No abstract available.
Firearms* ; Forensic Ballistics* ; Wounds and Injuries*

Forensic Ballistics ; Humans ; Maxillofacial Injuries ; surgery ; Wounds, Gunshot ; surgery

OBJECTIVE: To observe the characteristics of vertical cast-off bloodstain pattern by different hitting-tools. METHODS: The regular hitting tools, a kitchen knife, a dirk, a plane set-hammer and an iron pipe, were selected. At a distance of 30 cm away from the wall, the hitting tool with 5 mL fresh chicken blood made the cast-off bloodstain from top to bottom. Then the holistic distribution characteristics (length, width and density) of cast-off bloodstain and morphology characteristics (length, width and contact angle) of first single cast-off bloodstain were analyzed. RESULTS: The distribution length of cast-off bloodstain formed by dirk was minimum (P < 0.05). The distribution width of cast-off bloodstain formed by kitchen knife was minimum (P < 0.05). Except the pair of kitchen knife and plane set-hammer, the distribution density between each two tools had statistical differences (P < 0.05). The length of first single cast-off bloodstain formed by plane set-hammer was longest compared (P < 0.05). The width of first single cast-off bloodstain had statistical differences between kitchen knife and plane set-hammer, and between dirk and plane set-hammer (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The type of hitting tool could be inferred by the specific characteristics of cast-off bloodstain pattern formed by every specific type of hitting tool in crime scene.
Blood Stains ; Computer Simulation ; Crime ; Forensic Ballistics/methods* ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Humans

We report on operational and rehabilitation management, as well as the outcome, of a patient who with sustained spinal cord injury from a high velocity gunshot wound to the lumbar spine. More specifically, a patient with a gunshot wound to the spine is more likely to sustain a complete injury and have a poor prognosis. As such, there should be concerns regarding associated and extended injuries related to bullet fragmentation as well as the possibility of long-term sequelae.
Forensic Ballistics ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spine ; Wounds, Gunshot

Gunshot wounds have been an important source of injury for centuries and continue to occur. The military medical communities have developed standard procedural sequences and principles that may assist and serve as references to the care of civilian gunshot wound patients. In addition to the basic understanding of the wounding patterns and potential extent of the damage caused by the ballistic characteristics of the missile, three principles need to be emphasized in the course of the treatment: timely debridement, delivery of antibiotics, and delayed closure of the wound. Despite recent innovations and improvements in medicine, the three principles still stand, and may assist even surgeons with minimal experience in treating gunshot wounds to achieve reliable results. The situation and environment of civilian medical facilities differ from those of the military in war time, and less invasive and more conservative methods may be attempted in accordance with available resources.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Debridement ; Forensic Ballistics ; Humans ; Military Personnel ; Wounds, Gunshot

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Forensic Ballistics ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Health ; Paint ; Pressure ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Understanding of prostate anatomy has evolved as techniques have been refined and improved for radical prostatectomy (RP), particularly regarding the importance of the neurovascular bundles for erectile function. The objectives of this study were to develop inexpensive and simple but anatomically accurate prostate models not involving human or animal elements to teach the terminology and practical aspects of nerve-sparing RP and simple prostatectomy (SP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The RP model used a Foley catheter with ballistics gelatin in the balloon and mesh fabric (neurovascular bundles) and balloons (prostatic fascial layers) on either side for the practice of inter- and intrafascial techniques. The SP model required only a ripe clementine, for which the skin represented compressed normal prostate, the pulp represented benign tissue, and the pith mimicked fibrous adhesions. A modification with a balloon through the fruit center acted as a "urethra." RESULTS: Both models were easily created and successfully represented the principles of anatomical nerve-sparing RP and SP. Both models were tested in workshops by urologists and residents of differing levels with positive feedback. CONCLUSIONS: Low-fidelity models for prostate anatomy demonstration and surgical practice are feasible. They are inexpensive and simple to construct. Importantly, these models can be used for education on the practical aspects of nerve-sparing RP and SP. The models will require further validation as educational and competency tools, but as we move to an era in which human donors and animal experiments become less ethical and more difficult to complete, so too will low-fidelity models become more attractive.
Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Autonomic Pathways ; Catheters ; Fascia ; Forensic Ballistics ; Fruit ; Gelatin ; Humans ; Models, Anatomic ; Prostate ; Prostatectomy ; Skin ; Tissue Donors

Facial Injuries ; Foreign Bodies ; Forensic Ballistics ; Humans ; Lead Poisoning ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Shock ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Wounds, Gunshot