Pub Date : 2023-12-11DOI: 10.4467/16891716amsik.23.010.18685
J. Jodynis-Liebert
{"title":"Prof. Witold Seńczuk (1925-2023)","authors":"J. Jodynis-Liebert","doi":"10.4467/16891716amsik.23.010.18685","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4467/16891716amsik.23.010.18685","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":134659,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology","volume":"7 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138980873","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-11DOI: 10.4467/16891716amsik.23.008.18295
Victoria Prokopowicz, A. Borowska-Solonynko, Małgorzata Brzozowska, Aleksandra Chamier-Gliszczyńska
Post-mortem computer tomography (PMCT) is an imaging technique that is gaining popularity both worldwide and in Poland. It provides certain benefits in death investigation that a conventional autopsy is not able to, however, it has significant limitations. As PMCT and post-mortem computed angiography (PMCTA) continue to develop in this country, it is critical to become aware what people know and think about these imaging techniques, especially the prosecutors who officially order such examinations to be performed. In 2019, two concurrent surveys were administered to Polish prosecutors and general Polish population, respectively, regarding their current knowledge and opinions on PMCT. The results were collected both online and on paper, and then subjected to analysis. In total, 92 prosecutors and 227 non-prosecutors responded to the survey. The present authors observed that while prosecutors were more likely to have heard of this examination than the general public, their knowledge was often inadequate or incorrect. Conventional autopsy was still held as the gold standard in death investigation. However, a good popular sentiment towards PMCT was shown, and a desire to learn more about it – not just among prosecutors, but among the general public as well. The present authors’ recommendation is that more courses and training should be organised for Polish prosecutors to compensate this knowledge gap.
{"title":"Knowledge and attitudes of Polish prosecutors and general Polish population in regard to post-mortem computed tomography in 2019","authors":"Victoria Prokopowicz, A. Borowska-Solonynko, Małgorzata Brzozowska, Aleksandra Chamier-Gliszczyńska","doi":"10.4467/16891716amsik.23.008.18295","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4467/16891716amsik.23.008.18295","url":null,"abstract":"Post-mortem computer tomography (PMCT) is an imaging technique that is gaining popularity both worldwide and in Poland. It provides certain benefits in death investigation that a conventional autopsy is not able to, however, it has significant limitations. As PMCT and post-mortem computed angiography (PMCTA) continue to develop in this country, it is critical to become aware what people know and think about these imaging techniques, especially the prosecutors who officially order such examinations to be performed. In 2019, two concurrent surveys were administered to Polish prosecutors and general Polish population, respectively, regarding their current knowledge and opinions on PMCT. The results were collected both online and on paper, and then subjected to analysis. In total, 92 prosecutors and 227 non-prosecutors responded to the survey. The present authors observed that while prosecutors were more likely to have heard of this examination than the general public, their knowledge was often inadequate or incorrect. Conventional autopsy was still held as the gold standard in death investigation. However, a good popular sentiment towards PMCT was shown, and a desire to learn more about it – not just among prosecutors, but among the general public as well. The present authors’ recommendation is that more courses and training should be organised for Polish prosecutors to compensate this knowledge gap.","PeriodicalId":134659,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology","volume":"14 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138980790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-11DOI: 10.4467/16891716amsik.23.009.18296
Sahil Thakral, Sarthak Aeron, Richa Mishra, P. Setia
In cranial autopsies, the post-mortem examination requires the use of a saw for the removal of the skull cap. In these procedures, sawing of bone becomes a critical source of infectious aerosols which spread instantaneously in the immediate environment, generating liquid aerosols including droplets of cerebrospinal fluid and blood, and leading to exposure of all autopsy personnel. In high-risk cases like prion disease, tuberculosis, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), COVID-19, etc. where the skull would require sawing, the prime concern is the saw operator’s exposure to these pathogens. Therefore, the author suggests the use of an ingenious ergonomic semi-circular craniotomy box during skull cap and brain removal in the autopsy procedure to successfully prevent the contamination of the entire autopsy hall. A transparent acrylic plastic box has been customized, which is semi-circular in shape having three walls, one semi-circular dome without a floor, a front wall with adjustable zipper closure, and a hind wall with circular holes with sleeves made of 5-layer fabrics. The dome contains one outlet for a vacuum suction pipe on the side, two holes on each side of the dome with non-woven fabric arms for the saw operator, and assistants’ arms for performing skull opening procedures. The use of this box allowed the author to prevent and limit the spread of the generation of infectious aerosols in the autopsy hall as the bone dust collected in the vacuum ensures the safety of autopsy surgeons.
