Case Of Decapitation Research Articles

Deaths due to locomotive injuries in Jaffna district- eight-year retrospective study are we prepared to change our attitude?

Railway-related fatalities were rising and reported throughout the year. Reckless behavior and using the train as a suicide tool are the primary cause of these tragic deaths.A retrospective descriptive study based on decedents of locomotive trauma was carried out at the JMO office, Jaffna, from January 2015 to January 2022.Thirty decedents were included in this study. Among them, twenty-nine were male, and the age of the individuals ranged from 16 to 73 years. Fifty-seven percent(n=17) of them were between 20 to 40 years. Most were married (57%. n=17) and unemployed (57%, n=17). There were 20(67%) accidents, 09(30%) suicides, and manner could not be ascertained in one (03%) death. Among the accidental deaths, 60%(n=12) were due to vehicle-train collisions, and 80%(n=16) of the deaths occurred at railway crossings. Most (67%, n=06) of the suicidal deaths happened alongside the railway track, away from stations, or rail crossings. All the decedents in both accidents (100%, n=20) and suicides (100%, n=09) had lacerations over the head and neck area. Hundred percent (n=20) of accident cases sustained fractures of the head and neck, 33% (n=03) One (10%) case of decapitation was noted in the self-harmed group. Over the chest region, more than 50% of the deaths had fractures in both accidents (80%, n=16) and suicides (56%, n=05). One (10%) case of transection of the body at the level of the chest was seen in a suicide case. Transection of the body at the level of the abdomen was seen in the accident (05%, n=01) and suicide (10%, n=01). The distribution and nature of injuries were almost identical in both upper and lower limbs. The brain is the internal organ that is primarily affected in both accidents (90%, n=19) and suicides (78%, n=07). In eighty percent (n=24) of the cases cause of death has been determined as craniocerebral injuries, while in 20% (n=06) of the cases, multiple injuries were given as the cause of death.The majority of railroad deaths were accidental. Transections of the neck and chest were commoner in suicides than in accidents. The nature of external injuries and internal organ damage were not showing a significant difference in accidents and suicides.

Sevoflurane analysis in forensic cases using headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: A case study

The objective is to present a case study related to forensic analysis of Sevoflurane Using Head Space (HS)-GCMS. For qualitative detection of volatile substances, this methodology might be helpful in conducting forensic analysis of such substances. Sevoflurane is an ether inhalation general anaesthetic agent. Sevoflurane is a volatile nonflammable fluorinated methyl isopropyl ether inhaled anaesthetic, chemically related to desflurane and isoflurane (C. M. Rosales, J. Forensic Sci., 2007, 52, 1408–1410). The low solubility and the absence of pungency facilitate rapid mask induction. It has been used as an inhaled anaesthetic since 1985. Its major distribution is initially to areas of high blood flow (brain, heart, liver and kidney) and later to less perfused organs. Sevoflurane can cause cardio-respiratory depression, hypotension, and malignant hyperthermia (M. Adachi, J. Anaesth., 1992, 68, 214–215). Seizures (convulsions) can occur during anaesthesia with Sevoflurane but Sevoflurane related deaths are rare. Various studies have been conducted for detection and quantification of Sevoflurane in postmortem and toxicological studies. The case was submitted at PFSA (Punjab Forensic Science Agency) for analysis consisting of bottle of suspected narcotics. The bottle was recovered from accused committing offence of criminal intimidation, life threat and physically assaulting his ex-wife and children. He trespassed into house and sprayed her with some bottle in order to molest her. He also threatened her children and his father in-law with pistol. The suspected bottle of spray was analyzed qualitatively using HS-GC-MS with slight modification in already validated method. About 1–2 mL of liquid was taken in headspace vial and heated up to 50–60oC (for vaporization) and about 1–2 μL of headspace sample was injected manually in GC. A gas chromatographic system 7890B series (Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, CA, USA) coupled to MS detector. Agilent HP-5MS Ultra Inert column (30 m length, 250 μm ID, with film thickness of 0.25 μm) (D. Bourdeaux, J. Chromatogr. B. Analyt. Technol. Biomed. Life Sci., 2010, 878, 45–50). was used for the separation of constituents. Injection volume of 1 μL was used in split mode in 20:1 ratio at 250 °C. Helium gas was used as carrier gas with 1 mL/min flow rate with inlet pressure 12.051 psi. Oven temperature for GC column at 50 °C upheld for 2 min and then gradually increased to 150 °C at 50 °C/min for 1 minute. The total run time was set up for 5 min. The temperature for MS source and MS Quad were 230 °C and 150 °C respectively. Scan mode for m/z from 43–220 was done. Agilent GC Chemstation was used for data analysis. Results were compared with reference book (C. Maffat, Clark's Analysis of Drug and Poisons. 3rd. London-Chicago: Pharmaceutical Press, 2004, 2, 1558–1559). This exceptional crime case of using sevoflurane bottle for threatening and attacking received in our lab was evaluated for the presence of suspected drug. The sample analyzed using HS-GCMS showed a single peak on chromatogram at 1.282 + 0.01 minutes and the MS ions were matched with reference MS spectrum showing Sevoflurane which is being used as inhalation anaesthetic. Various studies suggested that Sevoflurane could possible cause irreversible circulatory depression and hypoxia and may cause death. It is the new case of decapitation with sevoflurane. The reported method is quite short and efficient in detection of Sevoflurane using HS-GCMS.

