Histochemical investigation of rat skeletal muscle samples removed immediately post mortem from exercised rats gave the following results: (1) Of the oxidoreductase enzymes studied, there was a slight increase in the activity of cytochrome oxidase. (2) There was no change in the acid- and alkali-stable actomyosin ATPase activity. (3) There was a notable decrease in glycogen concentration. In the case of strychnine intoxication: (1) There was no change in oxidoreductase enzymes. (2) There was an increase in the activity of alkali-stable ATPase in white fibres. (3) The glycogen concentration notably decreased. There was no change in the activity of enzymes studied in those animals sacrificed by anoxia.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Experimental evaluation of rigor mortis. III. Comparative study of the evolution of rigor mortis in different sized muscle groups in rats.

The use of new methods and an appropriate apparatus has allowed us to make successive measurements of rigor mortis and a study of its evolution in the rat. By a comparative examination on the front and hind limbs, we have determined the following: (1) The muscular mass of the hind limbs is 2.89 times greater than that of the front limbs. (2) In the initial phase rigor mortis is more pronounced in the front limbs. (3) The front and hind limbs reach maximum rigor mortis at the same time and this state is maintained for 2 hours. (4) Resolution of rigor mortis is accelerated in the front limbs during the initial phase, but both front and hind limbs reach complete resolution at the same time.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Experimental evaluation of rigor mortis. IV. Change in strength and evolution of rigor mortis in the case of physical exercise preceding death.

Evolution of rigor mortis in rats exercised before death shows the following characteristics with respect to controls: (1) Its intensity is increased in the initial phase. (2) It reaches its maximum development at the same time. (3) Higher maximum values are reached (in our experiments 1.39 times the maximum values for controls). (4) Higher values are maintained from 100 minutes to 16 hours with statistically significant differences. (5) It attains resolution at the same time.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Experimental evaluation of rigor mortis. V. Effect of various temperatures on the evolution of rigor mortis.

Objective measurements were carried out to study the evolution of rigor mortis on rats at various temperatures. Our experiments showed that: (1) at 6 degrees C rigor mortis reaches full development between 48 and 60 hours post mortem, and is resolved at 168 hours post mortem; (2) at 24 degrees C rigor mortis reaches full development at 5 hours post mortem, and is resolved at 16 hours post mortem; (3) at 37 degrees C rigor mortis reaches full development at 3 hours post mortem, and is resolved at 6 hours post mortem; (4) the intensity of rigor mortis grows with increase in temperature (difference between values obtained at 24 degrees C and 37 degrees C); and (5) and 6 degrees C a "cold rigidity" was found, in addition to and independent of rigor mortis.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Experimental evaluation of rigor mortis. VII. Effect of ante- and post-mortem electrocution on the evolution of rigor mortis.

The influence of electrocution on the evolution of rigor mortis was studied on rats. Our experiments showed that: (1) Electrocution hastens the onset of rigor mortis. After an electrocution of 90 s, a complete rigor develops already 1 h post-mortem (p.m.) compared to 5 h p.m. for the controls. (2) Electrocution hastens the passing of rigor mortis. After an electrocution of 90 s, the first significant decrease occurs at 3 h p.m. (8 h p.m. in the controls). (3) These modifications in rigor mortis evolution are less pronounced in the limbs not directly touched by the electric current. (4) In case of post-mortem electrocution, the changes are slightly less pronounced, the resistance is higher and the absorbed energy is lower as compared with the ante-mortem electrocution cases. The results are completed by two practical observations on human electrocution cases.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A case of suicide disguised as natural death.

A case report describing the suicide of a physician classified initially as a natural death. Faced with the vehement protest of the family of the deceased the magistrate decided to request a 'preventive' forensic autopsy. Forensic investigations revealed the cause of death as being a pentobarbital intoxication and the circumstances favoured the hypothesis of a genuine suicide. This case illustrates that the tendency of magistrates to request or not an autopsy is related to their experience or intuition.

Autopsy↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Identification based on medical findings].

1. The indications such as the place of finding, the identification of clothes or other personal items, represent only the first step towards the identification of a corpse. 2. An identification based on medical data, other than dental, is often possible, more often than it is believed. 3. The forensic pathologist plays a double role in the case of such an identification: a) in the phase of the inquiry, he must contact the investigators and the families to explain his wishes and the different possibilities of identification. b) he must use the gathered information in the appropriate way. 4. It would be desirable to compose some statistical tables of the various medical elements useful for the identification (mutilations, surgical operations, etc...). We present six cases of identification in our practice.

Adult↗