M. Faller-Marquardt

Fractures of the base of the skull in charred bodies — post-mortem heat injuries or signs of mechanical traumatisation?

Based on a recent case, in which an expert opinion had to be prepared, the question was investigated if fractures of the base of the skull can result from the influence of heat on the human skull. Neither the retrospective analysis of autopsy records nor the prospective examination of charred bodies revealed any cases with heat-induced fractures of the base of the skull. Observation of cremations showed that the changes caused by the fire followed certain rules: fractures of the calvaria were seen after approximately 20 min; the base of the skull became exposed after about 45 to 60 min. In none of the 20 cremations watched could any fractures of the base of the skull be detected.

Detachment of the periosteum and soot staining of its underside in contact shots to the cerebral cranium

Contact gunshot wounds are usually characterized by a muzzle imprint, a powder cavity (“pocket”), the presence of carboxyhemoglobin and often also stellate tears of the skin radiating from the bullet entrance hole. In shots to the cerebral cranium an additional sign may be observed around the bone defect: the periosteum is detached and reflected with soot on the underside. The frequency and possible causes of these periosteal findings are discussed on the basis of 68 contact gunshot wounds from forensic autopsy material and experimental shots fired against the frontal bone of a slaughtered calf.

Transfer of biological traces in cases of hanging and ligature strangulation

In hanging and ligature strangulation, the noose mostly causes a mark or groove which is formed partly by compression of the skin and partly by abrasion with loss of the upper epidermal layers. The horny scales abraded from the neck may be transferred to the strangulation device or to the interposed textiles where they are sometimes visible at stereomicroscopic examination or even to the naked eye as silver-grey particles. The morphologic features of the epidermal transfer due to hanging and ligature strangulation is demonstrated by 14 case examples. The biological traces may be sufficient for comparative DNA typing by means of PCR-based methods. In 9 out of the 14 cases, genomic DNA typing was successful. Analysis of mtDNA succeeded in another two cases, although genomic DNA could not be detected. Beside the accumulation of solid epidermic particles the paper describes deposition of serous and fatty tissue fluid at the ligature (mainly adjacent to skin ridges).

Excoriations and contusions of the skin as artefacts in fictitious sexual offences

Some women reporting a sexual offence to the police inflict injuries on themselves, usually with the help of pointed and/or cutting tools, in order to make fictitious assaults more credible. If there is a classical pattern of the findings, such fictitious assaults are easier to identify. However, it is more difficult to distinguish genuine from fictitious injuries, if blunt force is used. This paper reports on 4 such cases, and the characteristics of self-inflicted excoriations and skin contusions are discussed. In the cases described, the excoriations were produced by scratching with the persons own fingernails or by rubbing the skin against a rough surface; contusion bleeding was caused by pinching (lifting and compressing skin folds with the fingers). The pattern of the injuries showed striking parallels to classical patterns: multiple lesions in grouped, parallel and symmetrical arrangement and of evenly minor intensity; preference of body regions within easy reach; no damage of the clothing, or if any, damage inconsistent with the injuries as described.

Cuts to the offender's own hand unintentional self-infliction in the course of knife attacks

In a knife attack the perpetrator can unintentionally injure his own hand, if the knife does not have an adequate handguard and the tip of the blade hits a solid, mostly bony structure while being violently thrust into the victim’s body. The injuries occurring under these conditions are localized on the flexor side of the knife-holding hand and may include the index, middle, ring and little fingers. They are seen particularly often on the little finger at the level of the proximal phalanx and in the skin fold of the proximal interphalangeal joint. The majority of these cuts run transversely to the longitudinal axis of the fingers and can show a step-like arrangement with different distances to the metacarpophalangeal joints, often from ulnar-proximal to radial-distal. In the six cases presented the injuries were most pronounced on the ulnar side of the hand. When the flexor tendons of the fingers are also severed and the tendon stumps are strongly retracted this indicates that the fist was firmly closed at the time of the injury.

Umwandlung des Gehirns und der Gesichtsweichteile in Leichenlipid – morphologische und radiologische Befunde

Abstract On the basis of three observations from forensic autopsies, different forms of manifestation of adipocere in the head region are presented. In one case the entire brain was found to be well preserved after the body had been immersed in water for 6 years. In two cases the retroorbital fatty tissue had been converted into adipocere, avoiding the Nn. optici and the eye muscles. In two bodies the soft tissue of the cheeks was also partially transformed to adipocere. Before opening the skull at autopsy scans by computed tomography were performed. The brain, which had been preserved in toto, showed clearly definable internal structures by CT and density measurements of the former brain parenchyma showed Hounsfield units in the range of mixed fatty tissue. In another case only an amorphous brain mass could be visualised.Zusammenfassung Anhand von 3 Beobachtungen aus dem rechtsmedizinischen Sektionsgut werden verschiedene Manifestationsformen von Leichenlipid im Kopfbereich vorgestellt: In einem Fall wurde das gesamte Gehirn nach 6jähriger Wasserliegezeit in gutem Erhaltungszustand vorgefunden. In zwei Fällen war das Retroorbitalfett in Leichenlipid umgewandelt, wobei jeweils Aussparungen im Verlauf der Nn. optici und der Augenmuskeln bestanden. Bei zwei Leichen waren auch die Wangenweichteile partiell in Adipocire transformiert. Vor der autoptischen Schädelöffnung wurden computertomographische Untersuchungen durchgeführt. Das in toto erhalten gebliebene Gehirn zeigte im CT deutlich abgrenzbare Binnenstrukturen; die Dichtemessungen des ehemaligen Hirnparenchyms ergaben Hounsfield-Einheiten im Bereich von Fettmischgewebe. In einem weiteren Fall war lediglich eine amorphe Weichteilmasse darstellbar.

Gemeinschaftlicher Suizid mit Schussabgabe in die Scheitelregion

Anhand des gemeinsam begangenen Suizids zweier betagter Eheleute – beide waren vor dem Ruhestand als Veterinärmediziner tätig – wird auf das seltene Vorkommen von Scheitelschüssen hingewiesen. Im gegenseitigen Einvernehmen tötete der männliche Partner zuerst seine krebskranke Frau und dann sich selbst durch je einen aufgesetzten Scheitelschuss. Unter Bezugnahme auf den referierten Fall werden kriminalistische Aspekte gemeinschaftlicher Selbsttötungen und suizidaler Scheitelschüsse diskutiert.The authors report a rare case of double suicide of an elderly married couple who had both been veterinary surgeons before retirement. The suicide pact was carried out by the husband who first killed his wife, who suffered from inoperable cancer, by firing a contact shot to the top of her head and afterwards committed suicide in the same way. On the basis of this case report and the pertinent literature several criminalistic aspects of double suicides and of shots with entrance sites in the parietal region are discussed.