A quantitative morphological analysis of three-dimensional CT coxal bone images of contemporary Japanese using homologous models for sex and age estimation
Multi-slice computed tomography (CT) images have high resolution and have been studied in various fields of forensic and physical anthropology [1 –4]. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) images reconstructed from volume CT data have been reported to be useful for estimation of age at death and analysis of sexual dimorphism for the identification of human remains. However, most of these studies have been performed based mainly on two-dimensiona l (2D) measurement or non-metric morphological observation [5–9]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - October 1, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Hitoshi Biwasaka, Yasuhiro Aoki, Yusuke Takahashi, Mamiko Fukuta, Akihito Usui, Yoshiyuki Hosokai, Haruo Saito, Masato Funayama, Sachiko Fujita, Masataka Takamiya, Koji Dewa Source Type: research
Traumatic axonal injury revealed by postmortem magnetic resonance imaging: a case report
Diffuse traumatic white matter injuries caused by shear stress to axons were first suggested about some six decades ago [1,2]. Studies of primates by Gennarelli et al. [3] and of humans by Adams and Graham [4 –9] describe diffuse axonal injury (DAI), caused by high-magnitude angular or rotational acceleration, rendering the victim unconscious from the time of injury, typically without definitive structural changes seen on computed tomography (CT) scan. This distinct clinicopathological entity was consi dered to be widespread and irreversible [4,7]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - October 1, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Yohsuke Makino, Nobutaka Arai, Yumi Hoshioka, Maiko Yoshida, Masatoshi Kojima, Takuro Horikoshi, Hiroki Mukai, Hirotaro Iwase Source Type: research
The evaluation of Oryza sativa L (Black rice) extracts for detection of spermatozoa on the clothing and vaginal swab samples
A sexual assault forensic examination performs both presumptive and confirmatory test on semen evidence from either cloth or vaginal swab of the victim. The presumptive test usually an acid phosphatase (AP) test causes curious results, false-negative results from degradation or false-positive results from vaginal fluid [1]. The positive detection of spermatozoa is therefore a crucial step in determining the investigation strategy for laboratory analysis in sexual assault cases [2,3]. Positive areas are excised for DNA analysis and further personal identification. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - October 1, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Korunya Saenguthai, Sirinart Chumean, Chollanot Kaset Source Type: research
An autopsy report of accidental burial in a beach sand hole
Accidental and sudden burial in sand is occasionally reported to occur at construction sites, sandboxes, or beaches and results from the collapse of sand tunnels, sand castle or beach holes [1 –7]. These accidents can be fatal. Asphyxia most commonly results from sand aspiration in these cases [1–3], but sand aspiration has also been reported in vehicle accidents [8], homicides [9], or self-administration of sand in early children [10]. Other report describes sand burial death, in whi ch the cause of death was diagnosed as restrictive respiratory insufficiency when the victims reached hospital [4]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - September 27, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Kyoka Kiryu, Toshiaki Takeichi, Osamu Kitamura Source Type: research
Sudden unexpected death with primary adrenal lymphoma
Forensic pathologists rarely encounter malignant neoplasm at autopsy for sudden unexpected death (SUD), and in such cases, careful evaluation of whether the tumor contributed to the cause of SUD is required. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - September 12, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Yukiko Hata, Shin Ishizawa, Naoki Nishida Source Type: research
Comprehensive evaluation of the greater sciatic notch for sexual estimation through three-dimensional metric analysis using computed tomography based models
Sexual estimation is the primary procedure for any forensic anthropological and paleoanthropological analyses. Bones of the pelvic girdle exhibit great sexual dimorphism due to functional difference with regard to parturition [1]. The pubis is particularly known to be a good indicator for sexing, and the studies by Phenice and others observed sexual dimorphism in the pubic region for non-metric analysis [2 –7]. However, the pubis from burials has low preservation rate because of its fragility, which prevents its usage for sex estimation [8,9]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - September 11, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Dong-Ho Kim, So-Hyun Lee, Sang-Seob Lee, Yi-Suk Kim, Dae-Kyoon Park, Seung-Ho Han, U-Young Lee Source Type: research
Fatal exertional rhabdomyolysis. Literature review and our experience in forensic thanatology
Rhabdomyolysis (RML) is a clinical syndrome that was first reported in 1881 and first described in 1941, when Bywaters and coworkers established a relationship between muscle necrosis and a brown pigment found by autopsy in the renal tubules of patients who were buried for several hours during a bomb attack in London [1]. The syndrome involves destruction of skeletal muscle with an outflow of the intracellular muscle content into the bloodstream, in addition to an increase in serum creatine kinase (sCK), and the presence of myoglobin which is a heme-containing respiratory protein, released from damaged muscle in parallel w...
