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ABSTRACT: The objective of the investigation was evaluation of postmortem changes of electric charge of human erythrocyte and thrombocyte membranes after sudden unexpected death. The surface charge density values were determined on the basis of the electrophoretic mobility measurements of the cells carried out at various pHs of electrolyte solution. The interactions between both erythrocyte and thrombocyte membranes and electrolyte ions were studied. Values of parameters characterizing the membrane--that is, the total surface concentrations of both acidic and basic groups and their association constants with solution ions--were calculated on the basis of a four-equilibria mathematical model. The model was validated by comparison of these values to experimental data. We established that examined electric properties of the cell membranes are affected by sudden unexpected death. Postmortem processes occurring in the cell membranes can lead to disorders of existing equilibria, which in turn result in changes in values of all the above-mentioned parameters.
Journal of Membrane Biology 04/2012; 245(4):185-90. · 1.81 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The effect of Ca(2+) ion interaction with monolayers of phosphatidylcholine (lecithin, L) was investigated at the air/water interface. We present surface tension measurements of lecithin monolayers obtained using a Langmuir method as a function of Ca(2+) ion concentration. The measurements were carried out at 22 degrees C using a Teflon trough and a Nima 9000 tensiometer. The interactions between lecithin and Ca(2+) ions result in significant deviations from the additivity rule. An equilibrium theory to describe the behavior of monolayer components at the air/water interface was developed in order to obtain the stability constants and area occupied by one molecule of LCa(+) and L(2)Ca complexes. The stability constants, K(1) = 1.92 x 10(3) m(2) mol(-1) and K(2) = 5.35 x 10(5) m(2) mol(-1) were calculated by inserting the experimental data. The value of area occupied by one LCa(+) complex is 65 A(2) molecule(-1), while the area occupied by an L(2)Ca complex is 117 A(2) molecule(-1).
Langmuir 08/2010; 26(16):13359-63. · 4.19 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Considerable interest experimental and clinical researches has been focused on important role of advanced glication and its products and oxidative stress on the structure and functional disorders of platelets in diabetes. The aim of the study of our work was an estimate of platelet count (PLT) and mean platelet volume (MPV) for diabetics and control subjects and diabetics depending on glycated haemoglobin. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the platelet count was 216.4 x 10(9)/l in control subjects 223.60 x 10(9)/l. The mean platelet volume in diabetic was significantly higher than in control subjects and the results totaled 9.81 fl in diabetics. The platelet count in groups: B1 and B2 than in control subjects 9.36 fl, depending on glycated haemoglobin were not significantly important. The mean platelet volume in diabetics with level of glycated haemoglobin below 7.5% was 10.25 fl in group B2 9.83 fl and in control subjects 9.36 fl. One can suppose changes in patelet count and mean platelet volume depend on level metabolic disorders in diabetic.
Przegla̧d lekarski 01/2009; 66(12):1049-51.
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ABSTRACT: Reanimation procedures may cause changes of autopsy findings. Disregarding this condition may result in erroneous determination of the cause of death. The paper presents a case of a woman, age 77, complaining of general weakness who reported to the outpatient department. Paroxysmal tachycardia was diagnosed on EKG. The patient was referred to the internal ward. The transfer to the hospital was offered by the neighbour who had brought her to the outpatient department. In front of the department the patient fainted. Reanimation was performed by 5 persons, including non-medical staff. The patient's death was pronounced within an hour. The autopsy findings included numerous injuries within the thorax and the abdomen, which aroused suspicion about their origin during reanimation and about the cause of death. Detailed analysis of medical history, witness testimonies and histological findings, taking into account the knowledge about potential changes caused by reanimation procedures enabled correct assessment of injuries within the thorax and the abdomen.
Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis 01/2007; 53 Suppl 2:46-9; discussion 49.
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ABSTRACT: The authors carried out the analysis of autopsy reports of road accident victims, aging between 0-18, exposed to the post mortal studies made in the above mentioned department between 1997-2006.
