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Biomedical subjects

M F Fierro

Publications and source records attributed to M F Fierro.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Child deaths in Virginia, 1996: a review of investigations of sudden, unexpected, or unnatural deaths of children less than age 13.

This study examines the consistency of investigative procedures used by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, law enforcement, and child protective services, when investigating the violent, sudden, unexpected, or unnatural deaths of children. The study also assessed the status of communication and cooperation among the investigating agencies, to determine whether improvements in the level of cooperation and communication among the systems recommended by prior legislative studies had been achieved. The subjects of this study were children from birth through age 12 who died a sudden, unexpected, or unnatural death in Virginia in 1996. The findings from this research provide both justification to celebrate the progress that has been made and the stimulus to improve the investigation into the sudden, unexpected, or unnatural deaths of children in Virginia. Data suggested that the level of cooperation and communication among child protective services workers, medical examiners, and law enforcement personnel in Virginia had increased between 1986 and 1996. The results demonstrated that some investigative procedures were consistent, especially within regional boundaries. However, the results also showed that inconsistencies exist in the way some deaths are investigated, and that room for improvement exists.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1998

Murder-suicide in central Virginia: a descriptive epidemiologic study and empiric validation of the Hanzlick-Koponen typology.

An empiric validation of a proposed typology of murder-suicide events was carried out in the Central District of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia for two cohorts, 1980 to 1984 and 1990 to 1994; use of a single typology allows description of trends in these events over time, a unique aspect of this study. For both cohorts, a total of 53 successful events with 63 victims (116 total deaths) was evaluated. A significant shift in the characteristics of location, perpetrators, and victimology of such events between the two cohorts is demonstrated: events changed from urban, multiple victim events with a majority of white perpetrators to rural, dyadic events in which victims did not live with perpetrators, the majority of whom were black. The results are compared with published data, and the implications for use of this typology as a clinical evaluation tool for prevention are addressed in light of current domestic violence emphases in public health. Additionally, the need for prospective tracking of these events is reiterated and use of the Hanzlick-Koponen typology as the tool for such tracking is suggested.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Practice guideline for forensic pathology. Members of the Forensic Pathology Committee, College of American Pathologists.

The guideline for forensic pathology was prepared by the Forensic Pathology Committee of the College of American Pathologists. The definitional criteria for forensic pathology included in this guideline have been approved both by the House of Delegates and the Board of Governors of the College of American Pathologists. The guideline presents an overview of forensic pathology and an approach to the forensic autopsy and medicolegal death investigation. Emphasis is placed on the role of forensic pathology in maintaining public health, welfare, and safety. The guideline is intended to serve as an educational tool, and its use should be determined by the individual circumstances and settings of specific cases.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1996

Distribution of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) stereoisomers in a fatal poisoning.

This communication presents the quantitation and differential distribution of the enantiomers of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its physiologically active metabolite 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) in a fatal poisoning following insufflation of MDMA, cocaine and heroin. Animal studies have demonstrated the stereoselective pharmacokinetics and neurotoxicity of these compounds; however, enantiomeric distributions have not been reported in humans. Quantitation of MDMA and MDA enantiomer was by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) following chiral derivatization with N-trifluoroacetyl-L-triproyl chloride (LTPC). The decedents' blood concentration of S(+)-MDMA was slightly less than that of R(-)-MDMA (1.3 vs. 1.6 mg/l, respectively), while the S(+)- and R(-)-MDA blood concentrations were identical (0.8 mg/l). Both primary routes of excretion, bile and urine, had greater concentrations of R(-)-MDMA than the S(+) isomer. These fluids also contained twice the concentration of S(+)-MDA than the R(-)-isomer. These data indicate that S(+)-MDMA is metabolized and eliminated faster than R(-)-MDMA. The results appear to support the findings in animals regarding stereoselective metabolism of MDMA.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗
PubMed1995

Positive identification by post-surgical defects from unilateral lambdoid synostectomy: a case report.

The comparison of pre- and postmortem radiographs as a method of identification of unknown human remains is well established in the forensic and radiologic literature. Identification can be based on a single bony feature when there is evidence of prior surgery, trauma or unusual anatomic variation. We present a case in which a positive identification was made using bony changes in the skull secondary to prior surgery for correction of unilateral lambdoid craniosynostosis. The unusual radiographic appearance of the bony defect initially raised the question of trauma and foul play.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1986

Personal identification by radiographic comparison of vascular groove patterns of the calvarium.

A case of forensic identification utilizing the vascular grooves within the skull is presented. The case is unique in that the antemortem radiographs were from childhood, rendering useless the more standard points of comparison. Calvarial vascular grooves represent unique points of comparison when the only available premortem radiographs were obtained during childhood, especially when one is attempting to identify children (living or dead).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

New hope for identifying the unidentified. The National Crime Information Center unidentified person/missing person files.

The National Crime Information Center Unidentified Person/Missing Person Files offer computer comparison of descriptive data on unidentified dead and living persons with data entered on missing persons. Completion of a simple, but detailed standard form allows entry of descriptors of physical characteristics, fingerprint classification, dentition, anthropologic and x-ray findings, optic prescriptions, medical devices, surgical procedures, serology, jewelry, and clothes. Medical and law enforcement agencies collect the descriptive data on the unidentified; families and law enforcement agencies collect missing persons information. Entry for both is via law enforcement regional or state NCIC computer terminals. Continuous comparison and cross search of both files is initiated upon entry of either form.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1981

A tetrachloroethylene fatality.

This case report concerns a fatal exposure to tetrachloroethylene at a dry cleaning establishment. A sensitive analytical method was developed and the distribution of the chemical in various fluids and tissues was determined. Although several fatalities from tetrachloroethylene have been reported, little previous quantitative toxicological data have been found in the literature.

Chromatography, Gas↗