La Conducta Criminal Parte 1

What Happens When You Die: Four Stages of Human Decomposition

What Happens When You Die: Four Stages of Decomposition

Have you ever wondered what happens the moment you die? Not where you go in the afterlife or how your body will be handled, but have you ever wondered what happens internally? Around four minutes after your heart fails to pump oxygen to the rest of your body, it begins to self destruct. This method of self destruction is universal in its stages and in its purpose; it has no bias of character or of monetary status. Without this process of death and decay, life would cease to exist.

Stage One: Autolysis (Self-Ingestion)

Autolysis begins the moment your circulatory system and respiratory system cease to pump blood to your muscles. Without oxygen being pumped into your cells, excess carbon dioxide begins to cause cell membranes to become acidic. Once these cells rupture, they release a digestive enzyme that begins to consume your cells from the inside out.

Rigor Mortis begins generally within an hour or two after death and lasts for around 24 hours. Rigor Mortis occurs when lactic acid buildup in the muscles causes them to stiffen at unnatural angles, a lot of times defying gravity. Small blisters filled with nutrient-rich fluid form on internal organs and under the surface of the skin. When these rupture, it causes the body to form a shiny or sweaty appearance. The body begins to cool at the time of death and slowly drops an average of 1.5 degrees an hour, pending on environmental factors. Within 24 hours, the body will be the same temperature as its surrounding environment.

Fact: In cases of violent or traumatic deaths, lactic acid is built up in such high amounts in the muscles that rigor mortis can occur at the exact moment of death. For example, if someone dies from drowning in a lake, they may still be clutching a chunk of grass from trying to grab onto the bank at the moment of their death.

Livor Mortis causes areas of the body exposed to external pressure such as gravity to turn a reddish-purple color. Tardieu spots form in these areas as well due to increased pressure. These spots often resemble traumatic hemorrhaging but are a normal part of the decomposition process.

Fact: If a body is moved after death and the livor mortis is on the wrong area of the body, investigators can determine that the body was moved after death. For example, if someone died laying on their stomach, livor mortis would turn the abdomen the reddish-purple color. If someone moved the body after death and flipped them onto their back, it would show that the blood pooled in a way that would defy gravity, showing that the body was moved unnaturally.

At this point, purge fluid is often leaked through the nasal cavity from internal gases building up in the abdomen. Despite this resembling a traumatic death, it is a natural step in human decomposition. Depending on the amount of stomach contents that are left in the body, it generally takes half an hour up to six hours for the body to finish digesting and eliminating the waste from the body.

After about 24 to 26 hours the abdomen begins to turn a greenish color that generally begins in the lower quadrant of the abdomen near the pubic area. Right around this time, bloating begins to take form within the abdominal cavity due to bacterial gas build up that causes the body to bloat and change form almost to the point of the corpse’s race being undistinguishable.

In step three, or active decay, the skin begins to slip from the body in a process known as “degloving.” Degloving happens when the top layer of skin pulls away from the muscle and essentially falls off. When bodies are at this stage of decomposition and the skin makes it impossible to pull fingerprints, morticians will often slip the skin of the patient over their own fingers and extract DNA prints this way. As the body is going through active decay, internal organs and external tissues begin to liquefy and seep through open orifices on the body. Dawnie Wolfe Steadman, director of the Forensic Anthropology Center at University of Tennessee Knoxville, claims that the main cause for the large amount of tissue loss during active decay is because of fly maggots that feast on bacteria and tissues.

Did you know that a body decomposing in water decomposes at a much slower rate than a body that is exposed to air? The slowest rate of decomposition is a body that has been preserved with formaldehyde and buried in the ground, similar to American funeral customs. A body that is submerged in water while going through active decay will have a wax-like appearance that replaces the normal look of external tissues. However, the tissues of a body that decomposes in a warm and humid environment will have external tissues that have completely dried out; the body will essentially mummify itself. In cases where a person dies in a traumatic way and is mummified from external factors, any wounds they received before and after death will be preserved, though distorted in size and shape.

