bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Report on the New AAFS Continuing Medical Education Reporting Procedures: The Pathology/Biology Section Perspective
Authors: Hanzlick R
Published: August 2015

This paper summarizes data obtained from the new AAFS continuing medical education report forms to provide potentially useful information to future presenters and for program planning. The proportion of presentations that were above average to excellent in content, delivery, and visual aid usage along with the proportion of presentations that brought new knowledge, affirmed existing knowledge, or modified current practice and categorization and tabulation of specific comments about presentations and the program are given. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) revised its CME reporting procedures for its annual meeting in February 1996. A CME credit reporting booklet was prepared, and space was provided to rank each presentation from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) regarding the quality of visual aids, presentation, and delivery. In addition, responders could indicate with Yes/No answers whether the presentation affirmed current knowledge, brought new knowledge, or would result in a modification of practice. Space was also provided for open ended comments. Data were summarized in aggregate for all presentations within the Pathology/Biology Section. 52% of presentations were rated overall as being above average or excellent. 52% of presentations had rankings of four or five (better than average to excellent) for delivery, 57% had such ratings for audiovisuals, and 56% had such ratings for content. The number of responders who were brought new knowledge ranged from 43% to 92% for a given presentation and showed an overall average of 66%. Affirmation of existing knowledge ranged from 36% to 85% of for the various presentations and averaged 68%. Presented material was reported to result in a change of practice among 10% to 73% of responders for the various presentations and averaged 31%. Generally supportive comments such as “good presentation” were the most common. Somewhat negative comments about information being of limited usefulness, irrelevant to practice, or of suspicious conclusion were second most common. These and other related data, and the feedback of individual evaluations to presenters may be useful for improving the AAFS Path/Bio program in the future.
A Statistical Approach to the Prediction of Verifiable Heroin Use from Total Codeine and Total Morphine Concentrations in Urine
Authors: Fuller DC
Published: August 2015

There has been much debate in urine drug testing over what criteria should be applied to total codeine and total morphine concentration data to determine the likelihood that a urine donor has used heroin and whether such use can be demonstrated by the presence of 6-acetylmorphine. After determining that the stability of 6-acetylmorphine in frozen urine is adequate for a period of at least two years, a database of over 100 codeine and/or morphine positive urine specimens was subjected to relative operating characteristic analysis to identify a criterion that would indicate a high probability of detecting 6-acetylmorphine in a specimen and thus confirming heroin use. A two-fold criterion was identified. By using a criterion that requires the total morphine concentration to be greater than 5.000 mg/L and the total codeine to total morphine ratio to be less than 0.125, one can predict the presence of 6-acetylmorphine with a sensitivity of 92%, a specificity of 79%, and an overall accuracy of 73%. Although this criterion is statistically the most accurate in terms of both sensitivity and specificity for the data analyzed by the author, the results of other criteria are presented to aid toxicologists and medical review officers in determining if analysis for 6-acetylmorphine is likely to produce useful results.
Inhibition of Ethanol Production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Human Blood by Sodium Fluoride
Authors: Amick GD , Habben KH
Published: August 2015

Production of ethanol in antemortem blood samples inoculated with an efficient ethanol-producing microorganism and incubated at various temperatures is discussed. Whole blood samples inoculated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae were incubated in gray stoppered Venoject® tubes (approximate draw volume 7 mL) containing sodium fluoride (17.5 mg) and potassium oxalate (14.0 mg) at 4°C, 25°C, and 37°C for 0, 24, 96, 192, and 408 h. No volatile substances (such as ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, acetone, or acetaldehyde) (<0.010 g/dL) were produced in any of the samples at 4 or 25°C. At 24 h incubation a trace amount (<0.018 g/dL) of ethanol was detected at 37°C.
A Novel Derivatization of Phenol after Extraction from Human Serum Using Perfluorooctanoyl Chloride for Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometric Confirmation and Quantification
Authors: Hart AP , Dasgupta A
Published: August 2015

Phenol (carbolic acid) is widely used as a disinfectant as well as in the chemical industry as an intermediate in the synthesis of a variety of chemicals. Phenol is also the major metabolite of benzene which is used in many commercial solvents. Phenol is toxic and caustic and may cause death even from dermal absorption. Therefore, measurement of phenol in postmortem blood is essential. The concentration of phenol in blood can be measured by gas chromatography with flame ionization or mass spectrometry. Phenol can also be analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. However, in forensic toxicology, unambiguous confirmation of phenol by mass spectrometry is as important as quantification in blood. Here we describe a novel derivatization of phenol after extraction with chloroform from human serum using perfluorooctanoyl chloride. The perfluorooctanoyl derivative of phenol showed a strong molecular ion at m/z 490 (relative abundance: 23%) whereas the base peak was observed at m/z 77. The derivative of the internal standard 3,4-dimethylphenol showed a very strong molecular ion at m/z 518 (relative abundance: 56%) and the base peak was observed as m/z 121. The derivative of p-cresol, a chemically related phenolic compound, showed a strong molecular ion at 504 m/z (relative abundance: 54%) and a base peak at m/z 107. We observed baseline separation between derivatized phenol (retention time: 6.1 min), p-cresol (retention time: 7.8 min), and the internal standard (retention time: 9.4 min). We observed no interferences in our assay from grossly hemolyzed serum. Within and between run precision was studied using a serum standard containing 25 mg/L of phenol. The within run precision was 6.6% (X¯ = 24.3, SD = 1.6 mg/L, n = 8) whereas the between run precision was 8.6% (X¯ = 25.5, SD = 2.2 mg/L, n = 8). The assay was linear for serum phenol concentrations of 10–200 mg/L. The detection limit was 1 mg/L of serum phenol concentration. The average recoveries were 92.1% to 94.0% for various serum phenol concentrations.
Gas Chromatographic-Mass Spectrometric Identification and Quantitation of Benzyl Alcohol from Human Serum and Postmortem Blood after Derivatization with 4-Carbethoxy Hexafluorobutyryl Chloride: A Novel Derivative
Authors: Dasgupta A , Steinagel G
Published: August 2015