{"title":"Prevention of the spread of infection during highly infectious autopsy using a craniotomy box","authors":"Sahil Thakral, Sarthak Aeron, Richa Mishra, P. Setia","doi":"10.4467/16891716amsik.23.009.18296","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4467/16891716amsik.23.009.18296","url":null,"abstract":"In cranial autopsies, the post-mortem examination requires the use of a saw for the removal of the skull cap. In these procedures, sawing of bone becomes a critical source of infectious aerosols which spread instantaneously in the immediate environment, generating liquid aerosols including droplets of cerebrospinal fluid and blood, and leading to exposure of all autopsy personnel. In high-risk cases like prion disease, tuberculosis, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), COVID-19, etc. where the skull would require sawing, the prime concern is the saw operator’s exposure to these pathogens. Therefore, the author suggests the use of an ingenious ergonomic semi-circular craniotomy box during skull cap and brain removal in the autopsy procedure to successfully prevent the contamination of the entire autopsy hall. A transparent acrylic plastic box has been customized, which is semi-circular in shape having three walls, one semi-circular dome without a floor, a front wall with adjustable zipper closure, and a hind wall with circular holes with sleeves made of 5-layer fabrics. The dome contains one outlet for a vacuum suction pipe on the side, two holes on each side of the dome with non-woven fabric arms for the saw operator, and assistants’ arms for performing skull opening procedures. The use of this box allowed the author to prevent and limit the spread of the generation of infectious aerosols in the autopsy hall as the bone dust collected in the vacuum ensures the safety of autopsy surgeons.","PeriodicalId":134659,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology","volume":"102 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138981509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-11DOI: 10.4467/16891716amsik.23.014.18689
Slezak, Bloch-Bogusławska, Grzanka
The most common complications of percutaneous coronary interventions and other endovascular procedures include minor hemorrhage, hematoma, or infection at the insertion site [1]. Much more serious ones include damage to the vessel wall, dissection, shock from contrast administration, acute kidney injury, myocardial infarction [2] and ischemic stroke [3]. Ischemic complications can be caused by an embolic incident due to a thrombus formation or detachment of atherosclerotic plaque fragments [3]. A rarely diagnosed complication is ischemia caused by microembolisms from the material covering the equipment inserted into the vessel – hydrophilic polymer coating (HPC)[4]. We present an interesting case of HPC revealed in coronary vessels within myocardial preparations taken in forensic post-mortem examination conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine in Bydgoszcz (L.dz. 676/19). This article raises the issue of clinical implications and forensic aspects.
{"title":"Fragments of hydrophilic polymer coating as an embolic material – rare complication and potential cause of death","authors":"Slezak, Bloch-Bogusławska, Grzanka","doi":"10.4467/16891716amsik.23.014.18689","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4467/16891716amsik.23.014.18689","url":null,"abstract":"The most common complications of percutaneous coronary interventions and other endovascular procedures include minor hemorrhage, hematoma, or infection at the insertion site [1]. Much more serious ones include damage to the vessel wall, dissection, shock from contrast administration, acute kidney injury, myocardial infarction [2] and ischemic stroke [3]. Ischemic complications can be caused by an embolic incident due to a thrombus formation or detachment of atherosclerotic plaque fragments [3]. A rarely diagnosed complication is ischemia caused by microembolisms from the material covering the equipment inserted into the vessel – hydrophilic polymer coating (HPC)[4]. We present an interesting case of HPC revealed in coronary vessels within myocardial preparations taken in forensic post-mortem examination conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine in Bydgoszcz (L.dz. 676/19). This article raises the issue of clinical implications and forensic aspects.","PeriodicalId":134659,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology","volume":"6 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138978780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-11DOI: 10.4467/16891716amsik.23.013.18688
Krzysztof Maksymowicz, Szleszkowski, Kuzan, Tunikowski
