27 research outputs found
Body-kun/body-chan style model figures for artists in forensic visualization applications
Posture and body position are often in the focus of forensic medicine. Visualization for the purposes of documentation,
teaching, scientific presentation or expert opinion in court is often desired. Plenty of possible tools to support visualization
are available. However, there is a significant gap between quick drawings and more complex techniques. Body-chan (female)
and body-kun (male) artist’s model figurines (genericized trademark) may provide a useful means to fill this gap. These
models, about 12–15 cm in height, are multi-articulated humanoids of realistic proportions, intended to serve as models for
manga (japanese comic) drawing. Plenty of different models are available in different quality which usually are equipped
with interchangeable hand and feet attachments, a frame for ‘levitating’ positions as well as assorted objects to scale. These
inexpensive models may be positioned quickly and intuitively. Photodocumentation from various angles can be performed
using a mobile phone camera. Images may be further improved applying digital image manipulation software. Taken
together, the process is quick and intuitive and the level of achievable complexity is sufficient for many forensic applications
Application of the "bubbling" procedure to dead body portraits in forensic identification
Purpose
A procedure is needed for bodies with disfiguring injuries to the face and the use of their portrait for visual identification.
Method
We present the application of a simple image processing procedure, otherwise known as ”bubbling,” which is based on the concept of ”perceptual filling-in,” to images for visual identification in the forensic context. The method is straight forward and can be performed using readily available software and hardware..
Results
The method is demonstrated and examples are shown. The visual recognition of known persons using “bubbled” images was successfully tested.
Conclusion
The “bubbling” procedure for visual identification enhancement is quick and straightforward and may be attempted before escalating to more involved identification methods and procedures
Relative blood loss in forensic medicine-do we need a change in doctrine?
In forensic medicine, blood loss is encountered frequently, either as a cause of death or as a contributing factor. Here, risk to
life and lethality assessment is based on the concept of relative blood loss (absolute loss out of total volume). In emergency
medicine, the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) classification also refers to relative blood loss. We tested the
validity of relative blood loss benchmarks with reference to lethality. Depending on the quality of the total blood volume
(TBV) estimation formula, relative blood loss rates should be reflected in the case cohort as significantly higher absolute
blood loss in heavier individuals since all TBV estimation formulas positively correlate body weight with TBV. Method:
80 autopsy cases with sudden, quantifiable, exclusively internal blood loss were retrospectively analyzed and a total of 8
different formulas for TBV estimation were applied. Results: No statistical correlation between body weight and absolute
blood loss was found for any of the tested TBV estimation algorithms. All cases showed a wide spread of both absolute
and relative blood loss. Discussion: The principle of relative blood loss is of very limited use in casework. It opens the
forensic expert opinion to unnecessary criticism and possible negative legal implications. Conclusion: We challenge the use
of relative blood loss benchmarks in textbooks and practical casework and advocate for its elimination from the ATLS’s
grading system. If necessary, we recommend the use of BMI-adjusted algorithms for TBV estimation
"Scalping" in the context of criminal dismemberment and mutilation-a case report and review of the literature
We report on a case of criminal dismemberment and attempted scalping of a homicide victim with a “Mohawk” haircut.
Case fndings are presented. A review of the literature was performed for scalping in its historical and cultural context and
particularly in criminal dismemberment and mutilation: Historically, scalping was prevalent in many ancient cultures around
the world, where scalps were taken as trophies or “proof of kill”, much like shrunken heads, trophy skulls, and other artefacts.
Scalping was particularly widespread in Northern America in the context of tribal warfare, both before and after colonization.
