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Toi T, Tsuneya S, Inokuchi G, Chiba F, Hoshioka Y, Nagasawa S, Yoshida M, Yamaguchi R, Torimitsu S, Inoue H, Motomura A, Yajima D, Makino Y, Iwase H. Characteristics of indoor and outdoor fatal hypothermia cases in Chiba, Japan. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2024; 71:102494. [PMID: 39067244 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2024.102494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
In forensic medicine, hypothermia is a frequently encountered cause of death, and this characteristic provides public health information to prevent similar deaths in the future. Previous studies revealed regional differences in hypothermia occurrence (indoors or outdoors). However, to our knowledge, no recent studies in Japan have directly compared the characteristics of indoor- and outdoor-onset cases based on forensic autopsy reports. Hence, this study aimed to determine the characteristics and risks of unexpected hypothermia-related death. It included 218 cases from the Chiba Prefecture, Japan, wherein forensic autopsies were performed and hypothermia was diagnosed; these cases were categorized into indoor- and outdoor-onset cases, and their characteristics were examined. The results showed no significant differences between the two groups in relation to the age of onset or residential environment (i.e., the presence or absence of cohabitants). The outdoor-onset group tended to have a higher incidence of dementia. Regarding the causes of hypothermia, the indoor group had more internal causes (p < 0.0001), whereas the outdoor group had more primary and external causes (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0029, respectively). The indoor group was more undressed than the outdoor group. Atypical antipsychotic components were predominantly detected in the blood in the outdoor group (p = 0.0077). The body mass index tended to be lower in the indoor group than in the outdoor group. Broadening public awareness of the present study findings may aid in developing preventative strategies for hypothermia based on the location of onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toki Toi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Shigeki Tsuneya
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Go Inokuchi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Fumiko Chiba
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yumi Hoshioka
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Sayaka Nagasawa
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Maiko Yoshida
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Rutsuko Yamaguchi
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Department of Legal Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1, Oyaguchikamicho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Suguru Torimitsu
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Inoue
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Kozunomori 4-3, Narita City, Chiba 286-8686, Japan
| | - Ayumi Motomura
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Kozunomori 4-3, Narita City, Chiba 286-8686, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yajima
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Kozunomori 4-3, Narita City, Chiba 286-8686, Japan
| | - Yohsuke Makino
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hirotaro Iwase
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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Tsuneya S, Nakajima M, Yoshida M, Hoshioka Y, Chiba F, Inokuchi G, Torimitsu S, Iwase H. Detection of diatoms in a case of mud aspiration at a coastal area. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2024; 66:102354. [PMID: 37988879 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
The source of diatoms detected in non-drowned bodies have been attributed to postmortem invasion, contamination during autopsy or diatom testing, or "natural load." However, sand aspiration has not been reported as a source. Herein, we report an autopsy case in which diatoms were detected in a non-drowned human who had aspirated mud. A man in his 60 s was found dead at a harbor park in Japan. His whole body was covered with sand, including his face. A situational investigation suggested that he may have entered the sea. Autopsy revealed intratracheal mud, with no obvious findings indicating drowning, suggesting that he died from mud aspiration probably due to hypothermia or non-lethal ethanol intoxication. In the diatom test, 10-100 diatoms/g were detected in bilateral lung samples, which were similar to those found in the intraoral and intratracheal mud and the sand samples from around the discovery site and not similar to those found in the seawater samples. The diatoms in the stomach content exhibited an intermediate trend between those found in the sand and seawater. Therefore, careful qualitative and quantitative analyses are required to differentiate between true drowning and false-positives in non-drowning cases to determine the cause of death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeki Tsuneya
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
| | - Makoto Nakajima
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Maiko Yoshida
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Yumi Hoshioka
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Fumiko Chiba
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Go Inokuchi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Suguru Torimitsu
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hirotaro Iwase
