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Elevators are mechanical transportation devices used to move vertically between different levels of a building. When first developed, elevators lacked the safety features. When safety mechanisms were developed, elevators became a common feature of multistory buildings. Despite their well‐regarded safety record, elevators are not without the potential for danger of injury or death. Persons at‐risk for elevator‐related death include maintenance and construction workers, other employees, and those who are prone to risky behavior. Deaths may be related to asphyxia, blunt force, avulsion injuries, and various forms of environmental trauma. In this review, we report on 48 elevator‐related deaths that occurred in nine different medicolegal death investigation jurisdictions within the United States over an approximately 30‐year period. The data represents a cross‐section of the different types of elevator‐related deaths that may be encountered. The review also presents an overview of preventive strategies for the purpose of avoiding future elevator‐related fatalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forensic pathologists are commonly tasked with identifying human remains. Although DNA analysis remains the gold standard in identification, time and cost make it particularly prohibitive. Radiological examination, more specifically analog imaging, is more cost‐effective and has been widely used in the medical examiner setting as a means of identification. In the United States, CT imaging is a fairly new imaging modality in the forensic setting, but in more recent years, offices are acquiring CT scans or collaborating with local hospitals to utilize the technology. To broaden the spectrum of potential identifying characteristics, we collected 20 cases with antemortem and postmortem CT images. The results were qualitatively assessed by a forensic pathologist and a nonmedically trained intern, and all cases were correctly identified. This study demonstrates that identification of human remains using visual comparison could be performed with ease by a forensic pathologist with limited CT experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2,4‐dinitrophenol (2,4‐DNP) is a compound used in the early 1900s as a weight‐loss drug but later prohibited due to its severe adverse effects, including death. It has however been attracting interest, due to its weight‐loss properties, and appears to be re‐emerging in forensic casework. As 2,4‐DNP is available for use in industry and as a pesticide and easily accessible online, the dissemination of this drug can be fast. The compound exerts its effects through inhibition of ATP synthesis, and corresponding thermogenic energy loss which can be fatal. A method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of 2,4‐DNP in blood and urine specimens using GC‐MS with hydrogen as carrier gas is described. The method was validated and displayed acceptable performance parameters with linearity (R2 higher than 0.998), inter‐assay imprecision (lower than 10.6%), intra‐assay imprecision (lower than 10.7%), and extraction efficiency (92.1%). Stability of 2,4‐DNP in blood and urine was studied, and the drug was stable up to 30 days refrigeration or frozen. Six cases in United States suspected to be related to 2,4‐DNP were analyzed. Three cases were found to be positive for 2,4‐DNP. Concentrations of 2,4‐DNP were in the range of 61.6–220 mg/L in urine and <3–114 mg/L in blood. Based on our findings, we suggest that medical examiners and forensic toxicologists be aware of the reappearance of 2,4‐DNP, including this compound as a target in death investigations related to weight‐loss drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the studies on the circumstances of adolescent death in the U.S. Evaluation on all forensic cases referred to the Medical University of South Carolina Forensic Pathology section; Presentation of the most common manner of death for all adolescents; Significance of the 15-year retrospective study on prediction and prevention of future cases of adolescent death.

Suicide by burning is an extreme act that is uncommon in the United States and throughout the Western world. The characteristics of people who complete such acts are not well understood. To address this issue, we examined the death records of the King County Medical Examiner's Office in Washington State over the 13 years from 1996 to 2009. Twenty-five cases of suicide by burning were identified and used to characterize decedent demographics, circumstances of death, and motivating factors. Compared to other methods of suicide, burning demonstrated a significant overrepresentation of decedents who were women, 40-59 years of age, and Asian/Pacific Islander. They also tended to have previous psychiatric illness and/or substance abuse issues. Self-burning predominantly occurred at the decedent's residence with the intent of suicide given. There was no unifying theme in motivating factors. Together, these data represent the characteristics of people whose death is because of suicide by burning in King County, Washington. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the review of intentional ingestions of cyanide in suicides which occurred in New York City over a ten-year interval. Evaluation of the toxicologic and postmortem findings; Predominance of occupations and nationalities of the decedents; Use of a color test for screening for cyanide.