36 research outputs found
The Chain of Custody in the Era of Modern Forensics: From the Classic Procedures for Gathering Evidence to the New Challenges Related to Digital Data
The purpose of this work is to renew the interest and attention for the chain of custody in
forensic medicine, its establishment and maintenance, protecting the integrity and validity of evidence
as well as to analyze how over time the establishment of the chain of custody and the collection of
evidence has evolved also in function of the advent of technology and the use of electronic devices
connected to the network. The analysis of the various aspects of the chain of custody demonstrates
how necessary it is for the professional figures involved in the phases of the investigation (especially
those who manage the evidence and who have, therefore, designated the assignment) to know the
procedures to follow, trace the movement and the handling of objects subjected to seizure, also for
the purposes of toxicological and/or histological investigations. The knowledge of interferences
or complications helps to reduce errors and safeguard the validity of the evidence, assuring the
proceeding judicial authority that the evidence is authentic and that it is, in other words, the same
evidence seized at the scene of the crime. Furthermore, the issue is particularly felt today, with the
recent need to guarantee the originality of digital data. Following a careful review and analysis of
the literature currently available in this regard, it is worth adding that further efforts are needed to
formulate internationally validated guidelines, harmonizing the different reference criteria in forensic
science and medical areas, given the current absence of good international practices valid in the field
and applicable both in the case of physical evidence and in the case of seizure of digital evidence
The analysis of SUDEP forensic autopsies leading to preventable events
Introduction: The diagnosis of unexpected death by excluding non-natural causes,
particularly in subjects with epilepsy, is a topic of interest and it is difficult to identify
in the forensic field. Health professionals sometimes are faced with cases of sudden
death, generally in young adults with a long history of epilepsy that require, for
judicial purposes, an explanation in terms of cause and means to determine the
death. SUDEP is an entity diagnosed by the exclusion of other causes that may have
led to death, and then for forensic purposes, it requires particular attention and
knowledge, and there is difficulty in identifying it. Our contribution aims to illustrate
the scientific community pathological findings, medical history, and circumstantial
evidence of four cases of sudden death in epileptic subjects.
Method: We illustrated four cases of judicial autopsies from the Institute of Forensic
Medicine of Palermo, Italy; the purpose was to exclude the criminal intervention
in determining the death as non-natural. The study of victimsâ medical history, the
toxicological investigations, and the autopsy findings analyzed both from macroscopic
and microscopic aspects have made it possible to highlight some findings that can be
traced back to SUDEP despite the small sample of subjects studied.
Results: These presented findings of four SUDEP cases could help forensic
pathologists in recognizing this entity, by highlighting its characteristics, and
allowing for a pathological classification, also in relation to the use of drugs for
epilepsy treatment and circumstances of death.
Discussion: To obtain a definite diagnosis of SUDEP, a complex investigation
process is required in a multidisciplinary approach. Considering the literature review
with criticism, it could allow health professionals to select the characteristics of
epileptic patients at risk of sudden death. Processing human behaviors, molecular
and histopathological findings of the autopsies, but also the physiological, and
pathological human body system functions thanks to Artificial Intelligence, could
be the key to explaining SUDEP mechanisms and the future results to prevent it
Novel missense mutation of the TP63 gene in a newborn with Hay-Wells/Ankyloblepharon-Ectodermal defects-Cleft lip/palate (AEC) syndrome: clinical report and follow-up
Ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-cleft lip/palate (AEC) syndrome, also known as Hay-Wells syndrome, is a rare genetic syndrome with ectodermal dysplasia. About 100 patients have been reported to date. It is associated to a heterozygous mutation of the tumor protein p63 (TP63) gene, located on chromosome 3q28. Typical clinical manifestations include: filiform ankyloblepharon adnatum (congenital adherence of the eyelids), ectodermal abnormalities (sparse and frizzy hair, skin defects, nail alterations, dental changes and hypohidrosis), and cleft lip/palate. Diagnostic suspicion is based on clinical signs and confirmed by genetic testing
MACROCEPHALY FROM A NORMAL VARIANT TO A THREATENING CONDITION. A SINGLE CENTER RETROSPECTIVE STUDY ON 189 SUBJECTS
Introduction: Macrocephaly, defined as a head circumference more than two standard deviations from the normal distribution,
is among the most frequently requested neuropediatric consultations.
Materials: we conducted a retrospective study on 189 subjects with macrocephaly, from birth to 18 years old, enrolled from
October 2001 to December 2019, for diagnostic definition and/or neurodevelopmental assessment. Brain sonography has been
performed in all infants and CT or MR in selected patients.
Results: macrocephaly was prevalent in males (62.4%), a head circumference >3SD (8.5%) has been associated with a
neurodevelopmental impairment. A genetic and/or concomitant malformation were present in 11.1% of the sample. A male prevalence
for impaired outcome has been ascertained.