The number of victims, aging between 0-18 amounts to 2.97% of all autopsies carried out in this period. Among the analysed 84 victims were male, while 41 female. The victims have been divided into age groups: 0-6, 7-10, 11-15 and 16-18. The largest number appeared in the age range 15-18 (78; 47 males and 31 females), the smallest number in the age range 0-6 (15; 10 males and 5 females) and the age range 7-10 (15; 12 males and 3 females). In the age groups 0-6 and 7-10 pedestrians prevail as victims, while 11-15 car passengers are in majority and the same percentage refers to cyclists. Group 16-18 is predominantly dominated by private car drivers and their passengers.
In all age groups the direct causes of death were mainly head injuries, the most frequent among pedestrians, cyclists, two wheeled engine vehicle passengers, drivers and private car passengers as well as other victims of not exactly defined road accidents. The most alarming is the high percentage of road users under the influence of alcohol in the range 16-18 amounting to 21.8 % (27.7% of males and 12.9% of females respectively).
Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis 01/2007; 53 Suppl 2:50-4; discussion 54.
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ABSTRACT: PURPOSE: The object of analysis were suicide cases autopsied in the department in 2004-2006. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Of the 1331 autopsies, 126 were undertaken in suicide victims. This number constituted 9.47% of the total number of autopsies, of those 87.3% were males and 12.7% females. The highest percent rate of suicide was observed among males in the ages of 19-25 year old, among females 19-25 and 31-45. The greatest number of inebriated males was found in ages of 19-25 and 36-40 years old, whereas for females the corresponding age group was 31-35 years. Among the places of suicide predominance of public places was noted. The most common method of committing suicide was by hanging.
Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis 01/2007; 53 Suppl 2:55-9.
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ABSTRACT: The authors presented an analysis of homicides based on autopsy material collected at the Institute of Forensic Medicine Medical University of Białystok in the years 2004-2006. Of 1331 postmortem examinations, this type of death accounted for 4.28% of cases, including 19,3% women and 80.7% men. Married persons predominated among females and men. 63.1% of victims died on the crime scene, 29.8% within 24 hours. In immediate conflicts, fights and robberies, the perpetrators most commonly employed hard, blunt or blunt-edged crime weapons. In cases of murder with sexual and robbery homicides the strangulation method was used. No seasonal character in homicide prevalence was observed.
Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis 01/2007; 53 Suppl 2:67-70; discussion 70.
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ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION, MATERIAL AND METHODS: The objective of the paper was a comparative analysis of traffic accident fatalities in autopsy material collected in the years 1970-1986 and 1987-2006 at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Białystok (624 and 1463 cases, respectively). Based on autopsy reports, main criteria included gender, site of death (urban area, rural area, non-built-up), mode of movement (driver, passenger, pedestrian, biker and cyclist), age, localisation of fatal injuries (head, thorax, abdomen and pelvis, upper and lower limbs, multiorgan injuries) and blood alcohol level. The collected data were analysed statistically according to the criteria applied and presented as text and graphs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The number of traffic accidents increased by 4% in the years 1987-2006 when compared to period of 1970-1986. The percentage male mortality increased 72-77%. Pedestrians predominated as traffic accident fatalities in Podlasie, with mortality rate slowly decreasing 47-42%. In the years 1987-2006 mortality rate among drivers and bikers/motorbikes increased by 7% and decreased by 3%, respectively. Number of fatalities among passengers remained on constant level. Regardless of time period fatal cases were predominant in non-built-up area. Localisation of fatal injuries in respective groups appears invariable excluding pedestrian cases, where multiorgan rather, than head and neck injuries prevail. Mean age of traffic accident fatalities decreased by 3 years in the period of 1987-2006, predominantly due to the increasing number of fatal cases among young males. Mean blood alcohol level of traffic accident victims in the years 1987-2006 increased by 0.5 promille and 0.2 promille in males and in females, respectively.
Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis 01/2007; 53 Suppl 2:76-9.
