Search results for "Legal & Forensic Medicine"

Gonial angle growth patterns according to age and gender

2017

Currently there are controversial results about gender and age differences in human gonial angle values. In this context we aimed to ascertain the gender and age differences in the gonial angle values of young Caucasian Mediterranean subjects. We tested the hypothesis of a relation between the gonial angle values and the gender and age of the subjects by means of a prospective study involving 266 subjects. Panoramic radiographs (Cranex Novus®, XMIND Novus® Soredex, France) were carried out in order to measure the gonial angle values. We found significant differences between females and males in the subgroups aged ≤10years old (128.6±3.4 vs 126.8±4.5, p=0.017), 16-20 years old (119.1±5.6 vs …

Inter-individual variation of the urinary steroid profiles in Swedish and Norwegian athletes.

2020

The steroidal module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) aims to detect doping with endogenous steroids, e.g. testosterone (T), by longitudinally monitoring several biomarkers. These biomarkers are ratios combined into urinary concentrations of testosterone and metabolically related steroids. However, it is evident after 5 years of monitoring steroid passports that there are large variations in the steroid ratios complicating its interpretation. In this study, we used over 11000 urinary steroid profiles from Swedish and Norwegian athletes to determine both the inter- and intra-individual variations of all steroids and ratios in the steroidal passport. Furthermore, we investigated if th…

Cross-sectional human study of soft tissue chin (STC) thickness in adult patients in relation to sex, facial pattern and skeletal class

2017

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to study the relations between the soft tissue chin (STC) and sex, skeletal class, and facial pattern; and to describe the shape and behavior of the STC. Methods 385 non-growing patients were selected, 206 women and 179 men, with a mean age of 28.8 years (SD 4.2). Patients were divided into groups by skeletal class (class I, II or III) and facial pattern (brachyfacial, mesofacial or dolichofacial). STC thicknesses were measured at pogonion (Pg), soft pogonion (Pg′), gnathion (Gn), soft gnathion (Gn′), menton (Me) and soft menton (Me′) in the CBCTs. Results Sexual dimorphism was observed at Pg-Pg′ and Me-Me′. STC thickness was not related to skeleta…

Cumyl-PEGACLONE: A comparatively safe new synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist entering the NPS market?

2018

Case report: Another death associated to γ-hydroxybutyric acid intoxication

2019

Abstract We report a fatal γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) intoxication of a forty-year old man. According to an acquaintances’ statement, the deceased had drunk a beverage containing GHB approximately five hours before he was found. Postmortem GHB concentrations were determined using gas chromatography coupled to single quadrupole mass spectrometry after simple protein precipitation with methanol and derivatization with BSTFA (1% TMCS). Concentrations in body fluids and tissues of the deceased were as follows: cardiac blood 384 mg/L, femoral blood 358 mg/L, urine 864 mg/L, brain tissue 211 mg/kg, liver tissue 201 mg/kg, kidney tissue 492 mg/kg, bile 334 mg/L and gastric content 2025 mg/L. In a…

The synthetic cannabinoid 5F-MDMB-PICA: A case series

2020

5F-MDMB-PICA has been detected in products sold on the internet as well as in biological samples since 2016. It is associated with serious adverse health and behavioral effects and even death. Herein we report on twelve cases with proven 5F-MDMB-PICA consumption, including three fatalities, four cases of driving under the influence of drugs and five other criminal acts. In these cases, 5F-MDMB-PICA was detected in postmortem blood or serum. Concentrations ranged from 0.1-16ng/mL. In some blood (serum) and urine samples, the hydrolysis metabolite of 5F-MDMB-PICA (M12) could also be detected. In this case series, co-consumption with other drugs occurred in 9 of 12 cases, most commonly alcohol…

Detection of γ‐hydroxybutyric acid‐related acids in blood plasma and urine: Extending the detection window of an exogenous γ‐hydroxybutyric acid inta…

2021

In crimes facilitated by γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) administration, the frequent occurrence of anterograde amnesia of the victims as well as the short detection window and variations of endogenous GHB concentrations complicate obtaining analytical proof of GHB administration. Because elevated endogenous organic acid concentrations have been found in the urine of patients with succinic semialdehyde deficiency (leading to accumulation of GHB in human specimens) and after GHB ingestion, we searched for an alternative way to prove GHB administration via detection of elevated organic acid concentrations in blood plasma and urine. We collected blood and urine samples from narcolepsy patients (n …

Levels of GHB in hair after regular application.

2021

Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a central nervous system depressant that is an approved drug for the treatment of narcolepsy with cataplexy and other syndromes. Due to its dose dependent stimulating, relaxing or sedative effects, illicit abuses include recreational use by young people and cases of drug-facilitated crime (DFC). Since GHB is also produced endogenously, for forensic questions, it is important to be able to differentiate between endogenous GHB and elevated levels due to additional intake. In this study, we measured GHB concentrations in hair of patients with narcolepsy receiving daily GHB treatment. The results were compared to endogenous concentrations and concentrations after …

Hanging disguised as bondage: accidental or suicidal death?

2020

The concept of autoerotic asphyxiation refers to the use of devices or substances intended to enhance one's arousal by inducing cerebral hypoxia, which can involuntarily lead to death. Although in most cases death occurs accidentally, it is nonetheless true that the same devices might be used by the practitioners in order to attempt suicide. The case of a 34-year-old practitioner of autoerotic asphyxiation found dead in his apartment with bondage-like ligatures and masking is reported here. The case raised some issues concerning the accidental or suicidal nature of the act. The aspects taken into account in the management of the case are discussed, along with a compared approach to the data…

Cardiac rupture caused by traffic accident: Case reports and a literature review.

2018

The commonest cause of blunt cardiac injuries is from traffic accidents followed by violent falls, sport activities, accidents or a fight but rupture of the heart is rare and lethal. The precise incidence of cardiac injury after a blunt chest trauma is unknown as rates vary greatly in the literature from between 7% and 76% of cases. Autopsy studies have shown that the right ventricle is the most frequently ruptured, followed by the left ventricle, right atrium, intraventricular septum, left atrium and interatrial septum with decreasing frequency. Post-mortem imaging is a rapidly advancing field of post-mortem investigations of trauma victims. The available literature dealing with the compa…