bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) Analysis on DNA from Human Compact Bone
Authors: Rankin DR , Narveson SD , Birkby WH , Lai J 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
DNA typing techniques primarily identify specific genetic markers that are highly polymorphic within a population and have found great utility in forensic science. The established DNA identification protocol, termed restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), has been admitted as physical evidence in the investigation of crimes such as assault, sexual assault, and homicide. The limitation associated with this procedure concerns the integrity of the genetic material. This study sought to evaluate human bone as a source material for DNA identification following exposure to common forensic field conditions. Often, with the onset of decomposition and eventual disarticulation of a body, soft tissues, hair and teeth may not be recovered. The significance of this study lies in the fact that, within forensic anthropology, human bone represents the most biologically stable evidence and is sometimes all that remains after periods of exposure. Genomic DNA was extracted from human bone following exposure to surface deposit, shallow burial, and fresh water immersion. Samples were collected over a three month time course and analyzed by spectrophotometry and agarose gel electrophoresis as well as RFLP analysis. The data suggest that high molecular weight DNA may indeed be extracted from human bone and typed by RFLP analysis for use in forensic identification. Under simulated forensic field conditions, the severity of DNA degradation was in the order of fresh water immersion &gt; shallow burial &gt; surface deposit. Genomic DNA from bone deposited on the desert surface for up to 4 weeks was detected by RFLP analysis. No spurious bands were detected in any specimens, and to the extent that bands were still present, the RFLP patterns matched. These findings demonstrate that human bone can be a reliable source of genomic DNA, and that bone recovered from surface deposit is the most desirable for use in forensic identification.
Postmortem Diagnosis of Diabetic Metabolic Derangement: Elevated α1-Antitrypsin and Haptoglobin Glycosylation Levels as an Index of Antemortem Hyperglycemia
Authors: Ritz S , Mehlan G , Martz W 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Fatal diabetic metabolic derangement is difficult to diagnose postmortem because of the paucity of characteristic morphologic findings. Hyperglycemia is an indicator of diabetic derangement. Conventional biochemical parameters for postmortem diagnosis of antemortem hyperglycemic states are not sufficiently resistant to antemortem and postmortem non-diabetic influences or are suited only for long and medium-term assessment of diabetes control. In the search for other, more reliable, indices of immediately antemortem blood glucose levels, we investigated the value of glycosylation levels of serum proteins with very brief biologic half-lives: a) In vitro studies were performed on the glycosylation course of the short-lived serum proteins α1-antitrypsin (α1-AT) and haptoglobin (HP). b) Glycosylation levels were measured after purification of α1-AT and HP from sera of living and deceased non-diabetics and diabetics. c) The resistance of α1-AT and HP glycosylation levels to autolysis was investigated. Our studies revealed the following: 1) α1-AT and HP glycosylate considerably more rapidly than either albumin or hemoglobin. This rapid glycosylation, combined with the rapid turnover of both proteins, facilitates detection of short-term changes in glycemia. 2) α1-AT and HP glycosylation levels are autolysis-stable and can be assessed even after advanced hemolysis. 3) α1-AT and HP glycosylation levels appear to allow reliable ante- and postmortem discrimination between normoglycemic and hyperglycemic metabolic states. As a tool in the postmortem diagnosis of antemortem hyperglycemic states, α1-AT and HP glycosylation levels combine the advantages of a short-term parameter with resistance to non-diabetic influences.
Homicide in Newfoundland: A Nine-Year Review
Authors: Avis SP 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Newfoundland has one of the lowest homicide rates in North America. The following study examined homicides in the province of Newfoundland for a nine-year period from 1985 to 1993. During this time there were 45 homicides, 25 male and 20 female victims with an average homicide rate of 0.74 per 100,000 persons. Sharp-force either by stabbing or incised wounds was the most common method followed by blunt-force and firearms. For sharp-force homicides the most frequent victim was a male between the ages of 31–40, while for firearm homicide the most frequent victim was female. A positive blood alcohol was found in almost 54% of victims tested but varied with the sex of the victim and the method of homicide used. Illicit drug use was not detected in any victim. The majority of victims knew their assailant, and the most frequent location for a homicide to occur were the victims home. There were two justifiable homicides during the study period.