Conclusions: early identification of pathological macrocephaly is necessary to plan a possible treatment, an individualized and
multidisciplinary follow up and an effective genetic counseling
Curcumin protects against NMDA-induced toxicity: A possible role for NR2A subunit
PURPOSE. Curcumin, a phenolic compound extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, was found to attenuate NMDAinduced excitotoxicity in primary retinal cultures. This study was conducted to further characterize curcumin neuroprotective ability and analyze its effects on NMDA receptor (NMDAr). METHODS. NMDAr modifications were analyzed in primary retinal cell cultures using immunocytochemistry, whole-cell patch-clamp recording and western blot analysis. Cell death was evaluated with the TUNEL assay in primary retinal and hippocampal cultures. Optical fluorometric recordings with Fura 2-AM were used to monitor [Ca 2Ï© ] i . RESULTS. Curcumin dose-and time-dependently protected both retinal and hippocampal neurons against NMDA-induced cell death, confirming its anti-excitotoxic property. In primary retinal cultures, in line with the observed reduction of NMDAinduced [Ca 2Ï© ] i rise, whole-cell patch-clamp experiments showed that a higher percentage of retinal neurons responded to NMDA with low amplitude current after curcumin treatment. In parallel, curcumin induced an increase in NMDAr subunit type 2A (NR2A) level, with kinetics closely correlated to time-course of neuroprotection and decrease in [Ca 2Ï© ] i . The relation between neuroprotection and NR2A level increase was also in line with the observation that curcumin neuroprotection required protein synthesis. Electrophysiology confirmed an increased activity of NR2A-containing NMDAr at the plasma membrane level. CONCLUSIONS. These results confirm the neuroprotective activity of curcumin against NMDA toxicity, possibly related to an increased level of NR2A, and encourage further studies for a possible therapeutic use of curcumin based on neuromodulation of NMDArs. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci
Supplement: "Localization and broadband follow-up of the gravitational-wave transient GW150914" (2016, ApJL, 826, L13)
This Supplement provides supporting material for Abbott et al. (2016a). We briefly summarize past electromagnetic (EM) follow-up efforts as well as the organization and policy of the current EM follow-up program. We compare the four probability sky maps produced for the gravitational-wave transient GW150914, and provide additional details of the EM follow-up observations that were performed in the different bands
Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger
On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transientâs position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta
Localization and broadband follow-up of the gravitational-wave transient GW150914
A gravitational-wave (GW) transient was identified in data recorded by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors on 2015 September 14. The event, initially designated G184098 and later given the name GW150914, is described in detail elsewhere. By prior arrangement, preliminary estimates of the time, significance, and sky location of the event were shared with 63 teams of observers covering radio, optical, near-infrared, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths with ground- and space-based facilities. In this Letter we describe the low-latency analysis of the GW data and present the sky localization of the first observed compact binary merger. We summarize the follow-up observations reported by 25 teams via private Gamma-ray Coordinates Network circulars, giving an overview of the participating facilities, the GW sky localization coverage, the timeline, and depth of the observations. As this event turned out to be a binary black hole merger, there is little expectation of a detectable electromagnetic (EM) signature. Nevertheless, this first broadband campaign to search for a counterpart of an Advanced LIGO source represents a milestone and highlights the broad capabilities of the transient astronomy community and the observing strategies that have been developed to pursue neutron star binary merger events. Detailed investigations of the EM data and results of the EM follow-up campaign are being disseminated in papers by the individual teams
Localization and Broadband Follow-up of the Gravitational-wave Transient GW150914
A gravitational-wave (GW) transient was identified in data recorded by
the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO)
detectors on 2015 September 14. The event, initially designated G184098
and later given the name GW150914, is described in detail elsewhere. By
prior arrangement, preliminary estimates of the time, significance, and
sky location of the event were shared with 63 teams of observers
covering radio, optical, near-infrared, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths
with ground- and space-based facilities. In this Letter we describe the
low-latency analysis of the GW data and present the sky localization of
the first observed compact binary merger. We summarize the follow-up
observations reported by 25 teams via private Gamma-ray Coordinates
Network circulars, giving an overview of the participating facilities,
the GW sky localization coverage, the timeline, and depth of the
observations. As this event turned out to be a binary black hole merger,
there is little expectation of a detectable electromagnetic (EM)
signature. Nevertheless, this first broadband campaign to search for a
counterpart of an Advanced LIGO source represents a milestone and
highlights the broad capabilities of the transient astronomy community
and the observing strategies that have been developed to pursue neutron
star binary merger events. Detailed investigations of the EM data and
results of the EM follow-up campaign are being disseminated in papers by
the individual teams.
</p
Multi-messenger Observations of a Binary Neutron Star Merger
On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later
designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through
gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors.
The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray
burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ⌠1.7 {{s}} with respect to
the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was
initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a
luminosity distance of {40}-8+8 Mpc and with
component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses
were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 {M}ÈŻ
. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the
electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical
transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC
4993 (at ⌠40 {{Mpc}}) less than 11 hours after the merger by the
One-Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The
optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an
hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment.
Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded
within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward
evolution over âŒ10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and
radio emission were discovered at the transientâs position ⌠9
and ⌠16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and
radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct
from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No
ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with
the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support
the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron
stars in NGC 4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and
a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process
nuclei synthesized in the ejecta.</p