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Abstract In a suicidal shot to the temple two roundish zones of powder soot blackening were found above the entrance wound. The paired zones of powder soot blackening were caused [...]

Abstract The fields mainly covered by clinical forensic medicine are subject to time-related changes which are described on the basis of the German literature of the 20th century. Some fields [...]

3.1. Journals 3.1.1. The scientific journals of the German Association of Legal Medicine and their respective predecessors and successors 'German Journal for Comprehensive Judicial Medicine' (in German: Deutsche Zeitschrift fur [...]

Abstract The 100th anniversary of the foundation of the German Society of Legal Medicine is a good opportunity to review its contributions to forensic wound ballistics. The present article gives [...]

Abstract Rhabdomyolysis has repeatedly been reported as a possible consequence of illicit drug consumption especially in clinical literature. In order to investigate the prevalence of rhabdomyolysis in cases of drug [...]

The skin defect of a gunshot entrance wound is caused by the retrograde and anterograde displacement of skin particles. In the present study, we investigated whether gunshots to bacterially contaminated skin are associated with the transport of micro-organisms into the bullet path. The shots were fired into composite models of pig skin and gelatin blocks. The outer surface of the skin was covered with a thin layer of a defined bacterial suspension [green fluorescent protein-labelled Escherichia coliin the preliminary test and Staphylococcus epidermidis, DSM 1798, in the main test series]. After the bacterially contaminated fluid had dried, test shots were fired from a distance of 5 and 10 m using calibre .38 Special cartridges with different bullet types (round nose, truncated cone, hollow point and flat nose). Subsequent bacteriological analyses showed that all the bullet tracks in the gelatin serving as tissue simulant contained displaced micro-organisms from the skin surface. The results are presented and discussed with reference to the transport of skin particles into the depth of the wound track.The skin defect of a gunshot entrance wound is caused by the retrograde and anterograde displacement of skin particles. In the present study, we investigated whether gunshots to bacterially contaminated skin are associated with the transport of micro-organisms into the bullet path. The shots were fired into composite models of pig skin and gelatin blocks. The outer surface of the skin was covered with a thin layer of a defined bacterial suspension [green fluorescent protein-labelled Escherichia coliin the preliminary test and Staphylococcus epidermidis, DSM 1798, in the main test series]. After the bacterially contaminated fluid had dried, test shots were fired from a distance of 5 and 10 m using calibre .38 Special cartridges with different bullet types (round nose, truncated cone, hollow point and flat nose). Subsequent bacteriological analyses showed that all the bullet tracks in the gelatin serving as tissue simulant contained displaced micro-organisms from the skin surface. The results are presented and discussed with reference to the transport of skin particles into the depth of the wound track.

Abstract: In deaths by hanging, it may sometimes be difficult to differentiate between autoerotic accident and suicide. Our report deals with a 30-year-old man who was found hanged in the living room of his flat. The deceased was wearing headphones connected to a PC. Within the deceased's view was a computer screen showing the last picture of a video file downloaded from the Internet with the head of an unclothed, allegedly hanged female. The deceased's left hand was inside his trousers in the genital region. The autopsy did not only show findings typical for hanging, but also advanced sarcoidosis, which was known to the victim. Although this basic illness could have been a possible motive for suicide, the circumstances in the presented case pointed more in the direction of an accidental autoerotic death. As far as we know, this is the first description of a death during autoerotic activity in which sexual stimulation was achieved by watching a video file downloaded from the Internet.

To investigate the question what happens to the tissue lost at the entrance wound, experimental studies were performed on composite models consisting of dyed pig skin and gelatin blocks. For the test shots to the skin–gelatin preparations, cartridges calibre .38 spec. with different bullet types (round nose, hollow point, flat nose, truncated cone) were used. In all shots, a multitude of coloured skin particles were macroscopically discernible along the bullet tracks. In addition, small cell aggregations could be demonstrated microscopically even in those sections of the bullet paths which did not show skin fragments visible to the naked eye. The distribution of the skin particles showed certain peculiarities depending on the type of projectile.To investigate the question what happens to the tissue lost at the entrance wound, experimental studies were performed on composite models consisting of dyed pig skin and gelatin blocks. For the test shots to the skin–gelatin preparations, cartridges calibre .38 spec. with different bullet types (round nose, hollow point, flat nose, truncated cone) were used. In all shots, a multitude of coloured skin particles were macroscopically discernible along the bullet tracks. In addition, small cell aggregations could be demonstrated microscopically even in those sections of the bullet paths which did not show skin fragments visible to the naked eye. The distribution of the skin particles showed certain peculiarities depending on the type of projectile.