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ABSTRACT: In the years 1980-2000 a total of 302 cases of suicidal hanging were analysed at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Białystok. In 140 cases (46.36%) the knot was situated on the neck. In 131 corpses 206 intravital reactions were revealed. Descending incidence of the reactions was as follows: petechial subcutaneous facial and palpebre hemorrhages (33.5%), hemorrhages of muscules sternocleidomustoideus (18.4%), hemorrhages within ligature furrow (11.6%), vertebral cervical fracture (0.7%). In overall material 71.8% were sober persons presenting intravital reactions of the cervical organs to ligature. During autopsy examination skin sections were excised from ligature furrow, muscules sternocleidomustoideus and the carotid artery and then stained with hematoxilin-eosin, orcein, Fuller staining and alcian blue. The carotid artery sections were examined in scanning electron microscope. Macroscopically revealed intravital reactions were fully confirmable by scanning electron microscopic examination. Furthermore, in cases with negative macroscopic image lesions of the common carotid arteries were detected.
Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis 01/2007; 53 Suppl 2:80-4; discussion 84-5.
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ABSTRACT: In the last years in Poland, the number of medicolegal opinions issued concerning the health status of defendants or convicts with regard to their ability to participate in legal proceedings (taking part in trial) and serve a sentence of imprisonment or restriction of freedom (doing free social labor) has been increasing. In the years 2005-2009, in our department, 115 opinions about defendants, convicts, one witness and one sufferer were issued. In this number, 37 opinions were associated with estimation of ability to serve a sentence of imprisonment, 22--estimation of ability to serve a penalty of restricted liberty or possibility of alternative serving a sentence of imprisonment, 56--estimation of ability to take part in legal proceedings. In 8 cases the experts estimated if the health status allowed a defendant to be detained awaiting trial and be detained in custody pending inquiry. The age, sex, place of residence, diseases the opinioned persons suffered from and the judicial organ that commissioned the opinion were taken into consideration in the analysis. The opinions were issued on the basis of court files and medical documentation only--18 opinions, or on the basis of court files, documentation and medical examination--97 opinions. In 52 cases, only specialists of forensic medicine issued the opinions, but in 63 instances, participation of experts in other medical specialties was necessary. Most often, the opinions of cardiologists were sought.
Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii 60(2-3):102-8.
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ABSTRACT: Opinionating in civil proceeding is difficult and carries much responsibility, especially in the period of increasing claiming for damages. The authors analyzed civil opinions issued by the Forensic Medicine Department, Medical University of Białystok, in the years 2004-2008. The above-mentioned opinions addressed neurologic diseases and symptoms. The victims were invited to the Department for examinations which were performed by a forensic medicine expert and a neurologist, alternatively also by other specialists depending on the reported ailments. The paper presents an analysis of the victims' age and sex, type of the event, injuries and ailments, duration of physical and mental suffering, percentage of health impairment. The study comprised 126 civil opinions issued. Occupationally active persons were predominantly subject to injuries. The most common symptoms reported were headache, vertigo and pain in the C, L-S spine.
Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii 60(2-3):109-11.
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ABSTRACT: The subject of analysis was the crash of a helicopter of the Polish Border Guards, which happened on October 31, 2009, in the Byelorussian territory about two hundred meters from the Polish border. In the accident, three crew members perished: the pilot, navigator and operator. Based on the accounts obtained directly after the crash on the site of the tragedy, it was established that the pilot tried to land, but the impact was so strong that the aircraft sank about one meter into the ground. On November 3, 2009, a committee consisting of two prosecutors from the County Prosecutor Office in Bialystok, a forensic science expert and a representative from the Border Guards, went to Department of Forensic Medicine in Brzesc. The prosecutors and forensic science expert took part in recovering the bodies. During the process of internal and external examination, severe body injuries were noted, without any surviving tissue and intestines. Samples of blood, urine and fragments of internal organs were collected for chemical, biochemical, toxicological and histopathological examinations. Muscle DNA was also taken.
Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii 60(2-3):146-50.
