Gilles Tournel

Entomofauna of buried bodies in northern France

Autopsies of exhumed cadavers can reveal important evidence for clarification of medical insurance and social issues. This study concerns insects sampled on 22 exhumed cadavers in the Lille area. For each corpse, the species and the stages of development were noted, as well as the time elapsed after burial, the location of the cemetery, the stage of decay and possible preservation treatment. A total of eight Diptera and two Coleoptera species were sampled on the corpses. The relationships between entomofauna and conditions of burial are discussed. Three species were regularly found because of their preference for underground environments or closed environments: Conicera tibialis, typically associated with buried bodies, Leptocera caenosa which is known to be associated with human faeces, water closets, caves and cracked soil pipes, and Ophyra capensis, sometimes found on human bodies kept indoors for several months, where blowflies have not had access. Triphleba hyalinata, which is associated with human bodies in wooden coffins, was found only twice.

EFFECTS OF MORPHINE IN DECOMPOSING BODIES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF LUCILIA SERICATA (DIPTERA : CALLIPHORIDAE)

This study concerns the effects of morphine in tissues on the rate of development of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) using those tissues as a food source. Lucilia sericata is a species of fly commonly found on human corpses in Europe during the early stages of decomposition and thus of forensic interest. Three rabbits were administered 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0 mg/h of morphine chlorhydrate via ear perfusion over a period of 3 h. These dosages and duration of perfusion were calculated to give tissue concentrations of morphine similar to those encountered in fatal human overdoses. A fourth rabbit was used as a control. Following administration of the drug, rabbits were sacrificed and 400 eggs of Lucilia sericata, all of the same age, were placed in the eyes, nostrils and mouth of each rabbit. Developing larvae were sampled daily to determine growth rate and weight. Puparia and emerging adult flies were also sampled. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Students T-test. Results of this study show that an underestimation of the postmortem interval of 24 h is possible if the presence of morphine in tissues is not considered. This study demonstrates again the necessity of considering the possible effects of drugs in tissues on insect growth rates when estimating the postmortem interval using entomological techniques.

Morphine extraction in necrophagous insects remains for determining ante-mortem opiate intoxication

To study the potential use of insects remains as toxicological indicators, we measured morphine in desiccated entomological materials using a radioimmunoassay method (Coat-A-Count Serum Morphine, Dade Behring, France) following enzymatic hydrolysis.First, enzymatic cuticle extraction of morphine (pronase digestion preceded by a 2h incubation with a dithiothreitol solution) was performed on various substrates (Calliphoridae puparial cases and desiccated adults, and desiccated pupae of Dermestidae) which were then tested to identify possible interferences with the radioimmunoassay procedure. This same procedure was performed on puparial cases and desiccated adults of Lucilia sericata (Diptera, Calliphoridae) previously reared on minced meat containing various morphine concentrations. Morphine was detected only in cuticle powder from insects reared on meats containing 100 and 1000mg/kg. Higher concentrations were measured in puparial cases. Rearings on psoas from eight heroin overdose victims confirmed previous experimental results. Remains of necrophagous insects, particularly puparial cases, are often preserved for a long time, and consequently can serve as late alternative specimens for toxicological analysis when suitable tissues are not available.

Profiling gene expression of whole cytochrome P450 superfamily in human bronchial and peripheral lung tissues: Differential expression in non-small cell lung cancers.

Susceptibility to lung diseases, such as lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is largely influenced by the metabolic capacity of lung tissues. This capacity is partly determined by the expression profile of the cytochromes P450 (CYPs), a superfamily of enzymes that have relevant catalytic properties toward exogenous and endogenous compounds. Using quantitative real-time RT-PCR, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the expression profile of the 57 human CYP genes in non-tumoral (bronchial mucosa and pulmonary parenchyma) and tumoral lung tissues of 18 patients with non-small cell lung cancer. This study highlights (i) inter-individual variations in lung expression for some CYPs, (ii) different CYP expression patterns between bronchial mucosa and pulmonary parenchyma, that indicate distinctive susceptibility of these tissues toward the deleterious effects of inhaled chemical toxicants and carcinogens, (iii) high intertumoral variability, that could have major implications on lung tumor response to anti-cancer drugs.

Determination of Drug Levels in Larvae of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Reared on Rabbit Carcasses Containing Morphine

This study concerns the determination of morphine concentrations in fly larvae reared on rabbits administered different concentrations of morphine and a correlation between concentrations of the drug in larvae and tissues. Three rabbits (R1, R2 and R3) were given dosages of 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0 mg/h of morphine over a 3 h period via continuous ear artery perfusion. These dosages and time of perfusion were calculated to create tissue concentrations of morphine similar to those encountered in human death due to overdose. Morphine blood level plateau was attained after 1 h of perfusion. A fourth rabbit was used as a control. To evaluate drug concentrations, tissues were sampled using a coelioscopic technique. Approximately 400 eggs of Lucilia sericata, all of the same age category, were placed in eyes, nostrils and mouth of each rabbit carcass. Larvae and puparia were regularly collected from each rabbit for toxicological analysis. The concentrations of the drug in the tissues sampled were determined to be similar to those normally encountered in human overdoses and were correlated with the dosage of morphine that had been administered. Morphine was detected in all larvae and pupae fed on tissues from carcasses administered morphine, except for puparia from the colony fed on the R1 animal which received 12.5 mg/h dosage of morphine. All samples from the control rabbit were negative for morphine. Concentrations of morphine in larvae reared on rabbit carcasses containing morphine were 30 to 100 times lower than the concentrations found in the tissues. A correlation between the tissue concentrations and larval concentrations was found in only 3rd instar larvae (80 to 140 h following hatching). No correlations were found between administered dosages, tissue concentrations and younger larvae, prepuparial larvae or puparia.