Within a period of 9 years a young woman lost 3 daughters during infancy and each time death was attributed to the sudden infant death syndrome. The children had different fathers and died at the ages of 11 weeks, 7 weeks and 2 weeks, respectively. A fourth daughter survived and lives separated from the mother together with her father and is healthy. At autopsy the last of the three deceased infants did not reveal any pre-existing pathological organ findings, except for acute pulmonary emphysema and extensive intra-alveolar bleeding. As a consequence the strong suspicion of mechanical suffocation arose. Subsequent police investigations produced incriminating clues that the first two children had also been suffocated. On confrontation with the autopsy findings and investigation results, the woman confessed that she herself had killed the first two infants by pressing a cushion on their faces. In the case of the third death the baby had been smothered by the child’s father who in agreement with the mother put a plastic film on mouth and nostrils.

Contact gunshot wounds are usually characterized by a muzzle imprint, a powder cavity (“pocket”), the presence of carboxyhemoglobin and often also stellate tears of the skin radiating from the bullet entrance hole. In shots to the cerebral cranium an additional sign may be observed around the bone defect: the periosteum is detached and reflected with soot on the underside. The frequency and possible causes of these periosteal findings are discussed on the basis of 68 contact gunshot wounds from forensic autopsy material and experimental shots fired against the frontal bone of a slaughtered calf.

Abstract If the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet of burnt bodies are not or only partially charred, whitish discoloration and wrinkled detachment of the epidermis is often observed. The findings are strongly reminiscent of the so-called washerwoman's skin, as seen after exposure to a moist environment for at least several hours. However, this is not to be expected after exposure to dry heat. What might be conceivable is a swelling of the skin due to the effect of the water used for fighting the fire. On the other hand this phenomenon is also observed in burnt bodies, which demonstrably have not come into contact with water, so that formation seems to be caused by a different mechanism. Moreover there are also histological differences between real washerwoman's skin and the pseudo-washerwoman's skin of fire victims. Whereas in genuine washerwoman's skin the stratum corneum is disaggregated and perinuclear vacuoles are found in the stratum germinativum, burnt bodies with pseudo-washerwoman's skin show detachment of the epidermis due to serum-filled blisters with elongation and palisade arrangement of the nuclei in the stratum basale. Consequently these changes agree with second-degree burns.

Objective. This randomized, double‐dummy, double‐blind pilot study of acutely exacerbated low back pain was aimed to inform a definitive comparison between Doloteffin, a proprietary extract of Harpagophytum, and rofecoxib, a selective inhibitor of cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 (COX‐2).Methods. Forty‐four patients (phyto‐anti‐inflammatory drug—PAID—group) received a daily dose of Doloteffin containing, inter alia, 60 mg of harpagoside for 6 weeks and 44 (non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug—NSAID—group) received 12.5 mg/day of rofecoxib. All were allowed rescue medication of up to 400 mg/day of tramadol. Several outcome measures were examined at various intervals to obtain estimates of effect size and variability that might be used to decide the most suitable principal outcome measure and corresponding numbers required for a definitive study.Results. Forty‐three PAID and 36 NSAID patients completed the study. Ten PAID and 5 NSAID patients reported no pain without rescue medication for at least 5 days of the 6th week of treatment. Eighteen PAID and 12 NSAID patients had more than a 50% reduction in the week's average of their pain scores between the 1st and 6th weeks. The mean percentage decrease from baseline in the pain component of the Arhus Index was 23 (s.d. 52) in PAID and 26 (s.d. 43) in NSAID. The corresponding measures for the overall Arhus Index were 11 (31) and 16 (24) and, for the Health Assessment Questionnaire, 7 (8) and 6 (7). Tramadol was used by 21 PAID patients and 13 NSAID patients. Fourteen patients in each group experienced 39 adverse effects, of which 28 (13 in PAID) were judged to some degree attributable to the study medications.Conclusion. Though no significant intergroup differences were demonstrable, large numbers will be needed to show equivalence.