On Pathways for Small Molecules Into and Out of Human Hair Fibers
Authors: Pötsch L , Moeller MR 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
This paper represents an experimental approach of histology of the human hair fiber in dyeing and diffusion phenomena and its contribution to the interpretation of hair analysis results for drug abuse. Rhodamine B was applied to human hair fibers from either aqueous solution or methanol/ethanol solvent. The experiments were performed on natural hair of different ethnic groups as well as on extensively bleached hair strands. The microscopical study of the pathway of diffusion of rhodamine B into the hair fibers indicated that the reagent had entered the unmodified fibers at the scale edges between the cuticle cells. At the beginning of the diffusion process intercellular diffusion was the preferred route predominantly along the nonkeratinous regions of the cell membrane complex (CMC) and intermacrofibrillar cement. Penetration into the high sulfur regions of the fiber occurred as dyeing in aqueous solution proceeded and resulted in evenly stained cross sections. The dye distribution pattern observed in natural hair exposed to nonaqueous solution showed that rhodamine B did not penetrate the cortex cells as easy as from aqueous solution and selectively stained nonkeratinous regions only. The determination of the amount of dye taken up by the fibers by spectrophotometric analysis demonstrated that samples diffusion generally increased by time and temperature. It also depended on the morphology of the hair sample. The penetration of rhodamine B from aqueous solution was much greater than from methanol/ethanol solvent.
The Effect of Postmortem Interval on the Concentrations of Cocaine and Cocaethylene in Blood and Tissues: An Experiment Using Rats
Authors: Moriya F , Hashimoto Y 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Cocaine and cocaethylene concentrations in blood and tissues at early stages postmortem (0–6 h) were investigated using alcohol-treated rats. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry following a liquid/liquid extraction procedure was employed to detect these drugs. Calibration curves showed good linearity in the range of 0 to 2,500 ng/mL with correlation coefficients of 0.9999 and 0.9998 for cocaine and cocaethylene, respectively. In a group treated with cocaine and ethanol orally, the liver lost over 25% of the cocaine present at death after 1 h. Conversely, the hepatic cocaethylene concentrations at this time reached more than twice those at death. Thereafter, the hepatic concentrations of cocaine and cocaethylene were maintained at a constant level until 6 h postmortem. Similar results were obtained with rats given cocaine intramuscularly. No changes in the cocaine and cocaethylene concentrations in any other tissues during the 6-h of postmortem period were observed. The forensic pathologist and toxicologist should be aware of these phenomena when selecting postmortem specimens for the analysis of cocaine and cocaethylene and take them into account when interpreting the results.
A PCR-Based Strategy for ABO Genotype Determination
Authors: Ladd C , Bourke MT , Scherczinger CA , Pagliaro EM , Gaensslen RE , Lee HC 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
The ABO blood group system has been widely used in forensic serology. Several techniques have been developed which detect ABH antigens. To overcome the problems associated with conventional methods such as bacterial contamination, extreme environmental conditions, antigen activity, non-secretor issues, and non-specific absorption, several new strategies have been employed to detect ABO genotypes by PCR. We have developed improved amplimers for the glycosyl transferase locus on chromosome 9 and examined the suitability of PCR-based ABO genotyping for forensic identification. We show that the ABO system is primate specific and that DNA extracted from various tissues commonly encountered in criminal cases can be quickly and reliably typed by ABO-PCR. The results indicate that ABO genotyping by PCR and restriction enzyme digestion of the amplified product is a useful procedure for forensic analysis that can provide additional discriminating power compared to conventional immunological methods.
A Simplified Amplification Procedure for Two Regions of the Glycosyl Transferase (ABO Blood Group) Gene
Authors: Herrin G 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
The ability to classify the ABO blood group of physiological stains has been an important tool for forensic scientists. A streamlined method for the determination of glycosyl transferase (ABO) genotypes using PCR amplification is described and validated here. Successful amplification and typing is possible with 1–2 ng template DNA. Concordance studies with samples of known types and nonprobative forensic casework samples were performed. Bloodstains from a single individual from one case produced results discrepant from those obtained by conventional serological ABO typing. All other samples produced results in complete agreement with expected ABO phenotypes. The method described here is relatively simple to perform, requires minimal template DNA and can be completed in less than one day.
HUMTH01 Validation Studies: Effect of Substrate, Environment, and Mixtures
Authors: van Oorschot RAH , Gutowski SJ , Robinson SL , Hedley JA , Andrew IR 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
New DNA typing methods need to be thoroughly validated prior to use in forensic investigations. This includes determining the effects different sample conditions have on the typeability of those samples. Biological samples routinely encountered in forensic case work were exposed to a series of different substrates, environmental conditions, and mixtures and typed for the STR HUMTH01 using PCR. None of the conditions resulted in a false typing or preferential allele amplification. It is demonstrated that the application of HUMTH01 typing methods in forensic case work can be reliable, robust, and efficient.
