Forensic science international
-
The study sought to determine the physiologic effects of the prone maximum restraint (PMR) position in obese subjects after intense exercise. We designed an experimental, randomized, cross-over trial in human subjects conducted at a university exercise physiology laboratory. Ten otherwise healthy, obese (BMI>30) subjects performed a period of heavy exertion on a cycling ergometer to 85% of maximum heart rate, and then were placed in one of three positions in random order for 15min: (1) seated with hands behind the back, (2) prone with arms to the sides, (3) PMR position. While in each position, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), minute ventilation (V˙E), oxygen saturation (SaO2), and end tidal CO2(etCO2) were measured every 5min. There were no significant differences identified between the three positions in MAP, HR, V˙E, or O2sat at any time period. There was a slight increase in heart rate at 15min in the PMR position over the prone position (95 vs. 87). There was a decrease in end tidal CO2 at 15min in the PMR over the prone position (32mmHg vs. 35mmHg). In addition, there was no evidence of hypoxia or hypoventilation during any of the monitored 15min position periods. ⋯ In this small study of obese subjects, there were no clinically significant differences in the cardiovascular and respiratory measures comparing seated, prone, and PMR position following exertion.
-
In postmortem investigations of fatal intoxications it is often challenging to determine which drug/s caused the death. To improve the interpretation of postmortem blood concentrations of sedative and hypnotic drugs and/or clonazepam, all medico-legal autopsies in Sweden - where these drugs had been detected in femoral vein blood during 1992-2006 - were identified in the databases of the National Board of Forensic Medicine. For each drug, concentrations in postmortem control cases - where the cause of death was not intoxication and where incapacitation by drugs could be excluded - were compiled as well as the levels found in living subjects; drugged driving cases and therapeutic drug monitoring cases. ⋯ Concentrations observed among drugged drivers were similar to the concentrations observed among the therapeutic drug monitoring cases. Flunitrazepam was the substance with the highest number of single intoxications, when related to sales. In summary, this study provides reference drug concentrations primarily to be used for improving interpretation of postmortem drug levels in obscure cases, but which also may assist in drug safety work and in pharmacovigilance efforts.
-
We present a traumatic fatality of a 19-year-old man who had ingested blotter paper containing 25I-NBOMe [2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamine]. Postmortem specimens were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS). ⋯ While findings based upon the method of standard additions were: gastric contents, 7.1 μg total; bile, 10.9 ng/g; brain, 2.54 ng/g and liver, 7.2 ng/g. To our knowledge the presented case is the first postmortem case of 25I-NBOMe intoxication documented by toxicological analysis of tissues and body fluids.
-
Sudden deaths are common findings in Rivers state of Nigeria. The victims of such deaths are subjects, of coroners' autopsies, and the records there from constitute important sources of epidemiological data. ⋯ Homicides were by far the commonest findings of medico legal autopsies, followed by accidental and natural deaths respectively while suicides were the least in Rivers state of Nigeria. Firearms were the, most frequently used weapons for homicides and road traffic accidents remain the major causes of accidental deaths while cardiovascular system pathologies account for the highest proportion of sudden natural deaths and suicides are committed by hanging. Males within the productive age, brackets of 20-49 years are more affected by sudden deaths of all manners.
-
The value of post-mortem CT in neonaticide in case of severe decomposition: description of 12 cases.
In cases of neonaticide with delayed finding of the body, interpretation of autopsy results can be difficult because of decomposition. Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) has become an increasingly popular tool in the (pediatric) forensic field. We performed a retrospective study to compare the outcome of PMCT with autopsy results in suspected neonaticide, in neonates found more than one week after their demise. We compared the performance of both methods on (1) determining gestational age, (2) differentiating between live birth and still birth and (3) determining cause of death. ⋯ PMCT is a better tool for estimating gestational age in case of suspected neonaticide with late postmortem changes compared to autopsy and should therefore be a standard part of the work-up. Signs of live birth and cause of death could not be determined with neither of the methods, an adjusted post mortem examination including limited autopsy for these cases might be developed.