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Biomedical subjects

G N Rutty

Publications and source records attributed to G N Rutty.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

The role of computed tomography in terminal ballistic analysis.

Terminal ballistics concerns the science of projectile behaviour within a target and includes wound ballistics that considers what happens when a projectile strikes a living being. A number of soft tissue ballistic simulants have been used to assess the damage to tissue caused by projectiles. Standard assessment of these materials, such as ballistic soap or ordnance gelatine, requires the block to be opened or that a mould to be made to visualize the wound track. This is time consuming and may affect the accuracy of the findings especially if the block dries and alters shape during the process. Therefore, accurate numerical analysis of the permanent or temporary cavity is limited. Computed tomography (CT) potentially offers a quicker non-invasive analysis tool for this task. Four commercially purchased ballistic glycerine soap blocks were used. Each had a single firearm discharged into it from a distance of approximately 15 cm using both gunshot and shotgun projectiles. After discharge, each block was imaged by a modern 16 slice multi-detector CT scanner and analysed using 3-D reconstruction software. Using the anterior-posterior and lateral scout views and the multi-plane reconstructed images, it was possible to visualize the temporary cavity, as well as the fragmentation and dispersal pattern of the projectiles, the distance travelled and angle of dispersal within the block of each projectile or fragment. A virtual cast of the temporary cavity can be also be made. Multi-detector CT with 3-D analysis software is shown to create a reliable permanent record of the projectile path allowing rapid analysis of different firearms and projectiles.

Forensic Ballistics↗
PubMed2006

Cutting crime: the analysis of the "uniqueness" of saw marks on bone.

Witness marks produced on bone by the use of saws have traditionally been examined using stereomicroscopy. The marks are typically found on the kerf wall or floor and give important information about the implement that made them. This paper describes a new approach to the analysis of witness marks left on kerf walls and floors from crimes involving dismemberment. Previously, two types of marks have been identified: deep furrows formed during the pull stroke and fine striations formed on the push stroke. These types of striation allow the class of saw to be identified, but not an individual saw. With the advent of environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), insulating materials can now be examined without the need for conductive coatings to be applied. This allows materials to be examined at higher magnifications than those available with stereomicroscopy. Here we report on a new, third type of striation that is visible at higher magnifications on ESEM images. These striations are formed from the imperfections on the cutting teeth of saws and give real possibilities of uniquely identifying whether or not a particular saw was used to cause the mark. In blind trials conducted on sawing of nylon 6.6, different individual saws could be successfully identified even if different people used the saw. We discuss ways in which these results can be extended to bone and how this may assist in the investigation of the act of dismemberment.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Can post-mortem blood be used for DNA profiling after peri-mortem blood transfusion?

The question of whether blood transfusions can affect DNA profiling is still a contentious issue throughout the forensic community. It is hypothesised that donor leucocytes present in the administered blood will be detected upon examination of recipient blood. In order to resolve this issue, a selection of theoretical experiments were carried out to determine how much donor DNA must be present for its detection in blood components. Five casework examples of material collected from individuals after massive transfusion, including a case of whole organ transplantation, were also investigated. The results indicated that filtration processes used during blood production do not allow the passage of enough donor leucocytes for detection using current forensic profiling techniques. No evidence of secondary profile alleles were found in any case, indicating that peri-mortem blood transfusion does not affect DNA profiling.

Autopsy↗
PubMed2005

Could earprint identification be computerised? An illustrated proof of concept paper.

To date, the ear remains an under-utilised part of the human body for use in forensic practice. Although the ear has been used since the nineteenth century as part of the process of human identification, in this particular function its use, to date, remains low and in the case of earprints, controversial. A limited number of publications exist related to methods used for the purpose of ear image identification and the growing field of ear biometrics but to date, a computerised system for earprint identification does not exist. This paper illustrates the concept of a computerised earprint identification system. To assist those considering similar developments we share the concept problems and possible solutions we have identified and encountered to date, and highlight the advantages for such a system over traditional manual methods used for earprint identification.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Epidural haemorrhage of the cervical spinal cord: a post-mortem artefact?

Spinal epidural haemorrhage is a rare entity that occurs uncommonly in adults and rarely in children. It has a typical clinical presentation, although to date, the cause for the majority of cases remains unknown. We present a series of cases where epidural haemorrhage was identified at post-mortem, principly to the cervical cord, in cases outside the age range usually reported for clinical epidural haemorrhage, and with no underlying pathology to account for the finding. We present a hypothesis for a post-mortem cause for this finding and consider that, in the absence of any other identifiable causation, then this is a post-mortem occurrence similar to that of the Prinsloo-Gordon artefact of the soft tissues of the neck. This finding must be interpreted with care so as not to make the mistaken diagnosis of a nonaccidental head injury based on its finding, especially in the absence of intracranial, cranial nerve, optic nerve or eye pathologies.

