Death in the bathtub involving children.

Retrospective analysis of 215 deaths in the bathtub (Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Cologne, 1980-1993) revealed 12 fatalities involving children, seven boys and five girls, aged from 9 months to 13 years. The manner and cause of death was seven accidents (five by drowning, two by scalding burns), two natural deaths (epilepsy, heart failure due to Hurler's syndrome), one homicide (stabbing) and two undetermined cases (one probable seizure, one subdural hematoma associated with signs of maltreatment). Seven children < 4 years old died without exception from accidental drowning or scalding.

Homicide in the bathtub.

Retrospective analysis of the deaths investigated in the Institute of Forensic Medicine of the University of Cologne (1980-1993) revealed 215 fatalities in the bathtub comprising 11 homicides. In six cases mouth and nose were found beneath the surface of the water, and signs of drowning were encountered in four cases. In two cases drowning was the cause of death, the remaining fatalities being due to strangulation or sharp violence.

Importance of supravitality in forensic medicine.

Based on physiological investigations on latency period, survival period and resuscitation period under complete temporary ischemia, supravitality can be defined as even longer survival period of tissues (compared to the resuscitation period) after complete irreversible ischemia. Supravitality is mostly defined by functional parameters (sensitivity to excitation). Parameters of supravital metabolism (substrates and metabolites of anaerobic glycolysis) as a basis for supravital reactions (sensitivity to excitation) are discussed.

["Crows' feet wrinkles" in high voltage electric accident--a sign of survival?].

A "crowsfoot-like" pattern is considered as being a sign of vitality in fatalities due to the effects of smoke, fire or high voltage (active or reflex contraction of mimic muscles). Introducing the autopsy results of a high voltage accident (66,600 V) it is discussed, whether this phenomenon and the underlying contraction of the facial muscles could also be caused by electrical current in the agony or supravital period. It seems possible that this mechanism of direct muscle contraction anticipates a nerval indirect stimulation of muscle fibres by innervating motoneurones--active or on the basis of a polysynaptic extraneous reflex.

Individualization of fresh and stored human urine samples by PGM1- and Gc-subtyping.

After 50- to 200-fold concentration by ultrafiltration, 56 fresh urine samples from healthy individuals (26 men, 30 women) and eight samples from corpses were subjected to isoelectrofocusing methods. All the urine samples tested could be correctly typed in both the phosphoglucomatase 1 (PGM1) and Gc system when compared to reference blood samples. The activity of urinary PGM1 revealed intraindividual and interindividual variations.

Pulmonary micromorphology in fatal strangulations.

Pulmonary histopathology was studied in a group of 106 fatal strangulations including cases of hanging (n = 55; typical, n = 20; atypical, n = 35), ligature strangulation (n = 12), throttling (n = 15), combinations of throttling and ligature strangulation (n = 7) and other compressing force against neck (n = 17). The control group (n = 10) consisted of cases of sudden cardiovascular death. The following results were obtained: intra-alveolar edema of different degree and strong hyperemia could be regularly observed in nearly all cases, especially in fatal hanging (apart from the control cases, in this group the highest mean lung weights were observed).

[Starvation due to child neglect. Case report and aspects of expert testimony].

Case report on 2,5 years old monozygotic twins who died of starvation due to negligence. Different gradings of protein-energy-malnutrition are discussed, among them the Waterlow-classification of PEM. The advantage of the Waterlow-classification is that stunting and wasting can be distinguished.

[Possibilities of serologic individual typing of urine].

Human urine is frequently analysed in cases of doping or drug consumption. In this connection the necessity of an adequate urine identification arises. Apart from DNA-polymorphisms it exists a comprehensive repertoire of classic serological methods for this purpose.

Hypoxanthine in vitreous humor and cerebrospinal fluid--a marker of postmortem interval and prolonged (vital) hypoxia? Remarks also on hypoxanthine in SIDS.

Hypoxanthine (Hx) is a degradation product of adenosine. Increased concentrations were reported in cases of hypoxia as well as with prolonged postmortem interval (PMI). Hx is recommended as an indicator of prolonged (cerebral) hypoxia, for example in vitamins of sudden infant death as well as a new biochemical method for estimation of postmortem time.

[Dismemberment with unusual preservation of cadaver parts].

Report on a case of criminal dismembering of a corpse and the effect of vinyl on postmortem changes. Two years after murder a dismembered body, the body parts wrapped into plastic bags, were found buried 30-50 cm deep into loose earth. The whole body as well as the inner organs were very well preserved.

[Drug fatalities with cadaver dumping].

7 cases of "dumping" of the bodies of drug addicts are reported. Circumstances of the case, findings at the scene, autopsy findings and confessions raised already the suspicion that the bodies were not found at the scene of death. In 5 cases the "dumping" of the bodies was outside, in 2 cases inside a house.

Death in a head-down position.

Dying in a head-down position is rare and autopsy may reveal no morphological findings which explain the cause of death sufficiently. Functional changes, mainly postural changes of circulation must be considered to explain the cause of death. Two cases of death are reported where death occurred in a head-down position, among them an autoerotic accident with suspension of a man head-down in a sack.

[Skull injuries caused by blow with glass bottles].

Six cases of blows with glass bottles on the skull are reported. The glass bottles varied in size, weight, shape and filling level. In all cases the bottles broke, but there were no fractures of the skull or injuries of the brain or meninges.

[Medical and legal problems of multiple death certificates].

In cases of unnatural death and unclear manner of death the police has according to section 159 StPO to inform the prosecution. The prosecutor has to decide how the case shall be handled. Independent inquiries or even independent handling of the case by the police are not scheduled.