Forensic science international
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Separation and mass spectrometric techniques are integral parts of forensic drug analysis for both screening and confirmation. The Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs (SWGDRUG), which is responsible for setting standards for drug analysis, requires for drug identification a Category A test such as mass spectrometry with an additional test from either Category B or C. If a Category A method is not used at least two uncorrelated tests from Category B must be included, for which separation techniques such as gas chromatography and liquid chromatography would qualify. ⋯ Although most of the controlled synthetic cannabinoids gave unique TOF in-source collision-induced dissociation MS spectra and EI spectra, it was not possible to discriminate among the geometric isomers (CP47, 497, Epi CP47, 497; Cp47, 497 C8 homologue, Epi CP47, 497 C8 homologue). JWH-018 could be distinguished from the non-controlled isomers based on its EI spectra. In contrast, several of the non-controlled JWH-018 isomers give identical TOF in-source collision-induced dissociation MS spectra to JWH-018.
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During a stabbing, apparel fabrics are usually damaged and may be penetrated. Despite numerous studies considering forces required to penetrate skin and human stabbing performance, none have systematically evaluated which variables affect severance appearance from a textile science perspective using a human stabbing participant assessment. Although the human performance aspects of stabbing attacks have been previously studied, there has been a bias towards male assailants. ⋯ Severance length was affected by participant sex, fabric type, laundering and knife type. The severances formed in this study were not significantly affected by the amount a fabric was extended when stabbed. Variability was observed in the severance appearance among participants where prior training influenced the angle of impact and knife withdrawal technique.
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Gelatin, a representative simulant for soft tissue of the human body, was used to study the effects of 9 mm pistol bullet's penetration. The behavior of a bullet penetrating gelatin was quantified by the temporary cavity sizes in ballistic gelatin and the pressure values of bullet's impact. A numerical simulation model of a bullet penetrating the soft tissue simulant gelatin was built using the finite element method (FEM). ⋯ Moreover, the effects of the bullet's impact velocities and angles of incidence on the temporary cavity in gelatin, its velocity attenuation, and its rolling angle were investigated, as well as the bullet's resistance and energy variation. The physical process and the interactive mechanism during a pistol bullet penetrating gelatin were comprehensively revealed. This may be significant for research in wound ballistics.
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Case Reports
Fatal traumatic aneurysm of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery with delayed rupture.
Traumatic aneurysms of intracranial arteries are rare, forming less than 1% of all intracranial arteries. They may be associated with penetrating and non-penetrating trauma. Most cases are associated with fracturing of the skull. ⋯ At autopsy, there was a 4.0 mm aneurysm of the left PICA just after the origin of the artery. Histological examination confirmed the presence of a traumatic false aneurysm in the left PICA. This case study shows sequential radiological imaging with pathologiocal correlation.