Benzyl alcohol is commonly used as an antibacterial agent in a variety of pharmaceutical formulations. Several fatalities in neonates have been linked to benzyl alcohol poisoning. Most methods for measuring benzyl alchol concentrations in serum utilize direct extraction followed by high performance liquid chromatography. We describe a novel derivatization of benzyl alcohol using 4-carbethoxyhexafluorobutyryl chloride after extraction from human plasma, and subsequent analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The derivative was eluted at a significantly higher temperature and the method was free from interferences from more volatile components in serum and hemolyzed specimens. However, with postmortem specimens, we observed multiple peaks which were eluted at a very high temperature, long after derivatized benzyl alcohol and the internal standard. Therefore, baking the column at 310°C is recommended after analysis of a postmortem specimen. Another advantage of this derivatization technique is the conversion of low molecular weight benzyl alcohol (MW 108) to a high molecular weight derivative (MW 358). The positive identification of benzyl alcohol can be easily achieved by observing a distinct molecular ion at m/z 358 as well as other characteristic ions at m/z 107 and 91. Quantitation of benzyl alcohol in human serum can easily be achieved by using 3,4-dimethylphenol as an internal standard. The within run and between run precisions (using serum standard of benzyl alcohol: 50 mg/L) were 2.2% (X¯ = 50.6, SD = 1.1 mg/L), and 6.9% (X¯ = 50.8, SD = 3.5 mg/L). The assay was linear for the serum benzyl alcohol concentrations of 5 mg/L to 200 mg/L and the detection limit was 1 mg/L. We observed no carry-over problem in our assay as when 2 µL ethyl acetate was injected into the GC/MS after analyzing serum specimens containing 200 mg/L of benzyl alcohol, we observed no peak for either benzyl alcohol or the internal standard in the total ion chromatogram.
Rapid Screening of Multiple Forensic Stains by SSCP Analysis of HLA-DQα Amplification Products
Authors: Kreike J , Lehner A
Published: August 2015

Single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis was performed with HLA-DQα amplification products. The various HLA-DQα genotypes reveal different SSCP patterns. These are reproducible in DNA preparations from unrelated persons with identical HLA-DQα genotype. However, in one of the more frequent HLA-DQα genotypes (1.1/4) two variant SSCP patterns were observed. SSCP analysis allows rapid low-cost screening of many specimens and is an alternative discrimination test of stains beside reverse dot blot hybridization.
DNA Typing of Azoospermic Semen at the D1S80 Locus
Authors: Skinker DM , Cary Warnecke S , Morrow JK , Hunsaker JC
Published: August 2015

The examination of azoospermic semen poses a special problem for the forensic scientist. Both serologic and RFLP methods may result in inconclusive results. PCR analysis is known to have an advantage in the evaluation of variably degraded, small quantities of DNA. This investigation addresses the feasibility of detecting the DNA profiles of azoospermic males in cases of suspected rape by the use of PCR amplification of the VNTR locus D1S80. DNA profiles were produced from aspermic semen samples from six vasectomized males. Two mixed postcoital vaginal samples containing azoospermic semen from two of the vasectomized males were also obtained and both revealed the combined profiles of the azoospermic semen donors and the vaginal epithelial donors. All cases resulted in an allelic banding pattern of the donor semen matching the respective blood/saliva standard.
An Assessment of DNA Contamination Risks in New York City Medical Examiner Facilities
Authors: Toledano T , Quarino L , Leung S , Buffolino P , Baum H , Shaler RC
Published: August 2015

DNA evidence holds an important position in criminal investigations and proceedings. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is often utilized to amplify polymorphic regions of DNA which are subsequently typed to produce distinct genotypes. The sensitivity of PCR-based techniques provides a major advantage over other DNA or conventional serological typing systems. Samples containing quantities of DNA in the picogram range are often typed. However, the unprecedented sensitivity of PCR is often cited as a criticism. One concern is that the interpretation of PCR typing can be affected by DNA contaminants from foreign sources. In this report, the level of DNA contamination in New York City Medical Examiner facilities and its potential affects on HLA-DQA1 typing were assessed. Two related studies conducted over a five week period measured and typed HLA-DQA1 from accumulated DNA on autopsy room and Forensic DNA Laboratory structures. The potential for DNA contamination from airborne sources was also evaluated in the autopsy suites. This study demonstrated the presence of small amounts of DNA on structural surfaces, but little evidence of airborne DNA contamination.
Sex Determination by Discriminant Analysis of Calcanei Measurements
Authors: Introna F , Di Vella G , Pietro Campobasso C , Dragone M
Published: August 2015