The iconic “Mohawk” haircut is closely linked with scalping, as it was meant to taunt the enemy. In the modern forensic
context, scalping constitutes a form of criminal mutilation. However, cases of criminal dismemberment and mutilation are
rare in forensic casework. Our literature review revealed a low number of scalping in criminal dismemberment and mutilation cases. The documentation was overall poor. Positioning scalping within the classifcation of criminal mutilation and
dismemberment was difcult. In literature, even though case numbers were small, the majority of “textbook scalping” cases
were German. The presented case, to our best knowledge, is the frst modern-day photo-documented case of (attempted)
scalping, even more so of a person wearing a “Mohawk”
Forensic, legal, and clinical aspects of deaths associated with implanted cardiac devices
As the population ages, the prevalence of heart failure and individuals wearing an
implanted cardiac device is increasing. The combination of different underlying
pathophysiologies and (the combination of) implanted cardiac devices can
become a challenge with regard to the determination of cause and manner of
death in such individuals. Additionally, heart disease is frequently associated with
mental disease, ranging from anxiety and depression to suicidality and suicide
(attempts). At the same time, the correct diagnosis of cause and manner of death
is the basis for quality assurance, further therapeutic advances, legal safety, and
suicide prevention. By that, an interdisciplinary field between legal medicine,
clinicians, and law enforcement opens up. In this field, the different participants
can simultaneously benefit from and need each other. For example, legal medicine
experts need investigatory results and clinical expertise for the interpretation of
readout data of implanted cardiac devices in order to correctly determine the
cause of death. A correctly determined cause of death can assist law enforcement
and help clinicians to further improve various therapeutic approaches based on
correct mortality data collection. In addition, it is the basis for identification of
suicides of device carriers, allowing psychological and psychiatric experts to
better understand the burden of mental disease in this particular cohort. Against
this interdisciplinary background, this manuscript summarizes information about
psychiatric comorbidities and suicidality while being on a device. Thereby, basic
information on complications and malfunctions of implanted cardiac devices,
device-associated deaths with particular emphasis on device manipulation is
displayed as basic information needed for correct determination of the cause
of death. Also, legal and ethical issues in this field are outlined. The final result is
a proposal of an interdisciplinary assessment workflow for a conjoint approach
to improve the diagnosis of deaths associated with implanted cardiac devices. It
will allow for a differentiation between an individual who died with or due to the
device
Forensic, legal, and clinical aspects of deaths associated with implanted cardiac devices
As the population ages, the prevalence of heart failure and individuals wearing an implanted cardiac device is increasing. The combination of different underlying pathophysiologies and (the combination of) implanted cardiac devices can become a challenge with regard to the determination of cause and manner of death in such individuals. Additionally, heart disease is frequently associated with mental disease, ranging from anxiety and depression to suicidality and suicide (attempts). At the same time, the correct diagnosis of cause and manner of death is the basis for quality assurance, further therapeutic advances, legal safety, and suicide prevention. By that, an interdisciplinary field between legal medicine, clinicians, and law enforcement opens up. In this field, the different participants can simultaneously benefit from and need each other. For example, legal medicine experts need investigatory results and clinical expertise for the interpretation of readout data of implanted cardiac devices in order to correctly determine the cause of death. A correctly determined cause of death can assist law enforcement and help clinicians to further improve various therapeutic approaches based on correct mortality data collection. In addition, it is the basis for identification of suicides of device carriers, allowing psychological and psychiatric experts to better understand the burden of mental disease in this particular cohort. Against this interdisciplinary background, this manuscript summarizes information about psychiatric comorbidities and suicidality while being on a device. Thereby, basic information on complications and malfunctions of implanted cardiac devices, device-associated deaths with particular emphasis on device manipulation is displayed as basic information needed for correct determination of the cause of death. Also, legal and ethical issues in this field are outlined. The final result is a proposal of an interdisciplinary assessment workflow for a conjoint approach to improve the diagnosis of deaths associated with implanted cardiac devices. It will allow for a differentiation between an individual who died with or due to the device
Control of endothelial quiescence by FOXO-regulated metabolites.
