Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology最新文献

Mushroom poisoning incidents happen infrequently, yet owing to the non-lethal nature of most toxins and the efficacy of timely treatment, fatalities from mushroom poisoning are uncommon, leading to a scarcity of pertinent clinical and pathological data. Here, we reported a case of death caused by the consumption of raw mushrooms, alongside detailed clinical data and multi-organs pathological alterations, which underscored its potential significant reference value in forensic practice. Futhermore, ibotenic acid, a type of mushroom toxin, was detected both in the patient's blood and gastric lavage fluid about 19 h after the consumption of mushrooms, and was successfully quantified at concentrations of 0.381 µg/mL and 0.202 µg/mL, respectively, indicating a relatively significant finding.

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) abuse is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. Moreover, the use of N₂O combined with other substances, such as alcohol, is also common. Accidental deaths associated with N₂O abuse are rare in forensic practice, with most fatal cases involving continuous inhalation equipment or exposure in a confined space. In contrast, the inhalation of N₂O using balloons is traditionally regarded as a relatively safe method. In this report, we present an unusual fatal case of a 16-year-old girl who died after drinking alcohol and inhaling N₂O from balloons. The decedent was found in a prone position with the nose and mouth compressed against the bed. Cyanosis of nails, pulmonary and cerebral edema, and the positive expression of HIF-1α in lung, myocardium and brain, were indicative of asphyxiation. Toxicological analysis revealed a peripheral blood ethanol concentration of 140 mg/dL and cardiac blood N₂O concentration of 74.5 μL/mL. N₂O was also positively detected in the lungs, stomach contents, gastric air, and the brain. In conclusion, we determined that the decedent died from accidental asphyxia related to N₂O inhalation, prone positioning, and alcohol consumption. We also investigated chronic N₂O abuse from a forensic perspective. This report aims to help forensic pathologists manage similar cases. It also reminds N₂O abusers of potential dangers.

Pneumopericardium (PPC) is defined by the presence of gas in the pericardial cavity, often leading to cardiac tamponade and a high mortality rate. This report describes a case involving a 33-year-old man found deceased a few meters from a knife, his clothes intact, with no resuscitation attempt made. A knotted scarf was tightly fastened around his neck, without ligature mark. Post-mortem CT revealed 271 ml of gas in the pericardial cavity, with "flattened heart". The forensic examination revealed two thoracic stab wounds, one penetrated the pericardium without penetrating the heart chamber, while the second remained superficial. In the absence of resuscitation or exsanguination, and in the presence of some non-specific signs observed in the context of asphyxia, the hypothesis of death by compressive PPC was supported. This first French case report of PPC highlights the rarity of this entity in forensic settings, and comparison with other cases described in the literature which did not present the same characteristics points out the diagnostic difficulties it presents and the importance of post-mortem CT in diagnosis.

This article aimed to analyze the epidemiological and toxicological profile of died of suicides in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, over a period of 6 years, and understand how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced it. A cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive, and retrospective study was conducted based on the suicide cases registered in the Scientific Police of Santa Catarina over six years. A total of 3,557 cases were analyzed, with small variations being observed between the years in question. The victims were predominantly male (79.73%) and adults, most of whom were aged 50 to 59 (14.76%). In 43.18% of cases, at least one psychoactive substance was identified, with antidepressants (20.65%), anxiolytics (18.48%), and cocaine (13.35%) standing out. In most cases (72.52%), the alcohol concentration was less than 1 dg/L. The use of medication, drugs, and alcohol before suicide was more prevalent in women (p < 0.05), whereas cocaine was more prevalent among men (p < 0.05). The data characterize the epidemiological profile of suicide victims, in addition to demonstrating the low variations in the number of suicides comparing the year with the COVID-19 Pandemic and without a pandemic, in the short term.

The dissection of the aorta is a serious and potentially fatal consequence of cocaine use. Nonetheless, the underlying mechanisms and characteristics of this phenomenon remain to be deeply studied. The autopsy case of a 46-year-old white male found irresponsive and unconscious in his house and had a history of abusing cocaine is presented. Autopsy findings showed aortic arch and thoracic aorta of regular calibre, with evidence of a mid-adventitial dissecting aneurysm of the ascending intrapericardial portion of the aorta. Forensic toxicological analyses evidenced a positivity to cocaine and its main metabolite, benzoylecgonine, in all fluids (peripheral blood, bile and urine), liver and brain homogenates. Data also evidenced a positivity to alcohol, confirming a past history of intake. The presented case confirms the connection between cocaine addiction and the risk of aortic dissection, emphasizing the need for increased knowledge about the risks connected to this drug. It is emphasized the need of prompt examination and effective treatment of patients exhibiting cardiac symptoms linked to cocaine use, as well as the need of an accurate anamnesis to evidence use/abuse of other cardiotoxic substances.