Source: Legal Medicine - September 10, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Mariano Paternoster, Emanuele Capasso, Pierpaolo Di Lorenzo, Gelsomina Mansueto Source Type: research
Tattoo image composed of radiopaque deposits demonstrated by postmortem computed tomography
Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) is becoming used more commonly modality in routine forensic investigation [1,2]. This imaging method has revolutionized not only forensic diagnosis but also the documentation of evidence that can be used in court proceedings [3]. PMCT is a superior technique for finding air within the body, such as pneumothorax and gas embolism in the heart and great vessels [2,4]. It is also useful for revealing radiopaque foreign bodies such as bullets or bullet fragments in crime victims [2]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - September 10, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Akira Hayakawa, Rie Sano, Hiroyuki Takei, Yoichiro Takahashi, Rieko Kubo, Hiroyuki Tokue, Satoshi Hirasawa, Takehiro Shimada, Sachiko Awata, Masahiro Yuasa, Shinji Uetake, Hisashi Akuzawa, Yoshihiko Kominato Source Type: research
Early postmortem interval estimation based on Cdc25b mRNA in rat cardiac tissue
The definition of the postmortem interval (PMI) is the interval from physiological death to the examination of the deceased. With a majority of homicide victims discovered within the first 24 h, it is critically important to be able to determine the time of death quickly and with both accuracy and precision. Postmortem physical changes are usually employed to estimate the early postmortem interval (EPMI), especially during the first 24 h postmortem[1]. These changes, which are based on subjective and experimental evaluation, include body temperature, distribution of rigor mortis, muscle relaxation, cadaveric spasm and the ...
Source: Legal Medicine - September 10, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Li Tao, Jianlong Ma, Liujun Han, Hongmei Xu, Yan Zeng, Lyu Yehui, Wencan Li, Kaijun Ma, Bi Xiao, Long Chen Source Type: research
Assessment of DNA degradation of buccal cells under humid conditions and DNA repair by DOP-PCR using locked nucleic acids
Forensic DNA analysis for individual identification targets various types of material including soft tissue [1 –3], and such material often contains low-copy and/or degraded DNA. The effects of degradative processes accumulate over time, while environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and pH also modify the rate and aggressiveness of the degradation. Recovered short tandem repeat (STR) profil es would be conclusively important by amplification and subsequent capillary electrophoretic analysis. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - September 10, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Masaru Asari, Hiroaki Matsuura, Shotaro Isozaki, Chisato Hoshina, Katsuhiro Okuda, Hiroki Tanaka, Kie Horioka, Hiroshi Shiono, Keiko Shimizu Source Type: research
Editorial Board
(Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - September 1, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
A new method for simultaneous quantification of fosphenytoin, phenytoin and its primary metabolite 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin in whole blood by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Epilepsy is the most common chronic disabling condition of the nervous system and it constitutes a major global health problem [1]. The World Health Organization reported that approximately 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological diseases globally [2]. For all epileptic patients, 70% are expected to enter remission, which is defined as being seizure-free with medication for 5 or more years [3]. In recent years, there has been a growth in reports of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) being misused on their own or in combination with other drugs of abuse in a variety of toxicological ...
Source: Legal Medicine - August 24, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Takayoshi Suzuki, Tadashi Ogawa, Jun Ueyama, Masae Iwai, Fumio Kondo, Hiroshi Seno Source Type: research
Medico-legal implications of toluene abuse and toxicity. Review of cases along with blood concentrations
Volatile substance abuse (VSA) refers to the deliberate inhalation of liquids that vaporize at room temperature in order to become intoxicated [1]. The agents abused may be various and seems to be largely function of availability. They include volatiles (industrial and household solvents such as paint thinners); solvents from adhesives, notably toluene; aerosols propellants found in air fresheners, spray paints, hair spray and deodorants; gas fuels (disposable cigarette lighters, tank contents or refrigerant gases). (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - August 23, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Guido Pelletti, Francesca Rossi, Marco Garagnani, Rossella Barone, Raffaella Roffi, Susi Pelotti Source Type: research
Genetic Resolution of Applied Biosystems ™ Precision ID Ancestry Panel for Seven Asian Populations
The introduction of massively parallel sequencing (MPS) technology within the forensic laboratories has become a solution to simultaneous analyses of thousands of SNPs [1]. The development of ancestry informative marker (AIM) assays is valuable in forensic genetics, because AIMs can provide investigative leads in cases of unknown individuals. Studies using hundreds of markers suggest worldwide populations can be grouped based on allele frequency differences, closely corresponding to their continental distribution [2 –5]. (Source: Legal Medicine)
Source: Legal Medicine - August 22, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Ji Hyun Lee, Sohee Cho, Moon-Young Kim, Dong Hoon Shin, Allah Rakha, Vasant Shinde, Soong Deok Lee Source Type: research
Ratios and distances of pull-up peaks observed in GlobalFiler kit data
Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis is widely used for forensic examinations, as well as for population genetics and kinship analyses. In STR analyses, peak detection is performed with a capillary electrophoresis instrument such as the Applied Biosystems 3500xL Genetic Analyzer (Life Technologies/Thermo Fisher Scientific, South San Francisco, CA, USA). This instrument adapts multi-locus STR kits to examine up to 27 loci using a 6-fluorescent dye system [1 –5]. Since there is some overlap in the emission spectra between each dye, this overlap is corrected by the instrument in the “multi-component analysis” [6–8]. (So...
Source: Legal Medicine - August 22, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Koji Fujii, Takashi Fukagawa, Haruhiko Watahiki, Yusuke Mita, Tetsushi Kitayama, Natsuko Mizuno Source Type: research
