Alper Keten

Effects of different types of soil on decomposition: An experimental study

Decomposition, a postmortem process including autolysis and putrefaction, is affected by many factors (e.g., humidity, microbial activity, soil properties). The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of soil type in decomposition process. Changes occurred in two intervals (3 and 6 months) were evaluated using a total of 32 Sus scrofa limbs by burying in four different types of soil (loamy, clayey, sandy and organic). The extremities in all soils had lost weight over time; however, mass loss was greater in loamy and organic soils in both intervals. Entomological findings were also assessed. Obtained findings of soil analysis and evaluation of decomposition were compatible. In conclusion, the present study revealed that soil properties and textures should be taken into account in evaluation of decomposition and estimating postmortem interval in crime scene investigation.

Measurement of ethyl glucuronide in vitreous humor with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

BACKGROUND It is important to detect alcohol intake in postmortem investigations. However it can be difficult to interpret the results of alcohol analysis in putrefied corpses. To avoid this difficulty, there have been studies on detection of ethyl glucuronide (EtG), a non-oxidative metabolite of ethyl alcohol. The aim of this study was investigate EtG levels in vitreous humor (VH), a valuable material in postmortem investigations, and to compare VH EtG levels with blood and urine EtG levels. METHODS Blood, urine and VH specimens were collected from 110 cases. Twenty-four cases in which ethyl alcohol was detected were included in the study. Although ethanol could not be detected, one case was added after having positive results of EtG levels in urine and VH as if he was claimed that he was an alcoholic and he had taken alcohol when he died but it could not be detected after 6 days of hospitalization. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to investigate EtG in blood, urine and VH specimens from 25 cases. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION VH EtG was in measurable amounts in 19 cases (n: 25). In fact, VH EtG levels ranged from 0.05 to 1.90 mg/L and were below the limit of detection (LOD is 0.03 mg/L) in six cases (n: 25). Blood EtG was in measurable amounts in 21 cases (n: 25). Blood EtG levels ranged from 0.64 to 5.82 mg/L and were below the limit of detection (LOD is 0.083 mg/L) in four cases. EtG was detected in urine in 17 cases (n: 19). Urine EtG levels ranged from 0.25 to 623 mg/L and were below the limit of detection (LOD is 0.12 mg/L) in one case. There was a significant relation between VH EtG levels and blood and urine EtG levels. The results of the study showed that postmortem VH EtG can be measured to reveal alcohol intake.

Demonstration of ethyl glucuronide in dental tissue samples by liquid chromatography/electro-spray tandem mass spectrometry.

INTRODUCTION Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) has been studied in various tissues and body fluid for determination of alcohol intake. However, no study, dealing with EtG analysis in dental tissue, was performed so far. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate EtG levels in dental tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST) was performed to 29 participants. Following the test, cases were divided into three groups as non-hazardous alcohol users, alcohol abusers and 6 controls who verbally declared that they were abstainers. A total of 29 tooth specimens, obtained from participants, was included in the study. These specimens were analyzed using LC/MS/MS. RESULTS All of the participants included in the study were male. According to the MAST outcomes 14 of the participants were non-hazardous alcohol users, and 9 were alcohol abusers, while 6 patients verbally declared that they were abstainers. Dental tissue analyses revealed EtG levels ranging between EtG<LOD and 23.39 pg/mg. EtG levels were observed to be <LOD in dental specimens of 6 abstainer cases. A significant correlation was found between EtG levels measured in the dental tissues and MAST outcomes on the statistical analyses (r=0.914). CONCLUSION The findings of the present study demonstrated that dental tissue can be used for detection of alcohol intake, using LC/MS/MS.

The Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Among Prisoners in Kahramanmaras, Turkey

Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are among the most important health issues in Turkey. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are less frequently observed in the country. The individuals who had blood transfusions, patients undergoing hemodialysis, and intravenous drug addicted individuals, people who had tattoos/piercings, communal living environments, contamination of a family member, and prisoners are the main risk groups. Objectives The current study aimed to discuss the prevalence and the genotypes of hepatitis and HIV infections among a specific group, namely individuals incarcerated in prisons. Patients and Methods Two-hundred and sixty-six prisoners sentenced for crimes such as robbery, sexual assault, assault substance abuse or selling drugs in the Kahramanmaras closed prison were recruited for the study. Demographic data and the presence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV were investigated in the study subjects. Results Out of the 266 cases included in the study, 89.5% were male, 10.5% were female and the mean age was 31.21 ± 8.99 years. Risk factors were detected in 27.4% of the subjects. Out of the 73 subjects, among whom the risk factors were detected, 20.3% had intravenous substance use, 3.8% had a history of operation/transfusion, 1.9% had a history of indentation and 1.5% had unprotected sexual contact. The rate of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity was 2.6%, the ratio of anti-HBs positive subjects was 35.0% and immunity was achieved with vaccination in 43% of the subjects. Anti-HCV was positive in 17.7% of the prisoners and the genotype 3 and genotype 1 were 68.1% (n = 32) and 2.1% (n = 1), respectively. Conclusions Continued substance abuse among most of the drug addicted individuals in prisons, common use of injection materials, tattoos and other circumstances that cause blood contact increase the risk of blood-borne infections.