Facial reconstruction, a crucial method in forensic identification, finds particular significance in cases where conventional means of identification are unavailable. This study addresses a significant gap in the field of forensic facial reconstruction focusing on facial soft tissue thickness (FSTT) and facial reconstruction techniques specifically tailored to the Thai population. By developing and implementing the 3D (three-dimensional) facial reconstruction program and compiling an extensive dataset of FSTT, this research makes substantial progress in advancing forensic facial reconstruction methodologies employing the combination Manchester Method, 3D skull images obtained through cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were reconstructed using Autodesk Maya software. A dataset comprising 100 Thai cadavers underwent FSTT measurements via ultrasound (US) for 53 landmarks, with subsequent facial comparisons of 10 samples between reconstructed faces and real photographs conducted using the facial pool comparison and the structural similarity index (SSIM). The accuracy of facial pool comparison ranged from 30 to 80%, reflecting a wide range due to human errors. Thus, incorporating computerized assessment is necessary to minimize human bias. SSIM values ranged from 0.76 to 0.89, indicating strong similarity between reconstructed and real faces and validating the reconstruction process's accuracy. These findings suggest that the facial soft tissue thickness database of the Thai population used in this study can effectively support 3D computerized facial reconstruction. Moreover, this study sets the stage for future advancements in facial reconstruction methodologies tailored to diverse populations, emphasizing the ongoing need for comprehensive data gathering and technique refinement to enhance accuracy and applicability in forensic investigations.

Tattooing has been a facet of many civilizations and cultures for millennia with a recent resurgence in popularity in many Western countries. The reasons for tattooing are diverse ranging from simple decorative designs to enforced tattooing of concentration camp inmates. In a forensic context tattoos are frequently observed and may play a role in some cases of identification, even after decomposition, incineration or dismemberment. More broadly however, tattoos can provide significant information on a decedent's name and age, country or region of origin, religion, names of family members and friends, pet ownership, political affiliations, sporting and recreational activities, military service, gang memberships, drug usage and medical data. Thus, careful reading of tattoos at the time of post mortem examination can sometimes be a very productive exercise delivering background material on a decedent that may not have been provided in police reports.

Tattooing refers to the process of creating indelible designs and texts in the human skin by introducing a variety of dyes. It has found for millennia in a range of societies. The purpose of tattooing has ranged from marking individuals of significant social standing such as chieftains in Polynesia, to those who are regarded as outcasts such as prostitutes and criminals in Europe. In recent years tattooing has gained considerable popularity in the West including tattoos that have merely had a humorous content, either as an image or text. These types of tattoos often utilize natural body features such as the umbilicus, natal cleft, genitalia, breasts or scars, and may contain simple but explicit messages or suggest possible underlying mental disturbance. While the significance of these types of tattoos and the profile of individuals who have them is at present unknown further study could identify sociological and forensic features specific to this subgroup.

Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) is a condition defined by abnormal gas accumulation in the chest cavity. Mutations of the collagen type III alpha 1 chain, COL3A1 gene, are primarily linked to vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS); however, they can also contribute to structural changes in the tissue, like bullae of the lungs. In this case report, we present a young, thinly built boy who died due to a spontaneous pneumothorax. Post-mortem genetic testing revealed a novel COL3A1 mutation, likely contributing to the pathogenic events underlying death due to spontaneous pneumothorax. We recommend implementing genetic testing of correlative or causative genes in the context of SP.

Matrix-assisted laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MALDI MSI) is an analytical technique used for the spatial mapping of drugs, explosives, and organic samples, making it a game-changer in Forensic examination. It detects a wide range of biomolecules in their native state without specific tags, antibodies, labels, and dyes. This review aims to highlight the advancement of MALDI-MSI over time and its impact on Forensic Science due to high-resolution molecular imaging. To foster the development of forensic investigations the utility of MALDI-MSI in six different broad areas, Latent Fingerprinting division, forensic toxicology division, Crime Scene Reconstruction and investigation division, Sex crimes, forensic trichology division, question document analysis, is explored in this review. MALDI-MSI possesses a unique strength of molecular imaging of biomolecules without complex preparation from diverse sample types. In the future, the sensitivity and detection limits of MALDI-MSI can be enhanced and its instrumental size should be reduced to perform on-site investigation.