V. Schneider

Neuropathologic analysis of postmortal brain samples of HIV-seropositive and -seronegative i.v. drug addicts

Between 1987 and 1992 we performed forensic-pathologic and neuropathologic examinations on 70 cases of i.v. drug addicts who died of an overdose. In almost 25% of the cases HIV-positivity was revealed by serological examinations. In all the cases, irrespective of the result of the serological examination, a diffuse, reactive astrocytosis was the most prominent histologic alteration, accompanied by more or less pronounced regressive changes of this cell type in the deep layers of the white matter. Furthermore, also in all the cases, a slight to moderate, reactive proliferation of microglia could be assessed. In a few cases of the HIV-seropositive group a lymphocytic meningitis, viz. meningoencephalitis was found; these changes may indicate an early invasion of the central nervous system (CNS) by the HIV. In spite of these inflammatory alterations, in the latter cases no HIV-specific antigens (p24 and gp41) could be demonstrated in the brain, most probably because of the small number of infectious particles. In order to reveal the earliest phase of invasion of the CNS by the HIV, we performed a search for HIV-specific nucleic acid sequences by the aid of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 8 HIV-seronegative and 8 normal control cases. Although, most probably due to contamination, also the control cases exhibited some PCR-signals, these were more pronounced and appeared with more primer-pairs within the group of HIV-seronegative drug addicts. It is conceivable that HIV penetrates the CNS and is harboured in it in latent form shortly after the primary infection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Puncture wounds caused by glass mistaken for with stab wounds with a knife

Three cases are presented where fatal puncture wounds caused by broken glass were very similar to stab wounds inflicted by a knife with a single-edged blade. Thus, all three cases caused a murder investigation to be initiated. It could only be determined that these wounds had been caused by glass after a detailed forensic autopsy. In two of the three cases, the only evidence for this was the identification of glass fragments in the wounds. The importance of X-ray examinations is underlined because modern glass in common use is radiopaque. Glass fragments lodged in the wounds can reduce the loss of blood and thus, prolong the capacity to act despite severe injuries.

HIV-1- prevalence among drug deaths in major cities of central and northern Europe

Since 1985, a number of Institutes of Forensic Medicine in Germany have cooperated in a multicenter study, to provide a constant monitoring of HIV-1-prevalence among drug related deaths. In 1990/91, the Institutes in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Vienna and Zürich also participated in this study. HIV-1-prevalence is decreasing in the German cities, whereas the epidemiological development is not uniform in the other major cities. Regional differences are obvious. In 1991, the prevalence rates were as follows: Berlin 15% (n = 220), Hamburg 4% (n = 179), Frankfurt 17% (n = 167), Munich 9% (n = 136), Stockholm 10% (n = 79), Copenhagen 14% (n = 130), Vienna 20% (n = 56), and Zürich 23% (n = 84).

An extreme case of necrophilia.

This report presents the case of a young man legally convicted twice on a charge of defiling the dead. All necrophilic acts were committed over a period of around 15 years. The examination results revealed a purely female-fixated necrophilia. In three cases, the perpetrator skinned the trunk of the corpses, placed the skin on his naked body and stimulated himself sexually. In several cases, he also used burial clothes that he had removed from the coffins and kept at home. The perpetrator had a long record of psychiatric treatment for his sexual inclination.

Zur Problematik der suizidalen Strombeibringung in der Badewanne

A suicide case is reported where the person first tried to kill himself with electrical appliances in the bathtub. The repeatedly ineffective attempts to commit suicide by electrical current were documented by the man with short hand-written notes in an impressive manner. Finally the man committed suicide by hanging himself. The case complements the experimental determined parameters which define the potential danger of electric current in a water-filled bathtub.ZusammenfassungEs wird über eine Selbsttötung berichtet, bei der der Suizident zunächst versucht hatte, sich mittels Elektrogeräten in der mit Wasser gefüllten Badewanne zu töten. Die mehrfachen frustranen Versuche der tödlichen Strombeibringung wurden von dem Mann mit kurzen handschriftlichen Notizen dokumentiert. Der Mann erhängte sich schließlich in seiner Wohnung. Der Fall legt erneut nahe, wie die experimentell ermittelten Parameter und Daten das Gefährdungspotential des elektrischen Stromes in einer mit Wasser gefüllten Badewanne mitbestimmen.

The Identification of a Charred Body by Oligonucleotide Fingerprinting with the (GTG)5 Probe

DNA-fingerprinting is a powerful tool for testing consanguinity in complete trios, as well as in deficiency cases. Restriction fragment length polymorphism associated with interspersed simple repetitive DNA sequences arise from different DNA fragment length that contain variable number of the repeated motifes [3]. These hypervariable simple repeat fragments are stably inherited in Mendelian fashion with an exactly defined mutation rate for (GTG)5/(CAC)5 [4]. The simple repetitive probe (GTG)5/(CAC)5 produces a highly informative band pattern in the range from 3.0 to 23.1 kilobases and if discriminates theoretically between all persons on earth, except for monozygotic twins [5, 6].