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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Tsuneya S, Yoshida M, Hoshioka Y, Chiba F, Inokuchi G, Torimitsu S, Iwase H. Relevance of diatom testing on closed organs of a drowned cadaver who died after receiving treatment for 10 days: A case report. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2023; 60:102168. [PMID: 36308841 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2022.102168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A male in his late adolescence fell into the sea and was found 50 min later with cardiopulmonary arrest. He was revived approximately 260 min after he drowned. Although he received several treatments, including venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and continuous hemodiafiltration, he was clinically diagnosed with brain death. He died 10 days after the accident. The autopsy did not reveal any unremarkable findings other than those associated with post-resuscitation changes and medical treatment. The diatom test revealed 47.9, 311.6, and 577.5 diatom particles per gram from water, left lung, and right lung samples, respectively. No diatoms were detected in a 10 g liver sample, and 1 diatom was detected in each of approximately 12 g of bilateral kidney samples, which was different from the abundant species in the lung samples. The diatom test of the closed organs could be considered false negative for confirming drowning death since diatoms can also be detected in non-drowned cadavers on dry land. This suggests that diatoms might not reach the closed organs via circulation and that the diatom test of closed organ samples might no longer be necessary to confirm drowning deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeki Tsuneya
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
| | - Maiko Yoshida
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Yumi Hoshioka
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Fumiko Chiba
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Go Inokuchi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Suguru Torimitsu
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hirotaro Iwase
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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Sonoda A, Kakizaki E, Shinkawa N, Matsuda H, Yukawa N. Conventional diatom testing using strong acid: (II) Number and types of diatoms detected in closed organs and lungs of 80 autopsy cases using only new Kjeldahl flasks. Forensic Sci Int 2022; 341:111510. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Torimitsu S, Yajima D, Inokuchi G, Makino Y, Motomura A, Chiba F, Yamaguchi R, Hoshioka Y, Tsuneya S, Iwase H. Electrolyte analysis of pleural effusion for discrimination between seawater and freshwater drowning in decomposed bodies. J Forensic Leg Med 2022; 90:102389. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2022.102389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Kakizaki E, Shinkawa N, Sonoda A, Yukawa N. Conventional diatom testing using strong acid: Notable false-positive results caused by an underestimated contamination source (blind spot). Forensic Sci Int 2021; 330:111131. [PMID: 34891083 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.111131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Low rates of diatom positivity in the closed organs of drowning victims present challenges for diatom testing. High positivity rates in closed organs of non-drowning victims also raise an important issue. These contradictory findings were common in diatom testing studies undertaken during the 1960-80 s, but the reasons remained unclear. In the present study, we identified one of the most important factors associated with false-positive results in diatom testing using strong acid. One to 290 false-positive diatoms were found in reused Kjeldahl flasks that were thoroughly washed after the first diatom testing and kept free of tissue before the second testing. False-positive results occurred in 11 of 20 cases when more than approximately 10,000 diatoms were present in digested tissue or water samples. Reused flasks were found to contain many common diatoms (<30 µm), including Cocconeis, Cymbella, Diatoma, Gomphonema, Navicula, and Nitzschia, in agreement with reports of diatoms identified in closed organs. Surprisingly, such false-positive results occurred even at the sixth diatom testing using the same flasks kept free of tissues in each analysis. In contrast, no diatoms were detected in any reagent or associated with other glassware. Thus, reuse of Kjeldahl flasks can readily cause false-positive results that cannot be completely prevented by cleaning the flasks using alkali detergents, as evidenced by detection of diatoms even after six tests. We assume that diatoms causing false-positive results are partially melted by heating and fixed onto the flask's inner surface glass, as the diatom frustule consists primarily of SiO2, similar to glass. Adherent diatoms are then released from the glass by re-heating at the next diatom testing. These results also suggest that the number of diatoms remaining in a flask can increase steadily as a result of repeated reuse for analysis of lung or water samples. In contrast, in analyses using only new flasks, only one or two diatoms were found in 4 of 20 kidney, 2 of 12 liver, and 2 of 8 blood samples from 20 drowning victims. It is difficult to determine whether such diatoms are actually carried via the blood circulation, as contamination with a few diatoms can occur during autopsy procedures and diatom testing. In conclusion, only new (unused) Kjeldahl flasks should be used for diatom testing with strong acid digestion. Moreover, these data suggest that the number and frequency of diatoms present in closed organs of drowning victims may be much lower than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiji Kakizaki
- Division of Legal Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara, Kiyotake-cho, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan.
| | - Norihiro Shinkawa
- Division of Legal Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara, Kiyotake-cho, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Ai Sonoda
- Division of Legal Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara, Kiyotake-cho, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Yukawa
- Division of Legal Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara, Kiyotake-cho, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan.