Eight measurements taken on the right calcaneus (maximum length, load arm width, minimum width, height of calcaneus, body height, breadth of the facies articularis talaris posterior, breadth and height of the facies articularis cuboidea) of a known contemporary Southern Italian skeletal population (40 males and 40 females) were used to determine sex by multivariate discriminant analysis. Three functions revealed a correct sex-determination of 85%. These functions were obtained by the association of the following parameters: maximum length, load arm width and breadth of the facies art. talaris post. (function no. 1); maximum length and breadth of the facies art. talaris post. (function no. 2); maximum length and height of the facies art. cuboidea and breadth of the facies art. cuboidea (function no. 3). These results may aid the forensic anthropologist when no other remains, useful for skeletal sex determination, are available.
Infrared Luminescence of Indented Writing as Evidence of Document Alteration
Authors: Sharf S , Gabbay R , Brown S
Published: August 2015

A case involving the suspected addition of a line to two sales slips of the same transaction was investigated. Using infrared luminescence, indented impressions on one document were found to originate from writing on the second copy, and vice versa. The source of the luminescence most probably originated from the paper which was found to have a coated back of leucodye microcapsules, as such that is found in carbonless copy paper. The context and locations of these indented impressions enabled one to determine the sequence in which the entries were written, and to prove that the questioned entries were added later.
An Unusual Penetrating Neck Wound by a Golf Club: Precise Forensic Imaging
Authors: Keller T , Watson J , Goldstein L , Chappell T
Published: August 2015

An unusual case of a penetrating neck injury by a golf club with the weapon retained in situ is presented. The contemporary imaging technology that delineated the clinical and forensic aspects is demonstrated as another tool to assist in criminal investigation.
Distribution of Free and Conjugated Morphine in Body Fluids and Tissues in a Fatal Heroin Overdose: Is Conjugated Morphine Stable in Postmortem Specimens?
Authors: Moriya F , Hashimoto Y
Published: August 2015

The tissue distribution of free and conjugated morphine in a male individual who died after self-injection of heroin and methamphetamine was investigated, and the postmortem stability of morphine in the blood, liver and urine, and that of 6-monoacetylmorphine in the urine was determined. Confirmation and quatitation of morphine, 6-monoacetylmorphine and methamphetamine were performed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography, respectively. Blood levels of free and total morphine were very site-dependent with ranges of 462–1350 and 534–1570 ng/mL, respectively. Large amounts of total morphine, 5220, 4200, and 2270 ng/g, had accumulated in the stomach contents, liver, and lung, respectively. The concentration of free morphine in the cerebrospinal fluid was correlated very closely with that in the cerebrum. The proportion of free morphine in various fluids and tissues ranged from 23.0% to 98.8% of total morphine: less than 30% in the stomach contents and urine; 30–60% in the liver, cerebrospinal fluid, lung, and pericardial sac fluid; 61–90% in the spleen, right femoral muscle, myocardium, blood in the left and right ventricles of the heart, and right femoral vein blood; more than 91% in the right kidney and cerebrum. Detectable amounts of 6-monoacetylmorphine, 417 ng/mL and 78 ng/g, existed in the urine and stomach contents, respectively, indicating that this individual might have died within several hours after heroin injection. Methamphetamine concentrations in the blood were also site-dependent within the range 551–1730 ng/mL. In an in vitro experiment, free and conjugated morphine were stable in the blood and urine at 4, 18–22, and 37°C for a 10-day study period. In the liver, however, conjugated morphine had been converted almost completely to free morphine at 18–22 and 37°C by the end of the experiment, although it was stable at 4°C. Urine 6-monoacetylmorphine, although degraded slightly at 37°C, was stable at 4 and 18–22°C during the experiment. Thus it appears that non-specific hydrolysis of conjugated morphine to free morphine would not occur in corpses at least for a few days after death. Femoral muscle may be a specimen of choice for roughly predicting the ratio of free to total morphine in blood even when blood specimens are not available, because the femoral muscle is relatively spared of both postmortem diffusion of drugs and bacterial invasion.
Fatal Fentanyl Intoxication Following Excessive Transdermal Application
Authors: Edinboro LE , Poklis A , Trautman D , Lowry S , Backer R , Harvey CM
Published: August 2015

