Archiv Fur Kriminologie[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
[Death by explosion of an aerial mine].
Stockhausen S, Wöllner K, Madea B … +1 more , Doberentz E
Arch Kriminol · 2014 · PMID 26548019
Civilians are rarely killed by military weapons except in times of war. In early 2014, a 50-year-old man died in an explosion of an aerial mine from the Second World War when he was crushing concrete chunks with an excav...
Civilians are rarely killed by military weapons except in times of war. In early 2014, a 50-year-old man died in an explosion of an aerial mine from the Second World War when he was crushing concrete chunks with an excavator at a recycling plant. In the burned operator's cab, the remains of a body were found on the driver's seat. The thorax and the head were missing. Still sticking in the shoe, the right foot severed at the ankle was found about 7 m from the excavator together with numerous small to tiny body parts. At autopsy, the completely disrupted, strongly charred lower torso of a male connected to the left extremities as well as a large number of small tissue fragments and calcined bones were found. According to calculations performed by the seismographical station on the basis of seismic data, only about 45-60 percent of the charge had detonated. The autopsy results illustrate all the more the massive impact of such an explosion.
[Corpse disposal by concealment in transport containers or packaging materials: Examination by post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) before forensic autopsy].
Hasegawa I, Heinemann A, Jahnke P … +3 more , Wilke N, Kammal M, Püschel K
Arch Kriminol · 2014 · PMID 26548018
The presented case reports illustrate the value of post-mortem computed tomography in cases of homicide in which the body was hidden in a container or packaging material and could not be inspected directly from outside....
The presented case reports illustrate the value of post-mortem computed tomography in cases of homicide in which the body was hidden in a container or packaging material and could not be inspected directly from outside. In Case 1, the body was forced into a suitcase, which was then thrown into a flood basin. Post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) visualized the compressed and extremely flexed body inside the suitcase as well as fractures of the left temporal bone, the left ulna and the left side of the mandible. After recovery of the body, the consequences of long-term immersion in fresh water became visible. At autopsy, a laceration in the left temporal region and a temporal bone fracture were observed. The fractures of the left ulna and the left jaw were associated with moderate hematoma. In Case 2, the body of an 11-year-old girl was retrieved from a plastic bag concealed in a garden shed. The cause of death was ligature strangulation. In the presented cases, PMCT was performed as part of the police investigations for reliable primary documentation of the contents of the containers without further manipulation. Thus the human body, its position inside the container and the presence of bone injuries could be demonstrated before opening the container. In such cases, post-mortem imaging provides reliable and rapid information to the investigating authorities before autopsy already.
[Morphology and phenomenology of crossbow injuries with a review of the literature].
Kernbach-Wighton G, Madea B
Arch Kriminol · 2014 · PMID 26548017
This paper presents two cases of survived and fatal injuries caused by broad-head arrows. Case no. 1 is characterised by repeated assaults resulting in severe injuries to the legs of the victim. The lesions showed charac...
This paper presents two cases of survived and fatal injuries caused by broad-head arrows. Case no. 1 is characterised by repeated assaults resulting in severe injuries to the legs of the victim. The lesions showed characteristic patterns due to the arrow-heads with four cross-shaped blades. Case no. 2 represented a suicide with the crossbow arrow entering the upper mouth region at close range, penetrating the base of the skull, the pons and the inter-hemispheric space, with the tip of the arrow being lodged in the skullcap. Morphology of the wounds, ballistic features and technical characteristics are discussed and the available literature is reviewed.
[Suicide among physicians--a current analysis for the City of Hamburg].
Naumovska K, Gehl A, Friedrich P … +1 more , Püschell K
Arch Kriminol · 2014 · PMID 26548016
According to the literature, physicians have an increased risk of committing suicide, which can partly be explained by occupational stress. A retrospective analysis of the deaths investigated by the Hamburg office of Cri...
