International Journal of Legal Medicine This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Respiratory viruses in medicolegal autopsies during the winter season 2021/2022: observations after reduction of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions
AbstractIn the context of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, measures were taken to protect the population from infection. These were almost completely lifted in several countries in the spring of 2022. To obtain an overview of the spectrum of respiratory viruses encountered in autoptical routine case work, and their infectivity, all autopsy cases at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Frankfurt/M. with flu-like symptoms (among others) were examined for at least 16 different viruses via multiplex PCR and cell culture. Out of 24 cases, 10 were virus-positive in PCR: specifically, 8 cases with severe acute respirato...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 12, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

DNA methylation-based age estimation for adults and minors: considering sex-specific differences and non-linear correlations
In this study, we conducted a comparative evaluation of linear and several non-linear regressions, as well as sex-specific versus unisex mod els. Buccal swab samples from 230 donors aged 1 to 88 years were analyzed using a minisequencing multiplex array. Samples were divided into a training set (n = 161) and a validation set (n = 69). The training set was used for a sequential replacement regression and a simultaneous 10-fold cross-validation. The resulting model was improved by including a cut-off of 20 years, dividing the younger individuals with non-linear from the older individuals with linear dependence between age an...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 12, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Impact on touch DNA of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer used in COVID-19 prevention
AbstractIn the last years, forensic research has been focused on touch DNA in order to improve its evidential value in criminal activity investigations as well as to understand the variables impacting touch DNA. One of the emerging variables is represented by the use of alcohol-based sanitizers, which was suggested for hand hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aims of the present study were to assess the effect of a hand sanitizer on touch DNA deposition, transfer, and recovery and also to evaluate STR typing success, quality of DNA profiles, and personal identification. Before and after the use of an alcohol-based ha...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 12, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Assessing retinal hemorrhages with non-invasive post-mortem fundus photographs in sudden unexpected death in infancy
ConclusionPMFP can detect RH in case of SUDI and is a relevant systematic screening test to be carried out as soon as the deceased child arrives in the hospital. It can decrease the need of eye removal for pathological examination, but further studies are needed to define the best decision algorithm. (Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 12, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Impact of (forensic) expert opinions according to the Istanbul Protocol in Germany —results and insights of the in:Fo-project
AbstractAs part of a third-party funded project, expert opinions according to the Istanbul Protocol (IP) standards were compiled in Germany on a larger scale for the first time. The assessment process was initiated for 130 project participants. Statistical analysis on numerous variables was performed to test the impact of the expert opinions, foremost of the forensic medical expert opinions, on the individuals ’ asylum proceedings. The variables were drawn from forensic medical expert opinions and reports of findings, questionnaires for the study participants’ counsellors in the project and a query on the asylum status...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 12, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Detection of multiple biomarkers associated with satellite cell fate in the contused skeletal muscle of rats for wound age estimation
In conclusion, the expression levels of Pax7, MyoD, myogenin, and IGF-1 were upregulated in a time-dependent manner during skeletal muscle wound healing, suggesting the potential for using them as candidate biomarkers for wound a ge estimation in skeletal muscle. (Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 12, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Initial laboratory validation of temperature development models for Necrodes littoralis L. (Staphylinidae: Silphinae)
AbstractDevelopment models of necrophagous insects are applied in forensic entomology for post-mortem interval estimation. Such estimates may be used as scientific evidence in legal investigations. For this reason, it is important that the models are valid and that the expert witness is aware of their limitations.Necrodes littoralis L. (Staphylinidae: Silphinae) is a necrophagous beetle species that frequently colonizes human cadavers. Temperature models of development for the Central European population of these beetles were recently published. In this article, we present results of the laboratory validation study for the...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 12, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Fat embolism after intraosseous catheters in pediatric forensic autopsies
