Localization of phospholipids in human catecholamine neurons with Baker's acid haematein.

Protein bodies in catecholamine neurons of the normal human brain contain arginine-rich proteins similar to those present in the core of Lewy bodies in Parkinsonian brains. Lewy bodies are known also to contain phospholipids in their core, demonstrable with Baker's acid haematein. We used Baker's procedure on catecholamine neurons of normal brains to test whether the protein bodies also contain phospholipids.

Repeat autopsies on corpses from abroad. A futile effort?

A large number of corpses transferred to Athens and the Piraeus Morgue from abroad have been examined in second autopsies. Lack of information, mistakes in data, useless effort, and disappointment on the part of the forensic pathologists because of the lack of new information revealed are characteristic of these cases. With some exceptions, the second autopsy provided no news for the anxious relatives, who, for the most part, had been prompted by their attorneys or other "well-meaning friends" to demand a second autopsy on the corpses of their loved one (who generally died on board ship abroad).

Medicolegal system in Greece. A combination of clinical and forensic pathology.

At the Annual Meeting of the National Association of Medical Examiners in Chicago, Illinois, in November 1981, Dr. W. Sturner, Chief Medical Examiner of the State of Rhode Island, gave his perspectives as far as clinical forensic medicine and pathology are concerned.