A Convenient Derivatization Method for the Determination of Amphetamine and Related Drugs in Urine
Authors: Jonsson J , Kronstrand R , Hatanpää M 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
The most commonly abused CNS stimulant in Sweden is amphetamine followed by phenmetrazine. Methamphetamine and phentermine are rarely seen but still of interest. This paper describes a rapid and sensitive method for the analysis of amphetamine, methamphetamine, phentermine, and phenmetrazine in urine using gas chromatography with nitrogen sensitive detection (GC-NPD). The method also qualitatively determines ephedrine and norephedrine. The derivatization was carried out at room temperature with methyl chloroformate to form the corresponding carbamates. Other chloroformate analogues were also tested. Because methyl chloroformate is relatively stable in the presence of water the extraction and derivatization were combined in one step. A concentration step was not necessary to achieve sufficient sensitivity. The recovery was more than 83% for all analytes. The LOQ was 0.05, 0.03, 0.07 and 0.01 (μg/mL urine) for amphetamine, methamphetamine, phentermine and phenmetrazine respectively. The cut-off was set at 0.2 μg/mL. The within-day and between-day relative standard deviation (RSD) for amphetamine were 2.2% (n = 9) and 4.7% (n = 5) respectively. There was a good quantitative correlation (r2 = 0.995) between GC-NPD using chloroformate derivatives and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFA) as derivatizing agent for the determination of amphetamine in authentic samples.
Standardization Model for Describing the Extent of Burn Injury to Human Remains
Authors: Glassman DM , Crow RM 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
This paper provides a model for standardizing descriptions of the extent of burn injury to human bodies consumed in fire. Its intent is to simplify and make comparable case reports and legal descriptions by medical examiners, pathologists, crime scene investigators, forensic odontologists, forensic anthropologists, fire fighters, paramedics, and others responsible for recovery, analysis, or identification of burn victims. The Crow-Glassman scale (CGS) is divided into five levels depicting increasing destruction to the body relative to burn injury. Each level relates to a unique set of circumstances that may affect on the recovery procedure, analysis strategy for identification, and choice of personnel most suited for making identifications.
Fatal Accidental Ingestion of Carbon Tetrachloride: A Postmortem Distribution Study
Authors: Tombolini A , Cingolani M 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
This paper reports a fatality involving a 75-year-old white male, who ingested an unknown quantity of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)—a toxic agent able to induce central neryous system depression and severe renal and hepatic damage—and who died after two days of intensive care. The analytical assessment of CCl4 concentration was performed on several biological fluids and tissues employing gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) head space method. Both urine (328.5 mg/L) and bile (169.8 mg/L) had high concentrations of CCl4, proving that the chemical undergoes extensive urinary and biliary excretion. In accordance with the high clearance power of lungs, systemic venous blood, (143.4 mg/L) had a concentration of CCl4 almost two and half times greater than in arterial blood (57.5 mg/L), representing the best specimen to correlate CCl4 blood concentration with the deep of narcosis. Vitreous humor, (170.5 mg/L) concentration of CCl4 proves the capability of the chemical to enter eyes and its relatively slow release into the systemic blood. Pancreas (657.9 mg/kg), brain (243 mg/kg) and testis (237.3 mg/kg) have great affinity for CCl4. The concentrations of the chemical in brain are cortex: 243.2 mg/kg, basal ganglia: 216.1 mg/kg, medulla oblongata: 243.3 mg/kg and crebellum: 175.3 mg/kg. As the depth of narcosis is correlated with CCl4 concentration, brain represents the most suitable tissue for toxicologic analysis. Lower concentrations of the chemical are found in lungs (127.3 mg/kg), kidneys (150.5 mg/kg), muscle (71.1 mg/kg), myocardium (78.5 mg/kg) and spleen (68.3 mg/kg). Liver (58.6 mg/Kg), a frequently analyzed tissue in forensic toxicology, shows the lowest concentration.
The Analysis of Small Glass Fragments Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Parouchais T , Warner IM , Palmer LT , Kobus H 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using solution nebulization has the ability to analyze up to 70 elements with good precision, accuracy, and sensitivity and is, therefore, well suited for the trace element analysis of glass. However, the technique places severe restrictions on sample preparation. High concentrations of acids or dissolved solids, changes in sample viscosity and molecular compound formation can cause physical, spectral and chemical interference. Solubilization of the glass samples based on a three acid digestion procedure (HF, HNO3, HCl 2:1:1) has been found to minimize these problems. Up to 62 elements have been determined in a range of glass samples. Glasses that could not be distinguished on the basis of refractive index measurement could be discriminated. A procedure of measuring a range of elemental ratios, which eliminated the need for weighing, was used to compare small samples typical of casework.