The aim of this study is to develop a methodology for creating 3D images of crime scenes based on footage from cameras used by emergency services. To accomplish this, a research experiment was conducted, which consisted of re-enactment of a crime scene and simulation of the actions of the emergency team. The experiment did not illustrate a real case. The scenario was developed and dedicated for the purpose of the research. The research material of this study consists of footage recorded in digital video format. The footage shows the course of a re-enacted intervention of emergency services at the crime scene. The re-enactment, which was a research experiment, was arranged under conditions close to real ones. The 3D model of the scene was created in three stages: video analysis and 3D reconstruction of the spatial position of the camera; 3D modelling of the figure of the participant with reconstruction of the position similar to the one in the recording; and 3D scanning of the scene of the simulated crime, assembly of individual elements, and scaling to real dimensions. The result (a 3D model) was presented in the form of a set of images: horizontal projections, vertical sections, and isometric and perspective views of the model. Technical data of the research equipment as well as other relevant information was presented in tables and diagrams. This study demonstrated that graphic data obtained unintentionally and through alternative recording sources may significantly complement the data collected in the course of routine medico-legal and forensic activities. The use of cameras during the actions of rescue and emergency services allows us to obtain information of significant importance for medico-legal and forensic analyses. The footage from cameras of emergency services makes it possible to obtain a 3D image of the crime scene for further medico-legal and forensic analyses
{"title":"Creating crime scene 3D model with body wear camera footage","authors":"Krzysztof Maksymowicz, Szleszkowski, Kuzan, Tunikowski","doi":"10.4467/16891716amsik.23.013.18688","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4467/16891716amsik.23.013.18688","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of this study is to develop a methodology for creating 3D images of crime scenes based on footage from cameras used by emergency services. To accomplish this, a research experiment was conducted, which consisted of re-enactment of a crime scene and simulation of the actions of the emergency team. The experiment did not illustrate a real case. The scenario was developed and dedicated for the purpose of the research.\u0000\u0000The research material of this study consists of footage recorded in digital video format. The footage shows the course of a re-enacted intervention of emergency services at the crime scene. The re-enactment, which was a research experiment, was arranged under conditions close to real ones. The 3D model of the scene was created in three stages: video analysis and 3D reconstruction of the spatial position of the camera; 3D modelling of the figure of the participant with reconstruction of the position similar to the one in the recording; and 3D scanning of the scene of the simulated crime, assembly of individual elements, and scaling to real dimensions.\u0000\u0000The result (a 3D model) was presented in the form of a set of images: horizontal projections, vertical sections, and isometric and perspective views of the model. Technical data of the research equipment as well as other relevant information was presented in tables and diagrams.\u0000\u0000This study demonstrated that graphic data obtained unintentionally and through alternative recording sources may significantly complement the data collected in the course of routine medico-legal and forensic activities. The use of cameras during the actions of rescue and emergency services allows us to obtain information of significant importance for medico-legal and forensic analyses. The footage from cameras of emergency services makes it possible to obtain a 3D image of the crime scene for further medico-legal and forensic analyses","PeriodicalId":134659,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology","volume":"41 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138979729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-11DOI: 10.4467/16891716amsik.23.011.18686
K. Skonieczna, Marzanna Ciesielka, Grzegorz Teresiński, Tomasz Grzybowski
