Ulrich Zollinger

Blood-spatter patterns: Hands hold clues for the forensic reconstruction of the sequence of events

Biologic and nonbiologic traces on the hands are of particular importance for the forensic reconstruction of shooting incidents; gunpowder residue analysis in particular helps determine whether the gunshot is close range or distant. In crime scene investigation, knowledge about the morphology of bloodstain patterns–including gunshot-related back spatter–has increased since various experimental examinations have been performed in the last years; nowadays, these traces are frequently used for forensic crime scene reconstruction.The goal of this study was to deduce the position and orientation of the hands, and therefore the firearm, according to the bloodstain patterns on the hands of the deceased. For this purpose blood-spatter stains on the hands were examined on site in 5 suicides caused by gunshot. In all cases, forensically relevant conclusions regarding forensic reconstruction were enabled through close examination of the spatter marks. Therefore, in shooting incidents, analysis and documentation of blood-spatter findings on the hands is recommended before hands are tested for gunpowder residue or wrapped for the transport of the body.

The dynamic development of the muzzle imprint by contact gunshot: high-speed documentation utilizing the “skin–skull–brain model”

Many contact gunshots produce a muzzle imprint in the skin of the victim. Different mechanisms have been discussed in literature as being responsible for the creation of the muzzle imprint. Experimenting upon the synthetic non biological skin-skull-brain model, our goal was to document and study the creation of the muzzle imprint with the aid of high-speed photography. In our experiments, we could document with our high-speed photography (at exposure rates in the range of nanoseconds) the bulging, the pressing against the muzzle, and the splitting of the artificial skin. Furthermore, it was possible to photographically record the back pattern of synthetic tissue particles. And, the soot and gunpowder cavity could be reproduced experimentally. In conclusion the experiments completed with the skin-skull-brain model, using high-speed photography for documentation, show the promising possibilities of experimental ballistics with body models.

Elevated body core temperature in medico-legal investigation of violent death

Pathologically elevated body core temperature, measured at the death scene, is an important finding in medico-legal investigation of violent deaths. An abnormally high rectal temperature at any death scene may point to an underlying pathology, the influence of certain drugs or a hidden cerebral traumatism, and death by suffocation which would remain undetected without further medico-legal investigations. Furthermore, hyperthermia and fever, if unrecognized, may result in an erroneous forensic estimation of time since death in the early postmortem period by the “Henssge method.” By a retrospective study of 744 cases, the authors demonstrate that hyperthermia is a finding with an incidence of 10% of all cases of violent death. The main causes are: influence of drugs, malignant tumors, cerebral hypoxia as a result of suffocation, infections, and systemic inflammatory disorders. As a consequence it must be stated, that hyperthermia must be excluded in every medico-legal death scene investigation by a correct measurement of body core temperature and a comparison between the cooling rate of the body and the behavior of early postmortem changes, notably livor and rigor mortis.

A high-speed study of the dynamic bullet–body interactions produced by grazing gunshots with full metal jacketed and lead projectiles

Experimenting upon a synthetic, non-biological Skull-Brain Model, our goal was to document and study the bullet-body interaction of grazing (glancing, tangential) gunshots. Thanks to the high-speed study of the dynamic bullet-body interaction it was possible to document the glancing behavior of projectiles with a resolution of 50 million pictures per second. It was possible to demonstrate the differing deformation and fragmentation patterns between the 9mm Luger full metal jacketed projectile and the 38 Smith & Wesson (S & W) lead round nose projectile. In a true-to-life manner the morphologic fracture systems could be documented by utilization of the model in dependence of the projectiles behavior, deformation, and fragmentation. Based on these experimental studies with body models, conclusions could be drawn for surgical and reconstructive forensic questions in real cases. In summary, model substitutes offer a suitable basis for the study of the bullet-body interaction because the experiments are reproducible, totally independent of the biological variances of corpse and animal experiments, and are harmless from the ethical perspective.

Gas chromatographic examination of postmortem specimens after maprotiline intoxication

Ingestion of an unknown quantity of Ludiomil (maprotiline)-costed tablets in a suicide is described. Although maprotiline is known for over 20 years now, relatively few cases of intoxications due to maprotiline overdose have been reported. The authors report a new and quick method to analyze and determine maprotiline and N-desmethylmaprotiline concentration in body fluids and postmortem specimens. The analytes and an internal standard (amitriptyline) were extracted from alkalinized samples into ethyl acetate before GC-NPD analysis. The proposed method resulted in a rapid procedure most useful in cases of deliberate poisoning with the tetracyclic antidepressant drug Ludiomil.