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Tsuneya S, Nakajima M, Makino Y, Torimitsu S, Yamaguchi R, Iwase H. A quantitative comparison between using sodium hypochlorite as a digestion method for the diatom test and the conventional method using fuming nitric acid. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 329:111086. [PMID: 34749279 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.111086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of using sodium hypochlorite (NaClO, Purelox) as a simple and rapid alternative digestion method for the diatom test through a quantitative comparison with the conventional method that uses fuming nitric acid (HNO3). MATERIALS AND METHODS In experiment 1, using 30 water samples, the NaClO and HNO3 methods were compared using paired t-test. In experiments 2 and 3, we included blank human lung plus 13 water samples and total of 32 drowned human lung samples, respectively, to compare the NaClO and HNO3 methods using paired t-test. The relationship between the concentration ratio and background factors was tested in experiment 3. Welch's t-test was used to determine differences in the ratio between the lung side and sex, whereas Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the correlation between the ratio and either age or postmortem interval. The geometric mean of two counts was used for each specimen and all counts were logarithmically transformed to base 2 in the statistical analysis. RESULTS The NaClO method was completed within 80 min for any sample. In experiment 1, there was no significant difference between the NaClO and HNO3 methods using water samples (the mean of the ratios: 0.99, 95% confidence interval (95%CI: 0.89-1.10, P = 0.80). In experiment 2, the count of the NaClO method was lower than that of the HNO3 method using lung plus water samples (the mean of the ratios: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.35-0.65, P = 0.0002). In experiment 3, the concentration of the NaClO method was lower than that of the HNO3 method using drowned lung samples (the mean of the ratios: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.20-0.38, P < 0.0001). A weak correlation between the postmortem interval and the ratio of the two methods was observed (r = -0.58, P = 0.012), although no difference between lung sides or sexes were detected (P = 0.87 and P = 0.50, respectively) and no correlation occurred between age and the ratio (r = 0.15, P = 0.43). CONCLUSION Using NaClO as a simple and rapid digestion method for diatom testing of water samples would be an excellent alternative to conventional methods. Although the method's diatom detection rate for the lung samples was not optimal, it was still shown to be a feasible method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeki Tsuneya
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Makoto Nakajima
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yohsuke Makino
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Suguru Torimitsu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Rutsuko Yamaguchi
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Hirotaro Iwase
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
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Legaz I, Barrera-Pérez E, Prieto-Bonete G, Pérez-Martínez C, Sibón A, Maurandi-López A, Pérez-Cárceles MD. Trace elements in forensic human lung: A new approach to the diagnosis of seawater drowning. A preliminary study. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 323:110815. [PMID: 33990017 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosing of drowning remains one of the most challenging activities for the forensic pathologist. There is little information on the impact on the lung as a target organ in death by drowning. We aimed to investigate the concentration of trace elements in the lungs of people who had suffered different types of death to evaluate the discriminating ability of trace elements to identify seawater drowning (SWD). A total of 11 trace elements were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry in 74 forensic cases. Sampler scanning electron microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to identify ultrastructural lung alterations. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of trace elements was carried out. The trace elements in SWD lungs were detected in the following order of concentration: Br˃Zn˃Sr˃Cr˃Cu˃As˃Pb˃Se˃Mn˃Ni˃Cd. Our results showed significantly higher concentrations of Br and Sr (P = 0.010 and P = 0.000) and significantly lower concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Se in SWD compared with other causes of death. After adjusting by confounder factors, Sr and Br remained as predictive independent factors for diagnosis of drowning (p = 0.042, in both cases). These results were confirmed by PCA, which revealed a wide separation between SWD and the rest of the causes of death. Our SWD cohort was characterized by high concentrations of the trace elements Br and Sr and low concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Se in lung tissue, while PCA showed its discriminatory capacity to identify death by seawater drowning. These findings, together with those obtained using other techniques, can be of great importance in the diagnosis of SWD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Legaz
