Biomedical subjects

Ellie Simpson

Publications and source records attributed to Ellie Simpson.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Drowning, haemodilution, haemolysis and staining of the intima of the aortic root-- preliminary observations.

In order to demonstrate that hyponatraemia due to haemodilution occurs within the left ventricle following freshwater drowning, and to determine whether lysed blood resulting from left ventricular haemodilution may cause staining of the aortic intima, the following studies were undertaken. Measurements of left ventricular sodium levels were performed in 74 consecutive coronial cases where death was attributed to drowning, consisting of 44 and 30 deceased who were believed to be victims of freshwater and saltwater drowning, respectively. Left ventricular sodium levels differed significantly between the two groups (p<0.001), with a range of 93-147 mmol/L in freshwater drowning (mean=117+/-14.2 mmol/L) and 123-183 in saltwater drowning (mean=153+/-14.4 mmol/L). In addition, the mean sodium level of 117 mmol/L in freshwater drowning was significantly lower than the standard range of 137-145 mmol/L. In a second study, portions of aorta and pulmonary trunk from a euthanised pig were soaked in lysed blood resulting in marked haemolytic staining of the intima of both vessels after 20 min. Water and a mixture of blood and water were then injected into the left ventricles in two further pig carcasses, respectively, resulting in haemolytic staining of the intima of the aortic roots, with no staining of the pulmonary trunks. These studies have confirmed that significant hyponatraemia secondary to haemodilution may occur within the left ventricle in freshwater drowning, and that haemolysed blood is capable of causing staining of the aortic root in an animal model. These results provide further data to support haemolytic staining of the aortic root intima as a possible manifestation of freshwater drowning.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Temporal trends over the past two decades in asphyxial deaths in South Australia involving plastic bags or wrapping.

Asphyxial deaths utilising plastic bags or wrappings occurring over a 20-year period from March 1984 to February 2004 were reviewed at Forensic Science SA, Australia. A total of 45 cases were identified, with three occurring in infants and children (one accidental asphyxia; two homicides). Of the remaining 42 adults the male to female ratio was approximately 1:1 (23 and 19 cases, respectively), with all deaths attributed to suicide. The 42 adult cases represented 1.2% of the 3569 suicides autopsied at the centre over the time period of the study. The age ranges of the adult victims were 19-88 years (mean=47.1 years) for the males, and 32-89 years (mean=60.5 years) for the females. The adult female victims were significantly older than the males (p<0.001). A number of victims had histories of depression and had taken prescription medications. A significant difference was found in the temporal occurrence of the adult deaths, with six cases occurring between 1984 and 1989, nine between 1989 and 1994, 11 between 1994 and 1999, and 16 between 1999 and 2004 (p<0.001). Plastic bag asphyxial deaths were rare and in adults were due to suicide involving either older females or younger males. A significant increase in cases in South Australia in recent years was demonstrated, possibly related to publicity surrounding assisted suicides, and the ready availability of suicide manuals and information on suicide techniques from the internet.

Accidents↗

PubMed2006

Fatal electrocution in adults--a 30-year study.

A retrospective study was undertaken of all cases of death in adults (>16 years) due to electrocution which were autopsied at Forensic Science SA, Adelaide, Australia, over a 30-year period from 1973 to 2002. A total of 96 cases were identified with 87 males (91%) (mean age=41.6 years; range 17 to 86 years) and nine females (9%) (mean age=49.2 years; range 20 to 76 years). Deaths were due to accidents in 66 cases (69%; M:F = 63:3), suicides in 28 cases (29%; M:F=24:4) and homicides in two cases (2%). Both homicide victims were females, with females accounting for only 5% of the accidents and 14% of suicides. The number of accidental deaths increased until the early 1990s and then declined, whereas suicidal electrocutions were only found in the last 20 years of the study. Most deaths (N = 80; 83%) were due to low voltage circuits (<1000 volts), with deaths due to high voltages occurring in 15 cases (16%). One death was due to lightning (1%). While suicides were evenly distributed throughout the year, most accidental deaths occurred in late spring and summer (N = 42; 64%) with the lowest number of accidental deaths occurring in winter and early spring. This report demonstrates a significantly higher rate of electrocution deaths among males, with a summer predominance of accidental deaths, most likely due to increased outdoor activities in better weather. The reduction in cases over the last decade of the study may be a reflection of the success of workplace and domestic safety campaigns. Female electrocution suicides and electrocution homicides were rare events.

Accidents↗

PubMed2005

The pathological features and circumstances of death of lethal crush/traumatic asphyxia in adults--a 25-year study.

A 25-year retrospective study of cases of crush/traumatic asphyxia autopsied at Forensic Science SA, Adelaide, Australia from 1980 to 2004 was undertaken. A total of 79 cases of crush asphyxia was found consisting of 63 males (80%) and 16 females (20%). The age range of the males was 19-86 years (mean=41.8 years) and of the females was 19-75 years (mean=38.6 years). In 18 cases the exact circumstances of death were unclear, leaving 61 cases in which details of the fatal episode were available. Major categories included vehicle crashes (N=37), industrial accidents (N=9), farm accidents (N=6) and entrapment beneath vehicles (N=5). Forty of the 79 victims (51%) had only very minor bruises and abrasions; 28 (35%) had evidence of chest compression with rib and sternal fractures and large areas of soft tissue bruising of the chest; 7 cases (9%) had other significant injuries or findings that had contributed to death. All of these victims had signs of crush asphyxia in the form of intense purple congestion and swelling of the face and neck, and/or petechial hemorrhages of the skin of the face and/or conjunctivae. The pattern of pathological findings of crush asphyxia was not influenced by the presence or absence of concomitant serious or lethal injuries. In 4 cases (5%) where the circumstances of the lethal episode were those of crush asphyxia there were no characteristic pathological findings. This study has shown that a high percentage of crush asphyxias may be caused by vehicle accidents. It has also demonstrated that on occasion fatal crush asphyxia may have to be a diagnosis of exclusion, made only when there are characteristic death scene findings, and no evidence of lethal natural diseases or injuries at autopsy, with negative toxicological screening.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Variation in soft-tissue thicknesses on the human face and their relation to craniometric dimensions.

The average thickness of soft tissues on parts of the face is known, but its variation has not been related to cranial morphology. To investigate this relationship, measurements of facial soft-tissue depths and craniometric dimensions were taken on adult, white Australian cadavers (17 male and 23 female). Significant correlations between many soft-tissue depths and craniometric dimensions were found, suggesting a relationship between the amount of soft tissue present on the face and the size of the underlying bony skeleton. Soft-tissue depths were highly positively correlated with each other; craniometric dimensions were correlated but to a lesser extent. Males had thicker soft tissues and larger craniometric dimensions than females; considerable overlap of ranges was also noted. Multiple regression analysis was used to produce equations predicting the soft-tissue depth at specified areas of the face from craniometric dimensions. A subsample of nine cadavers was examined for the effects of tissue embalming. Embalming caused significant initial increases in facial soft-tissue depths. Cadavers embalmed for less than 6 months had soft-tissue depths significantly greater than for fully embalmed cadavers. The evidence that facial soft-tissue thicknesses vary with craniofacial dimensions has implications for forensic identification, facial aesthetic surgery, and approximation of the facial features of extinct individuals.

Aged↗