The case history and toxicological findings of a fatal fentanyl intoxication due to the application of multiple transdermal patches are presented. An 83 year-old white female with terminal cancer was found dead with three 100 mg/h fentanyl patches on her chest. The autopsy and subsequent histological studies revealed extensive areas of gastric carcinoma, a large atrial tumor, ulceration of esophagus, metastasis of peripancreatic lymph nodes and a recent surgical removal of part of the lower lobe of the left lung. Toxicological analysis by GC/MS yielded fentanyl concentrations of blood, 25 ng/mL; brain, 54 ng/g; heart 94 ng/g; kidney 69 ng/g; and liver 104 ng/g. The cause of death was determined to be fentanyl overdose and the manner of death was ruled undetermined as the investigation was unable to conclusively establish whether this was an accidental overdose, a suicide, an assisted suicide, or possibly a homicide. This case demonstrates the need for caution in self-administration of transdermal fentanyl patches, in particular, the dangers inherent in the application of multiple patches which can result in the release of potentially toxic or lethal doses.
Evidence of Pin Implantation as a Means of Verifying Death During the Great Plague of Marseilles (1722)
Authors: Leonetti G , Signoli M , Laure Pelissier A , Champsaur P , Hershkovitz I , Brunet C , Dutour O
Published: August 2015

The evidence obtained for the methods used in verification of death during the Great Plague of Marseilles in 1722 is presented here. This evidence was gathered during the excavation of a mass grave dating from this epidemic, and is based on two adjacent interments. The technique used at that time was the implantation of bronze pins into the toes. This method is precisely described in the medical treatises dating from this period, which list different death verification methods. The fear of “false death” and the burial of still living people characterized the end of the 17th and the 18th centuries. It should be noted that the main cause of apparent death is presented in the same medical treatises as the plague. This observation is the first anthropological evidence of the use of this forensic method to verify the fact of death.
Review of: Connors et al. “Convicted by Juries, Exonerated by Science: Case Studies in the Use of DNA Evidence to Establish Innocence after Trial”
Authors: Wenk RE
Published: August 2015

A paperbound, 109 page report from staff of the institute for Law and Justice (ILJ) summarizes 27 publicized cases in which DNA evidence demonstrated the innocence of 29 men who had been found guilty of sexual assault or murder. The report opens with A Brief Message from the Attorney General. Several take-home messages are actually delivered in the very first section, the Forward, which consists of Commentaries on DNA testing by well known academics, judges, attorneys, criminal investigators and a forensic scientist. The Forward is followed by chapters termed Introduction, Study Findings and Policy Implications. Summaries of the case constitute the fourth chapter for readers interested in the historical details. After the case descriptions, there are a Glossary and an Appendix containing the DQe~ phenotypes found in the cases.
Review of: Kurland, “How to Solve a Murder: The Forensic Handbook”
Authors: Leon MacDonnel H
Published: August 2015

There are very few books that have been published on the subject riminalistics which are so outstanding that no forensic library d be considered complete without at least some of them. For ple, Gross' Criminal Investigation, Kirk's Crime Investigation, O'Hara and Osterburg's An Introduction to Criminalistics, rman and O'Connell's Modern Criminal Investigation, and sson and Wendel's Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation classic in their overview of this discipline.
Review of: Karch, “the Pathology of Drug Abuse”
Authors: Erlich LB
Published: August 2015

Dr. Steven Karch's book the Pathology of Drug Abuse deals with much more than pathology. It deals with drugs of abuse in detail and depth. It deals with issues ranging from the history of each drug, the nature of the processing, or manufacture of each drug, the human pathology produced by drug use and clinically useful pearls about the drug abuser.
Review of: Hickley, “Goodbye My Little Ones”
Authors: Erlich LB
Published: August 2015

This book concerns the prosecution of Waneta Hoyt, a woman who murdered her five children as infants. In each of the five deaths the initial clinical diagnosis was Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Mothers who murder their children are apparently of some interest to the general public since the second page of the book lists three other books about the same subject.
Guest Editorial
Authors: Peat MA
Published: August 2015

Next year will be the fiftieth anniversary of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. This is as a time to reflect on past evements and on future challenges. I cannot believe that when founding fathers gathered in 1948, they understood the significance of the Academy's birth and the role it would take in advancing the science in forensic science. For the last fifty years forensic ntists of all disciplines have considered AAFS to be their essional home. They have labored to adapt technology developed for other purposes to the forensic sciences, and in doing so have only received recognition from their peers in the emy.
Writer Identification by Professional Document Examiners
Authors: Kam M , Fielding G , Conn R
Published: August 2015

Reliable data on the capabilities of professional document examiners are scarce, rendering most past characterizations of these capabilities somewhat speculative. We report on a comprehensive test administered to more than 100 professional document examiners, intended to close this data gap in the area of writer identification. Each examiner made 144 pair-wise comparisons of freely-created original handwritten documents. The task was to determine whether or not a “match” was detected, namely whether or not the two documents were written by the same hand. Matching criteria were based on the identification and strong probability definitions of the ASTM standard E1658. The professionals were tested in three groups (in the northeastern, southeastern, and southwestern United States). In addition, we have created a control group of similar educational background. Several individuals training to become professional document examiners were tested as well.

