Forensic medicine in South Africa: associations between medical practice and legal case progression and outcomes in female murders

Background

Forensic medicine has been largely by-passed by the tide of health systems research and evidence based medicine. Murder victims form a central part of forensic medical examiners'' case load, and women murdered by intimate partners are an important subgroup, representing the most severe form and consequence of intimate partner violence. Our aim was to describe the epidemiology of female murder in South Africa (by intimate and non-intimate partners); and to describe and compare autopsy findings, forensic medical management of cases and the contribution of these to legal outcomes.

Methods

We did a retrospective national study in a proportionate random sample of 25 medico-legal laboratories to identify all homicides in 1999 of women aged 14 years and over. Data were abstracted from the mortuary file and autopsy report, and collected from a police interview.

Findings

In 21.5% of cases the perpetrator was convicted. Factors associated with a conviction for the female murders included having a history of intimate partner violence 1.18 (95%CI: 0.16–2.20), weapon recovered 1.36 (95% CI:0.58–2.15) and a detective visiting the crime scene 1.57 (95% CI:0.14–3.00). None of the forensic medical activities increased the likelihood of a conviction.

Conclusion

The findings raise important questions about the role of forensic medicine in these cases.     

Forensic importance of jealousy

The aim of the investigation is to define as clearly as possible specific forensic psychiatric characteristics of persons who committed homicide and or attempted due to jealousy (the nature and severity of psychopathology, the level of responsibility, danger for the community, intensity and nature of aggression, the victimologic dimension, the relation of alcohol and jealousy). A retrospective method based on forensic psychiatric expertises in the period 1975-1999 was used. They encompassed 200 examinees that committed murder or attempted it. The results show the connection of psychotic jealousy with the highest degree of danger in diagnostic categories of paranoid psychosis and paranoid schizophrenia. The time span from the first manifestations of jealousy until the actual commitment of a crime is the longest in personality disorders and the shortest in schizophrenia. Exogenous provoking situations were dominant for committing homicide due to jealousy in personality disorders. Acute alcohol intoxication has a specific significance in crime due to jealousy in the same diagnostic category. Clear criteria were designed for forensic psychiatric evaluation of murder and attempts of homicide caused by jealousy, which will be of help in everyday practice in the field forensic work and treatment.     

Forensic fictions: Science,television production,and modern storytelling

This essay uses interviews with television creators, writers, and producers to examine how media practitioners utilise, negotiate and transform forensic science in the production of televisual stories including the creation of unique visuals, character exploration, narrative progression, plot complication, thematic development, and adding a sense of authenticity. Television as a medium has its own structures and conventions, including adherence to a show’s franchise, which put constraints on how stories are told. I demonstrate how television writers find forensic science to be an ideal tool in navigating television’s narrative constraints by using forensics to create conflicts, new obstacles, potential solutions, and final solutions in their stories. I show how television writers utilise forensic science to provide the scientific certainty their characters require to catch the criminal, but also how uncertainty is introduced in a story through the interpretation of the forensics by the show’s characters. I also argue that televisual storytellers maintain a flexible notion of scientific realism based on the notion of possibility that puts them at odds with scientists who take a more demanding conception of scientific accuracy based on the concept of probability.     

DXS6804/DXS9896/GATA144D04基因座在中国汉族群体中的遗传多态性及其法医学应用Genetic

为了调查X染色体上DXS6804、DXS9896和 GATA144D04等3个STR基因座在中国汉族群体的遗传多态性及其法医学应用价值,来用PCR和聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳对X染色体3个STR基因座进行分型,并检验女性基因型频率分布是否符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡,计算法医学常用各种概率。DXS6804、DXS9896和 GATA144D04的非父排除率分别为0.5990、0.6220、0.4280,表明3个STR基因座在中国汉族群体均具有遗传多态性,χ2检验表明女性的基因型频率分布符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡。X染色体上的基因座DXS6804、DXS9896和 GATA144D04在中国汉族群体中具有较高的遗传多态性,可应用于法医学检验和群体遗传学分析。 Abstract： To investigate the genetic polymorphisms of three short tandem repeats loci of chromosome X in Chinese Han population in Chengdu area and its use in forensic science. Three X-chromosome linked short tandom repeat loci were analyzed by PCR followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was tested and forensic interested value was calculated .The power of exlcution of DXS6804、DXS9896和 GATA144D04 is 0.5990、0.6220、0.4280,respectively. The result showed that all the three STR loci were polymorphic among 100 unrelated females and 120 unrelated males from Chinese Han population. χ2 tests demonstrated that genotype frequencies in females did not depart from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Three X-chromosome linked short tandem repeat loci have high polymorphism, they can be applied to forensic medicine and population genetics.     

