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Biomedical subjects

J Missliwetz

Publications and source records attributed to J Missliwetz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Homicide by strangling or dumping with postmortem injuries after heroin poisoning?

During construction work, the corpse of a 33-year-old man, H.L., who had been missing for 2 years and 4 months, was found in the cellar of a house. Primary findings indicated an attack directed at the throat (hematomas of the soft tissue and broken larynx). The owner of the cellar claimed, however, that H.L. had died of overdose of heroin and that he had removed the body to avoid trouble with the authorities. Morphine poisoning was confirmed by chemical analysis. The case is interesting because of (a) the good condition of the corpse after over 2 years, (b) macroscopic and microscopic evidence of hematomas of the cervical soft tissue, (c) successful chemical analysis providing evidence despite a long time since death, and (d) considerations regarding the vitality of injury findings.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Injuries due to letter bombs.

In Austria in late 1993 ten letter bombs were sent to outstanding persons who have been engaged in the care of foreigners. Four of these bombs detonated, when they were opened by the addressee. The remaining six bombs were discovered in time and could be deactivated by specialists. The construction of these bombs and the lesions sustained by the four victims will be discussed. The injuries mainly concerned the left hand, i.e., the hand used by right-handed persons to hold a letter when opening it. The way holding the letter was of crucial influence on the degree of injury, as with the same explosive charge (which can be assumed deducing from the investigation of the deactivated bombs) injuries varied considerably. They ranged from minor tissue-lesions to mutilated fingers and the risk of exsanguination.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Fatal impalement injuries after falls at construction sites.

Three fatal accidents suffered by men at construction sites are reported. The victims fell from a considerable height onto metal construction rods and died from impalement injuries. The particular features of wound morphology are discussed. The influence of alcohol and medicines is also considered as a contributory cause of the falls.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1995

'Oral hygiene'--a method of killing in a medical setting.

'Oral hygiene' is a routine nursing care procedure used in the treatment of critically ill patients. In the course of their confessions the women accused of the homicides at the Lainz Hospital in Vienna admitted having applied another form of 'oral hygiene'. About 250 ml of tap water was administered per os into the airways of severely ill and comatose patients, and death occurred about one hour later. Pathophysiological investigations have shown that this procedure is a suitable method of killing comatose patients with pulmonary impairment. Possible findings and the problems of detection on the corpse are discussed.

Austria↗
PubMed1992

[Reliability of the Alco-Screen dip strips in evaluation of blood alcohol concentration for clinical or forensic studies].

We tested the accuracy of Alco-Screen dipsticks in comparison to the values of blood alcohol. The dipstick test is based on the reaction of alcohol-dehydrogenase, developing a green to blue color. Saliva as well as urine and liquor are easy to obtain at autopsies. We did not get any false-negative results. Interpretation of the change of color turned out to be a problem, because the tip appeared often to be inhomogenous. The dipstick could be used at autopsies and for emergency units, if a quick, semiquantitative result is required.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1992

[Medical and technical aspects of weapon effects on man. Part 5--Common weapons].

"Weapons at hand" are tools of everyday life, which can be used as instruments for fighting. The investigation offers a survey concerning instruments, which were actually used for conflicting bodily injuries (cases selected from 1029 expertises) or for killing (cases selected from 474 autopsies). The findings are complemented by non-medical publications about self-defence. In the Austrian legal system the use of "weapons at hand" is interpreted like weapons in the technical sense.

Expert Testimony↗
PubMed1992

[Death caused by hypoglycemia after starvation--pathophysiology versus morphology].

We describe a 19-year-old mentally retarded man who after severe starvation (criminally induced by his parents) presented with hypoglycemic coma and eventually experienced death. Biochemical findings and pathophysiology of starvation are discussed. The cause of death was hypoglycemia in combination with terminal infection. The importance of structural-functional conclusions and considerations for determination of the manner and cause of death is demonstrated.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1991

Gunshot wounds caused by Fiocchi Anticrime cartridges (plastic bullets).

The Fiocchi Anticrime cartridge (caliber 12/70) used for shotguns contains 15 plastic bullets that have a total weight (mass) of 15.2 g and feature a V4 of 302 m/s and an E4 of 694.7 J. Hence the bullets, which are claimed to be harmless, are able to penetrate the skin at close range. This article presents four cases of injuries. According to our tests, the Fiocchi Anticrime cartridge may well cause fatal injuries within firing distances of up to approximately 4-5 m.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1991

[Physician's responsibility in blood transfusions].

