Biomedical subjects

M Bohnert

Publications and source records attributed to M Bohnert.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Expression of heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in the respiratory tract and lungs of fire victims.

Immunohistochemical investigation of the respiratory tract and lungs of 63 fire victims revealed a statistically significant enhanced expression of heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in the epiglottis, the trachea, and the main and the peripheral bronchi compared with a control group. In the fire victims, a strong expression of Hsp70 was discernible not only particularly in the vessels but also in seromucous secretory cells, ciliated epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and alveolar cells. The results suggest a vital or supravital reaction due to the inhalation of hot fire fumes.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

A Monte Carlo-based model for steady-state diffuse reflectance spectrometry in human skin: estimation of carbon monoxide concentration in livor mortis.

In terms of physics, the skin can be regarded as an optically turbid medium in which the light is mainly scattered by the collagen fibers, mitochondria and cell nuclei, whereas the absorption is determined by the content of reduced hemoglobin, oxyhemoglobin, bilirubin, and melanin. When the measuring geometry and the illumination spectrum are known, the optical characteristics of the skin can be approximately described by the diffusion and absorption coefficients. These values define the diffusion and absorption probability per unit distance traveled for each wavelength. Based on these parameters, a mathematical skin model was developed with the help of Monte Carlo simulations. By implementing the absorption coefficient of carbon monoxide hemoglobin (CO-Hb) into the skin model, the authors wanted to investigate whether this method is suitable to determine the CO-Hb concentration from spectral reflectance curves of livores. The investigations performed on 28 deaths from CO poisoning so far showed that this is generally possible. In almost all cases, the actual CO-Hb values could be estimated correctly by using the Monte Carlo simulations.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Unnatural causes of sudden unexpected deaths initially thought to be sudden infant death syndrome.

The aim of this clinicopathological study was to determine the frequency of infant deaths due to unnatural causes among cases of sudden and unexpected infant death. Nine institutes of legal medicine in Germany that took part in the German study on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (GeSID), representing 35% of the German territory, investigated in a 3-year period (from 1998 to 2001) 339 cases of infant death that were not expected to be due to unnatural causes from the first external examination. All cases were investigated by complete, standardised, post-mortem examination including death scene investigation, autopsy, histology, toxicology and neuropathology. The frequency of unnatural deaths was 5.0% (n=17). The causes of death were head injury (n=7), suffocation (n=5), poisoning (n=2), neglect (n=2) and septicaemia due to aspiration of a foreign body (n=1). Two deaths were unsuspected accidents and 12 were due to infanticide. In 3 cases, it was not possible to differentiate between accidental death and infanticide. A complete postmortem examination including an analysis of the clinical history, death scene investigation, autopsy, histology, toxicology, and neuropathology is mandatory to differentiate sudden and unexpected deaths due to natural causes (e.g. SIDS) and cases of unnatural death.

Autopsy↗

PubMed2004

Detachment of the periosteum and soot staining of its underside in contact shots to the cerebral cranium.

Contact gunshot wounds are usually characterized by a muzzle imprint, a powder cavity ("pocket"), the presence of carboxyhemoglobin and often also stellate tears of the skin radiating from the bullet entrance hole. In shots to the cerebral cranium an additional sign may be observed around the bone defect: the periosteum is detached and reflected with soot on the underside. The frequency and possible causes of these periosteal findings are discussed on the basis of 68 contact gunshot wounds from forensic autopsy material and experimental shots fired against the frontal bone of a slaughtered calf.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Three subsequent infanticides covered up as SIDS.

