Journal de recherche médico-légale

The aim of this investigation is to develop a new tool for the investigation of hydrocarbon accelerants. The chemical analysis of fire debris in an arson investigation has gone through several developmental stages. The nature of the analysis has been divided into three essential components due to the complexity of the samples. The first has been the extraction of the accelerants from the debris. The second has been the development of instrumental techniques for the analysis of extracted samples. The interpretation of the results is the final stage. In our investigation, we have used comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-quadrupole mass spectrometry (GCXGC-qMS). GCXGC-qMS is well suited for the analysis of complex hydrocarbon accelerants. We applied the resolution and separation powers of the GCXGC with the high precision mass scanning capabilities of a quadrupole mass spectrometer to investigate these complex samples. Total and selective ion scans were performed on samples obtained from an arson investigation. By using this process, we were able to conclusively determine the presence of hydrocarbon accelerants in fire debris.

Sexual assault is a widespread devastating crime with the potential to involve medical, psychological, and legal systems. According to the survey, “Rape in America: A Report to the Nation. Arlington, VA: National Victim Center” large population-based surveys indicate the lifetime prevalence of rape to be about 13 to 39% among women. Unfortunately, these data are most likely an underestimation, because most large studies do not sample vulnerable populations (e.g., homeless, sheltered, or institutionalized persons).

Organophosphorus (OP) pesticide self-poisoning is an important clinical problem in rural regions of the developing world. OP compounds are chemical compounds containing carbon-phosphorus bonds, primarily used in pest control and are often persistent organic pollutants. They are easily accessible, thus they are a commonly associated with suicides and accidental poisoning in Nepal. In present study one hundred and seventy one patients with severe OP poisoning were admitted in the emergency ward of National Medical College and Teaching Hospital and Narayani Sub-Regional Hospital, Birgunj, Nepal from January 2010 to December 2011, were studied for a detailed epidemiological and medicolegal analysis. The mean age group was 28 years, was prone to most of the cases. Most of the admitted cases were of suicidal as well as accidental in nature and women were the main victim than children. Suicidal deaths due to ingestion of OP compound are very common in Nepal, especially in women. The reason may be the increasing stress in the family and economic constraints. Accidental deaths due to occupational exposure or inhalation of OP compounds are reported but in these cases mortality rate is less than that suicidal poisoning. Further study should be needed by government and national and international NGO to evaluate it.

Objective: To identify the intensity of the frequency of suicide in relation with the Medicolegal aspect of the incidence such as method, duration of survival, causes of committing suicide and previous attempts to commit suicide.
Material and Methods: Descriptive study of 100 fatal suspected suicidal cases brought for postmortem examination at BPKIHS, Dharan from January 2007 to April 2008. Pre-tested questionnaire was used to obtain data by direct interview with the visitor of the victim and information available on police record.
Results: Death on spot was (47%) while 41% victims died within 24 hours of incidence, whereas 11% victims survived for 7 days. Suicidal victims (56%) were either discovered dead not hospitalized. Low socioeconomic conditions were most frequent (45%) cause for committing suicide, followed by psychosocial causes (43%), and chronic diseases (12%). Poisoning (53%) and hanging (45%) were the two exclusive methods employed for committing suicide. Most of the victims (83%) made sure shot and successful attempt to commit suicide in their very first attempt while history of previous suicidal attempts was available in 17% of victims.
Conclusion: This study exemplified that most of the victims incorporated such suicidal attempts and method that they made sure that their attempt is successful suicide and the cause to commit is mostly their low socioeconomic condition and psychosocial reasons.

We encountered three cases of the intra-thyroidal ectopic thymus at autopsy and also performed three autopsy cases consisted of mothers and children, and children with severe stress. The morphological and immune histochemical characteristics of the Hassall’s corpuscles were examined in those in ectopic and normal positioned thymus, and in the thymuses obtained from mothers and children, and children with severe stress. The Hassall’s corpuscles obtained from ectopic and normal positioned thymus showed resemble morphology and stainability with antibodies. These results indicate the Hassall’s corpuscles in the intra-thyroidal ectopic thymuses also possess the biological significance.