Four cases of beheading from 14th-17th century Lithuania.

Skeletal evidence of beheading in early modern Lithuania has been scarce, despite historical documentation indicating it as a popular practice. This study presents the first bioarchaeological cases of decapitation in early modern Lithuania, with four adult male individuals from the 14th-17th centuries A.D. that reveal evidence of perimortem lesions in the cervical and thoracic vertebrae. The osteological and radiological study of the affected bones suggests that the individuals might have been victims of episodes of interpersonal violence, rather than subjected to capital punishment.

Suicidal Decapitation by Hanging-A Population-based Study.

A prospective study was undertaken at Forensic Science SA over a 15-year period from July 2002 to June 2017 for all cases of adult (>18 years) suicidal hangings with decapitation. A total of 1446 cases of suicidal hangings were identified from a general population of approximately 1.5 million (1206 males-age range 18-97 years, average 42.6; and 240 females-age range 18-96 years, average 40.1). Only three cases of decapitation were found, all from long-drop hangings; these consisted of three males (ages 32-55 years; average 45 years). Spinal transections had occurred between the first and second, second and third, and third and fourth cervical vertebrae, respectively. In this study, the number of suicidal hangings with decapitation represented only 0.2% of the total number of hangings. These events are therefore extremely rare, most likely due to most suicidal hangings occurring from relatively low levels in a domestic environment.

CRANIAL INJURIES IN THE LATE BRONZE AND EARLY IRON AGE POPULATION OF THE SHNOGH RIVER BASIN, ARMENIA

Excavations at Late Bronze and Early Iron Age cemeteries in the Lori Province of Armenia have yielded 123 human skeletons. In this study, we describe traumatic injuries in crania from the Shnogh River basin, dating to 1300–1000 BC, with a view of reconstructing aspects of social and natural environment. The occurrence of traumas is moderately high (15.6–23.7 %) and varies between groups. Cranial traumatism in males was higher than in contemporaneous populations of the Sevan Basin and the Shirak Plain, but it hardly resulted from warfare. We describe one case of decapitation. Five crania evidence surgical intervention, and three of them show healing.

Palaeopathology of human remains of the 1st century BC–3rd century AD from Armenia (Beniamin, Shirakavan I)

The aim of this article was to document the pathology of the individuals from the archeological sites of Beniamin and Shirakavan I, Armenia, dated on the 1st century BC - 3rd century AD. The findings revealed that two groups differed in mean age at death of adults. At Beniamin it was 24 years, 40.8 years for males and 30.9 years for females, whereas at Shirakavanit it was 29.3 years, 29.6 years for males and 35.8 years for females. The greatest mortality appeared to have occurred when the children reached the age of one year (Beniamin). The population had high number of young-adult females with a cause of death associated with child-bearing . Very few females survived to old age. Traumatic conditions (63.64%) and enamel hypoplasias (57.2%) have a high frequency in the skeletal material from Shirakavan. The volume of selection of Shirakavan does not allow itself to so big discussion as it was possible with the Beniamin site. Fewer hypoplasias in Beniamin group indicate that food resources were more abundant and more easily exploited. The small frequency of a periodontal disorder indicates that dental hygiene was good during the Antiquity period. We here report a case of possible pituitary dwarfism and a case of decapitation.

