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Journal of Forensic Medicine

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    28 June 2020, Volume 36 Issue 3 Previous Issue    Next Issue
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    Expression of Autophagy-Associated Protein in Rat Muscle Tissues after Antemortem and Postmortem Injury
    SHI Fu-xia, LI Peng, LU Han-lin,et al
    2020, 36(3): 293-298.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.03.001
    Abstract ( 330 )   HTML ( 13 )   PDF (1427KB) ( 716 )  
    Objective To study the expression of the three autophagy-associated proteins, BECN1, LC3 and p62, after the injury of the skeletal muscle of rats and to explore its application in differentiation between antemortem and postmortem injury. Methods The 72 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the undamaged control group, the antemortem injury group （0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 16 h and 24 h） and postmortem injury group （0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h and 4 h）. A model of the injured right hind limb of rats was constructed. The expressions of the autophagy-associated proteins, BECN1, LC3-2/LC3-1 and p62, in the control group, the antemortem injury group and postmortem injury group were detected by Western blotting method. The data were respectively centralized and standardized and the orthogonal partial least square-discrimination analysis （OPLS-DA） identification model of antemortem and postmortem injury groups was constructed. Results The expression of BECN1, p62 protein and LC3-2/LC3-1 after the injury of the skeletal muscle of the rats showed different degrees of changes, but the differences among the 3 groups had no statistical significance. Antemortem and postmortem injury groups can be distinguished by centralizing and standardizing the expression levels of autophagy protein BECN1 and the ratio of LC3-2/LC3-1. The principal components extracted from OPLS-DA model of antemortem injury and postmortem injury had a relatively good interpretation of the model （Rx2=0.563, Ry2=0.439）, but it were less predictive （Q2=0.366）. Conclusion The expression of BECN1 and the ratio of LC3-2/LC3-1 in injured local tissue of the rat skeletal muscle can be used for the differentiation of antemortem injury group and postmortem injury group.
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    Time Regularity of Morphology of Blood Pools
    ZHENG Ji-long, ZHAO Kai-fang, TENG Yue,et al
    2020, 36(3): 299-304.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.03.002
    Abstract ( 183 )   HTML ( 8 )   PDF (2729KB) ( 661 )  
    Objective To provide reference indexes and theoretical basis for age estimation of blood pools by investigating the entire drying process and monitoring the change of morphology and mass. Methods Four 15 mL blood pool samples were prepared on the clean ceramic plate. The change of morphology and mass of blood pools in a closed dark environment with a temperature of （20.0±0.5） ℃ and a humidity of 35%-45% were dynamically observed from 0 h to 60 h. Images of the blood pools were recorded by digital camera. The area of blood pools was calculated by MATLAB R2014b, the length of cracks was measured by Image J and the statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 16.0. Results By summarizing and analyzing, the drying of blood pools was divided into five stages： coagulation （0-4.5 h）, gelation （>4.5-20.0 h）, gel-solid mixing （>20.0-37.0 h）, solid （>37.0-40.0 h） and final desiccation （>40.0-45.0 h）. From 0 to 45 h, the mass of the blood pools decreased linearly with time, and the decrease was not obvious from 45.0 to 60.0 h. The standardized mass （y2） showed strong correlation with the time （x） y2=0.018 2 x+0.271 4（R2=0.967 9）. The area change rate of blood pools, the distance that the edge of blood pools moved, the average length of radical cracks had little correlation with the time that passed. Conclusion The overall morphological characteristics of blood pools show a certain regularity with the time and the standardized indexes established provide a reference for the age estimation of blood pools.
