Archiv fur Kriminologie最新文献

A case of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in several occupants of two neighboring residential buildings in Hamburg-Harburg (Germany) caused by a defective gas central heating system is described. Because of leaks in one of the residential buildings and the directly adjacent wall of the neighboring house, the gas could spread and accumulated in both residential buildings, which resulted in a highly dangerous situation. Exposure to the toxic gas caused mild to severe intoxication in 15 persons. Three victims died still at the site of the accident. Measures to protect the occupants were taken only with a great delay. As symptoms were unspecific, it was not realized that the various alarms given by persons involved in the accident were related to the same cause. In order to take appropriate measures in time it is indispensible to recognize, assess and check potential risks, which can be done by using carbon monoxide warning devices and performing immediate COHb measurements with special pulse oximeters on site. Moreover, the COHb content in the blood should be routinely determined in all patients admitted to an emergency department with unspecific symptoms.

On April 15th 2014, human skeletal remains were found during digging activities for constructing a new building at Bornheim-Uedorf (Rhein-Sieg-Kreis) near the river Rhine (about 20 meters) in a pit measuring 10 by 10 meters and having a depth of about 150 cm. The skeletal remains were preserved quite well considering the fact that they were located so near to the Rhine, although several skeletal parts were missing. The preserved skeletal remains comprised some skull fragments (including two ear bones of the right side), right scapula, both humeri, left ulna, left radius, left metacarpal bone 2, right metacarpal bones 1, 3 and 4, rib fragments, three thoracic vertebrae, all lumbar vertebrae, one sacral vertebra, pelvis fragments, left femur, proximal part of the left tibial diaphysis, right tibia and diaphysis of both fibulae. The anthropological analysis revealed that the skeletal remains belonged to a 20-to-30-year-old presumably male individual with a body height of about 163 to 173 cm (depending on the formula used for body height estimation). Evidence of intense physical activity and traumatological findings could not be detected on the preserved bones. Periosteal reactions on the bone surface caused by nonspecific bacterial infection were found on the right humerus close to the elbow and on both tibiae, especially the left one. Besides the skeletal remains, metal fragments were recovered--among them an arrowhead, which was typologically classified as an early medieval finding (6th to 7th century). Radiocarbon dating of a bone sample revealed an age of 1561 ± 19 a BP corresponding to a calibrated age of 436 to 540 AD (1 sigma). So, the archaeological classification of the recovered skeleton into the early medieval period was verified. Amongst the human remains, there was also a metatarsal bone of cattle with cut marks. The animal bone as well as the metal fragments indicated that the find was part of an early medieval burial with typical grave goods.

According to crime statistics only a small percentage of intentional killings are committed by women. Female emancipation has not changed this finding. In spite of numerous studies in the field of psychiatry and social criminology there are few systematic investigations analyzing homicides committed by women under medico-legal aspects. The presented data include 127 homicides committed by female offenders, which were assessed at the Munich Institute of Legal Medicine between 1990 and 2010. The results of the evaluation are presented with regard to the type of offence, the motive, the means and method used to commit the offence and the sentence imposed.

As part of the collection in the Hans Gross Museum of Criminology in Graz there are still three crime scene reliefs; two of which were made by Hans Gross himself. The practical purpose of these criminal landscape models is something one could speculate about, but such models may have been useful in two fields: in the criminal lab and in the courtroom. To see the reliefs in a scientific experimental context as well as under the aspects of artwork and topography is as essential as emphasizing their genuine military character.

Over one year, 7 autopsy cases with narrow diameters of the descending aorta were seen in the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University of Bonn. The autopsy results were supplemented by chemical-toxicological, alcohol and histological examinations. In all cases middle-aged men (24-38 years) died suddenly and predominantly in a domestic environment. To some extent the inner aortic diameters ranged significantly below the expected values in relation to body surfaces or were lower than the 5th percentile related to men aged 45 years. In four cases, potentially lethal concentrations of alcohol or intoxications, e.g. with heroin, were noted. In one case, the blood sugar level was significantly elevated. In the other two cases, all further investigations were unremarkable.