Artifacts↗
PubMed2004

Forensic web watch--forensic nursing.

At times the boundaries between medicine and other allied health care professions becomes blurred such that roles historically undertaken by doctors are today undertaken by others often, in fact, more suited to the role. At the time of conception and implementation this exchange of duties may not be accepted by those trapped within the traditions of the hierarchy of medicine which often leads to conflict between the two groups who initially have to work side by side. A good example of the exchange of duties and the differences of forensic practice throughout the world is that of the role of the nurse in death and forensic investigation. This web watch will draw attention to sites dedicated to forensic nursing and highlight the roles which have been taken on by nurses, predominately within the United States, which have traditionally been viewed as the arena of the doctor.

Forensic Medicine↗
PubMed2004

9649 forensic web watch--DNA in forensic science.

In 1923, within the Manual of Police technique, Edmond Locard published what is commonly known as the Doctrine of Exchange; a series of rules related to the exchange of trace evidence between the victim and offender. Although at the time of publication these rules principally applied to trace evidence related to print (for exchange finger print or shoeprint), fibre and blood, today one can add the very substance that defines each human being -- DNA. Since th first use of DNA evidence to help identify an offender in the Pitchfork Murders of 1986, the use of DNA within forensic science has developed from its humble days within a single experimental laboratory at the University of Leicester to a multi-million pound industry. It thus seams fitting that this forensic web watch should originate from the very University where the use of DNA in forensic science was conceived, drawing the readers attention to a number of sites which can be used as an introduction to the concept of the use of DNA in forensic science today.

DNA Fingerprinting↗
PubMed2004

Videos have a role in postgraduate necropsy education.

AIMS: This is the first study to investigate the usefulness of structured, scripted videos as an adjunct to the mortuary based training of histopathology trainees in necropsy techniques. METHODS: Four structured and scripted videos describing aspects of necropsy health and safety, evisceration, general dissection techniques, specialist dissection techniques, and reconstruction were shown to histopathology trainees attending the 2001 University of Sheffield short course on the autopsy. Delegates who agreed to participate in the study were asked to complete a short questionnaire seeking Likert-type and free text responses concerning the usefulness of the videos in postgraduate necropsy training. Free text responses were analysed using a themed content analysis. RESULTS: All 38 delegates who viewed the videos agreed to participate in the study. Of these, 35 found the videos enjoyable and 34 found them interesting. Thirty one felt the videos enhanced their learning experience. Advantages of the videos included the ability to learn about specialist techniques rarely encountered in the mortuary, the ability to teach large numbers of students at once, allowing students to learn at their own pace, and as a tool for revision. Repetition between the videos, a lack of interactivity, and a lack of sufficient detail on general necropsy techniques were felt by participants to be the principal disadvantages of this teaching tool. CONCLUSIONS: Videos are an acceptable teaching tool for students. They have a valuable role to play as an adjunct to dissection in teaching junior histopathology trainees about specialist necropsy dissection techniques.

Autopsy↗
PubMed2003

The effectiveness of protective clothing in the reduction of potential DNA contamination of the scene of crime.

The use of ultra-sensitive low copy number (LCN) DNA typing allows the analysis of picogram amounts of DNA. Trace evidence accidentally left at a scene of crime (SOC) by the investigating team may be inadvertently collected and analysed, potentially leading to spurious evidence being introduced into the criminal investigation. A series of experiments were undertaken to determine the extent to which an investigator could contribute to any DNA contamination of a scene of crime under different simulated activities. Further, the degree to which any contamination was reduced by the use of commercially available protective clothing was demonstrated. Precautions that should routinely be taken at a scene of crime to reduce the risk of DNA contamination are recommended.

Cough↗
PubMed2003

The PIVKA II test: the first reliable coagulation test for autopsy investigations.