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ABSTRACT: Post-traumatic cerebrasthenia and post-traumatic encephalopathy are the effects of a head trauma. Most physicians overuse these diagnoses. They do not perform differential diagnostic management, what leads to issuing erroneous opinions. The aim of this report is to show the symptoms of posttraumatic cerebrasthenia and posttraumatic encephalopathy and diagnostic investigations, which could be helpful for diagnosing these conditions. Cerebrasthenia (the subjective posttraumatic syndrome, subjective syndrome, posttraumatic neurosis) is usually a functional--"unorganic" disorder. It happens in the cases of many people who had brain concussion. The most common symptoms are: headache, vertigo, irritability, insomnia, attention deficits, fatigability. Posttraumatic encephalopathy is a persistent brain tissues injury which could be caused by more severe trauma (brain contusion, endocranial bleeding). The clinical picture of this disease entity is not unambiguous. The most frequently encountered form is a simple (common) form, which is similar to cerebrasthenia, but with differences in the neurological examination (focal signs) and with persistent changes in EEG.
Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii 60(2-3):172-6.
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ABSTRACT: The objective of the investigation was evaluation of visualization of human blood and saliva stains with the use of alternative light source for the purpose of genetic identification. Experimental bloodstains on the bright base were the most clearly seen in the natural light and white light, up to blood dilution of 1:600. Complete typeability of AmpFISTR SGM Plus kit profiles was obtained from bloodstains at dilution 1:1500. Partial AmpFISTR SGM Plus kit profiles were typed from bloodstains at dilutions 1:1750 and 1:2000. Experimental saliva stains on the light-colored base were completely invisible in the natural light and white light, while they were visualized at wavelength range 300-415 nm through yellow goggles, and at wavelength range 300-455 nm through orange goggles at saliva dilution 1: 600. Complete typeability of AmpFISTR SGM Plus kit loci was obtained from saliva stains at dilution 1:1750. Partial AmpFISTR SGM Plus kit profiles were typed from saliva stains at dilution 1:2000. The wavelength of 455 nm and orange goggles were the optimal set for visualization of bloodstains on various, noncontrasting materials. Other useful wavelength/combinations of goggles were CSS light/red goggles. In case of saliva, the most useful general condition for visualization of stains on various, non-contrasting materials was with the wavelength set to 300-415 nm, while wearing yellow goggles. Other useful combinations of wavelength/goggles were 300-455 nm/orange or red goggles, and also CSS light/orange or red goggles.
Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii 60(4):248-57.
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ABSTRACT: Detection of seminal stains on items such as clothing and bedding is a significant element of investigation in sexual assault cases. The use of alternative light source may assist in their identification. The objective of the investigation was the evaluation of human semen visualization with the use of alternative light source for the purpose of genetic identification. The tests demonstrated that experimentally prepared semen stains on the bright base could be best seen in the natural light and white light when the semen was diluted at a ratio 1:10. The complete typeability of AmpFISTR SGM Plus kit loci was evaluated in semen which was diluted at a ratio 1:1750 and typeability of AmpFISTR SGM Plus kit loci was incomplete in semen diluted at a ratio 1:2000. After washing with laundry detergents, semen stains were still recognizable under ALS wavelength 455 nm, while wearing orange goggles.
Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii 60(4):258-62.
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ABSTRACT: The authors present two cases of deaths resulting from asphyxia of one of the partners in the act of intercourse to escalate their experience. The first case involved a heterosexual intercourse, in which a 30-year-old woman was led to state of hypoxia through choking and closing respiratory orifices. The other case represented a homosexual intercourse between two men, in which the victim's hands and legs were tied. Moreover, the partner put an open knot around the victim's neck and was holding it controlling the state of asphyxia, while performing an anal intercourse. Both presented victims practiced such paraphilia-associated behaviors in the past. The fact of sexual intercourse was confirmed in both cases by genetic analysis of the man's anus and the woman's oral cavity and vagina. This resulted in finding the genetic material of their partners. Escalating of sexual experience through inducing asphyxia of the nervous system is extremely dangerous and may result in death of one of the sexual partners, what has been proven by the present investigation.
Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii 60(4):275-80.
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ABSTRACT: The objective of the paper was an analysis of traffic accident fatalities in autopsy material collected at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Białystok in the years 2007-2008. The analysis was carried out in 209 traffic accident victims included in the total number of 876 autopsies. Based on autopsy reports, the main criteria included gender, site of death (urban area, rural area, non-built-up), mode of movement (driver, passenger, pedestrian, biker and cyclist), age, location of fatal injuries (head, thorax, abdomen and pelvis, upper and lower limbs, multiorgan injuries) and blood alcohol level. The collected data were analyzed statistically according to the above listed criteria and presented as a text and graphs. In the years 2007-2008, 209 individuals died in traffic accidents in Podlasie Region, with the mortality rate of 24%. Male victims accounted for 76% of fatalities, while females constituted 24%. Drivers predominated among traffic accident fatalities in Podlasie Region, with the mortality rate of 38%. In the years 2007-2008, the mortality rates for pedestrians, passengers, motorbike drivers and bikers were 29%, 26% and 7%, respectively. Regardless of the time period, the fatalities were predominant in non-built-up areas, with the percentage amounting to 48.5%. The location of fatal injuries in respective groups was similar, with a preponderance of multiorgan injuries. The mean age of traffic accident fatalities was 41 years, predominantly due to an increasing number of fatal cases among young individuals. In the years 2007-2008, the percentage of traffic accident victims being under the influence of alcohol was 45% in males and 12% in females. The mean blood alcohol level of traffic accident victims was 2.1% per hundred in males and 1.6% per hundred in females.
Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii 59(3):172-6.
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ABSTRACT: The paper presents an analysis of legal opinions compiled by the Forensic Medicine Department, Medical University of Białystok in the years 2003-2008. The above-mentioned opinions addressed medical treatment in the area of neurology. During this period, opinions were given in 142 cases, the majority of them representing idiopathic diseases (such as strokes, cerebral aneurysms, cerebral infections), followed by falls from high altitudes and traffic road accidents, further followed by fights, medical treatment and work accidents. In sixteen (11.27%) of such cases, the employed medical procedures were found to be incorrect; what might be qualified as medical decisive errors, committed in emergency ambulances or in admission rooms. Incorrect medical treatment consisted in negligence to perform necessary diagnostic examinations. In ten of the analyzed cases, the patients ultimately died.
Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii 59(3):203-7.
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ABSTRACT: The aim of the morphological study was to search for traumatic changes in the thyroid in the cases of hanging in a vertical position with an open and closed noose. These changes would constitute an additional proof of intravital hanging and they would be useful in postmortem diagnosis of the hangings in which other commonly acknowledged features of intravitality are not discovered. In 33% of all cases, petechiae were observed in the thyroid gland. They appeared in 20% of the hangings with the closed noose, and in 13% of the hangings with the use of the open noose. The study showed that there was no difference between the open or closed, hard noose in terms of changes in the thyroid gland. There was also no correlation between the body position and the injury of the thyroid gland. In all the cases, hyperemia of the thyroid was observed and segmental expansion of blood vessels. The histopathological analysis showed that in one third of all the cases with negative macroscopic examination, it was discovered that microscopic changes indicated hanging alive.
Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii 61(4):331-6.
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this research was a macro- and microscopic investigation of pituitary glands in people who died after head injuries with the base of the skull fractures in the sella turcica. No macroscopic changes in the pituitary glands were discovered during an autopsy examinations. Histopathology demonstrated traumatic changes of the pituitary glands in all the cases, which were correlated with sella trurcica fractures. The evolution of traumatic alterations correlated with survival time after the injury. In the pituitary glands of people who died directly after head injuries, hyperemia and focal hemorrhages were discovered. Apart from hyperemia, focal necrosis was found in the pituitary glands among those who survived from 48 to 72 hours after head injury. The examined pituitary glands of those people who lived from 2 to 3 weeks after head injury showed considerable necrotic changes and numerous calcificationss.
Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii 61(4):337-42.