According to the literature, physicians have an increased risk of committing suicide, which can partly be explained by occupational stress. A retrospective analysis of the deaths investigated by the Hamburg office of Criminal Investigation and documents of the Hamburg Institute of Forensic Medicine for the years 2001 to 2013 showed that the average suicide rate among physicians is not significantly higher than that of the total population, it is 0.021% for physicians, 0.023% for dentists and 0.013% for the general public; thus the difference is not statistically significant (p: 0.57 for physicians and 0.74 for dentists). Drug intoxication has been found to be the most common method of suicide committed by physicians. However, these results must be interpreted with caution in view of the fact that a detailed evaluation of data was often not possible, especially because information as to the profession of the deceased and the motive for the suicide were missing or insufficiently documented.
[Sexual assault during sleep: victim asleep/offender asleep--an update].
Troschütz S, Püschel K
Arch Kriminol · 2015 · PMID 26427282
The topic of sexual assault during sleep is discussed again on the basis of two case reports and several incidents published in the media. The authors support the assumption of Hohner and Püsche1 (2011). There is evidenc...
The topic of sexual assault during sleep is discussed again on the basis of two case reports and several incidents published in the media. The authors support the assumption of Hohner and Püsche1 (2011). There is evidence that it is indeed possible not to wake up during a sexual assault--even without being under the influence of alcohol, illicit drugs or medication--and that a sexual assault during sleep can pass unnoticed. In such cases the outcome of the criminal trial often depends on the careful assessment of the expert, as the faculty of imagination of those passing judgment varies greatly. Based on new findings regarding sexsomnia, even sexual offenders may use the "sleepwalking defense" in specific cases.
[Wrong statement of manner of death after insufficient post-mortem examination].
Héroux V, Uebbing K, Navarro-Crummenauer B … +2 more , Urban R, Breitmeier D
Arch Kriminol · 2015 · PMID 26427281
When death certificates already completed are submitted during forensic post-mortem examinations or autopsies, blatant errors are often found, especially with regard to the classification of the manner of death. This is...
When death certificates already completed are submitted during forensic post-mortem examinations or autopsies, blatant errors are often found, especially with regard to the classification of the manner of death. This is partly attributable to insufficient knowledge of the classification criteria, but also to the fact that the post-mortem examination was not properly performed and even clear signs of unnatural death (e.g. a strangulation mark or sharp force injuries) are overlooked. To avoid such misinterpretations, a thorough reformation of the post-mortem examination system and a regular continuing specialized training of the physicians performing post-mortems seem necessary.
[Peranal exenteration of the intestine during a homicide].
Fröb D, Püschel K
Arch Kriminol · 2015 · PMID 26427280
A 66-year-old female alcoholic was killed in a sexually motivated homicide. After peranal insertion of the hand large parts of the intestine were torn from the mesentery and pulled out through the anus. The findings are...
A 66-year-old female alcoholic was killed in a sexually motivated homicide. After peranal insertion of the hand large parts of the intestine were torn from the mesentery and pulled out through the anus. The findings are discussed and compared with the pertinent literature.
[Diuretics and their potential effect on breath-alcohol concentration--a case report].
Schmitt G, Skopp G
Arch Kriminol · 2015 · PMID 26427279
Many objections were raised to breath-alcohol analysis upon its introduction in the field of traffic law enforcement in Germany, but in the meantime this issue has become less relevant in forensic routine work. In the pr...
Many objections were raised to breath-alcohol analysis upon its introduction in the field of traffic law enforcement in Germany, but in the meantime this issue has become less relevant in forensic routine work. In the present case, the defending lawyer claimed that the ethanol concentration in the blood and hence in the breath of his client, which was 0.35 mg/l according to the Dräger Alcotest 7110® Evidential and thus above the legal limit of 0.25 mg/l, had been changed by diuretics taken 4 hours before the breath alcohol test, viz. 10 mg of torasemide, a loop diuretic, and 50 mg of spironolactone, a competitive aldosterone antagonist. According to the literature, the maximum urinary output in healthy subjects within the first 4 hours after 10 mg torasemide was 1450 ml. In patients suffering from heart failure, the urinary volume was reduced by a factor of 2.5-3; after chronic intake of torasemide, water loss did not differ from placebo. Spironolactone, which acts on the distal tubule, has little effect on urinary output. In a publication, the loss of water in excess within 24 hours was 90 ml. Co-administration of 100 mg spironolactone and 20 mg furosemide, which roughly compares to 10 mg torasemide, resulted in a mean urinary volume of 1566 ml within the first 4 hours. In terms of the reported case and provided that no compensatory fluid had been taken, a purely theoretical maximum shift of 0.007 mg/ may occur in the breath-alcohol concentration due to the smaller distribution volume even considering maximum urinary excretion values. On the other hand, already mild levels of dehydration may be associated with negative symptoms affecting driving ability.
