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Biomedical subjects

C Schyma

Publications and source records attributed to C Schyma.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Gunshot wounds--homicide, suicide or accident?].

Gunshot residues on the hand are an important evidence of shooting. Different methods for sampling gunshot residues from the hands are presented and critically analyzed. The topographic methods-adhesive film and polyvinyl alcohol technique (PVAL)-have serious advantages over the cumulative methods like tape-lift or cotton swab. Case examples demonstrate the limited interpretation of results with cumulative methods. Negative results of tape-lifts or cotton swabs can also be explained by the presence of blood or dirt, positive results however don't prove shooting. The sampling method with the highest gain of gunshot residues is the PVAL technique which takes about 2 hours of sampling traces. Therefore PVAL is mostly applied post mortem. PVAL shows the distribution of gunshot residues also on bloody hands and is a powerful instrument for the reconstruction of the firing position. But the final differentiation between homicide, suicide or accident is not only based on gunshot residues, but requires a complex analysis of all findings in a case (scene, blood traces, autopsy, shot range).

Accidents↗
PubMed1997

Traces of ricocheted action safety bullets.

Experimental gunshots were made with Action-1 and -3 ammunition (9 mm Luger) using a part dummy made of textile, pig skin, and gelatine as the target. After ricocheting off a concrete floor tile with impact angles of 15 degrees or 20 degrees, the deformed projectiles penetrated the gelatine block to a depth of between 21 and 37 cm. The ricochet angles varied between 5 degrees and 11 degrees. None of the bullets mushroomed after ricochet; a few bullets even overpenetrated. The ricocheted projectiles sprayed a substantial amount of copper particles onto the textile, and metallic fragments were also deposited along the bullet path. These traces were detected by high-resolution radiography. The Action-3 brass bullet was more resistant, had more kinetic energy, and was less deformed than the Action-1 copper bullet. The morphology of the wounds presented a very varied spectrum; round lesions were also observed. The results of the experimental study prove that ricocheted Action bullets present a serious risk of injury.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The MEN frangible: study of a new bullet in gelatin. Metallwerk Elisenhütte Nassau.

Experimental gunshots were made with 9 x 19 mm (9-mm Luger) Frangible ammunition using skin, gelatin, and bones as targets. Direct gunshots penetrated 50 cm into gelatin blocks without mushrooming or fragmentation. Skull bone was easily perforated. Head models were penetrated by the bullets, which broke down to myriad fragments within or outside the head. Gunshots through windshields and steel plates led to dangerous bullet fragmentation with a high risk of injury. Gunshots perforating tibias produced comminuted fractures. In all soft tissues, except the direct gunshots into gelatin, high-resolution radiography revealed many metallic fragments along the bullet path. Clinical radiography can show the larger copper fragments, but the explosion-like distribution of metallic foreign bodies in soft tissue is a serious surgical problem.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Radiological findings in gunshot wounds caused by hunting ammunition. An experimental study.

Experimental gunshots were made with hunting ammunition using a dummy model made of skin and foam rubber as the target. After penetration of intermediate targets of wood by the bullets, the characteristics of the wounds changed and their dimensions increased. The morphology of the wounds presented a very varied spectrum. When the gunshots had initially passed through wood 50 mm thick, radiographs of the skin showed a quantity of metallic residues between 10 microns and 1 mm. The metallic particles were wiped off the surface of the projectile by the target itself, whereby the best "wipe-off effect" was achieved with skin. The experimental findings suggest that the formation of the fine metallic residues is analogous to the development of the bullet wipe formed by lead bullets. Larger fragments flew into the target independently of the bullet and depending on the distance between the intermediate and final targets. A case example is documented.

Forensic Medicine↗
PubMed1996

[Reliability of back-calculation of blood alcohol concentration to the time of infraction].