Fusion of the carboxyterminal peptide (CTP) of hCG to FSH results in a follitropin agonist with an extended half-life, presumably due to the four O-oligosaccharides on the CTP. Alternatively, an rhFSH analogue containing additional N-linked carbohydrate is described in this report.

Abstract. The present investigation covers 116 contact shots to the head and shots into the mouth from the Freiburg forensic autopsy material including 20 gunshot wounds which showed stretchmark-like tears of the facial skin away from the entrance wound. In these cases the gunshot entrance wounds were localised either in the mouth, the forehead, or the submental region. The stretchmark-like tears were found in the region of the eyes and the nasolabial folds. Radial tears were seen on the lips and in the vicinity of the corners of the mouth, particularly in cases involving shots into the mouth. The stretchmark-like tears essentially followed the skin tension lines and the expression-related lines of the face. They were apparently caused by the subcutaneous or intraoral expansion of the muzzle gases and/or the radial forces of the bullet resulting in ballooning and overextension of the facial soft tissues. The weapons used were not only rifles and shotguns, but also revolvers and pistols.

Abstract: The highly putrefied corpse of an 80-year-old man was found in the apartment which he had rented to a prostitute. A package of Viagra 25 was found beside the corpse and three tablets were missing. Autopsy revealed severe coronary artery sclerosis as well as signs of previous myocardial infarctions. For the detection and identification of sildenafil and three metabolites in urine and tissue samples, solid-phase extraction, LC/MS and MS/MS methods were developed. Blood was not available for toxicological analysis due to the putrefaction. For method development, urine from a volunteer who had ingested 25 mg sildenafil was collected over 8 h, and three metabolites were identified by MS/MS. These metabolites were also found in the victim’s urine. These findings prove that sildenafil was taken some time prior to death, but the causality of sildenafil intake and fatal cardiac failure could not be proven, since no blood was available for analysis. However, the administration of sildenafil was contraindicated due to several previous myocardial infarctions.

Spectrophotometric measurements were performed on intra- and/or subcutaneous bruises occurring in direct temporal connection with peracute fatal trauma. The purpose of these measurements was to determine whether the visual colour impression of a fresh traumatic extravasation can give information on the localisation of the haemorrhage in a certain tissue layer. After visual assessment of the colour of the bruise, the spectral reflectance curves and the CIE-L*a*b* colour values were determined with the help of a diode array spectrophotometer. The localisation and size of the haemorrhages in the cutis and/or subcutis were evaluated morphologically after incision of the skin. It was confirmed that there is a relationship between the colour impression and the localisation of the bruise. Bruises localised near the surface have a more reddish appearance while bruises in deeper layers give a more bluish colour impression. An explanation may be found in the optical characteristics of skin. Blood localised in the subcutis appears blue on the surface due to scattering processes in the dermis (Rayleigh scattering), as the blue wavelengths of the light are scattered (and thus reflected) to a greater extent than the red wavelengths.

Abstract: A combination of automated solid-phase extraction (SPE) and subsequent two-step derivatisation has been developed for the simultaneous analysis of basic drugs of abuse and cocaine metabolites in serum samples. Substances included in this procedure are morphine, codeine, methadone, cocaine, benzoylecgonine, methylecgonine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, MDEA and MDA. SPE with mixed-mode cartridges (RP-C8 and cation-exchange) was fully automated with a Zymark RapidTrace SPE robot. GC/MS analysis was performed after derivatisation with a new two-step reaction by trifluoroacetic anhydride and 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropanol. High recoveries (> 85%) with high reproducibility ¶(CV 1.1–3.8%) were found for all drugs. High correlation coefficients (r > 0.998) were obtained due to the addition of deuterated standards prior to extraction. Experience obtained over 2 years of applying this method to drug analysis in serum is discussed.