After soft tissues are consumed by maggots, the corpse is partially skeletonized but the tougher soft tissues like cartilage still remain. Once beetles consume the cartilage, ligaments, and tendons the final stage of decomposition begins.

Skeletal decay is the process of the surrounding environment breaking down the remainder of the body for fertilization for future plants and life. Bones generally disintegrate with time if they are subjected to a constant flow of water, gnawed on by scavengers or any other external forces that have the ability to erode them.

Did you know that the “decomposition smell” you smell when coming across an animal carcass is actually caused by a mix of gases called putrescine and cadaverine that is caused when amino acids within the body begin to break down? Although seemingly harmless, if you are in a closed environment with a corpse, these gases have the ability to compete with or displace the oxygen within your body.

A University of Kent psychologist and Arkansas Tech University behavioral scientist hypothesize that the chemical putrescine creates a fight or flight response in humans due to it signaling in the brain as an olfactory threat. In the journal ‘Frontiers of Psychology,’ four different tests were published that proved exposure to putrescine elicited cognitive reactions, similar to escaping threats.

In the first trial done in this series of studies, 60 people were given the task to open a jar and sniff the contents inside. The control group smelled ammonia, a similarly pungent smell to putrescine and the rest of the test subjects were given putrescine. Afterward, the test subjects that were given the task of smelling putrescine reacted quicker to a red dot randomly presented on a screen in the lab; this indicates that the smell made these subjects more vigilant to their surroundings.

Two of these four tests were completed on a university campus when random people were stopped and asked to participate in a smell test. In the subjects that smelled putrescine, they walked away significantly faster than those that smelled ammonia or water. This experiment was timed with a hidden stopwatch.

In the fourth and final experiment, 65 people were asked to fill out a questionnaire that was slightly scented with either putrescine, water, or ammonia; the smell was faint enough that the subjects were unaware of the scent. The subjects were given an essay that was written by someone who didn’t share their views; in this particular case, the essay was written by a Middle-Eastern exchange student in the UK who criticized Western values and predicted their decline. They were then asked to fill out the questionnaire asking how likable the essay’s author was and whether or not his ideas should be publicized. The subjects that had papers scented with putrescine were significantly more hostile towards the foreign student than those with the ammonia soaked questionnaire. This suggests that subconsciously, the scent of putrescine elicited a subsconscious defensive response.

The scientists that ran this experiment hypothesize that the chemical compound in putrescine could serve as a warning signal in the brain that is the forefront of protective responses that help us protect ourselves from potential threats.

Cold Case Blogger

La conducta criminal parte 2 

Uno de los factores que más peso tiene en dar una posible explicación es estudiar el factor biológico, entendiéndose estos como “aquellos que surgen por características biológicas, cromosómicas o neurofisiológicas […] se transmiten genéticamente y por ello se heredan” 6. En este campo existen muchos estudios, entre los que destacan los siguientes.

Estudios en los efectos bioquímicos, como el de la serotonina por mencionar alguno; Richard Wurtman por ejemplo ha encontrado que las dietas de alto carbohidratos y bajas proteínas afectan los niveles de serotonina, este es un neurotransmisor que al alterarse tiene efectos cerebrales asociados con tendencias suicidad, agresión y violencia. Así también Jeffrey Halperin al realizar experimentos en varones diagnosticados con déficits de atención, encontró que al bajarles el nivel de serotonina, estos disminuían sus índices de agresividad 2. El consumo de alcohol esta también relacionado con la alteración de la serotonina disminuyendo la síntesis de este 4.

El efecto que producen las drogas en general está muy relacionado con la conducta criminal, en especial si los sujetos que las consumen han generado algún tipo de adicción; un individuo adicto disminuye el control de sus actos, además de que en el particular caso del alcohol se ha encontrado una prevalencia del 19 a 49% en individuos con personalidad antisocial. Finalmente algunas sustancias pueden causar daños cerebrales como por ejemplo el “éxtasis” que daña las neuronas que producen serotonina 4.