Funder: - Cancer Center Support Grant 5P30CA045508Funder: - Medical Research Council (MRC_MC_UU_12022/6)Funder: - Max Planck Society - European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant EMERGE (773047) - European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie action (814316) - Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 834) - Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (EXC 2026, Project ID: 390649896) - DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) - Foundation Leducq Transatlantic Network - Stiftung Charité - European Molecular BiologyOrganization (EMBO) Young Investigator ProgrammeEndothelial cells (ECs) adapt their metabolism to enable the growth of new blood vessels, but little is known how ECs regulate metabolism to adopt a quiescent state. Here, we show that the metabolite S-2-hydroxyglutarate (S-2HG) plays a crucial role in the regulation of endothelial quiescence. We find that S-2HG is produced in ECs after activation of the transcription factor forkhead box O1 (FOXO1), where it limits cell cycle progression, metabolic activity and vascular expansion. FOXO1 stimulates S-2HG production by inhibiting the mitochondrial enzyme 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase. This inhibition relies on branched-chain amino acid catabolites such as 3-methyl-2-oxovalerate, which increase in ECs with activated FOXO1. Treatment of ECs with 3-methyl-2-oxovalerate elicits S-2HG production and suppresses proliferation, causing vascular rarefaction in mice. Our findings identify a metabolic programme that promotes the acquisition of a quiescent endothelial state and highlight the role of metabolites as signalling molecules in the endothelium
Consensus guidelines for the use and interpretation of angiogenesis assays
The formation of new blood vessels, or angiogenesis, is a complex process that plays important roles in growth and development, tissue and organ regeneration, as well as numerous pathological conditions. Angiogenesis undergoes multiple discrete steps that can be individually evaluated and quantified by a large number of bioassays. These independent assessments hold advantages but also have limitations. This article describes in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro bioassays that are available for the evaluation of angiogenesis and highlights critical aspects that are relevant for their execution and proper interpretation. As such, this collaborative work is the first edition of consensus guidelines on angiogenesis bioassays to serve for current and future reference
Forensic significance of bruises on the upper arm
Einleitung: Oberarmeinblutungen bei Leichen wecken regelmäßig den Verdacht auf
eine „Griffspur“ als mögliche Folge eines Niederhalten, Packens oder Ähnlichen
im Rahmen eines Gewaltverbrechens, kommen indes auch im nicht-forensischen
Kontext vor. Methodik: Es wurden 422 Fälle des allgemeinen Sektionsgutes und
115 Tötungsdelikte hinsichtlich Häufigkeiten, Morphologie und Einflussfaktoren
untersucht. Ergebnisse: Oberarmeinblutungen waren im allgemeinen Sektionsgut
häufig (25,8 Prozent), besonders häufig bei bekannten Pflegemaßnahmen wie
Umlagerungen, Stützen, Aufrichten, Blutdruckmessung und Schmerzreizprüfung,
welche zu 31,0 % im allgemeinen Sektionsgut vorkamen und mit steigendem
Lebensalter zunahmen., Oberarmeinblutungen fanden sich jedoch auch bei
„atraumatischen“ Subgruppen (Intoxikationen, suizidales Erhängen).
Lokalisation und Morphologie ließen nur eingeschränkte Rückschlüsse
hinsichtlich der Entstehung von Oberarmeinblutungen zu. Für Fälle von
Pflegemaßnahmen war häufiger ein Mischbild aus offenkundig frischen und
offenkundig älteren Oberarmeinblutungen sowie eine weitere Verteilung über die
Oberfläche vorhanden, möglicherweise aufgrund wiederholter, über einen
längeren Zeitraum durchgeführter variierenden Griffe an den Oberarm. Eine
allgemein beobachtete Bevorzugung des mittleren Oberarmdrittels war für
Pflegemaßnahmen akzentuiert. Klassische „lehrbuchmäßige“ Griffspuren mit
Einzelblutung an der Oberarminnenseite (Daumen) und mehreren Blutungen außen
waren die Ausnahme. Im untersuchten Kollektiv fanden sich nur 14 Kinder, von
welchen nur eines Oberarmeinblutungen aufwies (Tötungsdelikt). Bei den
Tötungsdelikten lag der Anteil von Oberarmeinblutungen mit 53,0 % deutlich
höher als bei allgemeinen Sektionsfällen, auch waren sie häufiger beidseitig
zu finden. Überlebte das Opfer den Angriff für mehrere Stunden, so lag der
Anteil der Befunde höher, am Ehesten in Folge von Maßnahmen bei Transport,
Einlieferung, Bildgebung und Schmerzreizprüfung. Ein weiterhin erhöhter Anteil
von Oberarmeinblutungen zeigte sich bei Raubdelikten, wo eine Eskalation von
Bedrohung zu Körperverletzung zu Tötungshandlung angenommen werden konnte.