Abstract: There is an increasing demand to use scanning electron microscopy in the forensic analysis of biological samples. Such analyses are routinely used for the investigation of blood stains, seminal stains, diatoms, residues on wounds and residues and trace elements in gunshot powder. The same samples are sometimes also required for identification via DNA analysis, e.g. blood stains, seminal stains or epidermal cells. The ionising radiation provokes damage to DNA and also to membrane and proteine structure. The question therefore arises whether the usual sequence of such an investigation, i.e. prior application of SEM and afterwards analysis of DNA, can affect the success rate of the DNA analysis. We have therefore experimentally exposed semen samples to a defined electron beam for different time intervals varying between 1 and 25 min and afterwards performed quantitative and qualitative DNA analysis. Our studies revealed that sample treatment with an electron beam does not interfere with subsequent DNA typing by various currently used forensic PCR systems.

Two cases are presented in order to emphasize the importance of mitochondrial DNA in forensic medicine. The first case involved a charred body which could not be identified by morphological means because of severe destruction of all tissues. The parallel use of PCR methods using genomic DNA and sequencing of the mitochondrial d-loop region produced unequivocal and reproducible results. In the second case, various parts of a highly decomposed body were investigated. The application of standard PCR methods for genomic DNA proved unsuitable to answer the question whether the body parts belonged to the same body. However, when sequencing of mitochondrial DNA segments amplified from tissue and bone samples was performed, clearly interpretable results were obtained.

Summary A delayed rupture of the liver after resuscitation is reported. In the case of a 27-year-old woman, pulmonary embolism was followed by asystolia, which was remedied by external cardiac massage. This procedure caused ruptures of the liver, which first led to the formation of a subcapsular hematoma and 5 1/2 hours later, due to a secondary rupture of the capsule, led to internal bleeding and death. Degenerative changes of the parenchyma cells in the vicinity of the rupture were recognized, as well as fibrin separations on the detached Glisson's capsule, as signs of a survival period of several hours. Histological investigation of the lungs revealed a hepatocellular embolism and—in the absence of rib or sternum fractures—fat and bone-marrow embolisms. The morphological findings are discussed with reference to pertinent reports in the literature.

Summary This study examined lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inducedin vitro secretion of interleukin-1 (IL-1) by peripheral blood monocytes from pre-term infants with and without sepsis. Thirteen pre-term babies were tested; eight were completely healthy and five suffered from six episodes of sepsis. The latter group was tested both in the acute septic phase and in the convalescent period. IL-1 secretion by monocytes derived from septic pre-term infants was lower, but not significantly different from healthy pre-term infants (7.1 ± 1.0 U/ml versus 8.1 ± 0.9 U/ml, respectively). IL-1 secretion by monocytes of eight control full-term babies was in the same range (8.4 ± 0.6 U/ml). In the convalescent period IL-1 secretion by monocytes from septic pre-term babies increased (9.0 ± 0.3 U/ml) and was significantly higher than values measured during acute infection (p<0.05). Septic premature babies were also found to have higher absolute blood neutrophil concentration (p<0.001), but their body temperature did not increase along the infectious stage. The decreased secretion of IL-1 by monocytes from pre-term babies in the acute phase of infection compared to the convalescent period may have contributed to their inability to mount appropriate immunological as well as inflammatory responses. Sepsis promoting IL-1 productionin vivo may have limited the monocytes' capacity for LPS stimulated IL-1 synthesisin vitro.

Kasuistiken und Übersichtsreferate über Schlachtschußverletzungen sind in der gerichtsmedizinischen Literatur ausreichend vorhanden. Dennoch wurde es auf einer Tagung deutschsprachiger Gerichtsmediziner für zweckmäßig erachtet, die einschlägigen Erfahrungen noch einmals unter klinischen Aspekten zusammenzufassen. Zielgruppen sind jüngere Ärzte, besonders aber Chirurgen, die wegen des relativ seltenen Vorkommens von Bolzenschußverletzungen und unter dem Druck, unverzüglich handeln zu müssen, entscheidende Details außer acht lassen könnten. Im kritischen Moment sollte der behandelnde Arzt 3 Punkte beachten:Verletzungen durch Schlachtschußapparate führen zu Oberflächenimprimierungen (meist in eine Tiefe von 9 bis 14 cm); es ist damit zu rechnen, daß Teile des Gesamtimprimats bakteriell kontaminiert sind.Auch im Zeitalter der Antibiotika ist eine Beherrschung der entzündllichen Komplikationen nicht immer möglich, wenn die infektiösen Teile des Imprimats belassen werden.Das ausgestanzte Hautstück ist ein obligater Teil des Gesamtimprimats und grundsätzlich als infektiös anzusehen.