Otros factores pueden ser los endocrinológicos; un estudio realizado en la glándula tiroides arrojó que el hipertiroidismo puede ser causa de presentar alteraciones como la ansiedad o paranoia, así como causar estragos en la personalidad, pérdida de facultades mentales, memoria o explosiones de irritabilidad por mencionar algunas. Las glándulas sexuales por otra parte pueden producir una alteración en los instintos de los sujetos y causar perversiones, así también un incremento en la testosterona produce un aumento en la agresividad 4.

(extracto de un ensayo escolar sobre la conducta criminal)

2.    Psicología científica (2004), consultado el 12 de marzo del 2018 de http://www.psicologiacientifica.com/psicologia-forense-conducta-criminal/

4.    Amador, G. (2014), Aportaciones biológicas recientes que explican algunas causas de la criminalidad, recuperado el 14 de marzo del 2018 de http://cuci.udg.mx/letras/sitio/index.php/revista-numero-18-primavera-marzo-septiembre-de-2014?download=238%3Aaportaciones-biologicas-recientes-que-explican-algunas-causas-de-la-criminalidad. Páginas 5, 6, 10, 11

6.    Debate (2016), consultado el 15 de marzo del 2016 de https://www.debate.com.mx/guamuchil/Factores-que-influyen-en-conductas-criminales-en-los-jovenes--20160809-0072.html

Yo socializando 

El gran jurado de Pensilvania publicó un extenso informe sobre abuso sexual de niños y niñas por parte de clérigos de la Iglesia Católica durante 70 años.

Los datos son atroces.

El controvertido (y poco conocido) papel de la CIA en el conflicto estudiantil de 1968 en México

Se cumplen 50 años del movimiento estudiantil de 1968 que terminó con una masacre en Tlatelolco. No están claros los motivos reales de la represión, pero en el camino aparecen huellas de actores poco conocidos como la CIA.

baia baia 

Psycho Killer

by the Talking Heads

I can’t seem to face up to the facts

I’m tense and nervous and I can’t relax

I can’t sleep ‘cause my bed’s on fire

Don’t touch me I’m a real live wire

Psycho Killer

Qu'est-ce que c'est

Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-far better

Run run run run run run run away oh oh

Psycho Killer

Qu'est-ce que c'est

Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-far better

Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, away oh oh oh

Yeah yeah yeah yeah!

You start a conversation you can’t even finish it

You’re talking a lot, but you’re not saying anything

When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed

Say something once, why say it again?

Psycho Killer

Qu'est-ce que c'est

Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-far better

Run run run run run run run away oh oh oh

Psycho Killer

Qu'est-ce que c'est

Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-far better

Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, away oh oh oh oh!

Yeah yeah yeah yeah!

Ce que j'ai fait, ce soir-là

Ce qu'elle a dit, ce soir-là

Réalisant mon espoir

Je me lance, vers la gloire, OK

Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

We are vain and we are blind

I hate people when they’re not polite

Psycho Killer

Qu'est-ce que c'est

Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-far better

Run run run run run run run away oh oh oh

Psycho Killer

Qu'est-ce que c'est

Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-far better

Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, away oh oh oh

Yeah yeah yeah yeah oh!

Lyrics: Chris Frantz / David Byrne / Tina Weymouth

Psycho Killer © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc

Criminología Mediática y la Caravana Migrante. El otro… También es «Ser humano». | cofracrim

El escrito que se presenta en este documento no tiene por objetivo mostrar la etiología migratoria que se está presentando en la frontera sur de México. Se pued...

Una nota por parte de “Roberto Ramos” sobre la crisis migrante que se vive en el sur, desde un punto de vista de la criminología 

Comentario rápido

ya vi “Extremely wicked shockingly evil and vile”, y solo diré 4 cosas

1 - me gusto, cumplió mis expectativas y no glorificaron a Ted Bundy como me temía

2 - la ambientación de los años 70´s así como caracterización esta muy rifado

3 - la actuación de Zac Efron me pareció buena, entiendo que Ted y un asesino en general es difícil de interpretar, siento que le falto mas cinismo en las escenas de la corte para poder llegar a decir “que hijo de puta” pero cumple muy bien con el carisma y se nota que Zac estudio muy bien los movimientos de Ted Bundy

4- la ultima secuencia es increíble, hasta yo sentí un hielo en la espalda.

