Journal of Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

Background:  Autopsy is more time-consuming if the bullet/bullets are lodged at the difficult-to-access sites of the head, especially maxillofacial regions. The procedure of suturing the deceased becomes even more difficult after the retrieval of bullets post-dissection of facial tissues. The altered aesthetics psychologically and emotionally disturb the already bereaved next of kin. The authors explored the utility of PMCT and propose a methodology of targeted dissection/minimally invasive approach to retrieve the bullet. The authors discussed the feasibility to conclude the cause of death in cases of single/multiple firearm injuries to the head using PMCT alone.

Methods: The authors evaluated three cases of firearm deaths at a distance lesser than close range to the head. The deceased was subjected to PMCT scanning using a 16-slice Multi-Slice CT spiral scanner and findings were analyzed using the Vitrea software v.6.9.1 with the slice thickness ranging from 0.5mm to 5mm. A routine conventional autopsy was conducted post-scanning. Two of the three cases were suicide and succumbed to a single firearm injury while the third case was a homicide due to multiple firearm injuries.

Conclusion: PMCT alone can be utilized and relied upon in deaths due to a single shot to the head and suggests a combined methodology of PMCT evaluation and minimally invasive approach in cases of multiple firearm injuries for better correlation of wound track. Lastly, PMCT helped in a targeted approach to reach the in situ bullets more precisely than any other radiological technique which upholds the humanitarian forensic aspect.

DEET (N, N Diethyl m-toluamide) and DEPA (Diethyl phenyl acetamide) are synthetic compounds and proven potent insecticide and repellent respectively. In the search of effective mosquito repellent, different derivatives of DEPA or substituted benzamides were synthesized and their NMR analysis was carried out at low temperature. Sterically Crowded Bis (2-methoxyethyl) substituted Benzamides possess low rotational barrier and are floppy at room temperature. Alkyl arms attached to nitrogen become magnetically nonequivalent even at low temperature. Di ortho Substitution in benzamides enhanced hindered internal rotation and resulted splitting in methylene proton signals. The effect of substitution in benzene ring, on the splitting of methylene proton NMR is very well explained and the complete NMR data of substituted benzamides is described in this study for reference purpose.

Biosorption is a physico-chemical binding of a substance to biological material. Water hyacinth has been successfully utilized for the removal of chromium (VI) from waste water samples. The plants were divided in to two part (i) root (ii) foliage. Each part was dried at 750 C for 48 hours and then its weighed was taken. The tissue samples weight then ash in the muffle-furnace at 3500 C for 5 hours. Ash samples were digested with acids (HNO3, HCl) and diluted with 100 ml of distilled water. The detection of chromium (VI) carried out by Atomic Adsorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). This method of removing chromium from water is cost-effective, eco-friendly, and has been shown to be effective in laboratory studies.