Abstract: In order to identify polymorphic positions and to determine their frequency in the human mitochondrial D-loop containing region, the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region of 200 unrelated individuals from Germany were amplified and directly sequenced. Sequence comparison led to the identification of 190 mitochondrial lineages as defined by 202 variable positions. The most frequently occurring lineage comprised 5 individuals, whereas 186 types of D-loop sequences were observed in only one individual. Of the sequences studied 7% are not unique but show at least one counterpart with an identical haplotype. The majority (61%) of the control regions investigated showed between four and eight nucleotide positions deviating from the reference sequence. The maximum number of deviations observed in a single control region was 18. The majority of the variable positions in the D-loop region (88%) are located within three hypervariable regions. Sequence variations are caused by nucleotide substitutions, insertions or deletions. As compared to insertions and deletions, nucleotide substitutions make up the vast majority of the mutations (90%). We have predominantly found transitions (75%) and a significantly lower frequency of transversions (15%) whereas insertions (6%) as well as deletions (4%) are rather rare. Upon sequencing the mitochondrial control region from 200 German Caucasians the genetic diversity was estimated at 0.99. The probability of two randomly selected individuals from a population having identical mtDNA types is 0.6%.

Recent studies have shown 1,25(OH)2D3receptor-mediated modulation of leukocyte proliferation, differentiation, and function. We examined the phagocytosis and killing of microorganisms by neutrophils and monocytes from five patients of three families with hereditary resistance to 1,25(OH)2D3. Phagocytosis of microorganisms by patients' neutrophils and monocytes was normal. However, defective neutrophil killing activity toward Candida albicans (30-40 of controls) was found in all patients. The killing of Staphylococcus aureus was normal. The neutrophil chemiluminescence, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye reduction, and the generation of superoxide ions and hydrogen peroxide by neutrophils and monocytes after induction by either soluble stimuli or zymozan particles, did not differ from those in controls. The neutrophil myeloperoxidase activity was also normal. Monocytes obtained from two patients of different families before long-term calcium infusion therapy and after they became normocalcemic, demonstrated a similar impaired fungicidal activity toward Saccharomyces cerevisiae, indicating that hypocalcemia itself was not the cause of the killing defect. However, the addition of the Ca2ionophore A23187 (1 µM) to the test medium restored the monocyte fungicidal activity to normal. As patients' neutrophil cytosolic free calcium concentration was similar to that in controls, it is suggested that 1,25-(OH)2D3exerts its effect on leukocyte function by a putative receptor-mediated regulation of subcellular calcium localization which may be important for fungicidal activity.

