Forensic science international
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Previous studies demonstrated the healing process after traumatic brain injury (TBI), usually at the site or in the area adjacent to the injury, in connection with wound timing. However, the whole brain condition after TBI has not been elucidated clearly. In the present study, we investigated immunohistochemistry of the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) in the parietal lobe and hippocampus distant from the primary injury site in forensic autopsy cases of TBI (n=174). ⋯ Fatalities with a brain compression sign (n=78) showed a higher brain weight, and gradual glial and neuronal losses with an early increase of glial bFGF positivity in the parietal cerebral cortex (ST <0.5h). This was followed by an increase of glial bFGF positivity in other sites (ST, 6-24h), and final decreases of glial bFGF and GFAP positivities with increased neuronal ssDNA positivity in the parietal lobe and hippocampus (ST >3 days), which were detected in earlier deaths despite decompressive craniectomy (ST, 12-60h; n=21). These observations suggest that the combined use of bFGF, GFAP and ssDNA immunohistochemistry can be used to evaluate the severity of damage and response of brain after TBI.
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Traumatic asphyxia is a rare syndrome due to compression of thorax, abdomen or both. The diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia is based on typical findings consisting of cervico-facial congestion with swelling, multiple petechial hemorrhages in skin and conjunctiva with a history of traumatic compression. The authors report three cases of traumatic asphyxia in car crash to illustrate few unusual findings along with the typical autopsy findings. ⋯ One case showed the peculiar skin pattern in the form of absent congestion corresponding to the tight-fitting strap of banyan. Subcutaneous emphysema was noted in two cases in presence of intact visceral pleura. These unusual findings could be used as additional markers of traumatic asphyxia in conjunction with characteristic features to support the diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia.
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We report the case of a 27 year old man who was injured by a Taser gun device which penetrated the frontal part of the skull and damaged the underlying frontal lobe. Cerebral penetration was revealed by a brain CT scan. A neurosurgical procedure was required to remove the dart from the skull and brain and the evolution was successful allowing discharge of the patient one week later. ⋯ Fortunately, no infection or neurological complication occurred following brain injury. This case study underlines the potential risk induced by the use of Taser stun gun. Although generally regarded as a safe alternative, serious injuries have however been reported and questions regarding the safety of the device still remains unresolved.
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Intentional absorption of sodium azide is exceptional but remains extremely life-threatening because death rapidly occurs when significant doses are absorbed, either due to the direct effect of sodium azide or an indirect effect due to nitric oxide, cyanide ions or hydrazoic acid production from sodium azide. ⋯ Sodium azide poisoning by ingestion has to date remained extremely rare and our case highlights the extreme lability of sodium azide as it was absent in the blood, in spite of significant concentrations in stomach content and some tissues. Therefore, the necessity of multiple tissues samples during autopsy should be underlined.