In order to be able to give an accurate legal judgement of a drink driving offense, the BAC at the time of the offense has to be determined. The calculation which may be necessary is based on the time of blood sampling and on the time of the offense. The authors examined records of 854 blood samples taken in the years 1979 and 1989 with regards to the times recorded. Blood sampling recorded on the hour or on the half hour could be found four times more frequently than would have been statistically expected. Blood sampling recorded to the nearest five or ten minutes were documented three times as often as those ending on the exact minute. Times of the offense were recorded at least ten times as often to the nearest five minutes. The rounding up of times could cause discrepancies of more than 0.01% when calculating the BAC at the time of offense.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1995

[Time course of breath and blood alcohol concentration in disorders of lung function].

In order to examine the course of breath and blood alcohol concentration under the influence of disorders of pulmonary functions, tests were carried out on eight of each of the following groups: people without lung diseases, people with restrictive or obstructive lung diseases and people with lung over-flatulence. The oral ethanol intake consisted of 0.5 g/kg body weight in half an hour. The development of breath and blood alcohol concentration was determined by measurements over a period of three hours. During the absorption phase the breath alcohol concentration is greater than the blood alcohol concentration. This situation is reversed during the elimination phase. During the period of inflow, there is a higher alcohol concentration in the pulmonary circulation than in the peripheral-venous blood system. This is due to the distribution of ethanol. During the elimination phase the situation is reversed as the breakdown of alcohol occurs in the liver and this blood flows into the pulmonary system first. Within the framework of the given research conditions our examination results showed that there is no significant difference between directly and indirectly established blood alcohol concentration with regards to pulmonary disorders. By indirectly achieved measurements we mean measurements through breath alcohol. Given the relatively small number of test persons in our examinations further studies of the influence of pulmonary disorders seem necessary. These experiments would have to be carried out with a greater number of people or, alternatively with a higher alcohol intake in order not to overlook any possible, slight divergence from the rule.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Alcohol and traffic safety--study of epidemiology (II. 1990/1991 status].

With the co-operation of a further 13 institutes and as a continuation of our own epidemiological-statistical survey, we recorded the total and relative distribution (frequency profile) of the blood alcohol concentration of car drivers for the 3rd quarter 1990 and the 1st quarter 1991. The participating institutes recorded almost 27,000 blood samples and compared them with results of the first part of the study (1989). The survey dealt separately with sex-, age- and time of day-distribution of drivers involved and not involved in road accidents. One of our repeatedly presented field research into the problem of "alcohol and road safety", once again, provided to be a useful method in the run-up to the unprejudiced alcohol test which we are striving for. We noticed characteristic changes in the frequency profiles of the old and the new counties (Bundesländer) in Germany in the 1st (1989) and the 2nd (1990/91) report of the study. The results of Police supervisory operations in the administrative district of Cologne have basically given useful indications as to their epidemiological-statistical value as evidence.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1992

[Fatal pleasure trip--the "covered wagon catastrophe"].

17 rentiers from Hamburg took part in a trip with a covered wagon in the Siegerland. In a rugged field-path a screw in the bottom of the wagon, which was deficiently reconstructed, got loose. One of the benches tipped down so that the passengers who sat there fell backwards on the path and were covered by the rack, the lattice and the tilt. 6 persons in the age from 76 to 85 years died in the scene of accident. 3 others sustained contusions. The autopsy of the victims showed no signs of external violence, especially fractures of bones and no internal injuries. There were only found asphyctic petechial bleedings in the conjunctiva, partly in the mucous membrane of the mouth, in the facial region and the body. The internal findings corresponded to the age. The cause of death was an external, mechanical hindering of respiration because of the chest compression by the heavy wreckage.

Accidents↗
PubMed1992

[Alcohol and safety in street traffic--investigations in epidemiology and the approximation of traffic laws in Europe].