Human choriogonadotropin (hCG) is a placental glycoprotein hormone composed of a 92-amino acid alpha subunit noncovalently linked to a 145-amino acid beta subunit. We report here the expression of biologically active hCG in mouse C127 cells transfected with expression vectors containing the DNA coding for both subunits. In addition, the same cell line was used to express the alpha subunit alone. The expression products were purified by affinity chromatography using specific monoclonal antibodies to hCG or its subunits. The system secreting biologically active hCG also produced a 10-fold or greater molar excess of free beta subunit. The dimeric hormone, as well as the excess beta subunit, resembles the standard urinary hCG and beta subunit by chemical and biological criteria. In contrast, when the vector encoding for the alpha subunit was expressed alone, the alpha subunit had a higher molecular weight than both standard alpha and the alpha found in the expressed dimeric hormone. The molecular weight difference between expressed alpha subunit and standard alpha was found to reside in the alpha peptide consisting of residues 52-91 which contained all of the carbohydrate of the alpha subunit. The N-asparagine-linked carbohydrate moieties in the recombinant alpha were found to be triantennary in contrast to biantennary in urinary alpha, and this hyperglycosylation was responsible for the higher molecular weight of the alpha subunit when it was expressed alone. We found no evidence of O-threonine glycosylation at position alpha 39 reported to be present in free forms of the alpha subunit; however, the companion paper (Corless, C.L., Bielinska, M., Ramabhadran, T. V., Daniels-McQueen, S. Otani, T., Reitz, B. A., Tiemeier, D. C., and Boime, I. (1987) J. Biol Chem. 262, 14197-14203) finds a small quantity of O-glycosylation. Since the excess beta subunit appears to be of normal size and contains the expected complement of sugars, only free alpha subunit seems to be a potential substrate for addition of extra sugar moieties. No large beta subunit forms have been found by others, while large alpha subunits have been described both clinically and in tissue culture systems. These observations imply that the conformation of the free alpha subunit, in the regions of the glycosylation recognition sites, allows easier access for glycosyltransferases than those same sites in the beta subunit. When alpha is combined with beta, the local structures around the alpha glycosylation sites are apparently altered so as to make the synthesis of triantennary chains less favorable.

In several cases of fatal blunt-trauma injuries or after exposure to severe burning, large-drop fatty substances, discernible to the naked eye, were found in the venous blood of the right ventricle. Thin-layer chromatographic separation of the extracted lipids demonstrated an increase in the triglyceride fraction. Analysis of the fatty acids by means of combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry showed a shift towards oleic acid. The distribution pattern of the molecular weights was determined by means of DCI-mass spectrometry in order to characterize the triglycerides in detail. The total chemical findings indicated that the visible lipids present in the right ventricle had predominantly derived from the adipose tissues. In cases of post mortem burning (without vital traumata) no typical pulmonary fat embolism had developed despite massive lipemia in the venous blood.

A 50-year-old obese man sought medical treatment for bleeding injuries in the abdomen and thigh. According to his statement he felt a dull blow on the front of the trunk while he was feeding swans at a lake. The forensic wound findings and the examination of the clothing suggested that the injuries were caused by a single close-range gunshot with the bullet path running nearly vertically downwards and having a total length of 38 cm. The bullet primarily entered in the right mesogastrium, left the body in the right inguinal region, re-entered and ultimately lodged in the right thigh. After confronting the man with the results of the forensic examination he admitted that he himself had caused the gunshot injury accidentally when cleaning his small-bore revolver.

St. Louis, July 6, 1899. TO THE EDITOR: —There is a crying evil prevailing in the United States against which no remedy has yet been found. It is sporadic in character and unsparing of the individual singled out for its victim. This evil or curse is known as "black-mailing," and it is an evil by the side of which assassination or highway robbery is a mere bagatelle. The watchword of the brave is, "thy purse or thy life," the watchword of the blackmailer is, "thy money or thy character," which to many is more precious than life.The chosen victims of the blackmailer are chiefly medical men, who are singled out under a flimsy plea of damages for malpractice. The nominal plaintiff can not possibly attain his nefarious object without an affiliation with an attorney, whose only consideration usually is a contingent fee. Such attorneys are happily rare, but moral

This paper presents a multiple interacting multiple model (MIMM) procedure to estimate the state of thrusting/ ballistic projectiles in the atmosphere for the purpose of impact point prediction (IPP). Given a very short time span of observations, the strong interaction between drag and thrust in the dynamic model, in the sense of ambiguity in the estimation, significantly affects the estimation performance and the final IPP accuracy. This leads to the need to use an MIMM estimator with various initial drag coefficient estimates. The modes of each IMM estimator are for the thrusting and the ballistic phases and different extended Kalman filters (EKF) are used as the mode-matched filters with different dimension states. A novel unbiased mixing procedure for an IMM estimator is introduced to deal with state estimates with unequal dimensions, as is the case for the thrusting and ballistic models. The IPP is carried out at the end of the observation period by using the most probable mode of the selected IMM estimator, the latter being the one with the highest likelihood in the MIMM approach.