Organizational and legal aspects of the blood transfusion are seen under the point of view of division of work. Interpreting the legal directions, people who are involved will be obliged to a duty of care, which is adapted to their position in the operation. A higher degree of responsibility will have to be demanded of the superior, in comparison to his subordinates.

Blood Group Incompatibility↗
PubMed1991

[Sudden death caused by anorexia nervosa].

Two cases of sudden unexpected death at home (girl 16 year-old, woman 26 year-old) are reported. Both persons suffered from anorexia nervosa. Morphological investigation revealed heart atrophy as well as atrophy of other organs (striped muscle, spleen, mammary glands, ovaries, skin). Also lipofuscin accumulation (myocardium, liver, spleen) was noted. Especially conspicuous was serous (gelatinous) atrophy of fatty tissue. Anorexia nervosa is a common psychiatric disorder, therefore legal consequences--especially treatment without patient's consent--have to be considered. The legal situation in Austria is discussed. Concerning the 16 year-old girl the authors think that medical malpractice and carelessness of the parents were involved.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1991

[Medical and technical aspects of weapon effects. IV. Plastic bullets reduce the risk of the military assault rifle (StG 77)].

56 x 45 mm Rota-ammunition was introduced to meet the requirements of security personnel at prisons. The Austrian military assault rifle (StG 77) can be used for this ammunition. The bullet consists of an X-ray dense plastic material with a weight of 1.6 g. Therefore the kinetic energy of this projectile is lower than that of the standard ammunition, also on its flight it loses velocity at a higher rate. Thus, this bullet has the advantage of being less dangerous over long distances (500 m versus 2500 m or more) but still offers at short distances (fe 10 m) a reasonable capacity of incapacitation. Tests concerning ballistics, penetration and shooting at gelatine and soap targets were performed. By means of these tests we compared the wounding capacity of the standard ammunition (5.56 x 45 mm S-cartridge) and the investigated Rota-ammunition.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Shots fired with silencers--a report on four cases and experimental testing.

Four cases of homicide, in which silenced firearms were used, are reported and supplemented by data from experimental investigations regarding wound features, marks, traces, and ballistic behavior. Wound features are largely determined by the construction of the silencer. In one case, even a muzzle imprint was produced by a silenced weapon fired at contact range. In general, silencers are likely to result in a decrease in bullet energy and accelerated energy release in the target (tissue). In terms of wound morphology, silencers produced a reduction in or even a lack of the contact ring (ring of dirt). In close-range and contact wounds, any features indicative of shots fired at close range were missing (such as soot deposit and powder tattooing). It is also worth mentioning that biological matter may get into the silencer in shots fired at contact range.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Carotid and vertebral artery circulation in forearm choke holds in Doppler sonography].

By means of continuous wave doppler the effect of two choke holds (Carotid sleeper, Nami-juji-jime) on the carotid and vertebral arteries was investigated. For both choke holds, which are characterized by pressure on lateral parts of the neck, we found an obstruction up to a complete stop of flow. The degree of obstruction depended on the direction of force. The vertebral artery can be compressed between the subclavian artery and the foramina transversaria, therefore it was most effective to press on the lower neck. Tensing the neck muscles can reduce the effect of choking.

Asphyxia↗
PubMed1990

[Forensic medicine literature databank. Goals and uses].

In addition to existing, international database systems we started building up a forensic-medical database. Whereas the current systems offer a cross section of the newest medical knowledge, we wanted to reach a review over the most important journals specialized in forensic medicine, starting from their beginning. In this way one gets informations over empirical knowledge and casuistry, which are of great importance in forensic medicine. As technical basis we use a personal computer and the dBase III database system.

Databases, Factual↗
PubMed1990

[Determining gunshot distance without bullet entry--a new source of error in determining gunshot distance from point of entry].

A court case lead to a quantitative determination of lead and antimony by atomic-absorption at distances 10 to 20 cm from the bullet hole. As a surprising result at first the area-concentrations of lead and antimony increased with rising distance from the muzzle and reached a maximum, after that maximum like expected a decrease was found. The phenomena is of general interest because otherwise misinterpretations in chemical determination of gunshot firing distances would be possible.

Antimony↗