Involvement of UDP-Glucuronosyltransferases UGT1A9 and UGT2B7 in Ethanol Glucuronidation, and Interactions with Common Drugs of Abuse

Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) determination is increasingly used in clinical and forensic toxicology to document ethanol consumption. The enzymes involved in EtG production, as well as potential interactions with common drugs of abuse, have not been extensively studied. Activities of human liver (HLM), kidney (HKM), and intestinal (HIM) microsomes, as well as of 12 major human recombinant UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), toward ethanol (50 and 500 mM) were evaluated in vitro using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Enzyme kinetic parameters were determined for pooled microsomes and recombinant UGTs with significant activity. Individual contributions of UGTs were estimated using the relative activity factor approach, proposed for scaling activities obtained with cDNA-expressed enzymes to HLM. Interaction of morphine, codeine, lorazepam, oxazepam, nicotine, cotinine, cannabinol, and cannabidiol (5, 10, 15 mg/l) with ethanol (1.15, 4.6, 11.5 g/l; i.e., 25, 100, 250 mM) glucuronidation was assessed using pooled HLM. Ethanol glucuronidation intrinsic clearance (Clint) was 4 and 12.7 times higher for HLM than for HKM and HIM, respectively. All recombinant UGTs, except UGT1A1, 1A6, and 1A10, produced EtG in detectable amounts. UGT1A9 and 2B7 were the most active enzymes, each accounting for 17 and 33% of HLM Clint, respectively. Only cannabinol and cannabidiol significantly affected ethanol glucuronidation. Cannabinol increased ethanol glucuronidation in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas cannabidiol significantly inhibited EtG formation in a noncompetitive manner (IC50 = 1.17 mg/l; inhibition constant (Ki) = 3.1 mg/l). UGT1A9 and 2B7 are the main enzymes involved in ethanol glucuronidation. In addition, our results suggest that cannabinol and cannabidiol could significantly alter ethanol glucuronidation.

Suicidal hanging resulting in complete decapitation--forensic, radiological, and anthropological studies: a case report.

Abstract:  The authors report a case of complete posthanging decapitation. The decapitated corpse lay against a pillar of a road bridge. The head had rolled 5 m from the trunk. The bridge was 7.2 m above the road level. The rope was 3.6 m long, its lower end was 3.6 m from the ground and its diameter was 10 mm. The noose used was a slip knot. Plain X‐rays of the skull and cervical spine were obtained. The skull X‐rays showed air in the meningeal spaces, in both lateral and third ventricles. The severance plane of the cervical spine was between the third and the fourth cervical vertebrae. No other cervical vertebral injuries were noted. At autopsy, the brain was macroscopically unremarkable except for air in the meningeal veins. The decapitation injuries of the head and the torso corresponded perfectly, without apparent loss of substance. The severance plane was confirmed. Dry bone study was carried out. Except for fractures of the extremities of the spinous processes of the second and third cervical vertebrae, no other bone injury of the spine was seen. The cervical vertebrae displayed numerous osteoarthritic lesions. The traditional hangman’s fracture was not found. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of complete posthanging decapitation with a severance plane between the third and fourth cervical vertebrae.

Fatal Accidental Intrathecal Injection of Vindesine

ABSTRACT: A 25‐year‐old woman being treated for non‐Hodgkins lymphoma was accidentally given vindesine intrathecally. The error was recognized immediately and a spinal cord washing was performed through syringing with isotonic saline. However, the patient died 6 weeks later with increasing paralysis, which was followed by neurologic failure. The deceased was autopsied and the central nervous system was removed for a microscopic examination. The results showed microscopic lesions extending from the lumbar to the thoracic portion of the spinal cord, which included pseudocystic transformation of the cells, degeneration of myelin, and microhemorrhages. The brain was edematous and, in the cerebellum, the vermis showed a loss of granule and Purkinje cells. The authors compare this report on vindesine toxicity with cases in the literature involving vincristine. The treating physician admitted responsibility and was sentenced to both a fine and imprisonment.

Complete autoerotic asphyxiation: suicide or accident?

A case of a typical form of sexual asphyxiation is described, involving a young man hanging, in a context of autoerotic asphyxia. Multiple and different parameters are included in the definition.

Determination of drug levels in two species of necrophagous Coleoptera reared on substrates containing morphine.

Two species of necrophagous Coleoptera: Dermestes frischi (Dermestidae) and Thanatophilus sinuatus (Silphidae), were reared on substrates containing different amounts of morphine. Colonies of D. frischi were reared on rabbit carcasses which had been given 10, 20, and 40 mg/h of morphine hydrochloride via ear artery perfusion over a 3 h period prior to death. A fourth rabbit served as a control. T. sinuatus was reared on minced beef spiked with morphine hydrochloride to give concentrations of 1,000, 2,500, 5,000, and 10,000 ng/g and one control colony. These dosages were calculated to create tissue concentrations of morphine similar to those encountered in human deaths due to morphine overdose. Larvae. pupae, and adults (except for T. sinuatus) were analyzed for morphine content. All developmental stages of D. frischi were positive for morphine and concentrations correlated with cadaveric tissue concentrations during larval stages and to a lesser extent in the adult stage. For T. sinuatus, the best correlations were found in 2nd and 3rd instar larvae. This study demonstrates the potential for use of necrophagous Coleoptera, as well as Diptera larvae, as alternate specimens for toxicological analyses.