Within a period of 9 years a young woman lost 3 daughters during infancy and each time death was attributed to the sudden infant death syndrome. The children had different fathers and died at the ages of 11 weeks, 7 weeks and 2 weeks, respectively. A fourth daughter survived and lives separated from the mother together with her father and is healthy. At autopsy the last of the three deceased infants did not reveal any pre-existing pathological organ findings, except for acute pulmonary emphysema and extensive intra-alveolar bleeding. As a consequence the strong suspicion of mechanical suffocation arose. Subsequent police investigations produced incriminating clues that the first two children had also been suffocated. On confrontation with the autopsy findings and investigation results, the woman confessed that she herself had killed the first two infants by pressing a cushion on their faces. In the case of the third death the baby had been smothered by the child's father who in agreement with the mother put a plastic film on mouth and nostrils.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Heat-mediated changes to the hands and feet mimicking washerwoman's skin.

If the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet of burnt bodies are not or only partially charred, whitish discoloration and wrinkled detachment of the epidermis is often observed. The findings are strongly reminiscent of the so-called washerwoman's skin, as seen after exposure to a moist environment for at least several hours. However, this is not to be expected after exposure to dry heat. What might be conceivable is a swelling of the skin due to the effect of the water used for fighting the fire. On the other hand this phenomenon is also observed in burnt bodies, which demonstrably have not come into contact with water, so that formation seems to be caused by a different mechanism. Moreover there are also histological differences between real washerwoman's skin and the pseudo-washerwoman's skin of fire victims. Whereas in genuine washerwoman's skin the stratum corneum is disaggregated and perinuclear vacuoles are found in the stratum germinativum, burnt bodies with pseudo-washerwoman's skin show detachment of the epidermis due to serum-filled blisters with elongation and palisade arrangement of the nuclei in the stratum basale. Consequently these changes agree with second-degree burns.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

The changing phenomenology of drug death over the years.

When inspecting the scene the circumstances under which a body is found and the findings on the body surface may give first clues to premortal drug abuse. Besides fresh and/or old injection marks tattoos, underweight and signs of physical neglect, especially after long-term abuse, are mentioned in literature. The incidence of such externally visible physical signs of drug abuse was systematically investigated in 100 consecutive drug deaths occurring from 1995 to 1997. Sixty-eight percent of the bodies were found in the apartments of the deceased or those of friends, 11% in public restrooms or the washrooms of restaurants. The so-called body dumping was seen in three cases. In 61% externally visible, fresh injection marks were found; on dissection of the subcutaneous veins, residues of previous injections were found in 95% of the cases. Tattoos were present in 63%. In 8% there was clear evidence of physical neglect. Eighty-six percent of the drug victims had a normal nutritional status.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Prevalence of nicotine consumption in drug deaths.

One hundred consecutive drug death victims autopsied at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Freiburg, between 1995 and 1997 were studied retrospectively as to whether the drug users had also consumed nicotine. The study included histological examination of the lung tissue for smoker cells and radioimmunological as well as GC-MS assays of the urine for cotinine, the primary metabolite of nicotine. It was found that 98 out of 100 drug victims had consumed nicotine in addition to illicit drugs or replacements. Yellowish-brown discolorations on the middle and index fingers were discernible in 44 drug victims, whereas fresh or scarred burns due to glowing cigarettes were found in six deceased drug consumers. Diseases of the bronchial system typical of heavy smokers were seen in 35 cases. Siderophages could be demonstrated in 17 of the 100 drug deaths.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Transfer of biological traces in cases of hanging and ligature strangulation.

In hanging and ligature strangulation, the noose mostly causes a mark or groove which is formed partly by compression of the skin and partly by abrasion with loss of the upper epidermal layers. The horny scales abraded from the neck may be transferred to the strangulation device or to the interposed textiles where they are sometimes visible at stereomicroscopic examination or even to the naked eye as silver-grey particles. The morphologic features of the epidermal transfer due to hanging and ligature strangulation is demonstrated by 14 case examples. The biological traces may be sufficient for comparative DNA typing by means of PCR-based methods. In 9 out of the 14 cases, genomic DNA typing was successful. Analysis of mtDNA succeeded in another two cases, although genomic DNA could not be detected. Beside the accumulation of solid epidermic particles the paper describes deposition of serous and fatty tissue fluid at the ligature (mainly adjacent to skin ridges).