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB), Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
| | | | - Gemma Prieto-Bonete
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB), Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Cristina Pérez-Martínez
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB), Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Agustín Sibón
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB), Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain; Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Science, Cádiz, Spain; Department of Didactics of Mathematical and Social Sciences, University of Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio Maurandi-López
- Department of Didactics of Mathematical and Social Sciences, University of Murcia, Spain
| | - María D Pérez-Cárceles
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute (IMIB), Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Drowning in fresh or salt water: respective influence on respiratory function in a matched cohort study. Eur J Emerg Med 2020; 26:340-344. [PMID: 30080702 DOI: 10.1097/mej.0000000000000564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION For the most severe drowned patients, hypoxemia represents one of the major symptoms. As the influence of the type of water (fresh or salt water) on respiratory function is still unclear, the primary endpoint of this multicenter study was to compare hypoxemia according to the type of water. METHODS Medical records of adult patients who experienced a drowning event and were consequently admitted to 10 ICU for acute respiratory failure were analyzed retrospectively using data collected over three consecutive summer periods. From an initial cohort of acute respiratory failure drowned patients, patients were matched by age, sex, Glasgow Coma Scale, and occurrence of cardiac arrest (yes or no). RESULTS Among an initial cohort of 242 patients, 38 pairs were matched correctly. At the initial assessment, carried out upon ICU admission, hypoxemia was found to be deeper in the fresh water group (PaO2/FiO2: 141 ± 76 vs. 220 ± 122, P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in tissue oxygenation (assessed by blood lactate level) between groups. In terms of biology results, sodium levels were higher in the salt water group in the initial assessment (144 ± 6.8 vs. 140 ±5.2 mmol/l, P = 0.004), but no difference was observed later. No difference was recorded in the outcome or length of stay in ICU between groups. CONCLUSION Drowning in fresh water was associated with deeper hypoxemia in the initial assessment. Despite this initial difference, latter respiratory and biological parameters or outcome were similar in both groups.
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Usumoto Y, Kudo K, Tsuji A, Ihama Y, Ikeda N. The derivation of predictive equations to speculate the post-mortem interval using cases with over 20-mL pleural effusion: A preliminary study. J Forensic Leg Med 2019; 65:61-67. [PMID: 31103925 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Often, pleural effusion is noted at autopsy when the cause of death is drowning or diseases such as heart, renal and liver failure. Several studies have established a correlation between the concentrations of electrolytes in pleural effusion and the post-mortem interval (PMI) or those concentrations and drowning site. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between the amount of pleural effusion, concentrations of electrolytes and total protein in pleural effusion, by integrated interpretation using various factors such as the deceased's gender, age, cause of death, drowning site, PMI and body temperature. We included 40 cadavers (26 male, 14 female) with >20-mL pleural effusion, which were categorised into four groups as follows: freshwater drowning; brackish water drowning; seawater drowning (drowning group); and not drowning. An equation derived to assess the lung weight revealed that the drowning site affected the lung weight. An equation for the amount of pleural effusion in the drowning group for the first time revealed that the amount of pleural effusion was directly proportional to the PMI. Using an equation to assess the PMI, we could estimate the PMI within 13.0-13.2 h in cases with >20-mL pleural effusion. Despite a small number of cases in the present study, we attained exciting results from the integrated statistical analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Usumoto
- Department of Legal Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9, Fuku-ura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan; Department of Forensic Pathology and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
| | - Keiko Kudo
- Department of Forensic Pathology and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
| | - Akiko Tsuji
- Department of Forensic Pathology and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
| | - Yoko Ihama
- Department of Legal Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9, Fuku-ura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan.
