Forensic Pathology for Police - Brainshare Public Online Library

580 21 Miscellaneous Topics
Non-ionizing Radiation
Non-ionizing radiation includes all of the EM radiation spectrum other than X-rays
and gamma rays. The biologic effect of electrical energy is presented in Chapter 17.
Microwaves, infrared waves, and visible light waves are each known to produce
eye damage, including cataracts and retinal burns. “Solar radiation,” or radiation
produced by the sun, includes the visible light spectrum, as well as infrared
and ultraviolet radiation. Ultraviolet rays have the capability of producing severe,
sometimes lethal, health effects.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can be divided into UVA, UVB, and UVC. Acute
exposure to excessive UVA and/or UVB can result in skin burns (sunburn). Delayed
effects of excessive exposure to UVA include skin tanning, whereas delayed effects
of excessive exposure to UVB include skin tanning, age-related skin changes, and
skin cancer, including the three major forms of skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma,
basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma). No definite changes are known to occur
with exposure to UVC, although some evidence suggests a possible role in skin
cancer with both UVC and UVA. Ozone within the earth’s atmosphere is protective
against UVC and UVB.
Sexual Assault
Particularly in homicide or suspected homicide cases, it may be important to consider
the possibility of a sexual assault having occurred on the decedent. Some
relatively obvious scene and/or external examination findings suggest the possibility
of a sexual assault, including torn clothing and absence of clothing. Victims can
be female or male. Stabbing deaths and strangulation deaths require the perpetrator
to be in close proximity to the victim. Therefore, whenever such case types are
encountered, the pathologist and investigators should also consider the possibility of
a sexual assault. Whenever an investigator believes that a sexual assault may have
occurred, certain autopsy procedures should be performed. These include looking
for and collecting trace evidence from the clothing and/or skin, collecting fingernail
scrapings or clippings, saving clothing for further examination, and using a “sexual
activity kit.” The sexual activity kit includes sterile cotton-tipped swabs for collecting
samples from various body sites, including the oral cavity, the vagina, and the
anus. Additional swabs are available for collecting other fluid samples from elsewhere,
such as a presumed semen stain elsewhere on the body. Swabs should be left
in the orifices for several minutes prior to collection, so that fluids can be absorbed
into the cotton. The cotton tips can be swiped onto a glass slide so that microscopic
evaluation for sperm can be performed. The cotton-tipped swabs are also retained
for various other tests, including potential DNA testing. Other parts of the sexual
activity kit include envelopes for collecting combed and pulled head and pubic hair
samples. The hope is that some of the perpetrator’s hair might be intermixed with the
victim’s hair. Another resource available in certain locations is an alternative light