[Reddish discoloration of the vascular intima in charred bodies].
Stiller D, Lang J, Kleiber M … +2 more , Rüdiger Lessig, Bohnert M
Arch Kriminol · 2015 · PMID 26427278
During the autopsy of fire victims, one often sees intensive reddening of the inner vascular layers resembling changes due to putrefaction. To determine the frequency of this phenomenon and the circumstances under which...
During the autopsy of fire victims, one often sees intensive reddening of the inner vascular layers resembling changes due to putrefaction. To determine the frequency of this phenomenon and the circumstances under which it occurs, in particular the presence of putrescence, signs of vitality and the extent of destruction by the fire, the fire fatalities autopsied at the Institutes of Legal Medicine in Freiburg, Halle and Würzburg were analyzed. In the concrete study, 259 fire deaths were investigated retrospectively and 21 prospectively. The study material included 191 males and 68 females aged 0 to 93 years. Vital exposure to the fire was found in 70%, perimortal exposure in 23 % and postmortem exposure in 7% of the cases. Red discoloration of the intima of the central vessels was seen in 106 victims (41%). This finding is most likely caused by postmortem heat-induced hemolysis, which occurs when the temperature in the body rises above 52 °C due to the effect of external heat. Therefore, a reddish discoloration of the intima cannot be regarded as sign of vitality.
[A literature review on the Messerer's fracture].
Geserick G, Krocker K, Wirth I
Arch Kriminol · 2015 · PMID 26427277
The characteristic wedge-shaped fracture was first described by Messerer (1880) and Bruns (1884) after performing experiments on long bones. Not much later, Messerer (1885) formulated the forensic significance of the dir...
The characteristic wedge-shaped fracture was first described by Messerer (1880) and Bruns (1884) after performing experiments on long bones. Not much later, Messerer (1885) formulated the forensic significance of the direct bending fracture for the detection of the location and direction of blunt impact trauma. He developed the basic biomechanical theory of the origin of this fracture type, which is therefore called Messerer's fracture in the German-speaking world. In the following decades, the findings concerning the origin, specificity and forensic usability of Messerer's fractures were confirmed and supplemented by experiments and case studies. For forensic examinations, it is important to bear in mind that there are exceptions to the rule according to which the level of the wedge-shaped fracture corresponds exactly to the point of impact. The possibility of "false" or "reversed" wedges must also be considered. Already in the 19th century, authors had pointed out the mechanism of indirect formation of wedge-shaped bone fragments. That is why a forensic examination always has to consider the investigation results and medical findings in their entirety. Autopsy of traffic victims is of paramount importance. It must include a thorough examination of clothing, skin, soft tissues and skeletal system using special preparation techniques. The examination of bone injuries in living victims also requires special expertise. If properly applied, valuable results can be obtained by the forensic expert from the wedge-shaped fracture. Until recently, Messerer's fracture was a typical injury sustained by pedestrians hit by vehicles with protruding frontal elements. In modern car production, not only the dimensions of cars have been changed, but the front-end structures have also been modified, e. g. by integrated bumpers. These constructional changes are likely to reduce the frequency of narrow points of impact in collisions. However, further research on the frequency and significance of Messerer's fractures in road traffic accident victims is required.
[Death after the intake of amphetamine/ecstasy: two case reports].
Wöllner K, Stockhausen S, Mußhoff F … +1 more , Madea B
Arch Kriminol · 2015 · PMID 26419092
Synthetic amphetamines such as 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) have become recreational drugs in German discotheques because of their euphoric and mood-brightening effects. However, their consumpti...