Potential significance of medicinal plants in forensic analysis: A review

Medicinal plants are a two-edged sword that might be exploited as a treatment specific dosage, and as deadly poisonous substances to commit murder or suicide when administered in high doses. Forensic experts can collect traces and residual materials from these toxic medicinal plants at a crime scene as forensic evidence. Further, more investigations need to be deeply implemented to in the future to understand the significance of medicinal plants in forensic investigations to detect these criminal offenses. Additionally, to provides a deep understanding of chemical substances that can impact human life positively or negatively with different doses as well as identifying the optimal or overdose concentrations for either treatments or poisonous effects using recent biotechnological approaches. This review aims to illustrate different contributions and the significance of medicinal plants in the field and further employment in the context of forensic science, especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.     

The comparison of forensic-psychiatric traits between female and male perpetrators of murder or attempted murder

The aim of this investigation was to define more clearly specific forensic-psychiatric characteristics of female murder or attempted murder perpetrators. The retrospective method applied was based on the comparison of the data from forensic-psychiatric assessments carried out in the Center for Forensic Psychiatry, Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, Zagreb, from 1983 to 1997 (including 70 female and 70 male subjects--who committed murder or attempted murder). Compared with men, female offenders were most often in some way emotionally related to their victims, and they were more often victimized themselves before committing the crime. In men alcoholism was a more significant circumstantial factor in the assessment of their accountability. Psychiatric security measures were more often given to male offenders. The intensity of aggression was lower in females than in males. This investigation reveals that there are some sex specific forensic-psychiatric traits of murder or attempted murder perpetrators. The obtained results could be of help in everyday forensic-psychiatric practice, both in assessments and treatment.     

RP-HPLC内标法测定5种中草药的齐墩果酸含量

建立了反相高效液相色谱-内标法测定了齐墩果酸的含量。以苯甲酸为内标物,C18反相柱（250mm×4.6mmi.d.,5μm）为分析柱,甲醇-水-冰醋酸（95：5：0.1）为流动相,流速1.0mL/min;检测波长210nm,柱温35℃。齐墩果酸浓度10.0～500mg/L范围内,对照品与苯甲酸的色谱峰面积比呈良好的线性关系。该方法准确、快速、灵敏度高、重现性好。     

Paternity testing and forensic DNA typing by multiplex STR analysis using ABI PRISM 310 Genetic Analyzer

Short tandem repeats (STRs) are widespread throughout the human genome and are a rich source of highly polymorphic markers which can be detected by PCR. To gain a better appreciation for how the polymorphism at a particular locus impacts the individual identity, the present study was undertaken to explore the use of 15 STR loci in forensic investigation and paternity testing. Multiplex STR typing was used to study the 15 STR loci (D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818 and FGA) in addition to a gender identification marker, amelogenin, by capillary electrophoresis on 310 Genetic Analyzer. Samples from 85 trio and duo cases of disputed paternity were investigated. The data were analyzed to give information on paternity index, probability of paternity, frequency of number of exclusions and rate of mismatch at each STR locus. The method was also successfully applied to forensic personal identification in theft and murder cases. The results demonstrated that the STR typing is a reliable and robust tool for analyzing the forensic practice as well as for paternity testing. The advantages of using multiplex STR analysis over other conventional methods are discussed.     

性染色体微卫星标记在亲缘鉴定中的应用

性染色体短串联重复序列(short tandem repeat,STR),又称微卫星DNA(micro satellite DNA)作为一种特殊的遗传标记在法医学个体识别及亲缘鉴定中发挥着重要的作用。该文对亲子鉴定概念、原理和方法等基础知识以及性染色体STR的研究历史、特点以及局限性等进行综述,为性染色体STR在法医学、遗传学等方面的推广应用提供参考。     

Forensic Medicine: An Aid to Criminal Investigation

Forensic medicine is medicine as applied to the problems of the law. The origins of both are hidden in the mists of antiquity, dating from the beginnings of family and tribal life. Recorded human history goes back for 6000 years. Sumeria, Babylon and Egypt all contributed to the development of forensic medicine. Imhotep was probably the first real medicolegal expert. Hippocrates, the Greek physician, and Galen, the Roman, made considerable contributions. Little advance was made during the millenium of the Dark Ages. But Renaissance medicine gave this branch of medicine an impetus in the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and in the twentieth, interest in forensic medicine is worldwide. The physician, the coroner, the pathologist, the medical specialist and the forensic laboratory contribute to the investigation of crimes against the person, and to the solution of such problems as identification, untoward deaths, apparent drowning and many others.     