| | - Noriaki Ikeda
- Department of Forensic Pathology and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
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12
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M. Ahmed M, M. A. Hussein M. Osmoregulatory element binding protein and osmoprotective genes as molecular biomarkers for discriminate patterns of drowning. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2018.1484163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mona M. Ahmed
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Mohamed M. A. Hussein
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
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Simple detection of bacterioplankton using a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay: First practical approach to 72 cases of suspected drowning. Forensic Sci Int 2018; 289:289-303. [PMID: 29920446 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.05.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We developed a novel molecular tool for assisting the diagnosis of death by drowning and evaluated its validity in forensic practical cases. Two novel sets of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) primers were designed to detect either representative freshwater (Aeromonas) or marine (Vibrio, Photobacterium, Listonella) bacterioplankton (aquatic bacteria) in one tube using the LAMP technique. The assay involves only mixing template DNA with seven reagents and incubating at 64°C for 80min and does not require special or expensive equipment because detection is based on visual observation under natural light. The assay's excellent specificity was also demonstrated using 17 standard (control) strains and 124 other bacterial strains cultured from drowning and non-drowning victims in our previous studies. We then assayed 299 specimens (135 lung, 164 blood) from 72 victims, including 45 who had drowned in rivers, ditches, seas, and around estuaries. LAMP assay results could provide effective information to assist the diagnosis of death by drowning in practical cases. The LAMP assay would be useful for suspected drowning cases, as it is a less-laborious and less-expensive minimal test when death by drowning is sufficiently confirmed or negated from only autopsy findings and environmental data or when diatom testing is not performed due to logistic, personnel, or budgetary limitations. Moreover, the assay could serve as a simple additional test when the density of diatoms in the lungs is very low due to low density in the water.
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Armstrong EJ, Erskine KL. Investigation of Drowning Deaths: A Practical Review. Acad Forensic Pathol 2018; 8:8-43. [PMID: 31240023 PMCID: PMC6474464 DOI: 10.23907/2018.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Drowning, which typically involves a watery environment, remains a serious public health concern claiming an estimated 362 000 lives per year worldwide across all socioeconomic classifications and has remained under close observation by the World Health Organization and its signatories. A significant number of water-related deaths are attributed to accidental drowning, while a smaller but still significant number represent suicidal or homicidal drowning. Others involve a combination of drowning precipitated by injury, intoxication, or environmental extremes. Still others involve victims that die from injury, intoxication, or a natural disease entity of such significance as to preclude the drowning process, while near or in water. While there may be an initial presumption that all water-related deaths are accidental drownings, other possibilities must be considered in the investigation of these types of deaths, as drowning as a cause of death is a diagnosis based on the exclusion of other potential causes. The coordinated investigative efforts of multiple agencies and disciplines are required not only for the designation as drowning as the cause of death but also for death certification. The ongoing analysis and dissemination of data generated from all levels of investigation augment our understanding of the impact on public health and safety, guiding allocation of monetary and educational resources in an effort to prevent further mortality and disability.