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Post-mortem detection and identification of sildenafil (Viagra) and its metabolites by LC/MS and LC/MS/MS.

The highly putrefied corpse of an 80-year-old man was found in the apartment which he had rented to a prostitute. A package of Viagra 25 was found beside the corpse and three tablets were missing. Autopsy revealed severe coronary artery sclerosis as well as signs of previous myocardial infarctions. For the detection and identification of sildenafil and three metabolites in urine and tissue samples, solid-phase extraction, LC/MS and MS/MS methods were developed. Blood was not available for toxicological analysis due to the putrefaction. For method development, urine from a volunteer who had ingested 25 mg sildenafil was collected over 8 h, and three metabolites were identified by MS/MS. These metabolites were also found in the victim's urine. These findings prove that sildenafil was taken some time prior to death, but the causality of sildenafil intake and fatal cardiac failure could not be proven, since no blood was available for analysis. However, the administration of sildenafil was contraindicated due to several previous myocardial infarctions.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗

PubMed2000

Spectrophotometric evaluation of the colour of intra- and subcutaneous bruises.

Spectrophotometric measurements were performed on intra- and/or subcutaneous bruises occurring in direct temporal connection with peracute fatal trauma. The purpose of these measurements was to determine whether the visual colour impression of a fresh traumatic extravasation can give information on the localisation of the haemorrhage in a certain tissue layer. After visual assessment of the colour of the bruise, the spectral reflectance curves and the CIE-L*a*b* colour values were determined with the help of a diode array spectrophotometer. The localisation and size of the haemorrhages in the cutis and/or subcutis were evaluated morphologically after incision of the skin. It was confirmed that there is a relationship between the colour impression and the localisation of the bruise. Bruises localised near the surface have a more reddish appearance while bruises in deeper layers give a more bluish colour impression. An explanation may be found in the optical characteristics of skin. Blood localised in the subcutis appears blue on the surface due to scattering processes in the dermis (Rayleigh scattering), as the blue wavelengths of the light are scattered (and thus reflected) to a greater extent than the red wavelengths.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

The UV hand lamp as a helpful instrument for macroscopic visualisation of myocardial fibrosis during autopsy.

The application of ultraviolet light in forensic practice is a well-tested method to visualise traces or skin alterations. When viewing myocardial sections under UV light at autopsy, bluish-white fluorescent areas became visible that could not be detected in the seemingly homogenous myocardium in daylight. A systematic comparison of the macroscopic cardiac findings and the pertinent histological sections showed that in all cases with a positive UV fluorescence myocardial fibrosis or lipomatosis could be confirmed by histological methods. The examination for UV fluorescence of the myocardium seems to be a simple and rapid method improving the macroscopic perceptibility of fibrotic changes and minor scars.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Spectrophotometric evaluation of postmortem lividity.

Under low ambient temperatures normally bluish postmortem lividity adopts a bright red or pink colour due to resaturation of haemoglobin with O2. The most important differential diagnosis in the presence of pink hypostasis is carbon monoxide poisoning. To answer the question if objective measuring methods allow differentiation of hypostasis with regard to cold exposition or carbon monoxide poisoning, spectrophotometric measurements were performed and the colorimetric measures as well as the spectral reflectance curves of the postmortem lividity were determined. The colorimetric measures CIE-L*a*b* showed similar values for all bright red livores mortis; differentiation between CO intoxication and cold exposition was not possible. Reflectance curves of pink hypostasis after cold storage showed the typical pattern of O2-rich blood with reflectance minima at wavelengths 541 nm and 576 nm and a reflectance maximum at 560 nm. Pink hypostasis because of carbon monoxide poisoning showed a shift of the reflectance maximum toward 555 nm and a flattened curve in all cases with COHb concentrations exceeding 52%, whereas these changes were not regularly observed with lower COHb levels.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Pellet embolization to the right atrium following double shotgun injury.

