Next generation forensic taphonomy: Automation for experimental, field-based research.

Determining the post-mortem interval (PMI) is often a critical goal in forensic casework. Consequently, the discipline of forensic taphonomy has involved considerable research efforts towards achieving this goal, with substantial strides made in the past 40 years. Importantly, quantification of decompositional data (and the models derived from them) and standardisation in experimental protocols are being increasingly recognised as key components of this drive. However, despite the discipline's best efforts, significant challenges remain. Still lacking are standardisation of many core components of experimental design, forensic realism in experimental design, true quantitative measures of the progression of decay, and high-resolution data. Without these critical elements, large-scale, synthesised multi-biogeographically representative datasets - necessary for building comprehensive models of decay to precisely estimate PMI - remain elusive. To address these limitations, we propose the automation of taphonomic data collection. We present the world's first reported fully automated, remotely operable forensic taphonomic data collection system, inclusive of technical design details. Through laboratory testing and field deployments, the apparatus substantially reduced the cost of actualistic (field-based) forensic taphonomic data collection, improved data resolution, and provided for more forensically realistic experimental deployments and simultaneous multi-biogeographic experiments. We argue that this device represents a quantum leap in experimental methodology in this field, paving the way for the next generation of forensic taphonomic research and, we hope, attainment of the elusive goal of precise estimation of PMI.

Factorial invariance for combined Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised and Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised scores in a sample of clients with alcohol dependency.

This study examined the joint factor structure of the WAIS-R and WMS-R in a sample of 289 participants (mostly males) with alcohol dependency. In a confirmatory phase we contrasted a range of factor models derived from previous analyses of the Wechsler scales. The best fitting model incorporated five factors representing Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Organization, Attention-Concentration, Verbal Memory, and Visual Memory, with reassignment of factor loadings for two subtests. The invariance of the measurement model was then examined comparing data from a large sample of healthy participants (J. R. Carstairs & E. A. Shores, 1999). The results indicated that the number of factors was invariant across samples, and four of the factors satisfied the criterion of partial measurement invariance.

Imagery and craving in alcohol dependent persons.

There is limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of imagery techniques in exposure-based treatments for alcohol dependence. Changes in craving for alcohol following imagery instruction, measured by cognitive and physiological indices, have not been demonstrated. Furthermore, the influence of different imagery script content has not been investigated. This study compared levels of craving elicited, measured by self-report and salivation, under control and imagery conditions, in subjects receiving treatment for alcohol dependence. Imagery script content was varied across three levels. Participants generally reported forming good quality images with strong affective components. Significant effects of imagery treatment were found for changes in self-reported craving levels, but not for the salivation measure. Significant decay in levels of self-reported craving was also observed. No differences in effectiveness between the three script types were discovered. Implications of the results for therapy approaches such as cue exposure are considered.

Measurement of the severity of amphetamine dependence.

A Severity of Amphetamine Dependence Questionnaire (SAmDQ) was administered to 101 subjects attending an Australian drug dependency treatment centre. The SAmDQ was adapted from the Severity of Opiate and Alcohol Dependence Questionnaires (SODQ & SADQ). The structural characteristics of the SAmDQ were examined and compared with previous findings reported on samples of opiate addicts with the SODQ. A high degree of consistency was found between the results obtained with the SAmDQ and previous findings with the SODQ. The relationship between the SAmDQ and the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) was also examined. The findings suggest that further development of amphetamine dependence measurement is required.

An evaluation of the psychoactive substance dependence syndrome in its application to opiate users.

The Psychoactive Substance Abuse and Dependence (PSDA) section of the revised, 3rd edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R) bears a close correspondence to the conceptualization of a dependence syndrome as posited by Edwards, Arif & Hodgson (1981). Further, DSM-III-R represents a major shift in psychodiagnostics. The present study investigated hypothesized properties of the dependence syndrome and examined the characteristics of DSM-III-R criteria with a sample of opiate users. Findings indicated general support for the unidimensional postulate of the dependence syndrome but did not support the weighting of syndrome elements within DSM-III-R. The implications of such findings for the proposed DSM-IV are discussed.

Methadone: old problems for new programmes.

The present paper is concerned with factors which compromise the effective delivery of programmes incorporating methadone. Current clinical practices and programme characteristics are reviewed and policy issues regarding the role of methadone are considered, especially within the context of containing the spread of HIV infection. These issues are discussed in relation to empirical outcome studies, local prescribing trends and clinical case material. The authors conclude that there is an urgent need for: (1) an evaluation of the outcome of private practitioner methadone dispensation versus comprehensive agency-based therapy; (2) the accreditation of staff in all programmes incorporating methadone; and (3) the development of monitoring mechanisms, including on-site clinical audits of programmes.

Severity of opiate dependence in an Australian sample: further validation of the SODQ.

The Severity of Opiate Dependence Questionnaire (SODQ) was administered to 114 subjects attending an Australian drug dependency treatment centre. The psychometric properties of the SODQ were examined and compared with previous findings reported on American and British samples of opiate addicts. Severity of opiate dependence was assessed independently using a structured clinical interview based on DSM-III-R criteria (i.e. SCID-R). Together those analyses suggested (i) measurement difficulties with some aspects of the opiate dependence syndrome and (ii) only a modest relationship between subjects' self-report and clinicians' judgements of severity of opiate dependence.

Myeloma of the oesophagus.

A case of myeloma of the oesophagus is presented. A search of the literature has revealed no other. The tumour was treated by local resection and postoperative treatment with cyclophosphamide was attempted. The patient died 14 months after operation from a massive myocardial infarct and at necropsy no tumour was found in any organ.

Acute renal failure and open heart surgery.

A retrospective study of 428 open heart operations showed the incidence of mild and severe renal failure to be 26% and 4.7% respectively. The mortality rate was 38% in the mild cases and 70% in the severe cases. Only half of the patients whose death was associated with renal failure showed macroscopic or microscopic renal lesions at necropsy. The patients who developed renal impairment had significantly higher mean preoperative blood urea (40 mg/100 ml) than the non-renal-failure cases (33 mg/100 ml). Periods of perfusion over 60 minutes, mean perfusion pressures below 80 mm Hg, and multiple valve replacement operations also increased the incidence of renal failure. There was no statistical correlation between the age of individual patients, the degree of cooling, and postoperative blood urea values. There was no evidence to suggest that frusemide or mannitol separately or together influenced the development of renal failure. Peritoneal dialysis was preferred for initial treatment of patients with severe renal failure, and haemodialysis was required only in special cases.