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Yajima D, Inokuchi G, Makino Y, Motomura A, Chiba F, Torimitsu S, Yamaguchi R, Hoshioka Y, Malakienė D, Raudys R, Iwase H. Diagnosis of drowning by summation of sodium, potassium, and chloride ion levels in sphenoidal sinus fluid: Differentiating between freshwater and seawater drowning and its application to brackish water and bathtub deaths. Forensic Sci Int 2018; 284:219-225. [PMID: 29427930 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Analysis of ions in sphenoidal fluid can be a useful index for the diagnosis of drowning. We evaluated the reference ranges of non-drowning cases using statistical methods and three indices: sodium ion (Na+), summation of sodium and potassium ions (SUMNa+K), and summation of sodium, potassium and chloride ions (SUMNa+K+Cl). The reference ranges were 96≤Na+<152, 139≤SUMNa+K<179, 243≤SUMNa+K+Cl<311(mEq/L), respectively. Victim indices outside of the reference ranges indicate that the victim probably inspired water with higher or lower ion concentrations than those of body fluid in sphenoidal sinuses. Compared to the SUMNa+K+Cl index, the Na+ and SUMNa+K indices could distinguish among seawater drowning, freshwater drowning, and non-drowning. In drowning cases, sphenoidal fluid volume and time since death were not correlated, which suggests that water does not enter the sphenoidal sinuses after death and there is a different process for water accumulation in drowning and non-drowning cases. In bathtub cases, this method was not valid for the estimation of inspired water. Although it is necessary to observe the classical signs of drowning, this method is suitable for the estimation of drowning, especially in cases where pleural fluid or diatom tests are not available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Yajima
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, 4-3 Kozunomori, Narita City, Chiba 286-8686, Japan; Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Go Inokuchi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yohsuke Makino
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Ayumi Motomura
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Fumiko Chiba
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Suguru Torimitsu
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Rutsuko Yamaguchi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yumi Hoshioka
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Dalė Malakienė
- State Forensic Medicine Service, Didlaukio St. 86E, LT-08303 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Romas Raudys
- State Forensic Medicine Service, Didlaukio St. 86E, LT-08303 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Hirotaro Iwase
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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Hayakawa A, Terazawa K, Matoba K, Horioka K, Fukunaga T. Diagnosis of drowning: Electrolytes and total protein in sphenoid sinus liquid. Forensic Sci Int 2017; 273:102-105. [PMID: 28260644 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In this study, electrolyte (sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), and magnesium (Mg)) and total protein (TP) concentrations and volume of liquid in the sphenoid sinus were examined to determine their usefulness to elucidate whether drowning occurred in freshwater or seawater. We examined 68 cases (seawater drowning group: 27 cases, freshwater drowning group: 21 cases, non-drowning group: 20 cases). There was a significant difference in Na, Cl, Mg, and TP concentrations of liquid in the sphenoid sinus among the three groups (seawater drowning, freshwater drowning, and non-drowning groups). To distinguish freshwater drowning from seawater drowning, Na, Cl, and Mg concentrations of liquid in the sphenoid sinus might serve as useful indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Hayakawa
- Tokyo Medical Examiner's Office, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Koichi Terazawa
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kotaro Matoba
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kie Horioka
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tatsushige Fukunaga
- Tokyo Medical Examiner's Office, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo, Japan
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Bedreag OH, Papurica M, Rogobete AF, Sandesc D. Influence of Hypothermia on the Clinical and Molecular Status of a Freshwater Drowning Victim with Severe Trauma. A Case Report. JOURNAL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY MEDICINE 2016. [DOI: 10.1515/jim-2016-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Drowning in freshwater kills many people around the world. Complications are multiple and sometimes impossible to treat. Fluid and electrolyte resuscitation is difficult because of all the physiological, biophysical and biochemical changes that decrease the rate of survival. Extreme lung injury and cardiovascular disorders are responsible for tissue hypoxia, increased production of inflammation markers, biosynthesis of reactive oxygen species and finally, multiple organ damage. Hypothermia, frequently associated with drowning, provides multiple benefits to this type of patients. Various studies have developed the idea that hypothermia protects the brain from biochemical mediators, thereby preventing neuronal cell destruction. In this case report we present the biological parameters and evolution of a patient drowned in freshwater, and also the benefits of hypothermia to the clinical picture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ovidiu Horea Bedreag
- Clinic of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, County Emergency Hospital, Timișoara, Romania
- Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania
| | - Marius Papurica
- Clinic of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, County Emergency Hospital, Timișoara, Romania
- Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania
| | - Alexandru Florin Rogobete
- Clinic of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, County Emergency Hospital, Timișoara, Romania
- Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania
| | - Dorel Sandesc
- Clinic of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, County Emergency Hospital, Timișoara, Romania
- Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania
