Shimizu Source Type: research
Associations of OCA2-HERC2 SNPs and haplotypes with human pigmentation characteristics in the Brazilian population
The prediction of the physical appearance of an individual, particularly skin, eye and hair color, along with the inference of biogeographical ancestry using molecular markers, have been used as auxiliary tools in forensic caseworks [1 –2]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - December 15, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: E.S. Andrade, N.C.A. Fracasso, P.S. Strazza J únior, A.L. Simões, C.T. Mendes-Junior Source Type: research