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    Frequency Characteristics of AEPs in Normal Young Adults and Comparison of Their Response Threshold and Pure Tone Audiometry Threshold
    CHENG Long-long*, LUO Fang-liang*, XIONG Yan-he, et al
    2020, 36(3): 305-310，315.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.03.003
    Abstract ( 145 )   HTML ( 6 )   PDF (2010KB) ( 542 )  
    Objective The tests of three types of auditory evoked potentials （AEPs） were performed on normal young adults, to understand the frequency characteristics of different testing methods and the relationship between response threshold and pure tone audiometry threshold of different methods, and to discuss the forensic value of 3 types of AEPs to evaluate hearing function. Methods Twenty normal young adults were selected, their standard pure tone audiometry threshold, short-term pure tone audiometry threshold and the response threshold of 3 types of AEPs （tone burst-auditory brainstem response, 40 Hz auditory event-related potential and slow vertex response） at 0.5 kHz, 1.0 kHz, 2.0 kHz and 4.0 kHz were recorded. The relationship between the response threshold and standard pure tone audiometry threshold, short-term pure tone audiometry threshold of 3 types of AEPs at different frequencies as well as the differences between different types of AEPs were analyzed. Results The short-term pure tone audiometry threshold was higher than the standard pure tone audiometry threshold at each frequency. The response threshold and standard pure tone audiometry threshold of the 3 types of AEPs all had a certain correlation, and the response threshold of the 3 types of AEPs was higher than short-term pure tone audiometry threshold and standard pure tone audiometry threshold at each frequency. The differences in the differences between the response threshold and standard pure tone audiometry threshold of the 3 types of AEPs at different frequencies had statistical significance. Linear regression mathematical models were established to infer the standard pure tone audiometry threshold （hearing level） from response threshold （sound pressure level） of 3 types of AEPs of normal young adults. Conclusion When using response threshold of different types of AEPs to estimate pure tone audiometry threshold, conversion and correction are needed. Combined use of different types of AEPs could improve the accuracy of hearing function evaluation.
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    Measurement of Scars Using Structured-Light 3D Scanning in Forensic Practice
    FU Jia-qi, YANG Zi-qian, LIU Zi-long, et al
    2020, 36(3): 311-315.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.03.004
    Abstract ( 186 )   HTML ( 11 )   PDF (1376KB) ( 527 )  
    Objective To validate the accuracy and reliability of structured-light three-dimensional （SL-3D） scanning in measuring the length and area of the regular and irregular scars on body surface and discuss its value in forensic practice. Methods The lengths of 30 cases of simulated linear scars and 50 cases of linear scars after injury were measured using soft ruler, vernier caliper + thin line method, and SL-3D scanning. The areas of 35 cases of simulated patchy scars and 15 cases of patchy scars after injury were measured using length × width, film tracing with coordinate paper method, pixel method, and SL-3D scanning, and then statistically analyzed. Results The differences between the length of the simulated linear scars measured by SL-3D scanning and standard length had no statistical significance. When simulated patchy scars and patchy scars after injury were measured with high surface curvature and large irregular areas, the differences between the results of SL-3D scanning measurement and the standard area had no statistical significance. When the length of 50 cases of linear scars after injury were measured using SL-3D scanning, the correlation coefficient between the measurement results of two different investigators was 0.998, and the correlation coefficient between the two measurement results by the same investigator was 1.000. The correlation coefficient between the results of SL-3D scanning and that of vernier caliper + thin line method was 0.996. Conclusion The three-dimensional information of the scars on the body surface can be acquired using SL-3D scanning. The measurement of the length and area of the scars is not influenced by the location of scars, curvature of surface, and human factors. The measurement results are accurate, reliable and has unique advantages.
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    Construction of SNP-STR Multiplex Amplification System with Genetic Markers and Its Forensic Application
    WANG Qiu-yue, YANG Yi-wen, CAO Yue-yan, et al
    2020, 36(3): 316-325.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.03.005
    Abstract ( 319 )   HTML ( 16 )   PDF (3138KB) ( 706 )  
    Objective To select and develop a SNP-STR multiplex amplification system with genetic markers compatible with current STR databases. To understand its genetic polymorphisms in Sichuan Han population and its application value in DNA mixture analysis. Methods Based on the STR genetic markers in commercial kits, SNPs adjacent to these STR markers were selected to be SNP-STR genetic markers. A SNP-STR multiplex amplification system with genetic markers based on allele-specific amplification was constructed using allele-specific amplification primers. The genetic polymorphism of the system in the Sichuan Han population was investigated and the efficiency of systems with different numbers of loci to detect the two individual DNA mixture samples was evaluated. Results An allele-specific multiplex amplification system constituted of 13 SNP-STR genetic markers was selected and constructed. In Sichuan Han population, the heterozygosity of each locus ranged from 0.76 to 0.88, and the combined discrimination power reached 0.999 999 999 999 999 968. In the analysis of the two individual DNA mixture samples： for single-locus amplification, the genotype of the minor components can still be detected when the mixture ratio reaches 1 000∶1; for multiple loci multiplex amplification, the maximum mixture ratio can reach 500∶1. As the number of loci in the system increased, the detection efficiency of the minor components in the DNA mixture decreased. Conclusion SNP-STR genetic markers have a higher polymorphism than STR. The multiplex amplification system made of SNP-STR genetic markers has a better analysis efficiency for mixed samples than traditional STR multiplex amplification system.