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Hyodoh H, Shimizu J, Rokukawa M, Okazaki S, Mizuo K, Watanabe S. Postmortem computed tomography findings in the thorax – Experimental evaluation. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2016; 19:96-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2015.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Revised: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Hyodoh H, Terashima R, Rokukawa M, Shimizu J, Okazaki S, Mizuo K, Watanabe S. Experimental drowning lung images on postmortem CT - Difference between sea water and fresh water. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2016; 19:11-5. [PMID: 26980247 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2016.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Revised: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Experimental drowning models were prepared to investigate the time-related course of lung changes using postmortem CT. This study was approved by our institutional animal ethics committee. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen NZW rabbits (female fifteen, 2.6-4.3 (mean 3.3)kg) were divided into 3 groups: fresh water drowning (FRESH), sea water drowning (SEA), and sea water drowning with anterior chest compression (ACC). All individuals were examined by CT (Aquilion CX, Toshiba, Japan) on postmortem time course. The rabbit's head was submerged in a water bath for a total of 10 min. In ACC, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed for 2 min, additionally. The percentage of aerated lung volumes (%ALV=100 (aerated lung volume/total lung volume)) were statistically evaluated and the lung CT image patterns and pleural fluid appearance time were investigated. RESULTS All lungs had decreased their %ALV within 24h, and there were no statistical differences in and among the 3 groups. After 36 h, %ALV tended to increase in all groups, and only ACC presented a statistical difference between 1h and 36 h (p<0.005). On postmortem lung CT, all lungs presented ground-glass opacity with interstitial thickening spread pattern (100%) and no pattern change during the follow-up period. After presenting pleural space fluid collection, the %ALV tended to increase. CONCLUSION There were no differences among FRESH, SEA, and ACC in %ALV within 24h. Only ground-glass opacity could be detected on postmortem lung CT, experimentally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideki Hyodoh
- Dept. Legal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, School of Medicine, Japan.
| | - Ryuji Terashima
- Dept. Legal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Masumi Rokukawa
- Dept. Legal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Junya Shimizu
- Dept. Legal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Shunichiro Okazaki
- Dept. Legal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Keisuke Mizuo
- Dept. Legal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Satoshi Watanabe
- Dept. Legal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, School of Medicine, Japan
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Hyodoh H, Shimizu J, Watanabe S, Okazaki S, Mizuo K, Inoue H. Time-related course of pleural space fluid collection and pulmonary aeration on postmortem computed tomography (PMCT). Leg Med (Tokyo) 2015; 17:221-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2015.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Revised: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Yu S, Na JY, Lee YJ, Kim KT, Park JT, Kim HS. Forensic application of microRNA-706 as a biomarker for drowning pattern identification. Forensic Sci Int 2015; 255:96-101. [PMID: 26117501 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2014] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Forensic research using microRNA has been used so far only for the identification of body fluids, but its use in understanding biological processes in post-mortem pathology has not been studied before. Therefore, we performed experiments in mice to compare between freshwater and saltwater drowning models, and miRNA expression was analyzed in the brain through a forward bioinformatics screening approach. In this study, we identified eight specific microRNAs whose expression increased in freshwater and decreased in saltwater. Among them, miR-706 - targeting HCN1 - was identified as a potent biomarker for the drowning pattern identification. A higher expression of miR-706 was detected in the freshwater drowning compared to the control and saltwater drowning group (p<0.05, and p<0.01, respectively). HCN1 mRNA expression, a suggested candidate target for miR-706, was lower in the freshwater (p<0.01) than in the saltwater drowning group, and showed statistical difference between freshwater and saltwater drowning (p<0.01). miR-706 was specifically expressed in the hippocampal neurons as detected by in situ hybridization. Our data suggest that a specific microRNA may provide clues to understanding some crime scene investigations and pathobiological processes in the dead body.
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Affiliation(s)
- SeonYoung Yu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Forensic Science, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo-Young Na
- Forensic Medicine Division, National Forensic Service, Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Jik Lee
- Research Institute of Forensic Science, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea; Department of Pathology, Saint Carollo Hospital, Sun-Cheon, Chonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Tae Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Tae Park
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Forensic Science, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Seok Kim
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Forensic Science, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
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Kakizaki E, Yukawa N. Simple protocol for extracting diatoms from lung tissues of suspected drowning cases within 3 h: First practical application. Forensic Sci Int 2015; 251:179-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Revised: 12/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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