AbstractIn our center, we performed the autopsy of a child who died from drowning and presented, at autopsy, a major pulmonary fat embolism (PFE). A cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed, including infusion by intraosseous catheter (IIC). No other traumatic lesions and diseases classically related to a risk of PFE were detected. According to some animal studies, we considered the IIC as the only possible cause for PFE. However, we could not find literature to confirm this hypothesis in humans, especially in a pediatric population. To verify the occurrence of PFE after IIC in a pediatric population, we retrospec...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 12, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Erratum to: Head/skull injury potential of empty 0.5-l beer glass bottles vs. 0.33-l Coke bottles
AbstractIn the context of further impact tests with various striking weapons against the skull, it turned out that the manufacturer had incorrectly calibrated the force measuring plate, which was used in our earlier experiments. When the tests were carried out again under the same conditions, the measurement results were significantly higher. (Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 12, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

How to conceive the dignity of the dead? A dispositional account
AbstractIn dealing with human corpses, notions of dignity play a decisive role, especially within legal texts that regulate a corpse ’s handling. However, it is quite unclear how the claim “Treat human corpses with dignity!” should be understood and justified. Drawing upon examples and problems from forensic medicine, this paper explores three possible lines of interpreting such demands: (a) positions that closely link the dignity of the human corpse to the dignity of the former living persons and (b) accounts that derive the dignity of the dead from consequentialist considerations. We argue that both lines heavily r...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 6, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Development of Megaselia scalaris at constant temperatures and its significance in estimating the time of death
AbstractMegaselia scalaris (Schmitz, 1938) (Diptera: Phoridae) is a common insect in forensic science that is frequently found in indoor cases, particularly on corpses in closed environments. Although this species is useful for estimating the minimum postmortem interval (PMImin) in the absence of Calliphoridae, there is a lack of data on its development in China. Herein, we studied the development ofM. scalaris exposed to seven constant temperatures ranging from 16 to 34 °C. The mean (± SD) developmental durations ofM. scalaris from egg to adult stage at 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, and 34 °C were 1486.9 ± 75.3, 823.7 ± 42...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 4, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Are lip prints hereditary? A systematic review
AbstractHereditary lip prints have been studied by several researchers. However, the literature shows no consensus among the scientific community regarding this topic. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review to gather evidence to clarify whether the surface structure of lip prints is hereditary and, consequently, if a familial relationship between individuals can be established through the analysis of lip prints. The systematic review was performed following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A bibliographic survey was conducted in PubMed,...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 3, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Effect of diazinon (organophosphate) on the composition and succession of Calliphoridae assemblages in rabbit carcasses in the Eastern Amazon
AbstractFatal poisonings with diazinon may occur both accidentally or intentionally in suicide cases. Forensic entomotoxicology can aid in understanding these deaths by detecting and analyzing the interference of toxic substances in the biology of necrophagous insects. Hence, this study sought to evaluate diazinon ’s effect on the composition and succession of calliphorid species in the tropical savannas of the Amazon. Nine rabbit carcasses were divided into three groups: one control and two diazinon treatments (100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg); each group had three replicates. Three fragments of the Amazon tropi cal savanna w...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - March 28, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Applicable Forensic Biomarker for Drowning Diagnosis: Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 2 (ERK2)
AbstractDrowning is a common cause of accidental death worldwide, and it continues to be a serious public health problem. However, diagnosing drowning is a challenging task in forensic investigation because it is difficult to prove actual drowning and other submerged deaths with the autopsy techniques that are currently in use. Here, we show biomarkers that may be helpful for the diagnosis of drowning. We divided the experimental animals into four groups (drowning, postmortem submersion, hypoxia, and control) to evaluate the expression patterns of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). On gene expression analy...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - March 27, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Comparison of the quality of clinical forensic examination of victims of physical violence conducted by clinicians and forensic examiners
DiscussionIn order to establish nationwide care structures and the forensic standard required in criminal proceedings, intensive involvement of forensic medicine is essential. Standardized examination materials, regular training of medical staff, and telemedical approaches can improve the care for victims of violence regarding criminal prosecution. (Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - March 25, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research