Hypostasis and time since death: state of the art in Italy and a novel approach for an operative instrumental protocol.

Hypostasis is a common postmortem change, whose presence or absence is used by forensic pathologists as a means of determining the approximate time of death. This assessment plays a primary role in Italian forensic practice, but blanching of hypostasis is still estimated only on the basis of subjective impressions. To understand how forensic pathologists test livor mortis on the crime scene and during forensic daily practice in Italy, an inquiry was made into lividity testing. Subsequently, with the aim of proposing a more objective approach, a study on postmortem lividity was performed; 101 cadavers were analyzed, and the color of hypostasis was measured by a colorimeter. Different conditions of time and pressure on hypostasis were tested. Linear regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between postmortem interval and the color of the skin after a predefined intensity and duration of pressure. Herein we propose a novel operative instrumental protocol using new, more standardized conditions for the analysis of hypostasis, thus providing pathologists with a more rigorous approach to postmortem interval estimation.

Novel ceramic paper structures for diesel exhaust purification.

The catalytic combustion of diesel soot is addressed with flexible and structured "paper catalysts". Two different series of catalysts were prepared either by drip impregnation or by a spray method to deposit a mixture of Co, Ba, and K or a mixture of Co and Ce onto SiO2-Al2O3 ceramic paper matrixes. In every case, CeO2 nanoparticles were added to bind the ceramic fibers. SEM images showed that the impregnation method generated catalytic particles concentrated as large chunks (> 10 µm), mainly at ceramic fiber crossings, whereas the spray method produced smaller catalytic particles (< 1 µm) well distributed throughout the ceramic paper. Besides, Co-Ba-K particles appeared better dispersed on the surface of ceramic fibers than Co-Ce due to the presence of K. Additionally, FTIR spectra showed the formation of O22- and O2- species associated with CeO2 (binder) on the samples containing potassium which gave the Co-Ba-K-ceramic paper good catalytic properties, thus making the Co-Ba-K drop impregnated the best catalyst both considering activity and stability. Successive temperature programmed oxidation (TPO) runs up to 700 °C caused the formation of cobalt silicates in the catalytic ceramic paper prepared by the spray method, as indicated by TPR. The formation of these species was probably favored by the smaller size of cobalt particulates and their higher dispersion in the catalysts prepared by the spray method. This provoked the partial loss of the redox properties of Co3O4. TPR experiments also indicated the formation of BaCoO3 in Ba-containing ceramic paper, which could help in maintaining the catalyst activity after several TPO runs through the capacity of this mixed perovskite-type oxide to trap and release NOx.

Suicide by self-administration of a drug mixture (propofol, midazolam, and zolpidem) in an anesthesiologist: the first case report in Italy.

The authors report an unusual case of suicide of an anesthesiologist, in which the suicide manner and means depend upon the victim's occupation. This is the first case report published in Italy of a death involving propofol and other drugs. The anesthesiologist was found dead with an empty drip still inserted in the hand and another one near his body. Forensic and toxicological findings suggested that the cause of death was a respiratory depression due to a self-administration of a rapidly infused lethal drug mixture. Analytical drug quantification was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Blood analysis revealed: zolpidem (0.86 µg/mL), propofol (0.30 µg/mL), midazolam (0.08 µg/mL), thiopental (0.03 µg/mL), and amitriptyline (0.07 µg/mL). Adipose tissue and hair analysis suggested a previous and repeated use of these drugs verifying the fact that in Italy recreational abuse of anesthetic and sedative agents in health care practitioners is becoming an increasing problem.

An unusual death of a masochist: Accident or suicide?

"Autoerotic asphyxia" typically involves an individual hanging or ligature, resulting in self-induced oxygen deprivation brought about by neck compression during sexual activity. Little about the so-called "atypical forms" of autoerotic asphyxia, which also involve compression of the chest or abdomen, has been published in forensic literature. When death results from such practices, they are usually deemed accidental, however, suicide or homicide must also be considered. The authors present a single case of accidental fatal asphyxia by the simultaneous compression of the neck, chest, and abdomen using a chair-bed. The victim was known to have had masochistic tendencies. In order to confirm the hypothesis of accidental death, the results of crime scene investigations, and autopsy findings, including histological and toxicological analysis, are summarized here.