INTRODUCTIONA meniscal deficient knee is at risk of early degenerative osteoarthritis. Allograft meniscal transplantation has been used to treat the meniscus deficiency to alleviate pain symptoms and to delay progression to arthritis. This case series aims to assess the postoperative outcomes of patients who have undergone meniscal allograft transplantation in our hospital.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis is a prospective clinical review of prospectively collected data of our Meniscal Transplantation Programme from 2004 to 2007. Twelve meniscal allografts were implanted in 12 males with symptomatic knees, using arthroscopically assisted techniques. Preoperative and postoperative assessments were conducted using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Tegner Activity Level Scale, Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and 2000 International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scoring systems.

RESULTSThe mean age was 26.7 years with a mean follow-up of 17 months (range, 5 to 37). The VAS score for pain improved from 5.5 (3- 10) to 1.4 (0-2) [P <0.05], Tegner from 3 (2-5) to 5.9 (3-9) [P <0.05], Lysholm from 62.5 (27-88) to 88.6 (70-100) [P <0.05], IKDC Subjective Score from 50 (24-79) to 79.5 (56-95) [P <0.05]. Overall IKDC Knee Examination Grades revealed 10 nearly normal and 2 abnormal scores.

CONCLUSIONSThis is the first series of allograft meniscal transplantation from Southeast Asia. Patient outcome evaluation via VAS, Tegner Activity Level Scale, Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale and 2000 IKDC Knee Evaluation Form showed improvement in symptoms and knee function after implantation.

Adult ; Arthroscopy ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Medical Audit ; Menisci, Tibial ; transplantation ; Middle Aged ; Pain Measurement ; Prospective Studies ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome

Xylazine is a sedative, analgesic and muscle relaxant widely applied in the veterinary field. However, owing to its depressant effect, xylazine has become a substance of abuse by humans. Misuse of xylazine not only triggers unwanted consequences (death), but also linked with various crimes. Google Scholar, PubMed and SciFinder were used to retrieve articles and case reports in relation to the misuses of xylazine and established analytical methods for forensic investigation until November 2021. Literatures reported the accidental and intended poisoning of xylazine, recreational use of xylazine and as an adulterant in recreational drugs. In addition to being a facilitator of crime and sexual assault, it is administered illegally to food producing animals as a sedative and to sports animals as a doping agent. Problems associated with the abuse of xylazine were highlighted in this review, covering the unknown prevalence of xylazine abuse and the need to revise the regulatory status of xylazine. In addition, limited screening and confirmatory methods that can be readily utilised to detect xylazine either alone or simultaneously with other substances of abuse, particularly useful for forensic toxicology and narcotic section were available in the literature. As a conventionally used veterinary drug, xylazine is undoubtedly a potentially hazardous drug, and the investigations on its potential abuse would enhance routine forensic examination to keep pace with the status of illicit drugs.

Trace odour is one of the trace material evidence that has significant value in forensic analysis. The recovery of relevant trace odour components from clothing has the potential to be a form of trace evidence that can be used to assess the likelihood of a contact between individuals in sexual and violent cases. They have the same potential as other trace evidence and can narrow down the suspect in the investigation. Studies conducted previously related to trace odour have succeeded in proving that this trace odour is unique, has its signature profile and can distinguish it from other sources such as fingerprints and DNA. This review highlights these trace odours and their persistence after being transferred, which contribute to a complete picture of the dynamics and potential application in the forensic reconstruction process. The literature was sourced from electronic databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Springer Link, Wiley On¬line Library and Science Direct. Keywords such “odour”, “trace odour”, “scent”, “volatile organic compound”, “forensic identification” were utilised. Further studies on various forms of trace odour are needed to strengthen their evidential values and be admissible to the court.

Introduction: Fingermarks left at a crime scene can indicate the presence of an individual and his/her involvement in the crime. Fingermarks, usually invisible, can appear on any surface and may be contaminated by any exogenous substances, including drug substance. Recovery of fingermarks contaminated by drug substance is crucial to link an individual with the drug-related crimes. Hence, this study was aimed to investigate the recovery and visualisation of methamphetamine-contaminated fingermarks from various non-porous surface materials. Methods: In this study, fingermarks were deposited on 11 types of surface materials varied by the presence of methamphetamine contamination, immediacy of deposition, and their concentration levels. Each fingermark was then developed using white and black fingerprint powders, graded, and compared based on the different settings. Results: Application of fingerprint powder was good in developing fingermarks; however, its suitability depends on the nature of the surface materials. Black fingerprint powder produced better visualisation where the fingermarks on all the 11 surface materials tested in this study were successfully recovered compared to white fingerprint powders. Methamphetamine-contaminated fingermarks could still be recovered using the fingerprint powder dusting method, but the fingermark grade was reduced due to the presence of exogenous substance. Conclusion: To conclude, the recovery and visualisation of methamphetamine-contaminated fingermarks on non-porous surfaces were successfully carried out through the application of fingerprint powder. A more severe contamination might lead to lower fingermark grade showing lesser ridge details.