After an introductory presentation of the problem-complex, "Alcohol and Road Traffic Safety", and the past history of a danger-limiting value of 0.5%, the paper gives an extensive overview of the meaning, the development and the possibilities of an epidemiology (with statistics) of alcohol delinquency in road traffic. The various measures employed in different European countries for the combatting and punishment of "Alcohol in Road Traffic" as a cause of accidents will be thoroughly considered, and the necessary steps to be taken in the area of legislation, intensity of prosecution and penal sanctions will be pointed out. Our own epidemiological-statistical investigations with the cooperation of 28 further European institutes record the total distribution and the relative distribution of the blood alcohol concentration of listed road users and those listed who had been drinking, for the 2nd halve of 1989, in the institutes, governments and governmental groups taking part in the study. Thereby result characteristic frequency profiles with an assured tendency, and relative estimated numbers of unknown cases (beneath a BAC of 1%) as definite evidence of differing limiting value- and traffic surveillance-efficiency in various regions of Europe. The final conclusion will be drawn that the height of the limiting value alone is not able to make decisive contribution to an improvement in road traffic safety if the highly variable relativity of limiting value-efficiency is not considered at the same time, and complex, closely connected accompanying measures as an adjunct to legislation and the administration of justice are not carried out. Recommendations will be formulated concerning this matter. Further epidemiological-statistical analyses of the problem "Alcohol and Road Traffic Safety" are being prepared in cooperation with 16 European institutes and will be put together in a 2nd part of this multicenter study for T 92 (The 12th Conference of the International Committee on Alcohol, Drugs and Road-Safety in Cologne, 28. September-2. October 1992).

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[How dangerous are "mouse trap projectile traps"?].

The authors research by experiments to define the potency of wounding of a special mouse trap which belongs to the spring-guns. Besides the regular assigned 9 mm blank cartridge also the 9 x 17 mm "green" cattle stunning cartridge is tested. Shots were made on soap, cotton and skin on different conditions. As result the authors found that by close range shots (up to 1 cm) by the blank cartridge badly healing wounds are caused. The 600 Joule cattle stunning cartridge is able to mutilate the hand by contact shots.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Video documentation in forensic practice].

The authors report in part 1 about their experiences with the Canon Ex1 Hi camcorder and the possibilities of documentation with the modern video technique. Application examples in legal medicine and criminalistics are described autopsy, scene, reconstruction of crimes etc. The online video documentation of microscopic sessions makes the discussion of findings easier. The use of video films for instruction produces a good resonance. The use of the video documentation can be extended by digitizing (Part 2). Two frame grabbers are presented, with which we obtained good results in digitizing of images captured from video. The best quality of images is achieved by online use of an image analysis chain. Corel 5.0 and PicEd Cora 4.0 allow complete image processings and analysis. The digital image processing influences the objectivity of the documentation. The applicabilities of image libraries are discussed.

Equipment Design↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Experiences with the polyvinyl alcohol method in forensic medicine practice].

The author reports about his experiences with the polyvinylalcohol (PVAL) method for sampling gunshot residues from the hands of suicides. Traces of blood are no obstacle for the PVAL-method. It is even possible to save gunshot residues with PVAL after sampling with cottonswabs or tape-lifts. High resolution radiography is proposed for the evaluation in addition to the chemographic analysis as a second independent method.

Autopsy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Gunshot into the eye].

A 55-year-old man was found dead sitting at his work-bench. A pistol Parabellum 1908 (9 mm Luger) was disassembled on the work-table. A pack of 9 mm Luger full metal jacket ammunition was opened. The left side of his glasses and the left eye were injured. The autopsy proved the death from air embolism. Radiography of the head revealed metallic fragments along the bullet path. The bullet had lost the jacket and the core was fragmented. Gunshot residues on the hands of the deceased and on the left side of the face indicated that the lethal injury was self inflicted. The function of the pistol "08" explicated that a shot could be fired from the isolated barrel which formed a unit with the bolt. The bullet showed traces of manipulation. In the house there were found other self-made dumdum-bullets. Death could be explained as an accident while cleaning the pistol.

Accidents, Home↗