Archiv für Kriminologie
-
Archiv für Kriminologie · Jul 2008
[Suicidal and accidental carbon monoxide poisonings due to charcoal fires in closed spaces].
The number of fatal carbon monoxide poisonings has significantly decreased since the introduction of natural gas. Apart from their occurrence during house fires, accidental and suicidal carbon monoxide poisonings are only rarely seen nowadays. We report on 7 cases of unintentional and intentional fatal carbon monoxide poisoning (CO-Hb concentrations between 56.4% and 74%) due to improper handling of charcoal fires in closed spaces. Autopsy findings and results of the toxicological analysis are presented and discussed.
-
Archiv für Kriminologie · Jul 2008
Historical Article[Skeleton find from Roman times suspected as an homicide victim].
A human skeleton was found during construction work on the concrete foundations of a fence built 17 years before. The situation seemed to suggest that a corpse had been disposed of 17 years ago. Forensic and osteological examinations showed that death had been caused by semi-sharp and blunt craniocerebral trauma. ⋯ A recent act of violence could hence be ruled out. According to the situation at the scene, it had to be assumed, however, that the skeleton must have been discovered already during the construction work done 17 years before and that the find had not been reported. Such behaviour is a phenomenon quite often encountered in practice.
-
Archiv für Kriminologie · May 2008
Case Reports[Lethal intoxication with arsenic using prepared butter].
The present case report deals with a lethal intoxication with arsenic mixed into butter. It describes the course of events over about two days on the basis of the statements by the persons involved, the clinical findings after the belated hospitalisation of the victim, the results of the first pathological autopsy, the forensic autopsy performed after exhumation and the results of the chemical-toxicological investigations. The results are discussed in relation to the later confession of the female perpetrator and her statements regarding a previous unsuccessful murder attempt by poisoning. It also presents the judgement pronounced by the court and the reasons given for it.
-
Archiv für Kriminologie · May 2008
Case Reports[Suicide by means of a charcoal grill. Casuistic report with review of the literature].
Due to the conversion of the gas supply from city gas to CO-free natural gas and the introduction of the catalytic converter technology for motor vehicles the number of suicides by CO poisoning has decreased considerably. Nevertheless suicides by CO poisoning are still committed once in a while. In the described case from the autopsy material of the Institute of Legal Medicine at Münster, the suicide used a charcoal grill as the source of carbon monoxide.
-
Archiv für Kriminologie · May 2008
Case Reports[Perforating gunshot to the head with a power-actuated tool].
The article describes a shortly survived suicide with a powder-actuated tool. A 51-year-old man shot all through his head from the right to the left temple. ⋯ The suicide instrument was a powder-actuated tool firing a metal pin after igniting a cartridge. Unlike a nail gun using compressed air, pins fired by means of a propellant reach a velocity of up to 150 m/s thus developing a higher destructive potential.