Forensic science international
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Conducted electrical weapons (CEW) are being incorporated into the use of force continuums of law enforcement agencies in increasing numbers. The use of these weapons has been controversial, especially as related to the sudden in-custody death (ICD) phenomenon. Hyperthermia has been reported in many ICDs attributed to excited delirium, illicit drug toxicity, or other causes. There is speculation that the electrical discharge from the CEWs may contribute to the hyperthermia, presumably from muscle tetany-induced thermogenesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a prolonged discharge of a CEW on core body temperature in human subjects. ⋯ A 15-s discharge from a TASER X26 CEW does not increase the core body temperature of resting, non-environmentally stressed adult subjects. These results challenge the speculation that this weapon technology may be contributing to the hyperthermia in subjects who die from excited delirium, drug toxicity, or other causes while in custody.
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To investigate the effectiveness of marine bacteria as a new marker of drowning in seawater, we determined the optimal conditions of media required to selectively detect marine bacteria and applied the technique to drowned cadavers. We incubated model blood samples (n=20 per group) mixed with seawater, river, tap or muddy water on agar plates (Todd Hewitt, TH; Marine 2216, M2216) and determined the NaCl concentration required to selectively detect marine bacteria. We also used TCBS agar plates without manipulation to isolate Vibrio spp. ⋯ Furthermore, neither bioluminescent nor blue colonies were detected on TH agar containing 4% NaCl in samples from two cadavers found in an estuary (brackish water) who were thought to have been carried from areas of fresh water. Homologous analyses of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the dominant colonies on TH agar containing 4% NaCl were marine bacteria (Photobacterium, Vibrio, Shewanella, Psychrobacter). Thus, proliferating bioluminescent and/or blue colonies detected in the blood of immersed cadavers using 4% NaCl TH agar, could help to establish drowning in seawater.
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Skin lesions suspected to have been caused by a burning cigarette require thorough diagnostic evaluation as to the mode of infliction. Accidental cigarette burns must be differentiated from injuries due to self-infliction or maltreatment. The typical categories are presented on the basis of the literature and exemplary cases from the authors' own study material. ⋯ In unclear cases, repeated inspection of the lesion is recommended in order to facilitate its classification as to causation and age. The courses of healing in first- to third-degree cigarette burns are demonstrated by means of continuous photographic documentation. The discussion deals with different kinds of accidental and intentional cigarette burns, e.g. in drug addicts, psychiatric patients, victims of child abuse, maltreatment and torture, but also in persons feigning a criminal offence.
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Vole captive bolt devices are special mouse traps which belong to the spring guns. Devices and ammunition are available over the counter, age of consent (18 years) is the only legal restriction. Loaded with a 700 J cartridge the device is positioned in the vole passage. By slightly touching a metal ring in front of the muzzle the mouse triggers the shoot and is killed by a high-pressure gas jet. In spite of the high-potential danger causing injuries no study on accidents due to blank cartridge mouse shooters has been published yet. ⋯ The study presents a previously unpublished injury pattern due to vole captive bolt devices. Forensic approach has to keep in mind this previously unknown mechanism as cause of accident or self-mutilation.