Examination of the data and statistical tests show that the answers collected from the professional and nonprofessional groups came from different populations. The trainees' data were shown to have come from a population that is distinct from both professional and nonprofessional groups. Unlike the professional examiners, the nonprofessionals tended to grossly over-associate. They erroneously “matched” many documents that were created by different writers, mismatching almost six times as many unknown documents to database documents as the professionals did (38.3% vs. 6.5% of the documents). The results of our test lay to rest the debate over whether or not professional document examiners possess writer-identification skills absent in the general population. They do.
Stable Lead Isotopes in Teeth as Indicators of Past Domicile—A Potential New Tool in Forensic Science?
Authors: Gulson BL , Jameson CW , Gillings BR
Published: August 2015

A pilot study using stable lead isotope analyses has shown that permanent and deciduous teeth from Eastern and Southern European subjects have completely different lead isotopic compositions to those of Australian subjects. There are statistically significant differences between groups of teeth from subjects from the former Soviet Union (CIS), the former Yugoslavia, United Kingdom, and Lebanon. The isotopic analyses confirm the stability of lead in enamel but suggest that there is exchange of European lead with Australian lead in dentine amounting to about 1% per year. The isotopic differences in, and exchange of, European lead and Australian lead offer an exciting and powerful tool for forensic identification.
Aging of Bitemarks: A Literature Review
Authors: Dailey JC , Michael Bowers C
Published: August 2015

The aging of bitemarks through the subjective interpretation of visual signs has created an area of controversy in the forensic science community. The healing dynamics of these bite wounds has been insufficiently studied and is poorly understood. A review of the literature related to bitemark aging was undertaken in an effort to summarize the currently published information on this misunderstood subject.
The Effect of Shovel Trait on Carabelli's Trait in Taiwan Chinese and Aboriginal Populations
Authors: Hsu JW , Tsai PL , Hsiao TH , Chang HP , Lin LM , Liu KM , Yu HS , Ferguson D
Published: August 2015

Chinese and other Mongoloid populations differ from Caucasoids by having a high prevalence of shovel trait and a low prevalence of Carabelli's trait. This study was conducted to compare the association between the shovel and the Carabelli's traits between Chinese and aboriginal Mongoloid populations. The research is designed to sample randomly a Chinese population and an aboriginal population having low admixture with neighboring populations. The Mongoloid aboriginal group was from the Bunun tribe who resides in an isolated alpine area in Taiwan. The effects of sex and age on Carabelli's trait were controlled in this study, as was the association between tooth size and Carabelli's trait. Our results show that males had more Carabelli's trait expressed on teeth than females in both of these two Mongoloid populations. The buccolingual diameter of Carabelli's trait teeth was larger than that of teeth without the trait. After controlling for sex, age, and tooth size, the existence of the shovel trait significantly increased the likelihood of having Carabelli's trait, especially in Chinese, which implies another significant ethnic feature for Mongoloid identification.
Underwater Cave Diving Fatalities in Florida: A Review and Analysis
Authors: Byrd JH , Hamilton WF
Published: August 2015

Although no formal accident data reference system exists, the cave diving deaths in Florida from 1962–1991 and 1995–July 1996 (data for 1992–1994 were unavailable) is reviewed. These cases reveal that the number of diver fatalities is cyclical in nature with a periodicity of eight years. Because we are currently only a year past the cycle low, this analysis allows predictions to be made that indicate a rise in fatalities over the next five to seven year period. This study reveals that a lack of experience and failure to follow proper safety precautions are the leading causes of fatalities in cave diving accidents. A one page accident information reporting form is proposed to aid in the initial and accurate reporting of a fatality and to standardize data collection for future research.
Postmortem Serum and Tissue Redistribution of Fluoxetine and Norfluoxetine in Dogs Following Oral Administration of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride (Prozac®)
Authors: Pohland RC , Bernhard NR
Published: August 2015

Antemortem serum and postmortem serum and tissues were evaluated to determine if postmortem redistribution of the antidepressant, fluoxetine (Prozac®) and its major active metabolite, norfluoxetine, occurred in dogs following oral administration of fluoxetine hydrochloride. Beagle dogs (four males) received daily oral doses of 10 mg fluoxetine/kg for five days. Antemortem serum concentrations of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine were determined 3 and 24 h following administration of the first four daily doses of fluoxetine and 3 h after the fifth dose in order to monitor for steady-state serum concentrations of parent and metabolite prior to postmortem serum concentration determinations. Antemortem serum concentrations of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine 3 h postdose on Day 5 ranged from 530 to 1210 ng/mL and 1460 to 1980 ng/mL, respectively. Immediately following the 3 h blood sample on Day 5, each dog was euthanized. Serum concentrations of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine were determined from blood samples collected from the vena cava, heart, and clotted blood within the heart at 2 h after death in two dogs and 12 h after death in the remaining two dogs. Similarly, tissue concentrations of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in heart, liver, and lung were determined 2 and 12 h postmortem.