Synthetic amphetamines such as 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) have become recreational drugs in German discotheques because of their euphoric and mood-brightening effects. However, their consumption involves considerable risks, which may even be lethal under certain circumstances. A 19-year-old man was taken to a university hospital for suspected intoxication with a narcotic drug, where he died the next day. As cause of death "fulminant liver failure" was diagnosed. In blood from the femoral vein, MDMA was found in a concentration of 4.27 mg/l. Histological examination showed acute necrosis of the liver and parenchymatous bleeding. The second case is that of a 39-year-old man who collapsed at his workplace and died in hospital shortly afterwards. In his rucksack, a small bag with 1.6 g of amphetamine was found. Analysis of blood from the femoral vein showed an amphetamine concentration of 1.08 mg/l.
[Alleged suicide by insulin].
Birngruber CG, Krüll R, Dettmeyer R … +1 more , Verhoff MA
Arch Kriminol · 2015 · PMID 26419091
A 26-year-old man, who was on probation, was found dead in his home by his mother. Insulin vials and 2 insulin pens, which the man's stepfather (an insulin-dependent diabetic) had been missing for over a week, were found...
A 26-year-old man, who was on probation, was found dead in his home by his mother. Insulin vials and 2 insulin pens, which the man's stepfather (an insulin-dependent diabetic) had been missing for over a week, were found next to the deceased. The circumstances suggested suicide by an injected insulin overdose. At the time of the autopsy, the corpse showed already marked signs of autolysis. Clinical chemical tests confirmed the injection of insulin, but indicated hyperglycemia at the time of death. Toxicological analyses revealed that the man had consumed amphetamine, cannabinoids, and tramadol in the recent past. Histological examination finally revealed extensive bronchopneumonia as the cause of death. The most plausible explanation for the results of the autopsy and the additional examinations was an injection of insulin as a failed attempt of self-treatment. It is conceivable that the man had discovered by a rapid test that he was a diabetic, but had decided not to go to a doctor to avoid disclosure of parole violation due to continued drug abuse. He may have misinterpreted the symptoms caused by his worsening bronchitis and the developing bronchopneumonia as symptoms of a diabetic metabolic status and may have felt compelled to treat himself with insulin.
[In vitro characterization of glucuronosyl- and sulfotransferases involved in the conjugation of ethanol].
Stachel N, Skopp G
Arch Kriminol · 2015 · PMID 26419090
Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS) are minor metabolites of ethanol; for some years, both compounds have been used as direct biomarkers of alcohol consumption in forensic and clinical settings as well as in...
Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS) are minor metabolites of ethanol; for some years, both compounds have been used as direct biomarkers of alcohol consumption in forensic and clinical settings as well as in traffic medicine. Drinking experiments showed individual variations of the formation of EtG and EtS. At present, our knowledge on enzymes involved in the conjugation of ethanol is incomplete and partly inconsistent. The purpose of the present study was to characterize those enzymes that are capable of catalyzing glucuronidation and sulfation of ethanol including some potential inhibitors. Following optimization of incubation conditions, the formation rates of EtG and EtS from ethanol via recombinant glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs, hepatic) and sulfotransferases (SULTs, hepatic, intestinal), the kinetics and the inhibitory potential of polyphenols such as quercetin, kaempferol and resveratrol were determined. Analysis was performed following either solid phase extraction due to severe ion suppression of EtG or direct injection of the EtS-containing incubation mixture by high-pressure liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Deuterated analogues were used as internal standards. All UGTs were capable of metabolizing ethanol through glucuronidation; UGT1A9 and UGT2B7 exhibited the highest formation rates. All SULTs showed ethanol-sulfating activity with SULT1A1 being most active. Data for all enzymes could best be described by Michaelis-Menten kinetics. All polyphenols inhibited the conjugation of ethanol except UGT2B 15. Inhibition was reversible and competitive for most enzymes; mechanism-based inhibition was evident for UGT2B7 and SULT2A1 with regard to quercetin and for SULT1E1 with regard to kaempferol. These results suggest an influence on the formation rates of EtG and EtS by common food ingredients beside known polymorphisms of UGT and SULT family members. Further studies should be conducted to achieve a better understanding of the extent and significance of this influence.