Der außergewöhnliche Todesfall

The examination of a deceased person is an important duty for physicians. It comprises the certification of death, the certification of the identity of the deceased, a thorough examination of the body, an estimation of the moment of death and ends with the decision, if death was caused by a certain or possible violent cause in which case it must be reported to the authorities. Problems and pitfalls are discussed on the basis of practical case presentations.

Differenzierung von typischem und atypischem Erhängen

ZusammenfassungDie klassische Einteilung des Erhängens in typische und atypische Formen hat praktische rechtsmedizinische Bedeutung. Da das typische komplette Erhängen mit hinter dem Ohr befindlichem Knoten zu einer sofortigen Obstruktion der arteriellen Strombahn am Hals führt, sollten im Normalfall keine Stauungsblutungen bestehen. Im Gegensatz dazu sind von der typischen Stranglage abweichende Schlingenverläufe und inkomplettes Erhängen mit einem unvollständigen Verschluss der Karotiden verbunden, so dass in der Regel Stauungsbefunde zu beobachten sind. Jede Abweichung dieser Regeln sollte den Verdacht auf eine Fremdeinwirkung wecken und eingehende forensische und polizeiliche Abklärungen nach sich ziehen. Die Autoren präsentieren 2 von der Regel abweichende Fälle und schließen daraus, dass nicht allein die Knotenposition beachtet werden sollte. Vielmehr ist auf den Verlauf der Schlingenschenkel zu achten. Diese können beim atypischen Schlingenverlauf durch den Unterkiefer abgespreizt werden und die Karotistrombahn teilweise freigeben, so dass Stauungserscheinungen auftreten.AbstractHanging is traditionally subdivided into typical and atypical hanging based on the position of the noose around the victims’ neck. Cases where the knot is located behind the ear are referred to as typical hanging, whereas so-called atypical hanging comprises all forms of hanging where the knot is located in front of the ear or the body does not hang freely above the ground. This classification is of practical forensic significance. Since with a typical noose position and free hanging the cervical blood vessels are completely obstructed, no congestive petechial hemorrhages should be present, whereas in atypical forms petechiae are expected by an incomplete or unilateral obstruction of the carotid arteries. Any case deviating from this rule should raise the suspicion of possible intervention of a third party (i.e. throttling etc.) and lead to further forensic and criminalistic investigations. The authors present two exemplary cases, each representing an exception from the rule and try to give possible explanations. As a result, it can be stated that not the position of the knot alone is significant, but rather the course of the noose arms should be considered. In atypical hanging cases the latter may be stretched over the mandible thus freeing the carotid circulation and leading to reperfusion, which in turn may give rise to petechial hemorrhages.

External injuries to the neck after free fall from great height.

Falls from great height are suicidal in most cases. Any antecedent trauma that would indicate an involvement of a third party should, however, be excluded in each case. Herein lies the difficulty in such cases since injuries prior to the fall which could be of criminal nature may be masked by the impact injuries. Injuries on unexposed parts of the body should always raise the suspicion of an involvement of a third party. This applies especially for neck injuries. By a retrospective analysis of 132 cases of falls from great height, the authors conclude, however, that neck injuries may occur after free fall from great height on a flat surface without antecedent trauma.

Besondere Rechtsvorschriften in der Schweiz und in Österreich

In diesem Kapitel werden die medizinisch relevanten Rechtsvorschriften in der Schweiz und in Osterreich dargestellt.

Nontraumatic intracranial epidural hematoma: a case report.

An outwardly mummified and inwardly badly decomposed body was found in a garage. At autopsy, no injuries were detected. Apart from coronary heart disease, with an old myocardial scar and a hepatic steatosis, the most striking finding was a large intracranial epidural hemorrhage situated at the left frontal lobe. As a relevant traumatic genesis could be ruled out, we deemed this a nontraumatic epidural hematoma. This finding is extremely rare. Several underlying disorders have been discussed as causes of spontaneous epidural hematomas. In this presented case, the authors discuss possible etiological factors.