Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology最新文献

Drowning is a common cause of death encountered in forensic practice, typically with clearly defined circumstances and mechanisms. However, in rare cases, the dynamics of death may be atypical and require a multidisciplinary evaluation. We present a highly unusual case of an 18-year-old male who drowned following the administration of fluids during a state of deep unconsciousness induced by fatal methamphetamine intoxication. The case illustrates how passive aspiration of fluids during deep unconsciousness with absent airway protective reflexes, inferred from toxicological levels (blood methamphetamine 4,818 ng/mL) and the observed clinical scenario, can result in drowning, particularly in the context of acute drug-induced neurological and cardiovascular suppression. The findings include typical autopsy signs of drowning and toxicological evidence of lethal levels of methamphetamine. The case highlights how scene statements, autopsy, toxicology, and diatom analysis jointly steer the assessment of criminal liability.

Body packer syndrome involves the deliberate internal concealment of illicit drug packets for trafficking. Packet rupture or acute drug toxicity can lead to life-threatening complications. Given the variability across reported cases, a systematic review of case-based evidence is essential. Following PRISMA guidelines, this review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251028368). A comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar identified case reports and series involving radiologically or surgically confirmed body packers. Extracted data included demographics, drug type, imaging modality, toxicology results, complications, treatment strategy, hospital stay, and outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using Murad's tool. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for analysis. Seventy-six cases were included. Cocaine and heroin were the most trafficked substances. Computed tomography (CT) was the most reliable imaging modality, outperforming plain radiography and ultrasonography in packet detection. Conservative management was successful in asymptomatic individuals, while surgical intervention was needed in cases of rupture or obstruction. Mortality was associated with packet rupture, poor packaging, and delayed diagnosis. Surgical cases had significantly longer hospital stays than conservative ones (p = 0.0025), as did ICU-admitted patients (p = 0.0044). Heroin cases showed longer stays compared to cocaine (p = 0.0102). CT is the most sensitive diagnostic tool in body packer syndrome. Conservative treatment is appropriate in stable patients. Early diagnosis, multidisciplinary coordination, and vigilance for novel concealment trends are critical to reduce morbidity and mortality.

The primary aim of this study was to verify the persistence of seminal traces under varying chain-of-custody conditions, along with determining how different contamination factors, time intervals between collection, and storage methods influence the detectability of semen in the context of sexual assault cases. This study combined laboratory and field analyses to simulate real-case scenarios. Three forensic detection tools-Sperm Tracker Lab, Sperm Tracker Spray, and RSID™ tests-were evaluated on multiple substrates (skin, hair, nylon, cotton, and car interiors) and under various contamination conditions, including the presence of blood, dust, soil, and bodily fluids. Detection techniques included contact-pressure methods (Sperm Tracker Lab), application on uneven surfaces (Sperm Tracker Spray), fluorescence-based searches with ALS (alternative light sources), and immunochromatographic testing (RSID™ kits) for sperm-specific proteins. Positive findings were confirmed via microscopic examination and DNA analysis. All the samples were labelled and stored following strict chain-of-custody protocols. Sperm Tracker Spray demonstrated consistent effectiveness, successfully detecting minimal volumes (1-2 µL) across a wide range of materials. Conversely, ALS showed reduced sensitivity, especially in the presence of diluted or minimal traces and on textured or dark fabrics. RSID™ kits provided reliable confirmation of the presence of semen, even when environmental or biological contamination was present. Accurate and thorough documentation of the chain of custody proved essential for preserving sample authenticity and reducing the risk of error. The findings underscore the importance of a multidisciplinary forensic approach combining specialized reagents, confirmatory immunochromatographic testing, and rigorous adherence to chain-of-custody procedures. This integrated strategy enhances the reliability of seminal trace detection in investigations of sexual assault. Moreover, verifying trace persistence under diverse conditions contributes significantly to the evidentiary value of forensic samples in judicial contexts.

Background: Digital pathology (DP) and whole-slide imaging (WSI) are increasingly utilized in clinical pathology; however, their role in forensic medicine remains less defined, as evidentiary standards demand robust validation, auditability, and a chain of custody.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies that applied DP and WSI to forensic, autopsy, or postmortem contexts, with eligibility requiring peer-reviewed human studies that reported methods and outcomes. Data were charted for study design, tissue, devices/software, and outcomes (diagnostic agreement, quantitative metrics, validation/quality assurance (QA)).

Results: The search retrieved 361 records; after screening and full-text assessment, 21 studies were selected for inclusion. Fifteen studies primarily advanced diagnostic knowledge using postmortem material (e.g., quantitative neuropathology and organ-specific morphometry), while five had direct forensic aims (casework validation or core forensic tests).

Conclusions: The review highlights that DP is technically ready for medico-legal workflows; however, its use remains low compared to other clinical settings. Adoption in forensics should centre on CAP-style, use-case-specific validation, traceable/auditable pipelines (including hashing, logs, and tile-linked overlays), stain/colour governance, and external robustness testing. Under these conditions, DP can deliver reproducible, transparent, and court-defensible evidence across forensic practice.