Analysis of methanol and its derivatives in illegally produced alcoholic beverages

INTRODUCTION Illegal alcohol production remains as a common issue worldwide. Methanol poisoning mostly occurs because of the methanol used in production of counterfeit alcohol instead of ethyl alcohol due to its low price or by drinking the liquids containing methyl alcohol. Pectolytic enzymes results in an increase of methanol levels in many fermentation products such as ciders or wines. Methanol poisonings are infrequently encountered in forensic medicine practice. However, sporadic cases due to methanol intoxication as well as epidemic cases have been reported. In this study, we aimed to identify existence of methanol and its metabolites in illegally produced alcoholic beverages used in Antakya region. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twelve legally produced alcohol samples and Fifty-six different illegally produced alcohol samples were collected from the markets and local producers. Existence of methanol, formic acid, methyl amine, methyl formate and trioxan were determined using GC-MS method in these samples. RESULTS Fifty-six different illegal alcohol samples were analyzed in this study and methanol was detected in 39 (75%) of samples. Formic acid was detected in 3, formamide in 1, methyl amine in 6, methyl formate in 10 and trioxan in 2 samples. CONCLUSION Overwhelming majority of illegal alcoholic beverages was detected to contain methanol. Interestingly this study also revealed the presence of trioxane, which has not previously reported among toxic agents in illegal alcohol samples.

Medical forensic examination of detained immigrants: is the Istanbul Protocol followed?

Introduction Maltreatment and torture during custody is still an important problem in many countries. Both national and international regulations and the Istanbul Protocol are of great importance in terms of elimination of maltreatment and torture. In this study, we evaluated whether examinations for custody of immigrants were performed in accordance with the Istanbul Protocol. Method We retrospectively evaluated reports of forensic examinations for custody of 100 immigrants in Van-çaldıran Government Hospital in 2009. Data about nationality, age, gender, examination date, referring department, examination findings and departments to which the reports were submitted were collected. Results Fifty percent of the immigrants were Iranian and they were aged between 11 and 62 years. Ninety-nine immigrants were men and one was woman. Data about history of arrest were missing in forensic reports about all immigrants. Data about signs of trauma were present only for seven immigrants. Ninety-three immigrants were reported to have no signs of trauma. None of the immigrants underwent psychiatric examination. All forensic reports were found to be submitted to the police personally. Whether the immigrants were examined before or after the custody was not clear in the reports. Conclusion Evaluation of the data showed that none of the forensic examinations were performed in accordance with the Istanbul Protocol. It can be recommended that the protocol should be incorporated into the curricula for undergraduate, graduate and in-service training programmes in order to improve relevant forensic practices.

Effectiveness of Mortuaries in Turkey: A Questionnaire Study.

AimThe autopsy is an important step in solutions of forensic cases. The design and effectiveness of mortuaries are of great importance in terms of proper conduction of death examinations and autopsies. In addition, the safety of evidence, protection of public and staff health, and the quality of service offered to relatives of dead people are closely related to the effectiveness of mortuaries. The aim of this study was to determine whether mortuaries in Turkey meet international criteria. Materials and MethodsNineteen mortuaries were included in the study. The forensic medicine experts working in these mortuaries were given a questionnaire composed of questions about standards developed by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) through the website my.questbase.com. ResultsMost of the mortuaries outside big cities (80%) did not have their own facilities. All of them could not control the chain of evidence and did not have a separate well-ventilated autopsy room where they could keep putrefied corpses. ConclusionsMost of the mortuaries did not meet most of the NAME criteria. The mortuaries, especially those in places other than big cities, had some deficiencies and mishandlings. Autopsy facilities and accessory laboratories should be enabled to meet NAME accreditation standards.

Saç ve tırnakta etil glukuronid konsantrasyonlarının karşılaştırılması

Objective: Alcohol abuse remains to be an important problem in the world. In forensic medicine practice, alcohol and its metabolites should be detected in the body in order to determine whether a person has taken alcohol or not. Therefore, detection of ethyl glucuronide in such keratinous tissues as nails and hair following alcohol intake is important. In the present study, we compared hair ethyl glucuronide concentrations with nail ethyl glucuronide (EtG) concentrations. Methods: Hair and nail specimens were obtained from a total of 16 people taking alcohol. The specimens were analyzed with LC/MS/MS technique. Ethyl glucuronide concentrations of hair specimens were compared with those of nail specimens. Results: Ethyl glucuronide concentrations were 1.3365.67 (+/- SD16.57) ppb in hair specimens and 4.27225.03 (+/- SD 59.77) ppb in nail specimens. Hair ethyl glucuronide concentrations were correlated with nail ethyl glucuronide concentrations (r=0,808, p<0.001). Conclusion: This study showed that ethyl glucuronide concentrations in hair and nails could be determined. This suggests that detection of nail ethyl glucuronide concentrations can be useful in people without hair. In addition, there was a significant relationship between hair and nail ethyl glucuronide concentrations.

Myocardial infarction secondary to electrocution: report of a child case

Cardiac rhythm defects can be seen due to electrocution related injuries. However, myocardial infarcts due to electrocution are rarely seen. Here, we present a case of myocardial infarction due to electrocution in children, with its medico-legal aspects. A thirteen years old male exposed to electrical current while playing with an open electrical cable. He was arrested upon admission to the emergency department. Laboratory tests revealed cardiac affection characterized with increased levels of cardiac enzymes and troponin. Three days after injury the child died in intensive care unit. At autopsy, entry and exit points of electrical injuries were seen on right and left hands. Histopathological examination showed finding attributable to myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction due to electrocution is generally caused by coronary artery vasospasm and/or direct myocardial damage. Crime scene investigation findings, hospital records are of high importance to be available and such documents should be reviewed prior to autopsy. Furthermore, photographing of injuries and histopathological evaluation of skin lesions should be performed.

Kırım Kongo Kanamalı Ateşi Olgularında Postmortem İncelemelerde Enfeksiyondan Korunma

SUMMARY Unless post-mortem examinations are perfomed in adequate circumstances, there may be some life-threatening infectious risks for both the forensic medicine staff and for the environment. In last few years there was an increasing number of deaths due to the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Turkey. We aimed to observe the rules that should be followed to minimize the risks of the autopsy on Crimean-Congo hemorr