Serum concentrations of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine from the vena cava and heart 2 h postmortem were 2.2- to 6.0-fold and 2.3- to 3.6-fold higher, respectively, than antemortem serum concentrations. Similarly, serum concentrations of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine from vena cava and heart 12 h postmortem were 1.3- to 3.5-fold and 1.7- to 3.3-fold higher, respectively, than antemortem serum concentrations. However, 2-h and 12-h postmortem serum concentrations of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine from clotted blood within the heart were equal to or less than levels determined in antemortem serum. Results from 2-h and 12-h postmortem average tissue concentrations of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in heart, liver, and lung demonstrated that fluoxetine and norfluoxetine concentrations in myocardium were similar 2 h and 12 h postmortem. However, in liver, fluoxetine concentrations decreased 39% and norfluoxetine concentrations decreased 23% from 2 h to 12 h postmortem. Even greater postmortem decreases in fluoxetine and norfluoxetine concentrations were observed in lung. Fluoxetine and norfluoxetine concentrations in lung decreased 49% and 39%, respectively, from 2 h to 12 h postmortem.

In conclusion, this study demonstrated that fluoxetine and norfluoxetine undergo postmortem redistribution in the dog. Furthermore, postmortem serum concentrations appear to be dependent on the sample site and the degree of coagulation of the blood. Finally, postmortem decreases in concentrations of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in liver and lung may, in part, explain the observed increase in serum concentrations at 2 and 12 h postmortem.
Identification and Differentiation of Bear Bile Used in Medicinal Products in Taiwan
Authors: Lin D-L , Chang H-C , Chang C-P , Chen C-Y
Published: August 2015

One hundred eighty-three suspect bear bile used in medicinal products, collected in Taiwan as gall bladders or dried powder forms, were analyzed using FTIR, HPTLC, and HPLC techniques to identify whether they are indeed bear bile. Those confirmed were further examined to determine whether the observed analytical parameters can be reliably used for source inference, i.e., differentiating products among North American black bear, farmed Asiatic black bear, polar bear, etc. Our data suggested that North American and polar bears contain a higher concentration of TC (relative to TUDC and TCDC), whereas the relative concentration of TC in Asiatic bears (wild or farmed) is much lower. Thus, the relative concentration of TC can potentially be used for differentiating Asiatic bear bile from North American and polar bear products, but it cannot be used for the differentiation of wild and farmed bear bile as suggested in an earlier report by Espinoza et al. The origin of the 183 samples analyzed were found to be as follows: 118 (64%), bile salts, or gall bladders were of domestic pig; 56 (31%), bile products of Asiatic bear; 4 (2.2%), Asiatic bear mixed with pig bile salts; 3 (1.6%) goat gall bladders; 1 (0.55%) water buffalo bile salts; and 1 (0.55%), pig bile salts mixed with water buffalo bile salts.
Identification of Unique Cocaine Metabolites and Smoking By-Products in Postmortem Blood and Urine Specimens
Authors: Jenkins AJ , Goldberger BA
Published: August 2015

Toxicological investigation of suspected cocaine-related deaths routinely involves the identification of cocaine (COC) and its metabolites including benzoylecgonine (BE) and ecgonine methyl ester (EME) in postmortem specimens. We utilized solidphase extraction followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of cocaine and eight cocaine-related analytes. These analytes included anhydroecgonine methyl ester (AEME), a unique product formed during cocaine smoking, and cocaethylene (CE), formed by transesterification of cocaine in the presence of ethanol. Thirteen pairs of postmortem heart blood and urine specimens were analyzed from cases of death due to acute cocaine intoxication, multiple drug intoxication, or other non-drug related causes. COC, EME, and BE were detected in all specimens. The range of concentrations in blood were: COC, 23-2088 ng/mL; BE, 215-9195 ng/mL; and EME, 220-7275 ng/mL. AEME was identified in 2 blood and 10 urine specimens, and CE was identified in 1 blood specimen and 4 urine specimens. The identification of AEME in the specimens indicated that “crack” cocaine had been smoked, and the presence of CE indicated coadministration of cocaine and ethanol. The presence of these unique cocaine analytes in postmortem specimens provides valuable information regarding the cause and manner of death.
The Incidence of Ignitable Liquid Residues in Fire Debris as Determined by a Sensitive and Comprehensive Analytical Scheme
Authors: Jackowski JP
Published: August 2015

An overall scheme is presented for the comprehensive analysis of flammable and combustible liquid residues in fire debris, mainly utilizing passive adsorption onto Tenax TA followed by thermal desorption. Records of all suspected arson cases submitted to the author's laboratory for analysis during a 12 month period have been reviewed and results tabulated. Information included location of fire incident, type and frequency of sample exhibit items, results of analysis, and the interrelationships between each of these factors. A total of 1040 items were examined from 437 cases. Fires within residential premises and motor vehicles accounted for the largest group of exhibits submitted. Flammable or combustible liquid residues were detected in 47.4% of items, with petrol the most common ignitable liquid. As a group, fabric items, carpets, and plastics exhibited the highest incidence of flammable or combustible liquid residues, and ashen debris and soil the lowest.
Development of Latent Fingerprints Using a Corona Discharge
Authors: Halahmi E , Levi O , Kronik L , Boxman RL
Published: August 2015