[Fatal electric accident due to adverse error situation].
Hartung B, Irion R, Baumann D … +1 more , Ritz-Timmel S
Arch Kriminol · 2015 · PMID 26419089
Despite wearing high-impedance shoes, a young male died while trying to connect a garden pump (230 V). The cause of death could easily be determined on the basis of testimonies of eye-witnesses and an electric mark on th...
Despite wearing high-impedance shoes, a young male died while trying to connect a garden pump (230 V). The cause of death could easily be determined on the basis of testimonies of eye-witnesses and an electric mark on the body. Histological and electron microscopic examinations showed metallisation of the electric mark (pure iron). Intensive investigative efforts were needed, however, to reproduce the current path, which resulted from three different coactive failures. The electrotechnical characteristics of the case and the resulting current path are described.
[Human frontal inclination of the skull as a trait of sexual dimorphism--terminology and quantification].
Kölzer SC, Kümmell IV, Kölzer JT … +4 more , Ramsthaler F, Plenzig S, Gehl A, Verhoff MA
Arch Kriminol · 2015 · PMID 26419088
The skull presents a variety of morphological traits suitable for sex discrimination due to the degree of their development. The vertical frontal inclination has been established. as another marker of sex discrimination,...
The skull presents a variety of morphological traits suitable for sex discrimination due to the degree of their development. The vertical frontal inclination has been established. as another marker of sex discrimination, as a steep forehead is considered as a female and a receding frontal inclination as a male attribute. In the literature, there are many different ways to define the morphognostic term "frontal inclination" and "forehead profile" respectively. As part of the project "Digital Forensic Osteology" definitions of the frontal inclination commonly found in the literature have been tested with regard to their applicability to virtual skulls based on post-mortem CT data. The actual angle measurements were carried out automatically using software developed by the authors of this article. For the investigations, profile images of skulls generated from volume-rendered CT data were used in which anthropometric measuring points had been set manually. With the help of discriminant analysis it was tested whether sex discrimination on virtual skulls based on defined variables can be carried out with sufficient sensitivity. The measurement accuracy of the defined variables on the volume-rendered images turned out to be good. No significant sex differences regarding the tested variables were found. Using all the four selected variables the sensitivity for female skulls was only about 66%, whereas for male skulls it was not much higher than the rate of coincidence (53%). The results of this pilot study suggest that apart from extending the sample size the inclusion of additional variables based on strict consideration of validity and reliability criteria should be critically tested.
[Fatal skiing accidents: a forensic analysis taking the example of Salzburg].
Kunz SN, Keller T, Grove C … +2 more , Lochner S, Monticelli F
Arch Kriminol · 2015 · PMID 26419087
The rising popularity of Alpine skiing in recent years has led to an increase of skiing accidents, some with fatal outcome. In this paper, all fatal skiing accidents from the autopsy material of the Institute of Forensic...
The rising popularity of Alpine skiing in recent years has led to an increase of skiing accidents, some with fatal outcome. In this paper, all fatal skiing accidents from the autopsy material of the Institute of Forensic Medicine of the Paris Lodron University Salzburg were evaluated and compared with statistical data of the Alpine Police. In the wintertime of 2005/2006 until 2013/2014, 22 deadly skiing accidents were autopsied. The age of the male and female victims ranged between 12 and 71 years. The main cause of death was craniocerebral and chest trauma. A relevant blood alcohol concentration was detected in only one case. Together with trauma-biomechanical and technical experts, forensic medicine serves as a necessary clarification interface between the investigating authorities and the judiciary. Determining the cause and manner of death as well as reconstructing the accident is the main task of the forensic pathologist. The present study shows that in the county of Salzburg, only a small percentage of fatal skiing accidents is evaluated from a forensic and trauma-biomechanical point of view. Thus the possibilities of an interdisciplinary accident analysis are not always fully utilized.
