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Biomedical subjects

T Riepert

Publications and source records attributed to T Riepert.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Roentgen identification of unknown cadavers and living persons].

Four cases of successful x-ray identification of unknown dead with progressed postmortem changes are reported. Some of the x-ray plates are 25 years old and have been taken during growth process. Skull and spine are especially qualified for identification because the skeleton shows individual, highly specific markers in these regions which do not change during live and after death. The exclusion of identity was possible with regard to a 50 years old patient. She presented a 19 years old urogram as her own to receive a pension after an occupational accident in 1970. Two other cases of x-ray identification (tibia operation and skull) have been already described by us (1988).

Adult↗

[Fatal outcome during physiotherapy (Vojta's method) in a 3-month old infant. Case report and comments on manual therapy in children].

Detailed clinical and neuropathological report on a fatal incident during the first manual therapy according to Vojta conducted in a 3 months old baby: during forced active rotation and head retraction the baby suffered from a bleeding into the adventitia of both her vertebral arteries at the level of C1 prompting ischemia of the caudal brainstem with subarachnoid haemorrhage around. It has to be suggested that similar cases already have occurred but have not been reported yet. There might be a time lag between the performance of physiotherapy and the beginning of neurologic symptoms. The risks of manual therapy in children will be discussed.

Brain Stem Hemorrhage, Traumatic↗

[Self-injury or attempted murder--analysis of an unusual case].

An unusual case of self-injury involving several, partly deep penetrating stab wounds is described. A young emotionally disturbed consulting-room assistant accused her husband of having inflicted the injuries upon her in the course of an argument over custody of the children. An analysis of the injury pattern showed clear indications of self-injury and willfully transferred blood from punctures in the woman's fingertips to the clothes of the accused. The case demonstrates that in cases involving members of a medical profession and individuals with psychiatric disorders, the possibility of highly unusual types of self-injury should not be excluded. It further emphasizes the importance of a physical examination performed by a medico-legal specialist.

Adult↗

[Postmortem roentgen diagnosis of the skull].

In this prospective study, skulls of 164 dead bodies were x-rayed in two different planes. The findings were assessed independent to the results of the subsequent autopsy, however afterwards compared with the autopsy findings. In 86 cases (53.4%) x-ray findings were significant. Dislocated calvarium fractures were clearly visible on the x-rays, however non-dislocated calvarium fractures as well as fractures of the visceral cranium and skull base were difficult to detect. Gas and foreign bodies could easily be observed. Similar to the clinical assessment the indication for a post-mortem x-ray of the skull must consider the case history and the respective condition of the corpse (for example putrefaction, charred body).

Autopsy↗

[Site of discovery in the bath tub. Evaluation of a fatality after four years using postmortem roentgen diagnosis].

On the one hand the following case demonstrates the problems of finding a dead body in the bathroom and on the other hand the importance of postmortem x-ray examinations. The corpse of an 65-year-old woman was discovered in her bath tub. At the body's feet there was a hair dryer. Investigations concerning murder were negative, circumstances appeared to be unsuspicious. That was why a postmortem examination was not performed. -4 years later murder had to be considered. After manual strangling the deceased and the hair dryer were layed into the bath tub. The corpse was exhumed and taken to a forensic autopsy. It was found that the hyoid bone and the superior horn of the thyroid cartilage were both fractured on the right. Damages caused by the preparation itself were excluded by using serial roentgenographs. These observations in combination with histological findings and the results of further investigations convincingly supported the suspicion of strangling by hand.

Aged↗

[Viewing the criminal site in unusual cadaver evidence: concealment, identification, determining time of death and reconstruction].

The three cases presented here (Place of finding: bath tub.: [a] 19 year old, female, stabbed to death, detection six months pm, nearly airtight room--silicon rubber; [b] 56 year old, male, drowning, detection 1.5 months pm. [c] Place of finding: slope, 49 year old, female, polytrauma, detection 3 months pm) are characterized by incomplete mummification, skeletization and colliquation of soft-tissue. According to our experience medicolegal examiner's presence is necessary on the scene in order to secure in-situ-findings, to recover the human remains and to arrange a proper transport. The autopsy should be performed in the institute's autopsy-room because of access to better equipment e.g. light, air condition, x-ray, instruments. Under these conditions a high quality of forensic examination, improved training of students and police-officers and the dignity of the deceased can be maintained.

Adult↗

[Extremely varied rectal temperatures in 10 fatalities after a house fire--a contribution to the significance of body weight in cadaver cooling].

Eight children at the age of one to eleven years, their mother and uncle were victims of fire that had broken out in their flat. They all died of combined carbon monoxide cyanide poisoning. The rectal temperature of the bodies taken nearly eight hours later ranged from 16 degrees C to 29 degrees C. Using the rectal temperature time of death nomogram (Henssge 1982) with reference to corrective factors of the body weight (Henssge and Madea 1988) to find out when they died, the results corresponded with the enquiries made by the police except for three cases. The rectal temperature of the apparently intact bodies of the three youngest children whose weight ranged from 9 to 14 kilograms was comparatively high. The reason for this may be that reduction in diameter and in weight of the body causes a heating up in a smaller amount of time. This is why one has to be careful to use the nomogram with fire victims especially with those of low weight.

Body Temperature Regulation↗

[Identification of unknown cadavers in forensic medicine practice].

50 unknown dead were identified at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Mainz (Germany) in the years between 1985 and 1993, most of them by dental records, x-ray comparison and morphological findings. This is equivalent to an overall success rate of 94.3%. In most cases unnatural causes of death were established (suicide, accident, and homicide). The male to female rate was more than 2:1. The increase of the number of unknown corpses since 1985 from 5% to nearly 10% of the total number of autopsies may be caused by increasing mobility and anonymity of the population.

Accidents↗