Producing STR Locus Patterns from Bloodstains and Other Forensic Samples Using an Infrared Fluorescent Automated DNA Sequencer
Authors: Roy R , Steffens DL , Gartside B , Jang GY , Brumbaugh JA 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis is increasingly being used in forensic case analysis because of the large number of STR loci in the human genome and their highly polymorphic nature. An automated DNA sequencer using high sensitivity infrared (IR) fluorescence technology was used to detect STR allele patterns from simulated forensic samples. The amplification strategy used a 19 base pair extension on the 5′ end of one of the PCR primers. This sequence is identical to the sequence of a universal M13 Forward sequencing primer which is included in the amplification reaction. Allelic bands were detected by incorporation of the M13 primer-fluorescent dye conjugate into PCR products thus eliminating the need for direct conjugation of fluorescent dye to individual STR primers.
By using an IR-based automated DNA sequencer and Tth DNA polymerase, polymorphic STR alleles were detected on-line rapidly and efficiently from bloodstains using only a high temperature incubation to extract DNA from blood cells. Five STR loci were also amplified using Chelex extracted DNA from simulated forensic samples. Multiplexing of three primer pairs in a single PCR mixture for amplification was accomplished using Taq polymerase.
This system combines IR fluorescence chemistry and laser technology thus eliminating the need for radioactivity and the gel handling required with silver staining and fluor detection systems. Real-time detection permits immediate visualization of the data and STR alleles are displayed as familiar autoradiogramlike images that can be analyzed by computer. By loading a 64 lane gel twice and multiplexing with three primer pairs, forensic scientists can type at least three loci from 120 samples in one day.
Continuous River Monitoring of the Diatoms in the Diagnosis of Drowning
Authors: Ludes B , Coste M , Tracqui A , Mangin P 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
The diagnosis of drowning is one of the most difficult in forensic pathology. Diatom analysis has been proposed to provide supportive evidence of drowning but the reliability and applicability of quantitative and qualitative diatom analysis in the diagnosis of drowning is still disputed in the literature. In order to further examine such cases, the authors report the development of a water monitoring system based on algae performed each month at three aquatic locations where drowning victims are frequently found. Water samples and stones were taken from the surface and from the bed of the river. This protocol was performed during 1993 with analyses both on water samples and human tissue samples (30 bodies). The diatom profile of the drowning sites was compared with the tissue analysis. The extraction of diatoms from the tissues was performed with an enzymatic digestion method using Proteinase K.
Results indicate that the monitoring of river diatom populations is an accurate method of generating profiles of the river flora, which can then be compared with the diatom genera found in tissues.
An Investigation of Medical Examiner Cases in Which Methadone Was Detected, Harris County, Texas, 1987–1992
Authors: Barrett DH , Luk AJ , Gibson Parrish R , Stephen Jones T 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
In 1991, media reports of an increase in the number of deaths attributed to methadone toxicity in Harris County, Texas, raised public concern about the safety of methadone. This concern was heightened by publicity surrounding the closure of three Harris County methadone maintenance treatment programs due to their poor compliance with federal methadone regulations. In response to this concern, the Texas Department of Public Health requested that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assist in an epidemiologic study to determine the extent of methadone-related mortality in Harris County during 1991 and to determine the role of methadone maintenance treatment in these deaths.
We reviewed cases investigated by the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office from 1987 through 1992 in which methadone was detected by postmortem drug testing. The autopsy reports for cases occurring in 1991 were also reviewed by three independent forensic pathologists who were asked to determine the role of methadone in the death. In addition, we attempted to document Harris County methadone maintenance treatment program enrollment for each decedent.
We identified 91 decedents in whom methadone was detected at the time of death, with the largest number of cases occurring in 1991 (n = 27). Other substances, including alcohol, were detected in 85% of the cases. The Harris County Medical Examiner attributed 11 of the deaths to methadone toxicity. No more than three cases per year from 1987 through 1992 were attributed to methadone toxicity. In contrast, 34 deaths were attributed to polydrug toxicity, the largest number occurring in 1991 (n = 11). There was good agreement between the results of the independent review and the opinions of the Harris County Medical Examiner. Only 20% of the decedents were found to have been enrolled in a Harris County methadone maintenance treatment program at the time of death. Four people died of drug toxicity shortly after enrolling in a methadone maintenance treatment program.
We found an increase in the number deaths occurring in Harris County, Texas, in 1991 in which methadone was detected. We also found that methadone blood levels were higher among decedents identified for 1991 and 1992 than among those identified in the previous years studied. However, we did not find evidence that the cause of these deaths could be attributed solely to methadone toxicity. Instead, for all years studied, the use of multiple drugs was the leading cause of death among people in whom methadone was detected. This finding points out the difficulties involved in determining the role of methadone as a cause of death.
Image Enhancement of RFLP Autoradiograms Through the Use of Neutral Density Filters
Authors: Barna CE , Buel E 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Autorads that were difficult to size due to unequal band intensities were evaluated and a simple inexpensive procedure developed to allow accurate sizing of these unbalanced films. The procedure uses neutral density filters to increase the working range of video systems employed in autorad assessment.