Pericardial fluid is suitable as an alternative specimen for the measurement of β-hydroxybutyrate within 96 hours after death.
We examined postmortem β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels in the body fluids obtained from 253 forensic autopsy cases with the cause of deaths determined. Postmortem changes of BHB levels according to postmortem intervals in various body fluids (plasma, urine, vitreous humor, and pericardial fluids) were investigated to dete rmine appropriate alternative specimens as plasma samples. Our study has indicated the following points; 1) The BHB levels in plasma specimens of three sampling sites showed no significant differences, 2) postmortem changes of BHB levels in plasma and pericardial fluids could be negligible within 96 hr po...
Source: Legal Medicine - May 21, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Tatsushi Mizutani, Takashi Yoshimoto, Akira Ishii Source Type: research
A two fatal cases of poisoning involving new cathinone derivative PV8
α-Pyrrolidinoheptiophenone (1-phenyl-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)heptan-1-one, PV8, PV-8, alpha-PHpP, a-PHpP) is a representative of α-pyrrolidinophenone derivatives. It is a new group of synthetic cathinones. It was first detected in illegal products in Japan in 2013 [1]. Later in 2014 it was found in the Netherlands and Germany. PV8 is closely related to α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP), which was one of the most popular novel psychoactive substance (NPS) in Poland in years 2013-2015 (since 1 July 2015 α-PVP has been controlled) [2]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - May 14, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Ewelina Pieprzyca, Rafa ł Skowronek, Małgorzata Korczyńska, Joanna Kulikowska, Małgorzata Chowaniec Source Type: research
Evaluation of skin- or sweat-characteristic mRNAs for inferring the human origin of touched contact traces
“Touch DNA” or “trace DNA” is a small amount of DNA that is transferred from the skin to an object when it is handled or touched [1,2]. Most forensic laboratories have processed huge amounts of samples of touch DNA for the source of human identification in the forensic analysis of criminal c ases. However, the source of small amounts of touch DNA could be an issue in court because there is always a risk of contamination [3,4]. In other words, if DNA is extracted directly from swabbing or tape-lifting instruments without any presumptive procedures, it could not be determined where that D NA came from. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - May 14, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Tomoko Akutsu, Ken Watanabe, Ayari Takamura, Koichi Sakurada Source Type: research
Study of chemiluminescence measured by luminometry and its application in the estimation of postmortem interval of bone remains
Determination of the PMI in bones is of great medical-legal importance but, due to the absence of precise methods, it continues to have no clear solution [1]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - May 4, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Jes ús Sarabia, Cristina Pérez-Martínez, Juan Pedro Hernández del Rincón, Aurelio Luna Source Type: research
Editorial Board
(Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - May 1, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Japaneseplex: A forensic SNP assay for identification of Japanese people using Japanese-specific alleles
The testing of ancestral and biogeographical origins has been an important field in forensic genetics to narrow down suspects and victims. For instance, as the Japanese Archipelago is surrounded by sea, decomposed cadavers and bones are caught in fishing nets and cast ashore. In such cases, investigation to determine whether forensic samples originate from a Japanese person is requested. It is expected, in particular, to distinguish Japanese from Koreans and Chinese. These neighboring populations are closely related to each other. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - April 24, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Isao Yuasa, Atsushi Akane, Toshimichi Yamamoto, Aya Matsusue, Minoru Endoh, Mayumi Nakagawa, Kazuo Umetsu, Takaki Ishikawa, Morio Iino Source Type: research
Dental age estimation using four Demirjian ’s, Chaillet’s and Willems’ methods in Kosovar children
The perception of physiological age in men is commonly based on the degree of maturation of different body systems [1]. Different types of biological age have been recognized as reliable skeletal age, weight and height increase, secondary sexual character age and dental maturation [2]. There are many studies of dental maturation during the last half century that have described the timing of permanent tooth mineralization [3]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - April 23, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Jeta Kelmendi, Marin Vodanovi ć, Ferit Koçani, Venera Bimbashi, Blerim Mehmeti, Ivan Galić Source Type: research
How do skeletons with HIV present? A study on the identified CAL Milano Cemetery Skeletal Collection
It is estimated that 36.7 million people are living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection worldwide and 1.8 million were newly infected in 2016 [1]. With the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) pandemic, the chance of forensic cases with unknown skeletonized individuals infected by HIV becomes more important. Indeed and so far, HIV/AIDS is responsible for the death of 35 million people [1]. The investigation of HIV/AIDS-related bone lesions is interesting for paleopathology, forensic applications and medical purposes. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - April 23, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Lucie Biehler-Gomez, Antonio Cabrini, Danilo De Angelis, Cristina Cattaneo Source Type: research
Dental age Estimation Using Four Demirjian ’s, Chaillet’s and Wiillems’ Methods in Kosovar Children
The perception of physiological age in men is commonly based on the degree of maturation of different body systems [1]. Different types of biological age have been recognized as reliable skeletal age, weight and height increase, secondary sexual character age and dental maturation [2]. There are many studies of dental maturation during the last half century that have described the timing of permanent tooth mineralization [3]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - April 23, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Jeta Kelmendi, Marin Vodanovi ć, Ferit Koçani, Venera Bimbashi, Blerim Mehmeti, Ivan Galić Source Type: research
How do skeletons with HIV present? A study on the referent Milano Cemetery Skeletal Collection
It is estimated that 36.7 million people are living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection worldwide and 1.8 million were newly infected in 2016 [1]. With the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) pandemic, the chance of forensic cases with unknown skeletonized individuals infected by HIV becomes more important. Indeed and so far, HIV/AIDS is responsible for the death of 35 million people [1]. The investigation of HIV/AIDS-related bone lesions is interesting for paleopathology, forensic applications and medical purposes. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - April 23, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Lucie Biehler-Gomez, Antonio Cabrini, Danilo De Angelis, Cristina Cattaneo Source Type: research
DRD2/ANKK1 gene polymorphisms in forensic autopsies of methamphetamine intoxication fatalities
Forensic autopsy often identifies methamphetamine (MA) as the cause of fatal intoxication. MA is a central nervous system stimulant, and its dependence is a serious public health issue worldwide. Individual variability in response to drugs has also been widely reported [1]. MA blood concentrations vary widely in cases of fatal MA intoxication; however, these levels can be lower than the lethal concentration and still be fatal. Therefore, the effects of a MA depend on the genetic differences of the individuals. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - April 21, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Aya Matsusue, Takaki Ishikawa, Tomoya Ikeda, Naoto Tani, Hisatomi Arima, Brian Waters, Kenji Hara, Masayuki Kashiwagi, Mio Takayama, Natsuki Ikematsu, Shin-ichi Kubo Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research
microRNAs in Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP): Location matters
We read with great enthusiasm the article published by De Matteis et al. who have elegantly demonstrated a significant up-regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) expression profiling (miR-301a-3p) in both the plasma and the hippocampus in a case of SUDEP due to drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy [1]. With these results, the authors supported the idea that miRNAs as an innovative class of biomarkers compatible with an adequate analysis of biospecimens obtained from forensic autopsies [1]. Given the dearth of published data about the relationship of miRNA in SUDEP occurrence, we applaud Dr. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - April 18, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Fulvio A. Scorza, Ana C. Fiorini, Carla A. Scorza, Josef Finsterer Tags: Letter to Editor Source Type: research