道路交通事故所致骨折特点、致伤机制及其与交通方式关系的研究

研究道路交通事故所致骨折的流行病学特点、骨折的特征及致伤机制;探讨交通方式与骨折的关系及其法医学意义,为预防、控制道路交通事故、交通伤骨折的急救及法医学的鉴定提供重要的依据.本文对2004年昆明市道路交通事故所致骨折518例临床法医鉴定及199例法医病理检验鉴定资料进行系统性分析研究.2005年及2006年.全国与云南省的交通事故数量下降趋势明显.交通事故所致骨折有以下特点:(1)多处、多发性骨折常见;(2)骨折部位呈"离心性分布";(3)暴力传导性骨折明显;(4)骨折刨伤严重,粉碎性及开放性骨折多见,多数需手术治疗;(5)下肢骨折常见,胫腓骨是下肢骨折最常见的部位;(6)四肢多发骨折常发生同侧肢体,摩托车、电动车、自行车驾驶员及乘员和行人发生四肢骨折时以同侧肢体多见,机动车驾驶员及机动车乘员以异侧肢体多见.骨折损伤方式以碰撞为主,其次是摔跌.     

运用多重PCR-直接测序法检测ABO基因型及其遗传多态性

根据ABO基因座第6和7外显子9个SNP位点设计引物, 复合扩增后直接测序, 根据测序结果判定不同物证检材ABO基因型及其在藏族群体中的多态性分布。成功地检测出经过不同方法处理的血痕、毛发、口腔拭子、骨骼、混合斑等101例腐败、降解及微量检材的ABO基因型, 结果与免疫血清学分型一致, 且该方法具有灵敏度高、特异性好、操作简单、结果准确、客观及能够发现新等位基因等优点。对80名青海藏族无关个体的调查表明, ABO基因型分布符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡, 杂合度H为0.675, 多态信息含量PIC为0.672, 个人识别力DP值为0.874, 非父排除率PE值为0.391, 偶合度I为0.126; 青海藏族ABO等位基因频率O>B>A, 且O等位基因频率高达0.6125。多重PCR-直接测序法检测ABO基因型适用于法医学不同来源的样本, 提高了ABO血型系统的个体识别能力; ABO基因型在青海藏族人群中的分布具有较高多态性, 可用于法医学个体识别及群体遗传学研究。     

X染色体STR基因座的法医学研究进展

对X染色体的结构特征、遗传特征等相关基础知识及其短串联重复序列(STR)基因座在法医学领域的研究历史、现状, 复合扩增的研究动态和应用等方面进行了综述。同时收集了国内外X染色体STR 基因座在法医DNA工作者实践中的研究和应用资料, 分析了X染色体STR基因座在法医学应用中的利弊, 以促进X染色体STR基因座在法医学实践中的应用。     

Efficient DNA Extraction from Nail Clippings Using the Protease Solution from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis melo</Emphasis>

Owing to the increasing importance of genomic information, obtaining genomic DNA easily from biological specimens has become more and more important. This article proposes an efficient method for obtaining genomic DNA from nail clippings. Nail clippings can be easily obtained, are thermostable and easy to transport, and have low infectivity. The drawback of their use, however, has been the difficulty of extracting genomic material from them. We have overcome this obstacle using the protease solution obtained from Cucumis melo. The keratinolytic activity of the protease solution was 1.78-fold higher than that of proteinase K, which is commonly used to degrade keratin. With the protease solution, three times more DNA was extracted than when proteinase K was used. In order to verify the integrity of the extracted DNA, genotype analysis on 170 subjects was performed by both PCR–RFLP and Real Time PCR. The results of the genotyping showed that the extracted DNA was suitable for genotyping analysis. In conclusion, we have developed an efficient extraction method for using nail clippings as a genome source and a research tool in molecular epidemiology, medical diagnostics, and forensic science.     

Labs and slabs: Television crime drama and the quest for forensic realism

This essay examines how crime dramas produced during, and since, the 1990s became marked by the quest for ‘forensic realism’. In particular, the essay traces a landmark shift in the development of forensic realism in the form of the ground-breaking British police drama Prime Suspect in 1991. It is argued that this television series not only represents a turning point in television history, but that it also constitutes a key text in the broader cultural turn towards forensic fascination. Prime Suspect vividly revealed and displayed corpses, crime scenes and post-mortem photos in an unprecedented fashion for television. This essay shows how in the process it established new standards and expectations regarding the aesthetics and thematic content of the perceived ‘realism’ of the crime genre. Through an analysis of the reception and impact of Prime Suspect the essay also demonstrates how crime drama’s increasing fascination with forensic realism has driven debate over just what kinds of stories and images constitute acceptable or appropriate subject matter for popular entertainment, and for the medium of television itself.     

