Journal of forensic sciences
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When interpreting firearm injuries, the distinction between gunshot wounds and shotgun wounds is important, and separation of these categories is typically straightforward. However, .410 bore firearms can make the classification difficult. Shotguns and revolvers that can fire the same .410 bore ammunition are readily available. ⋯ For both ammunition types, the revolver had more prompt pellet dispersion and positive detection of gunpowder at greater distances compared to the shotgun. Additionally, .410 bore slugs are of similar caliber to many common bullets. In comparing the .410 bore slugs to equivalent bullets, some morphologic differences may be imparted on the skin by the slugs, but the greatest insight into the weapon remained with the retained projectiles.
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The interpretation of cranial base injuries has never been investigated from a purely anthropological perspective. Very little exists in forensic literature in order to interpret the significance of cranial base fractures. We analyzed 296 cases of deaths due to skull-brain injuries. ⋯ These observations were analytically compared to different variables (age, sex, manner of injury, and mode of injury). The study presented the proportion of base fractures associated with vault fractures, and the frequency of absence of base fracture in subjects with no vault fractures. Interesting associations of base fractures to age and manner of death are shown.
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Primary intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH) is a rare type of stroke defined as bleeding within the ventricles of the brain without any associated parenchymal hemorrhage. Here, we reported two cases of sudden death due to PIVH. One of the patients was found dead under a highway bridge without witnesses, and the other patient was hospitalized with hemorrhage in the ventricular system, as revealed by a head computed tomography scan. ⋯ The sources of bleeding for both patients were ultimately confirmed as ruptured brain arteriovenous malformations located in the subventricular zone. We reported these cases to broaden our understanding of sudden death associated with PIVH, especially when caused by brain arteriovenous malformation. We also summarized the essential details of the diagnoses and available technical methods for PIVH cases.
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Case Reports
Near-fatal Intoxication with the "New" Synthetic Opioid U-47700: The First Reported Case in the Czech Republic.
Recreational use of the potent synthetic opioid 3,4- dichloro-N-(2-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl)-N-methylbenzamide (U-47700) is rising, accompanied by increasingly frequent cases of serious intoxication. This article reports a case of near-fatal U-47700 intoxication. A man was found unconscious (with drug powder residues). ⋯ Powders contained U-47700 and two synthetic cannabinoids. Serum and urine were positive for U-47700 (351.0 ng/mL), citalopram (
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Comparative Study
Weapon Use in Korean Homicide: Differences Between Homicides Involving Sharp and Blunt Instruments.
On the basis of information regarding 276 homicides committed in South Korea between 1987 and 2008, we compared offenders' and victims' characteristics, injury locations, weapon-related behavior, and offending behavior between homicides involving sharp and blunt instruments. The victims of sharp-force homicide were much younger relative to those of blunt-force homicide. In addition, homicides involving blunt instruments were more likely to be committed by offenders who lived with the victims. ⋯ Furthermore, perpetrators of sharp-force homicides tended to preselect their weapons, while those of blunt-force homicides were likely to use weapons of opportunity. Logistic regression analysis identified a number of factors, including injury location and body transportation, which significantly predicted weapon type. As this was the first South Korean study to compare sharp- and blunt-force homicides, the results have practical implications for homicide investigations.