DNA fingerprinting with simple repetitive oligonucleotide probes in forensic medicine

DNA technology in forensic medicine (determination of the origin of biological materials and of consanguinity) has advanced dramatically over the last five years. Individual-specific fingerprints in man can be obtained using oligonucleotide probes specific for simple repetitive DNA sequences (Ali et al. 1986, Schafer et al. 1988, Nurnberg et al. 1989). Simple repetitive DNA sequences consist of short, tandemly repeated sequence motives. They are spread all over the human chromosomes, i.e. in intergenic spacers and introns; they show extensive polymorphism (Epplen 1988, Epplen et al. 1989). The simple repetitive DNA elements do not exert any sequence dependent function. They do neither contribute to the phenotype nor to the behaviour in man. Therefore the only information obtained concerns the individual-specific hybridization pattern of an individual.

Der Kurs Rechtsmedizin für Medizinstudenten an der Freien Universität Berlin

ZusammenfassungVor dem Hintergrund der aktuellen Diskussionen in unserer Fachgesellschaft über einen effektiven praktischen Studentenunterricht im Fach „Rechtsmedizin“ stellen wir den Ablauf unseres Kurses „Rechtsmedizin“ vor. Neben den Vorlesungen zur Rechtsmedizin und zur ärztlichen Rechts- und Berufskunde, die sich am Gegenstandskatalog orientieren, konzentriert sich unser Kurs auf die ärztliche Leichenschau sowie die forensische Verletzungskunde. Bei der Leichenschau lernen die Studierenden die korrekte Einordnung der Todesart sowie ihre ärztlichen Pflichten im Zusammenhang mit den Bestattungsgesetzen. Bei der Verletzungskunde werden sie über die richtige Befunderhebung und Dokumentation sowie Rekonstruktion von Verletzungsbefunden geschult. Jeder Studierende bekommt 28 Stunden im Kleingruppenunterricht, verteilt über 12 Wochen. Der Kurs beinhaltet 12 Stunden im Hörsaal, 7 Stunden praktischer Unterricht an der Leiche, 5 Stunden systematische Verletzungskunde im Seminarraum sowie ¶3 Stunden Prüfungen und 1 Stunde ein freier Test über Todesarten. Die Prüfungen in der 3., 9. und 12. Woche haben sich als Wissenskontrollen bewährt.AbstractThe complete restructuring of the course in forensic medicine in the medical curriculum at the Institute of Legal Medicine of the Freie Universität Berlin led to two main results. An improvement in the students perception and acceptance of our course as well as the efficiency of the transfer of knowledge to the medical students. The new structure of the course includes lectures, seminars and practical training in postmortem examination. The intensiveness of the practical and theoretical training in small groups, in conjunction with oral (3rd and 9th weeks) and written (12th week) examinations during the course form the basis for the resounding success of our restructured programme.

Zur Frage der Differenzierung von Ein- und Ausschuss bei auf fester Unterlage anliegenden bekleideten Opfern

ZusammenfassungEs wurde der Frage nachgegangen, ob bei Schussabgabe auf bekleidete und auf einer festen Unterlage aufliegende Opfer Textilfasern in Ausschusslücken zu beobachten sind, und ob Projektile bei entsprechendem Versuchsaufbau wieder in den Ausschuss zurückprallen. Hierzu wurden 85 Schüsse aus einer Pistole (Sig Sauer, 9 mm Luger, Vollmantelgeschosse) auf 2-lagig bekleidete Schweinekadaver abgegeben, die verschiedenen festen Untergrundvarianten auflagen. Die Untersuchungen ergaben, dass bei unter entsprechenden Bedingungen beschossenen Opfern, bei denen der Ausschussbereich einer festen, flächigen, insbesondere gefliesten Unterlage aufliegt, in einem hohen Prozentsatz mit Textilfasern in der Ausschusslücke zu rechnen ist. Dies ergaben auch die Ergebnisse der retrospektiv untersuchten realen Schusstodesfalle. Die in den Ausschusslücken nachgewiesenen Fasern wurden retrograd durch den Aufprall des Geschosses auf ein festes Widerlager in den Schusskanal zurückgetrieben.AbstractWe raised the question whether textile fibres can be found in exit wounds and whether projectiles will be reflected back into the exit wounds of gunshot victims if the body is clothed and in contact with a hard surface. ¶In order to examine this aspect of wound morphology, we fired 85 shots with a pistol (Sig Sauer, 9 mm Luger, jacketed ammunition) into pig cadavers covered with two layers of clothing material while lying on various hard materials. The results of our investigations indicate that clothing fibres could be found in a high percentage of exit wounds of victims shot while the location of the exit wound was in contact with a hard flat surface (particularly a tiled surface). A retrospective analysis of gunshot victims autopsied at our institute confirmed these findings. The fibres found within the exit wounds were forced into the wound by the ricocheting projectiles.

Medical studies and training duration for forensic pathologists in Germany

This article gives a short overview of medical education in Germany. The legal basis and organization of the medical studies program as well as the course in forensic medicine and the training duration for forensic pathologists are described.