A novel technique for the development of latent fingerprints is presented. It is based on placing a fingerprint-bearing object inside a corona discharge induced plasma. The development of various real and artificial fingerprints on metallic substrates under a wide range of conditions is studied. Using the results of the development experiments and the results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, it is shown that the development is based on oxidation of the fingerprint background. This is achieved by strong oxidizers generated by the discharge process, while saturated fatty-acids found in sebaceous fingerprints protect the area beneath them, resulting in a visible fingerprint. The process is optimized by minimizing the electrode gap distance and maximizing the peak discharge voltage and the pulse repetition frequency.
Microfibers—A Forensic Perspective
Authors: Clayson NJ , Wiggins KG
Published: August 2015

This manuscript is a review of information relevant to the forensic scientist in the developing field of microfiber production. Manufacturing methods and applications are discussed and examples given. Two cases in which microfibers were transferred are discussed and the evidential value is assessed.
United States Population Data on the Multiplex Short Tandem Repeat Loci—HUMTHO1, TPOX, and CSF1PO—and the Variable Number Tandem Repeat Locus D1S80
Authors: Budowle B , Smerick JB , Keys KM , Moretti TR
Published: August 2015

Allele frequencies for three tetrameric short tandem repeat (STR) loci HUMTHO1, TPOX, and CSF1PO and a variable number tandem repeat locus D1S80 were determined in United States Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic sample populations. All loci, except the TPOX locus in the Caucasian sample population, meet Hardy-Weinberg expectations. There is no evidence for association of alleles among the four loci. The allelic frequency data are similar to other comparable data within the same major population group.
Products of Partial Digestion with Hae III. Part 1. Characterization, Casework Experience and Confirmation of the Theory of Three-, Four- and Five-Banded RFLP Pattern Origins Using Partial Digestion
Authors: Benzinger EA , Emerek EA , Grigsby NL , Duewer DL , Lovekamp ML , Deadman H , Thompson JL , Sallee PJ , Riech AK
Published: August 2015

The sizes of Hae III partial digestion products at D1S7, D2S44, D4S139, D5S110, D10S28, and D17S26 were evaluated in experimentally generated partial digestions of liquid blood DNA. The partial digestion products were highly predictable, suggesting a very high level of sequence conservation in regions flanking variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) blocks. Partial digestion bands associated with three-or-more-banded patterns were also characterized. Partial digestion of three-banded patterns can be used to determine whether the extra bands arise due to internal Hae III sites in the VNTR block and to identify hidden three-banded patterns. Partial digestion products from forensic casework also conformed to size expectations. Presumed partial digestion bands from 27 forensic samples were compared to the experimentally generated data. The causes of partial digestion are examined and recommendations for interpreting forensic DNA evidence exhibiting partial digestion products are given.
Products of Partial Digestion with Hae III. Part 2. Quantification
Authors: Duewer DL , Benzinger EA
Published: August 2015

The base pair size of the excess DNA in the smallest three partial digestion bands for the variable number of tandem repeat loci D1S7, D2S44, D4S139, D5S110, D10S28, and D17S26 has been quantitatively evaluated using data obtained from intentional partial digestion of liquid blood DNA. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) measurement characteristics specific to the performing laboratory were evaluated from that laboratory's historical K562 cell line control data. The expected size of the excess DNA is estimated as the weighted mean of the differences between the measured size of the partially digested bands and the fully digested band, with the weights predicted using knowledge of RFLP measurement characteristics. Confidence limits are developed for evaluating whether the size differences among a set of RFLP band multiplets observed in pristine samples are consistent with those expected from partial digestion. The base pair size of excess DNA for partials observed in evidentiary samples appears to be somewhat less than that from pristine samples.
Intrafamilial Homicide Committed by Juveniles: Examination of a Sample with Recommendations for Prevention
Authors: Kashani JH , Darby PJ , Allan WD , Hartke KL , Reid JC
Published: August 2015

The current study examines a sample of 112 adolescents convicted of murder. From this sample, 11 adolescents who murdered a member of their family were chosen for indepth examination. All participants were convicted as an adult for murder and received a prison sentence. Characteristics of the crimes were explored, including demographic information, relationship to victim, motive, and weapon used in the commission of the crime. Additionally, DSM diagnosis information was available for some participants. A majority of the homicides (N = 8) were committed with a gun that was available in the home. More than half of the subjects murdered a parent or parental figure and the most salient characteristic was the presence of a chaotic family life prior to the homicide. No single motive was dominant, indicating that intrafamilial homicide is the culmination of a number of factors, including abuse and psychopathology. Based on the findings, recommendations are provided to address the needs of youth who are at risk for committing violent crimes such as intrafamilial homicide.
Video Voyeurs and the Covert Videotaping of Unsuspecting Victims: Psychological and Legal Consequences
Authors: Simon RI
Published: August 2015

Video voyeurs employ state of the art technology to gain access into the most private places where victims are covertly videotaped. Women are the usual victims of video voyeurs as they change their clothes, perform natural functions or engage in sexual activities. When the videotaping is discovered by the victim, serious psychological harm may result.