Introduction: Massively parallel sequencing of mitogenomes usually requires prior amplification. The PCR step may influence the quality of the data obtained, especially when low-level heteroplasmy detection is applied. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the reliability of two different DNA polymerases in detecting homoplasmic and heteroplasmic substitutions in human mitogenomes. Materials and Methods: Mitogenomes of five samples were amplified with Long PCR Enzyme Mix from Fermentas or TaKaRa LA Taq DNA Polymerase from TaKaRa. Then, NexteraTM XT DNA libraries were sequenced on MiSeq FGx platform (Illumina). mtDNA substitutions were called for alternative variants above the 1% level. Results: All homoplasmic substitutions detected in amplicons generated with polymerases studied here and sequenced on MiSeq FGx system were consistently identified as homoplasmies with alternative sequencing methods. TaKaRa LA Taq DNA Polymerase was found to be less accurate in low-level heteroplasmy detection than Long PCR Enzyme Mix enzyme as more false negative and false positive results were observed for minority variants called above the 1% level. Nevertheless, both PCR systems studied can be successfully used to detect authentic mtDNA substitutions, for which minority variants exceed the 3.61% level assuming at least 10,000x coverage and sequencing Nextera XT DNA libraries on MiSeq FGx machine. Conclusions: The accuracy and sensitivity of point heteroplasmy detection with the MiSeq FGx instrument varies on polymerase used for mtDNA amplification. Therefore, it is recommended to validate the laboratory protocols used for mtDNA substitution detection prior to their implementation for the forensic or medical genetics purposes. Conflicts of interest statement: The authors declare no conflict of interest
简介对有丝分裂基因组进行大规模平行测序通常需要事先进行扩增。目的:本研究旨在比较两种不同的 DNA 聚合酶检测人类有丝分裂基因组中同质和异质替换的可靠性:用Fermentas公司的Long PCR Enzyme Mix或TaKaRa公司的LA Taq DNA聚合酶扩增5个样本的有丝分裂基因组。然后,在MiSeq FGx平台(Illumina)上对NexteraTM XT DNA文库进行测序:结果:用本文研究的聚合酶生成的扩增子中检测到的所有同源变异,在 MiSeq FGx 系统上测序后,用其他测序方法也能一致鉴定为同源变异。研究发现,TaKaRa LA Taq DNA 聚合酶在低水平异质体检测方面的准确性不如 Long PCR Enzyme Mix 酶,因为在 1%水平以上的少数变异体中观察到更多的假阴性和假阳性结果。尽管如此,假定至少有 10,000 倍的覆盖率,并在 MiSeq FGx 机器上对 Nextera XT DNA 文库进行测序,所研究的这两种 PCR 系统都能成功用于检测真实的 mtDNA 替换,其少数变异超过 3.61% 的水平:结论:使用 MiSeq FGx 仪器检测点异质性的准确性和灵敏度因用于 mtDNA 扩增的聚合酶而异。因此,建议在用于法医或医学遗传学目的的 mtDNA 替换检测实验室方案实施前对其进行验证:作者声明无利益冲突
{"title":"Low-level point heteroplasmy detection in human mitogenomes amplified with different polymerases and sequenced on MiSeq FGx platform","authors":"K. Skonieczna, Marzanna Ciesielka, Grzegorz Teresiński, Tomasz Grzybowski","doi":"10.4467/16891716amsik.23.011.18686","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4467/16891716amsik.23.011.18686","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Massively parallel sequencing of mitogenomes usually requires prior amplification. The PCR step may influence the quality of the data obtained, especially when low-level heteroplasmy detection is applied.\u0000\u0000Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the reliability of two different DNA polymerases in detecting homoplasmic and heteroplasmic substitutions in human mitogenomes.\u0000\u0000Materials and Methods: Mitogenomes of five samples were amplified with Long PCR Enzyme Mix from Fermentas or TaKaRa LA Taq DNA Polymerase from TaKaRa. Then, NexteraTM XT DNA libraries were sequenced on MiSeq FGx platform (Illumina). mtDNA substitutions were called for alternative variants above the 1% level.\u0000\u0000Results: All homoplasmic substitutions detected in amplicons generated with polymerases studied here and sequenced on MiSeq FGx system were consistently identified as homoplasmies with alternative sequencing methods. TaKaRa LA Taq DNA Polymerase was found to be less accurate in low-level heteroplasmy detection than Long PCR Enzyme Mix enzyme as more false negative and false positive results were observed for minority variants called above the 1% level. Nevertheless, both PCR systems studied can be successfully used to detect authentic mtDNA substitutions, for which minority variants exceed the 3.61% level assuming at least 10,000x coverage and sequencing Nextera XT DNA libraries on MiSeq FGx machine.\u0000\u0000Conclusions: The accuracy and sensitivity of point heteroplasmy detection with the MiSeq FGx instrument varies on polymerase used for mtDNA amplification. Therefore, it is recommended to validate the laboratory protocols used for mtDNA substitution detection prior to their implementation for the forensic or medical genetics purposes.\u0000\u0000Conflicts of interest statement: The authors declare no conflict of interest","PeriodicalId":134659,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology","volume":"33 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138981106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}