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    Impulse Control and ERP Characteristics of Patients with Mental Disorder Caused by Traumatic Brain Injury
    SONG Hong-fei, DENG Xi, YANG Ning,et al
    2020, 36(3): 326-332.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.03.006
    Abstract ( 171 )   HTML ( 13 )   PDF (1628KB) ( 706 )  
    Objective To explore the impulse control and event-related potential （ERP） characteristics of patients with mental disorders caused by traumatic brain injury （TBI） in forensic psychiatry identification and to provide objective auxiliary indicators for forensic psychiatry identification. Methods Thirty patients （TBI group） with mental disorders caused by traumatic brain injury, who were identified as mild psychiatric impairment by judicial psychiatry, including 24 males and 6 females, as well as the thirty people in the control group participated in the study. All the participants completed Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 （BIS-11） and ERP induced by Go/NoGo tasks. BIS-11 and ERP data were collected and analyzed. Results The results of the BIS-11 showed that the total score and subscale scores of the TBI group were higher compared to the control group （P<0.05）. Moreover, the TBI group exhibited significantly lower NoGo-N2 amplitude and lower NoGo-P3 amplitude than the control group. The NoGo-N2 amplitude was larger than the Go-N2 amplitude, and the NoGo-P3 amplitude was larger than the Go-P3 amplitude in both groups （P<0.05）. Conclusion Traumatic brain injury could impair impulse control of mild psychiatric impairment patients, and the amplitudes of NoGo-N2 and NoGo-P3 could be important parameters to evaluate the impulse control of patients with mental disorders caused by traumatic brain injury.
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    Analysis of Consistency between Forensic Psychiatry Identification Diagnosis and Clinical Diagnosis of 1 369 Cases
    GAO Ying, ZHANG Zeng, MIAO Qing-shan, et al
    2020, 36(3): 333-336，340.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.03.007
    Abstract ( 153 )   HTML ( 3 )   PDF (1087KB) ( 747 )  
    Objective To explore the consistency between identification diagnosis and pre-identification clinical diagnosis of patients with mental disorder undergoing forensic psychiatry identification. Methods The identification data of 1 369 appraised individuals who underwent criminal responsibility identification carried out by the Forensic Institute of Second Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from 2014 to 2017 were collected retrospectively using self-designed investigation data sorting table. A comparative analysis of the mental disorder diagnosis results of expert opinion and past clinical diagnosis results was made. Results Among 1 369 appraised individuals, 964 cases （70.4%） were identified and diagnosed with mental disorder and 405 cases （29.6%） without mental disorder. Among the former, 63.3% （610 cases） were clinically diagnosed, which was higher than 43.2% （175 cases, P<0.05） in the latter. Among the various mental disorders that had been identified and diagnosed, patients with hysteria, stress, and neurosis had the highest proportion of clinical diagnoses （86.7%）, while patients with mental retardation had the lowest proportion of clinical diagnoses （9.6%）. Schizophrenia had the highest overall consistency rate of identification diagnosis and clinical diagnosis （98.4%）, while personality and behavior disorder had the lowest （33.3%）. The overall consistency rate between clinical diagnosis and identification diagnosis of the mental disorder group was 84.1%, and the Kappa value was 0.759. Compared with clinical diagnosis, the consistency rate between inpatient diagnosis and identification diagnosis was higher （85.9%, P<0.05）. Conclusion In forensic psychiatry identification that provides data of past clinical diagnosis and treatment, a high consistency between identification diagnosis and clinical diagnosis of the appraised individual who is identified and diagnosed with mental disorder exists. Clinical diagnosis （especially the inpatient diagnosis） has a relatively good reference value for forensic psychiatry identification.