Auch zeigten sich vermehrt Oberarmeinblutungen bei Tötungen durch stumpfe
Gewalt sowie bei primär gegen den Kopf gerichteter Gewalteinwirkung.
Eingeschränkte histologische Untersuchungen können zur Abgrenzung einer
Oberarmeinblutung gegenüber Artefakten oder dermatologischen Krankheitsbildern
sinnvoll sein. Die Abgrenzung nur kurz überlebter Oberarmeinblutung gegen
agonal oder auch postmortal entstandene war im verwendeten Setting nicht
möglich. Schlussfolgerung: Die klinische Rechtsmedizin mit frühzeitiger
Hinzuziehung ist wesentlich zur Unterscheidung tatrelevanter Griffspuren
gegenüber solchen infolge von Pflegemaßnahmen. Zusatzuntersuchungen bei
Kindern wären von Interesse, möglicherweise kommt Oberarmeinblutungen hier in
höherem Maße ein Hinweischarakter auf Fremdverschulden zu. Das vorliegende
Datenmaterial begründet nicht die Annahme, dass sich Oberarmeinblutungen in
den Komplex der Abwehrverletzungen einreihen, obwohl in einzelnen Fällen ein
solcher Mechanismus durchaus denkbar erscheint („Bodenkampf“).Introduction: Bruises on the upper arm in dead bodies are suspicious of being
„grip marks“ as an indicator of violent crime. They are however found in non-
forensic cases as well. Methods: 422 general forensic autopsy cases and 115
confirmed homicide cases were examined in regarding incidence, morphologic
features and influential factors. Results: In general forensic autopsy cases
findings were frequent (25,8 %), pronounced in cases of physical care cases
with shifting, shoring, supporting or erecting a patient from bed, pain
stimulation and blood pressure measurement which 31 % had undergone. Physical
care rate increased with age. A low-trauma subgroup (lethal intoxication,
suicidal hanging) showed findings as well. Site and morphologic features
allowed for only limited conclusions regarding the origin of findings. Cases
of physical care often showed a mix of obviously fresh as well as aged
bruises, with a more extended surface distribution. This might be due to
prolonged, repeated trauma by various procedures, nursing or medical. A
commonly observed preference for the middle third of the upper arm was
accentuated in cases of physical care. Typical “grip marks” with a single
bruise on the inner aspect (thumb) and multiple bruises on the lateral aspect
(fingers) remained an exception. The general autopsy group contained only 14
children, with only 1 positive case (homicide). For homicide cases bruises on
the upper arms were significantly more frequent (53%) than in the general
autopsy group, bruises were also found more frequently bilaterally. In
initially survived assault the incidence was even higher, possibly due to
medical treatment such as lifting and shifting for transportation, radiography
and pain stimulation. In robbery cases bruises were also more frequent, with
presumable escalation from threat to assault to killing. An elevated ratio of
findings was found in lethal blunt force injury and force primarily directed
against the head. Limited histological examinations can help to distinguish
bruises from lividity or dermatological disorders, they failed to distinguish
shortly survived bruises from post-mortem or “while dying” bruises.
Conclusion: Therefore timely consultation of the forensic pathologist in
survived assault is advised. The data at hand does not support bruises on the
upper arm as defensive wounds, even though sometimes it should be considered
(e.g. “infight”). Findings may potentially constitute an indicator for
assault, however additional examinations are needed