A 28-year-old man sustained two shotgun injuries of the left inguinal region from a distance of about 1.5 m by simultaneous discharge of both shells from a sawn-off double-barrelled 16-bore shotgun (diameter of the lead pellets, 4 mm). The first X-ray examination carried out soon after hospital admission showed a single embolized pellet near the right margin of the cardiac silhouette. Eight months later, the man committed suicide by drug intoxication. At autopsy, the embolized pellet was found embedded between the pectinate muscles of the right atrium. On the basis of the reported case and with reference to the pertinent literature, the paper points out the medico-legal aspects of venous bullet/pellet embolism and the risk of lead poisoning after shotgun injury.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

A quantitative immunohistochemical study on the time-dependent course of acute inflammatory cellular response to human brain injury.

The time-dependent inflammatory cell reaction in human cortical contusions has been investigated during the first 30 weeks after blunt head injury. Immunohistochemical staining was carried out using CD 15 for granulocytes and LCA, CD 3 and UCHL-1 for mononuclear leucocytes. In order to provide reliable data for a forensic wound age estimation, the intensity of the cellular reaction was evaluated with a quantitative image analysis system. CD 15-labelled granulocytes were detectable earliest 10 min after brain injury, whereas significantly increased numbers of mononuclear leucocytes occurred in cortical contusions after a postinfliction interval of at least 1.1 days (LCA), 2 days (CD 3) or 3.7 days (UCHL-1), respectively.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Clinical findings in the medico-legal investigation of arsonists.

Criminal and pathological arson is often committed with the help of fire accelerants. The formation of an explosive gas/air mixture may lead to an explosion whose extent and fierceness is often underestimated by the offenders. This explosion causes typical heat changes on exposed persons: * Singeing of eyelashes, eyebrows and hair growing near the frontal hairline * Singeing of the beard * Singeing of body hair in regions not covered by clothing (e.g. back of the hand) * In severe cases, skin burns of varying degree (back of hand, face). Such heat-related changes can sometimes be detected weeks after the offence.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

The degree of destruction of human bodies in relation to the duration of the fire.

The changes occurring during cremation were watched and documented in 15 undissected bodies to be cremated. It was found that at temperatures between 670 and 810 degrees C the body showed the "pugilistic attitude" after about 10 minutes. After 20 minutes the calvaria was free from any soft tissue and fissures of the tabula externa could be noticed. The body cavities became visible after approximately 30 minutes, so that the organs were exposed. Forty minutes after cremation had started, the internal organs were severely shrunken and showed a net-like or sponge-like structure. After about 50 minutes the extremities were destroyed to an extent leaving only the torso which broke apart after 1-1.5 hours. The complete incineration of a human body took about 2-3 hours.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Lethal monointoxication by overdosage of MDEA.

A 19-year-old man died after the intake of ten tablets of Ecstasy containing 3,4-methyl-enedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (MDEA) as the main active ingredient. According to an eyewitness the symptoms of intoxication were strong sweating, sudden aggressiveness followed by hallucinations, subsequent failure of motoric coordination, severe spasms of arms and back, complete depression of the respiratory system, unconsciousness, and collapse. Resuscitation by an emergency doctor failed. Major autopsy findings were severe vascular congestion of all internal organs, liquid post-mortem blood, numerous subpleural and subepicardial petechial haemorrhages. By GC/MS analysis, MDEA was found in large amounts in serum (12 mg/l in femoral vein, 22 mg/l in heart blood serum), urine (201 mg/l), brain (18 to 28 mg/l) and in other tissue samples. Scalp-hair was highly positive for MDEA (17 ng/mg). Besides MDEA and its metabolites only trace amounts of MDMA could be found in urine and blood; no other drugs were detected. It can be concluded that the cause of death was a monointoxication by overdosage of MDEA.

Adult↗