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    Application of Hollow Fiber Ultrafiltration Technology in the Detection of Total IgE of Hemolytic Blood after Death
    WANG Tian-qi, JIA Yu-qing, LIU Tian-yi, et al
    2020, 36(3): 337-340.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.03.008
    Abstract ( 132 )   HTML ( 3 )   PDF (1161KB) ( 524 )  
    Objective To investigate the treatment effect of hollow fiber ultrafiltration technology on hemolytic samples and the differences between IgE concentration and serum concentration before hemolysis in ultrafiltrate. Methods The 33 postmortem blood samples of non-frozen corpses within 72 hours after death were collected, 4 mL blood was taken from each case, among which 1 mL was centrifuged to get serum, and the remaining 3 mL blood was frozen-thawed 3-5 times to cause complete hemolysis. The 2 mL hemolytic samples were processed by hollow fiber ultrafiltration to obtain ultrafiltrate. The hemoglobin concentration in serum, complete hemolytic sample and ultrafiltrate was determined by Van-Zij solution-cyanated methemoglobin assay method, and the total IgE in serum and ultrafiltrate was determined by electrochemical luminescence method. Results The hemoglobin concentration in ultrafiltrate was significantly lower than that in complete hemolytic samples （P<0.05）. There was a good correlation between the total IgE detection values of ultrafiltrate and serum （r=0.984）. The difference between the serum and the value of IgE in ultrafiltrate after correction had no statistical significance, and the differences between the two in positive rates had no statistical significance （P>0.05）. Conclusion Ultrafiltration technology has a good treatment effect on complete hemolytic samples, and the correction value of ultrafiltrate detection is close to the serum level before hemolysis, and therefore, it can be applied to the detection of total IgE of frozen corpse hemolytic samples.
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    Polymorphisms of 19 Autosomal STR Loci in Sichuan Han Population and Their Forensic Application
    HUANG Yun, WANG Yu-zhuo, SONG Feng
    2020, 36(3): 341-346.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.03.009
    Abstract ( 196 )   HTML ( 5 )   PDF (1242KB) ( 595 )  
    Objective To investigate the allele distribution, population genetics parameters and genetic analysis of neighboring populations of 19 autosomal STR loci in Sichuan Han population, and to evaluate their forensic application value. Methods The Goldeneye?? DNA ID system 20A was used to perform multiplex PCR amplification and allelic gene typing of 19 STR loci in 1 201 unrelated Han individuals from Sichuan Province. Allele frequencies and population genetics parameters were calculated. The Nei’s genetic distances between Sichuan Han population and 12 previously reported populations were analyzed. Multidimensional scaling and principal component analysis were carried out and phylogenetic trees were also constructed. Results The heterozygosity of 19 STR loci ranged from 0.617 0 to 0.915 1, their discrimination power ranged from 0.777 4 to 0.986 5, matching probability ranged from 0.013 5 to 0.222 6, polymorphism information content ranged from 0.546 4 to 0.910 5, probability of exclusion ranged from 0.311 8 to 0.826 3 （triplet） and from 0.197 9 to 0.712 1 （biplet）, and no significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed. Based on the results of multidimensional scaling, principal component analysis and phylogenetic trees of the genetic distances between Sichuan Han population and the other 12 populations, Sichuan Han population was closest to Hubei Han population and was farthest to Xinjiang Uygur population. Conclusion The 19 autosomal STR loci showed a high polymorphism and discriminating ability in Sichuan Han population, which can provide a data foundation for personal identification, paternity test and population genetics study.
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    Research Progress of Metabolomics in Forensic Pathology
    DU Tie-shuai, MENGXI Mai-meng, YE Xing1, et al
    2020, 36(3): 347-353.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.03.010
    Abstract ( 354 )   HTML ( 27 )   PDF (1030KB) ( 811 )  
    Metabolomics is an interdisciplinary subject that rose in the post-genomic era, which focuses on quantitative study of the response of living organisms to outside stimulation and pathophysiological changes, as well as multiple dynamic response of the level of in vivo metabolites caused by genetic mutation. It is extensively used in basic research of system biology, materia medica, clinical medicine, etc. In the forensic field, metabolomics mainly focuses on forensic toxicology, but with the generalization of certain techniques, it’s foreseeable that metabolomics has a broad research prospect in forensic pathology. This article summarizes the major analysis techniques and methods of metabolomics, describes the research status of metabolomic techniques in the field of forensic pathology application research, including postmortem interval and death cause. Moreover, this article summarizes and discusses the potential applicable areas, in order to provide reference for relative research and application.
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    Research Progress on Forensic Palynology and Its Application in Forensic Science
    CHEN Yun-xia, SHI Hong-fei
    2020, 36(3): 354-359.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.03.011
    Abstract ( 497 )   HTML ( 27 )   PDF (979KB) ( 678 )  
    Forensic palynology is to apply palynology to the field of forensic science, using pollen and spores to solve issues in juridical practice, such as civil and criminal issues. Sporopollens have a small size, wide distribution, diverse morphology, can be easily transferred, have durability, and is not easily noticed. It can provide strong investigation and related evidence for case detection as good trace evidence. The application of palynology in forensic science has achieved certain success, but it is underutilized in most countries. This paper analyzes the evidence value provided by sporopollen, collection of the sporopollen samples, the progress in detection technology and challenges ahead, based on the biological characteristics of sporopollen, combined with recent successful cases in forensic science, to comprehensively discuss the research progress in forensic palynology and its application prospects in forensic science.