The term "kidney shrinkage", which is used in both pathological anatomy and clinical contexts, is not uniformly defined. In medicolegal practice, it is particularly important whether or not a cause of death can be inferred from this diagnosis. If this were the case, a shrunken kidney determined in a forensic autopsy would obtain the same significance as a competing cause of death. International medical journals and German-language textbooks were searched for definitions of the various terms used to denote this condition, and the definitions were reassessed. The term "kidney shrinkage" was found to have historical roots and has further evolved since the 19th century. Although the first use of the term could not be determined with certainty, Bright (1789-1858) appears to be one of the first to use it in describing kidney disease. Definitions given in modern textbooks are based on kidney function, size, or macromorphology. However, these definitions lack uniformity and are often unsubstantiated. Because of its evocative power, the use of the historically coined term "kidney shrinkage" appears justified, at least as part of the medicolegal practitioner's jargon, to describe kidneys that have an uneven surface, decreased renal parenchyma, and a weight of less than 80 g, even if the term does not allow deductions about the degree of renal insufficiency and, thus, the significance of kidney shrinkage as the cause of death. The evaluation of such aspects requires histological analysis or referral to the results of clinical chemistry analyses that may have been performed while the individual was still alive.

Manual laterality (handedness) in humans has some significance for forensic practice where it is primarily employed in the form of handedness preference, based on a simplified three-stage classification (right-handed, left-handed and ambidextrous). In cases of homicide or suicide, the pattern of injuries, particularly cutting or stab injuries and gunshot wounds, may provide clues as to the perpetrator's handedness. In injuries inflicted by another person, the pattern of findings can in isolated cases allow to draw conclusions as to the handedness of the perpetrator. In self-inflicted injuries and suicide, the dominant hand is usually used either alone or as the lead hand. If it is found that fatal injuries were inflicted by the non-dominant hand, this gives rise to doubt that the manner of death is suicide. Evidence of handedness is of little value in distinguishing between suicide and homicide. Due to new developments in dentistry, imaging procedures and especially genetics, the utility of handedness in the identification of unknown persons or cadavers has significantly diminished. In living subjects, useful evidence of handedness can be obtained by observing the performance of specific gestures or activities. The subject should be asked to perform tasks involving one and two hands in a specific sequence. Standardised measurements of the morphology of the shoulders and upper extremities are able to make a statistical distinction between right and left. Since the accuracy of this process is, however, only,around 75 %, morphological determination of handedness should not be used in living subjects, but should be restricted to the identification of unknown cadavers or other post-mortem examinations.

Cases in which forensic experts cannot draw their conclusions on the basis of primary findings collected by themselves are not uncommon in medico-legal practice. Often only photographs or statements on the course of events are available to investigate the plausibility of reports on how an accident happened. In cases of child abuse it is often claimed that the injuries occurred due to an accident and explanations are adapted to the diagnostic findings or results of the police investigations. This is demonstrated by the death of a 3-year-and-3-month-old child whose body was never found. According to the father, who had disposed of the body and made false statements as to the whereabouts of the child, the toddler had slipped in the bathtub and hit her head against the fittings and the floor of the tub. Some time later he claimed to have found the child dead in the bedroom. Contrary to his version, the prosecution assumed that the child had been killed intentionally The essential points for checking the plausibility of the father's story are presented. As a result, an accidental fall in the bathtub causing a lethal craniocerebral trauma could be ruled out. Accordingly, the accused was sentenced to 6 years and 6 months' imprisonment for bodily harm followed by death according to Sections 227, 223 StGB (German Criminal Code).

Due to the high ambient temperature, sauna deaths show a few confounding particularities, such as an accelerated onset of the postmortem changes, that can make correct assessment of the manner of death difficult and severely constrain the accuracy of post- mortem interval estimates. This retrospective study, performed at the medicolegal institutes in Hesse, Germany, reviewed all autopsy reports from the years 1994-2014 for sauna-related deaths. 9 relevant cases were found involving one woman and eight men aged between 52 and 80 years (mean and median value: 67 years). Of the individuals who had died of a natural cause, four were found to have had coronary heart disease, which, in the setting of heart hypertrophy and exposure to high temperatures, ultimately led to cardiac failure. In three other cases, a non-natural cause of death had been diagnosed; however, all were attributable to accidents. In two of these, blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of over two per mil were found. In our opinion, the manner of death should be classified as undetermined in sauna-related fatalities. Such cases require a court-ordered autopsy to reliably identify the actual cause of death.

Suicides of children, adolescents and young adults are a rare manner of death. Hanging is the dominant suicide method in all age groups. Risk factors for suicide at a young age are mental diseases, use of illicit drugs, antisocial behaviour and problems within the family. A 10-year-old boy was found to have hanged himself with a scarf at the handrail of a staircase. He had had school problems and was often sent home earlier as he tended to disturb classes. In the week prior to his death the headmaster of his school had told him that he should better attend another type of school. The deceased's elder brother had recorded a video with his mobile phone some years before showing his sister in a simulated hanging situation. Apart from the macroscopic and microscopic findings of the reported case, the frequency and special characteristics of suicides in childhood and adolescence are discussed.