To date there is no routinely used reliable diagnostic test that can be performed in the post-mortem period to investigate whether a deceased had a coagulation disorder. This paper describes a series of experiments to assess the use of an antigen-based method to investigate the vitamin K-dependent factor II function in the deceased. It illustrates that by using this approach the functional status of factor II can be investigated in the post-mortem period. The abnormal proteins that are investigated by this method appear to remain stable for at least 72 h and potentially up to at least 7 days. The method that is illustrated could thus be reliably used in the post-mortem period to identify a natural or drug-induced factor II abnormality. The potential for other protein components of the coagulation cascade to be investigated by similar antigen-based methodology is suggested.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Forensic web watch--forensic podiatry.

A search for forensic podiatry sites on the Internet revealed thousands of 'hits', of which very few were of any educational merit. Following extensive sifting of these addresses, it was found that only a few of the associations for human identification included any information on forensic podiatry methods. The search was also made difficult by many websites failing to make the distinction between studies of footwear prints and forensic podiatry: the study of barefoot impressions. At present, the volume and quality of information on the World Wide Web does not reflect the potential importance of podiatry in forensic investigations. The need for improvement in the quality and available information this field is therefore recommended.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

An investigation into the transference and survivability of human DNA following simulated manual strangulation with consideration of the problem of third party contamination.

Amplification was performed on human DNA material transferred during a model of manual strangulation. A total of 29 separate experiments were performed using a single male offender-female victim combination to observe whether DNA was transferred both from the offender's fingers to the victim's neck and vice versa and to consider the period of time after the event during which the material could potentially be recovered and amplified. DNA was amplified from either the victim's neck or the offender's fingers for at least 10 days after the contact although it is discussed whether this is potentially due to primary contact or a secondary/tertiary transfer event. The study highlights the problem of contamination of the offender's hands and victim's neck with third party DNA, the presence of which could have a significant outcome for both the investigating authority and the third party.

Asphyxia↗
PubMed2002

How should the chest wall be opened at necropsy?

AIMS: To compare several different instruments used to open the chest wall during necropsy and to assess whether any one type reduced the production of sharp rib ends and thus the potential for receiving an injury. METHODS: During the necropsy the pathologist opened the chest wall using two randomly assigned instruments from a selection of hand saw, electric saw, rib shears, and bread knife. The age, weight, sex, and height of the deceased were recorded, in addition to the textures of the resultant exposed rib ends. During the procedure, the speed, length, production of spray, and site of incision were also noted. The thoracic cavity was inspected and any details of tumours, adhesions, fluid, or organ damage were noted. RESULTS: Twenty four necropsies were carried out on an equal number of men and women. The total number of ribs that were incised was 422, with 206 through the bony aspect (49%). Sixty seven per cent of the bony rib ends were rough, and this was found to be instrument dependent. The rib shears produced the highest number of rough bony and cartilage rib ends. The electric saw produced the smoothest contoured rib ends. Spray occurred in 29% of cases, exclusively with the use of the electric saw. Organ damage was most frequently associated with the use of the bread knife. CONCLUSION: Rib shears, the instrument most frequently used to open the chest wall, appear to cause the highest frequency of rough, potentially dangerous rib ends. The electric saw produced the smoothest rib ends, both in cartilage and bone, and thus seems to offer the most efficacious method of reducing the potential hazard associated with ragged, spiky bone ends during the opening of the thoracic cavity. Although each of the procedures detailed in this study was shown to have its own advantages and disadvantages, personal preference and operator experience are perhaps the most important factors in ultimately determining the method used.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2001

Forensic web watch.

The chosen subject for this month's review is toxicology and covers sites touching upon prescription and illicit drugs, analytical techniques and poisonous plants. It highlights a common problem to the user of the Internet. As more and more people log on and put their web site on for public access, searching for a single, comprehensive, all-encompassing single site becomes almost impossible. Many sites are repetitive or purely personal adverts. Unless you are recommended a site or you are prepared to wade your way through all the junk, one will never find the 'El Dorado' you are seeking.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

A 51-year retrospective study of the trends of height, weight and body mass index at the time of death in those aged 16-103.

The study investigates the trends in survival age, height, weight and body mass index (BMI) in both genders for those aged 16-103 at the time of death. It also investigates the trend in the proportion of the population classified as obese using data extracted from 37,206 autopsy reports spanning the period 1947-1997. The data was analysed using the computerised statistical software SPSS with tables and figures produced of mean values per investigation value per sex per 10-year age group per decade. The data confirmed reported trends that the population is getting older, taller and heavier with the mean BMI increasing such that the proportion of individuals who can be classified as obese is increasing. These trends will potentially have an impact on healthcare as more people will have an increased risk of associated morbidity and mortality, as well as an implication on welfare and housing for the increasingly elderly population.

Journal Article↗