[Archaeology and criminology--Strengths and weaknesses of interdisciplinary cooperation].
Bachhiesl C
Arch Kriminol · 2015 · PMID 26419086
Interdisciplinary cooperation of archaeology and criminology is often focussed on the scientific methods applied in both fields of knowledge. In combination with the humanistic methods traditionally used in archaeology,...
Interdisciplinary cooperation of archaeology and criminology is often focussed on the scientific methods applied in both fields of knowledge. In combination with the humanistic methods traditionally used in archaeology, the finding of facts can be enormously increased and the subsequent hermeneutic deduction of human behaviour in the past can take place on a more solid basis. Thus, interdisciplinary cooperation offers direct and indirect advantages. But it can also cause epistemological problems, if the weaknesses and limits of one method are to be corrected by applying methods used in other disciplines. This may result in the application of methods unsuitable for the problem to be investigated so that, in a way, the methodological and epistemological weaknesses of two disciplines potentiate each other. An example of this effect is the quantification of qualia. These epistemological reflections are compared with the interdisciplinary approach using the concrete case of the "Eulau Crime Scene".
[Sudden death of a 16-year-old girl with WPW syndrome: a case report].
Wöllner K, Doberentz E, Madea B
Arch Kriminol · 2015 · PMID 26419085
The Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a usually benign heart disease with accessory pathways. Circling excitations arise between atria and ventricles which can lead to cardiac arrhythmias. Cases of sudden cardiac death a...
The Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a usually benign heart disease with accessory pathways. Circling excitations arise between atria and ventricles which can lead to cardiac arrhythmias. Cases of sudden cardiac death are rare (0.2 %). Risk factors for sudden cardiac death in patients with WPW syndrome are old age, several accessory pathways, male sex and previous syncopes. A 16-year-old girl was found lying dead in her bed. The evening before, she didn't feel well and complained about abdominal pain. The girl had known epilepsy and Wolff- Parkinson-White syndrome. The macroscopic and histological findings are presented and discussed with reference to the pertinent literature.
[Drying time for human saliva].
Jellinghaus K, Blässer L, Scheller C … +1 more , Bohnert M
Arch Kriminol · 2015 · PMID 26419084
In a case of aggravated extortion under threat of force, the medicolegal expert was asked to give an opinion on the drying time of human saliva. Fresh traces of saliva were applied to composite stones similar to those at...
In a case of aggravated extortion under threat of force, the medicolegal expert was asked to give an opinion on the drying time of human saliva. Fresh traces of saliva were applied to composite stones similar to those at the scene of the crime and their drying behavior was examined in a climate test chamber. Air temperature and air humidity during the experiment corresponded to the values of the measuring station located nearest to the crime scene. After one hour and 40 minutes no salivary spots were discernible on the stones any more. Depending on various influence factors, the traces could have originated both at the time of the offence and within a time window of up to 3 hours before.
[Projection of prisoner numbers].
Metz R, Sohn W
Arch Kriminol · 2015 · PMID 26419083
The past and future development of occupancy rates in prisons is of crucial importance for the judicial administration of every country. Basic factors for planning the required penal facilities are seasonal fluctuations,...
The past and future development of occupancy rates in prisons is of crucial importance for the judicial administration of every country. Basic factors for planning the required penal facilities are seasonal fluctuations, minimum, maximum and average occupancy as well as the present situation and potential development of certain imprisonment categories. As the prisoner number of a country is determined by a complex set of interdependent conditions, it has turned out to be difficult to provide any theoretical explanations. The idea accepted in criminology for a long time that prisoner numbers are interdependent with criminal policy must be regarded as having failed. Statistical and time series analyses may help, however, to identify the factors having influenced the development of prisoner numbers in the past. The analyses presented here, first describe such influencing factors from a criminological perspective and then deal with their statistical identification and modelling. Using the development of prisoner numbers in Hesse as an example, it has been found that modelling methods in which the independent variables predict the dependent variable with a time lag are particularly helpful. A potential complication is, however, that for predicting the number of prisoners the different dynamics in German and foreign prisoners require the development of further models.
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