Decapitation by the Force to the Body: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature

Decapitation is rarely experienced for forensic pathologists except for the putrefaction corpus decomposed by invaders. However, it has been very important for forensic pathologists to think of the cause of death, antemortem or post-mortem decapitation, and the instrument for decapitation. Postmortem decapitation is often caused after hanging. Rarely, victim is murdered and the corpse is unlawfully disposed after death for the purpose of hiding or carrying easily. Antemortem decapitation is divided into suicide, homicide and accident by classification of the cause of death. Antemortem decapitation is generally performed by a lot of instruments, such as knife, saw, guillotine, rope, chain, and so on (Table 1). In most of the cases, these objects act around the neck directly. The force for decapitation by blunt instrument is strongish, such as vehicle-assisted ligature strangulation [1-8], suicidal hanging [9-12], rarely, attacks by animal such as dog and so on [13,14], and explosion [15]. However, any strong force is not necessary for decapitation by sharp instrument [16,17]. Most of suicidal decapitations can be performed by hanging rope [1,2,6,8-12], wheels of train [4], and sharp instrument [16]. Homicidal decapitation can be mostly performed by sharp instruments such as knife, saw and scissors [17]. Turk et al. reported four cases of homicidal decapitation, which decapitation was inflicted at postmortem after killing the victim in three cases and decapitation was inflicted during survival in one case [17]. Ihama et al. reported an accidental decapitation by the movement of the chain [5]. Buschmann et al. reported that the dogs attacked the neck of 3-week-old male infant and swallowed his head [13]. Therefore, decapitation can be caused by the force to the narrow width in the neck directly and strongly. Indirect force to the neck may be difficult to cause decapitation. In this report, we experienced rare case of decapitation due to the force to the body. Decapitation is caused by indirect force to the neck. Language: en

Decapitation Due to Car Accident

The occurrence of complete decapitation as a consequence of car accident is an extremely rare event. This fatality is generally seen in pedestrians run over by trains and also in motorcyclists who impact against the tailboard of trucks. Moreover, complete transection of pedestrians and occupants of cars has been described in road accidents especially in case of vehicles traveling at a high speed. We present a case of decapitation with complete degloving injury of the neck in a patient involved in a traffic accident, and we briefly discuss the possible mechanisms producing this injury.

Hangman's fracture: a historical and biomechanical perspective

The execution technique of hanging, introduced by the Angle, Saxon, and Jute Germanic tribes during their invasions of the Roman Empire and Britain in the 5th century, has remained largely unchanged over time. The earliest form of a gallows was a tree on which prisoners were hanged. Despite the introduction of several modifications such as a trap door, the main mechanism of death remained asphyxiation. This created the opportunity for attempted revival after the execution, and indeed several well-known cases of survival following judicial hanging have been reported. It was not until the introduction of the standard drop by Dr. Samuel Haughton in 1866, and the so-called long drop by William Marwood in 1872 that hanging became a standard, humane means to achieve instantaneous death. Hangmen, however, fearing knot slippage, started substituting the subaural knot for the traditional submental knot. Subaural knots were not as effective, and cases of decapitation were recorded. Standardization of the long drop was further propagated by John Berry, an executioner who used mathematical calculations to estimate the correct drop length for each individual to be hanged. A British committee on capital sentences, led by Lord Aberdare, studied the execution method, and advocated for the submental knot. However, it was not until Frederic Wood-Jones published his seminal work in 1913 that cervical fractures were identified as the main mechanism of death following hanging in which the long drop and a submental knot were used. Schneider introduced the term "hangman's fracture" in 1965, and reported on the biomechanics and other similarities of the cervical fractures seen following judicial hangings and those caused by motor vehicle accidents.

Reconstruction of the Weapon in a Case of Homicidal Decapitation

Decapitation as homicidal mode of death is relatively rare. In most cases of decapitation, the differentiation between the modes of death might be difficult to some extent, particularly in cases where essential investigative elements, like the decedent's head and the weapon, are unavailable. Our report concerns a case of homicide by decapitation without any further mutilation of the victim, where only the combination of autopsy results, histologic findings, and engineering technical reconstruction allowed us to identify with certainty the mode of death as vital decapitation. The technical reconstruction of the alleged weapon allowed the identification and the discovery of the hand saw used by the murderer to decapitate the victim.

A case of decapitation in Canosa, South Italy (5th–6th century a. d.)

The authors present the case of an adult male (20–25 years) with a stature of 175 cm and a body mass of 68 kg, showing many wounds caused by both stabbing and cutting weapons. The subject was found in a tomb in the archeological area on the hill of San Pietro (Canosa, Bari), where there is a Paleo-Christian site dating back to the 6th–7th century a. d. The skeleton shows clear signs of decapitation, due not to an execution but to a fight during a battle.