A civil suit is the most common legal remedy sought. Criminal sanctions, when available, are often insufficient compared to the seriousness of the crime. While unauthorized, covert audiotaping is forbidden by both federal and state codes, videotaping is often not specifically mentioned. It appears that legislators do not fully appreciate the burgeoning of covert videotaping, the technological advances that have greatly expanded the possibilities for voyeuristic viewing and the harm done to victims of video voyeurs. Appropriate criminal sanctions need to be included in privacy statutes for unauthorized, video surveillance with or without accompanying audio transcription.
Forensic Significance of the Polymorphism of Hyoid Bone Shape
Authors: Pollanen MS , Ubelaker DH
Published: August 2015

The reasons why some hyoids fracture in strangulation and others do not may relate to anatomic features of the hyoid bone. On this basis, we studied the dimensions and shape of hyoid bones (n = 100) originating from the Terry collection, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. The hyoid bones were extensively polymorphic in both dimensions studied, the span or breadth, and the length of the cornua. There was no linear relationship between the breadth and length dimensions of the bone. Based on qualitative assessment, hyoid bones could be classed as either hyperbolic (55%) or parabolic (45%) in shape. Hyperbolic hyoid bones could be distinguished from hyoid bones with a parabolic configuration on the basis of the metric data although there was considerable overlap in the dimensions of hyoid bones of both configurations. Female hyoid bones tended to be smaller in both dimensions than male hyoid bones. The metric parameters of fractured hyoid bones from 10 cases (8 female, 2 male) of strangulation were compared with the dimensions of hyoid bones in this study. The metric features of the fractured hyoid bones were attributable to the predominance of females in the group of fractured hyoid bones studied, an observation that is anticipated because the majority of strangulations involve female decedents. On this basis, we conclude that variables other than the shape and dimensions of the hyoid bone are more relevant in determining if hyoid fracture occurs during strangulation.
Interlaboratory Evaluation of Short Tandem Repeat Triplex CTT
Authors: Kline MC , Duewer DL , Newall P , Redman JW , Reeder DJ , Richard M
Published: August 2015

An interlaboratory comparison of typing results for Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) at the GenBank loci HUMCSF1PO, HUMTPOX, HUMTH01, and HUMVWFA31 using the “CTT triplex” and “CTTv quadruplex” has been evaluated. These STRs all have a nominal four basepair (bp) repeat. Seven different samples were distributed to 41 laboratories. The 34 laboratories that returned results used a wide variety of analytical systems. Comparable results were obtained for all samples at all loci when results were reported as an allelic name. Raw sizing results obtained from internal-lane sizing standards differed by nearly five bp at some loci. Many different factors contribute to this observed sizing variability, including choice of sizing standards and matrix composition. Although sizing results can be made more comparable by locus-specific offsets or calibration to a comprehensive set of alleles at each locus, samples typed to the allelic name can now be validly compared regardless of analytical method. Interlaboratory comparison of raw allelic size remains problematic.
HumCD4—Validation of a STR System for Forensic Purposes in an Austrian Caucasian Population Sample
Authors: Klintschar M , Crevenna R
Published: August 2015

The short tandem repeat system HumCD4 was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on blood samples from 304 unrelated Austrian Caucasians and analyzed by horizontal, non-denaturing polyacrylamide electrophoresis. The mean exclusion chance was 0.417, the discriminating power 0.850 and the heterozygosity rate 0.628. The observed phenotype distribution is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. In 100 families (200 meioses) no mutations were found. Sufficient amplification could be achieved with as little as 80 pg of high molecular weight cell-line DNA. In a degradation experiment DNA extracted from bloodstains stored for up to 28 days in a moist chamber and DNA boiled for up to 18 min could be amplified. A duplex PCR with TH01 is proposed.
Japanese Population DNA Typing Data for the Loci LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8, and GC
Authors: Watanabe Y , Yamada S , Nagai A , Takayama T , Hirata K , Bunai Y , Ohya I
Published: August 2015

Population studies on the five loci LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8, and GC (PM loci) were carried out in a sample of 366 unrelated Japanese individuals living in Gifu Prefecture (central region of Japan) using the AmpliType® PM PCR Amplification and Typing kit (Perkin Elmer). For all loci, no significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium could be found in our Japanese population sample. The combined mean exclusion chance and power of discrimination for the PM loci were 0.68 and 0.993, respectively. The Japanese and Chinese population data were similar for the all loci. The Japanese and Korean population data were similar for all loci other than D7S8. Significant differences were observed between the Japanese population data and the 16 other population data compared for 3 loci or more.
Distribution of HLA-DQα and Polymarker (LDLR, GC, GYPA, HBGG, and D7S8) Alleles in Arab and Pakistani Populations Living in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Authors: Tahir MA , Caruso J , Budowle B , Aziz N , Novick GE
Published: August 2015

Randomly collected blood samples from 100 Arabs and 100 Pakistanis residing in Abu Dhabi were analyzed using the HLA-DQα and polymarker (LDLR, GC, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8) PCR based reverse dot blot systems. Allelic frequencies for each allele and observed heterozygosity for each locus were calculated. Departures from Hardy-Weinberg expectations (HWE) were determined using the unbiased estimate of the expected homozygote/heterozygote frequencies, the likelihood ratio test and the exact test. No significant departures from HWE expectations were detected.