中国东乡族9个STR基因座遗传多态性研究

选择9个STR基因座,采用四色荧光标记STR基因扫描技术,对中国甘肃省特有民族——东乡族的群体遗传多态性进行研究。同时检测94个无关个体血液样本,共检出72种等位基因,基因频率的分布在0.0053~0.5825之间;检出182种基因型,基因型频率分布在0.0106~0.2660之间;9个STR位点基因型分布均符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡定律（P＞0.05）。9个STR位点多态信息量（polymorphism information content,PIC）均大于0.6378,杂合度(heterozygosity,H) 均大于0.6500,个体识别力(discrimination power,DP)均大于0.8216,非父排除率(probabilities of paternity exclusion,PPE) 均大于 0.4903。种族比较结果显示,甘肃东乡族与白种人及黑种人在绝大多数位点存在显著差异（P＜0.05）,而9个STR位点与汉族群体的遗传差异均不显著（P＞0.05）。研究结果丰富了中华民族基因数据库,在人类群体遗传学及法医学研究领域有重要应用价值。 Abstract:Genetic distribution for nine STR loci was determined in a Chinese Dongxing ethnic group based on STR genescan marked by fluorescence.Seventy-Two alleles and 182 genotypes were observed in 94 unrelated Chinese Dongxiang individuals,with the corresponding gene frequency and genotype frequency being 0.0053~0.5825 and 0.0106~0.2660 respectively.The genotypes of nine STR loci were in accordance with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P＞0.05).The statistical analysis of nine STR loci showed PIC( polymorphism information content,PIC)≥0.6378,H(heterozygosity,H) ≥0.6500,DP (discrimination power,DP) ≥0.8216,PPE(probabilities of paternity exculation,PPE) ≥0.4903.The result indicated that there was a significant difference between Dongxiang ethnic group and the white and the black.There was no significant difference in Han nationality.These result filled the Dongxiang ethnic group-a specific group of Chinese into the genetic database and played an important role in Chinese population genetic study and forensic medicine application.     

Teaching cell biology to nonscience majors through forensics, or how to design a killer course

Nonscience majors often do not respond to traditional lecture-only biology courses. However, these students still need exposure to basic biological concepts. To accomplish this goal, forensic science was paired with compatible cell biology subjects. Several topics such as human development and molecular biology were found to fulfill this purpose. Another goal was to maximize the hands-on experience of the nonscience major students. This objective was fulfilled by specific activities such as fingerprinting and DNA typing. One particularly effective teaching tool was a mock murder mystery complete with a Grand Jury trial. Another objective was to improve students' attitudes toward science. This was successful in that students felt more confident in their own scientific abilities after taking the course. In pre/post tests, students answered four questions about their ability to conduct science. All four statements showed a positive shift after the course (p values ranging from.001 to.036, df = 23; n = 24). The emphasis on experiential pedagogy was also shown to increase critical thinking skills. In pre/post testing, students in this course significantly increased their performance on critical thinking assessment tests from 33.3% correct to 45.3% (p =.008, df = 4; n = 24).     

用中国汉族男性髓骨推断身高的研究

本文研究了以中国汉族男性航骨推断身高的方法．研究样本来自公安部第二研究所法医室近年收集的２４８对已知确切身高的汉族成年男性完整干燥防骨．依据人体测量学方法,共测量了１２项指标．相关分析表明,所测指标与身高的相关系数的统计学检验均有非常显著的意义．进而建立了航骨推断身高的直线回归方程及多元回归方程．并用３０对国人脱骨对各方程进行了盲测．结果表明,助骨推算身高的直线回归方程与多元日归方程所得结果与实际身高相近．效果较好．并且田骨推算身高的一元回归方程与多元回归方程的实用价值基本相同．     

单核苷酸多态性检测技术在法医学中的应用进展

单核苷酸多态性是新一代的法医学检测标记,本文结合市面上常见的商品化试剂盒,对单核苷酸多态性的检测原理、试剂选择及具体操作等进行了综述.并在此基础上提出了它们在法医学应用中需要注意的问题.     

Building the Infrastructure, Modeling the Nation: The Case of Birth in Palestine

This article explores the intersection between the professional politics of medicine and national politics during the second Palestinian uprising, which erupted in 2000. Through an analysis of stories about childbirth from actors in the birth process--obstetricians, midwives and birth mothers--it examines two overlapping movements that contributed to building the public health infrastructure, the movement of sumud or steadfastness (1967-87) and the popular health movement (1978-94), as well as their contemporary afterlife. Finally, it deals with relations between medicine and governance through an analysis of the interpenetration of medical and political authority. The birth stories bring to light two contrasting visions of a nation in the context of restrictions on mobility and a ground chopped up by checkpoints. The quasi-postcolonial condition of Palestine as popular construct, institutional protostate organism, and the lived experience of its experts and of its gendered subjects underlie the ethnographic accounts.