Como saben esta película aun no se estrena en Latinoamerica por lo que me gustaría dar una critica mas amplia una ves se haya estrenado legalmente en estos lados, hasta entonces. 

What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a long term mental illness that is characterised by a variety of symptoms that are high in severity such as hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), muddled thinking patterns (trouble with connecting thoughts or pausing whilst explaining something) and delusions (inaccurate beliefs that are deemed abnormal and are persistent),  it can often result in frequent changes of moods - all of this has often led to a stigmatisation of the illness and a belief that those who suffer from it can potentially be dangerous or violent, but this is a mere stereotype and when violent behaviour is displayed by those with the illness, this is often caused by other external factors such as intoxication and will often be inflicted on the individual themselves.

There are two categories often used to describe the symptoms of schizophrenia: positive and negative. Now, in everyday life these terms are often used interchangeably with ‘good’ and ‘bad’ - but in psychology they are used to describe when something, like a behaviour is added (positive) and when something is taken away or reduced. So positive symptoms appear due to the schizophrenia and negative symptoms are behaviours/thoughts that are reduced due to the schizophrenia

Positive symptoms: having visual or auditory hallucinations, believing the government (or other) are after you, a distrust in others, irrational beliefs (thought disorders), long pauses

Negative symptoms: a lack of motivation, a lack of interest in activities and everyday life, a lessened experience of emotion, problems with memory, reduced movement 

What causes schizophrenia?

As with all illnesses and disorders, it is impossible to come up with a definitive cause for schizophrenia and is likely a combination of multiple interacting factors. A few examples are:

Genes: There is a significant trend that shows how schizophrenia tends to run in families, the percentage of individuals who develop the illness increases from 1% in the general population too 10% if they have an intermediate relative with it. This in increases to roughly 40-65% in MZ (identical) twins whom share 100% of their DNA. 

Biological: it may be that those with schizophrenia have an imbalance of brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) such as dopamine. Additionally, there may be a difference in brain structure, these ideas are still being researched.

Environment: Of course, the concordance rate for schizophrenia or any illness with never be 100% because there is no one cause, this leads scientists to believe that genetic or biological factors may interact with the environment to cause the illness. Environmental factors are anything that happens to us or that we experience externally, this could be things such as trauma, malnutrition as a child or birth complications as well as drug induced psychosis.

Treatments:

Community Health Teams: made up of professionals such as social workers, mental health nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists etc. that are tailored to the individual and will support them in living their everyday life independently.

Antipsychotics: they block the transmission of the neurotransmitter dopamine, reducing the levels of it within the brain as too high levels have been associated with the symptoms experienced by schizophrenics. 

Therapy/psychological treatment: therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy and art therapy are commonly used to help with the psychological, cognitive and emotional aspects of the illness.

The debate:

Psychologists are still debating today whether schizophrenia is one illness itself of a combination of symptoms caused by a range of illnesses, and whether it should be a diagnosis or whether the symptoms should be focused on individually. Regardless of this debate, individuals are still diagnosed with it and so it is important to raise awareness for those who have to live with the diagnosis.

I would absolutely love to go more in depth on the variations of schizophrenia and the research behind it in the future - expect more! But, for now this was just a broad summary of the illness and its symptoms, I hope the information is useful. If you believe you or someone you know may experience the symptoms described, I encourage you to seek professional support and to know that you are not alone, schizophrenia impacts over 21 million people globally.

“Los crímenes son monstruosos pero los perpetradores siguen siendo humanos” - Werner Herzog

y eso es parte de aceptar la humanidad, con lo bueno y lo malo, aunque muchas veces queramos que solo fuera lo bueno, pero a todo esto ¿que es lo bueno y lo malo? 

“The crimes are monstrous but the perpetrators are still human” - Werner Herzog