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    Research Progress on the Determination of Electrical Conductivity in Forensic Science
    LI Yong-lin1, XIA Zhi-yuan2, ZHENG Zhe1, et al
    2020, 36(3): 360-364.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.03.012
    Abstract ( 166 )   HTML ( 9 )   PDF (974KB) ( 584 )  
    Electrical conductivity （EC） is an important physical and chemical index in electrochemical analysis. In recent years, with the penetration and reference of transformation medicine and interdisciplinary theory and technology in the forensic field, new applications of EC in the field of forensic science have been developed. This paper reviews three aspects of the application of EC, the determination of biological tissue freshness, postmortem interval estimation and the application in forensic taphonomy, in order to provide reference for relevant scientific research and related practices.
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    Progress in Research on Biomarkers of Post-Traumatic Epilepsy
    JIA Xiao, ZHOU Feng-juan, DAI Bin-bin,et al
    2020, 36(3): 365-368，373.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.03.013
    Abstract ( 164 )   HTML ( 5 )   PDF (1011KB) ( 611 )  
    Post traumatic epilepsy （PTE） is a serious complication of traumatic brain injury and a difficult problem in forensic justice practice. In recent years, many biomarkers have been applied to the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of injuries and diseases. There have been many studies on the biomarkers of PTE in the field of epilepsy. This paper reviews the progress in research on biomarkers of PTE in recent years in order to provide reference for the forensic identification of PTE.
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    Application Status and Prospect of Bite Mark Evidence in Forensic Odontology
    MA Xin-fang, JIN Miao, SUN Hao,et al
    2020, 36(3): 369-373.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.03.014
    Abstract ( 606 )   HTML ( 53 )   PDF (954KB) ( 1018 )  
    Bite marks are increasingly common in violent cases such as child abuse and sex crimes. Bite marks are often the result of a suspect’s attack or a victim’s self-defense. Because human teeth vary in size, shape and arrangement, bite marks on objects such as skin and food are characteristic. By using this principle, forensic odontology can identify or exclude suspects by comparing actual bite marks with the teeth marks in the mouth. In this paper, the practical application of bite mark evidence, the research status and problems of bite mark analysis are briefly reviewed, and the prospect of bite mark analysis is also discussed.
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    Research Progress on MicroRNA in Forensic Medicine as Molecular Markers
    YANG Dan, LI Yang, SUN Qi-fan, et al
    2020, 36(3): 374-378.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.03.015
    Abstract ( 302 )   HTML ( 19 )   PDF (946KB) ( 722 )  
    MicroRNA （miRNA） belongs to a class of endogenous non-coding small RNA molecules with a length of 18-24 nucleotides. The expression of miRNA is highly conservative, has time sequence and is highly tissue-specific. MiRNA could not be easily degraded by ribonuclease, and is resistant to changes in environmental factors such as temperature and pH value. Moreover, miRNA can even be detected in corrupt tissue. As a result, miRNA has broad application prospects in many fields of forensic medicine such as source identification of body fluid and estimation of cause of death. This article briefly summarizes the application of miRNA in forensic practice, such as body fluid identification, determination of postmortem interval and cause of death analysis.
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    Research Progress on the Relationship between Genetic Polymorphism and Violent Behavior of Patients with Schizophrenia
    XU Shuo, LIANG Yi-ying, HONG Bin-xue,et al
    2020, 36(3): 379-388.  DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2020.03.016
    Abstract ( 214 )   HTML ( 14 )   PDF (1052KB) ( 813 )  
    Schizophrenia is a common disease characterized by thinking obstructions and accompanied by cognitive, emotional and behavioral disorders. Under the control of psychiatric symptoms, patients with schizophrenia may self-injure or impulsively wound others, resulting in public risk and increase in the burden of family and society. In recent years, many studies have shown that the violent behavior of patients with schizophrenia is related to genetic factors. This article reviews the research progress on the relationship between genetic polymorphism and violent behavior of patients with schizophrenia, analyzes the possible mechanism of the correlation between the two, puts forward the limitations of current research and the directions of future research, and provides scientific basis for risk assessment and prevention of violent behavior of patients with schizophrenia.
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