正畸治疗前后腭皱的法医同一认定研究

目的利用腭皱模型分析法评价腭皱形态的个体独特性及正畸治疗前后腭皱形态的稳定性,探索腭皱形态在法医齿科学个体识别应用中的可靠性。方法分别收集70例正畸治疗前、后的上颌模型。通过模型测量分析对腭皱形态及个体识别进行检测,包括数量、方向、形状及长度的变化和近、远中侧端点分别在近远中向及前后方向上的位移。同时对正畸治疗前、后及正畸治疗后与其复制后腭皱模型进行配对检测,计算其平均正确配对率(%)。结果 (1)正畸治疗后腭皱数量、方向、形状及长度均有变化,表现为长度变化(28.6%);分裂(4.3%);联合(2.9%);方向变化(1.4%);形状变化(1.4%)。并且治疗后腭皱远中端点的前后向位移变化占45.7%,近远中向位移占40%;而腭皱近中端在在前后向和在近远中向上位移变化分别为32.9%和17.1%。(2)正畸治疗前组及正畸治疗后组不同个体均未发现相同的腭皱模式。(3)正畸治疗前、后模型的腭皱平均正确配对率为92.19%。而治疗后模型与复制后模型的腭皱平均正确配对率是99.05%。结论腭皱形态具有高度的个体特异性,尽管正畸治疗后腭皱的形态有一定变化,但仍可作为一种新的方法应用于法医齿科的同一认定。     

应用数字图像识别系统研究正畸治疗前后腭皱形态变化

目的利用腭皱数字图像识别系统对正畸治疗前后腭皱形态匹配正确率的分析研究,为法医学中同一认定提供理论依据。方法利用正畸患者治疗前后腭皱形态数字图像,通过腭皱数字图像识别系统对图像的特征进行提取并收录到腭皱数字库,运用Matlab软件完成对腭皱形态数字图像的信息匹配处理。结果正畸治疗前后,个体性检测匹配正确率各自都达到100%。正畸治疗前后腭皱形态匹配正确率为95.67%,配对检验结果 P0.05,具有统计学意义。结论腭皱形态具有高度的个体特异性,正畸治疗后腭皱形态会发生多种变化,但对同一认定的影响不大。腭皱形态识别为法医学同一认定提供一种新的方法和途径。     

The Heritability of Palatal Rugae Morphology Among Siblings*†

Although there is clinical applicability of the palatal rugae as an identification tool in forensic odontology, controversy exists whether the palatal rugae patterns are stable or variable. The greater the genetic component, the higher the probability that palatal rugae patterns are stable. The aim of this study was to compare the palatal rugae morphology between full siblings and the proportion of variability due to genetic component. This cross-sectional study was conducted on digital models of 162 siblings aged 15–30 years old. The palatal rugae patterns were assessed with Thomas and Kotze (1983) classification using Geomagic Studio software (3D Systems, Rock Hill, SC). The palatal rugae morphology between siblings showed significantly similar characteristics for total number of left rugae (p = 0.001), left primary rugae (p = 0.017), secondary rugae for right (p = 0.024) and left sides (p = 0.001), right straight rugae (p = 0.010), and right convergent rugae (p = 0.005) accounting for at least 6.25%-12.8% of the variability due to heredity. Despite the similarities found, the palatal rugae patterns showed significant differences between siblings of at least 46.9% (p = 0.001). Zero heritability was found in 9 of the 14 rugae patterns. Meanwhile, total number of rugae, primary, backward, and convergent rugae showed moderate heritability (h² > 0.3) and total number of secondary rugae showed high heritability (h² > 0.6). In conclusion, despite the individuality characteristics, an appreciable hereditary component is observed with significant similarities found between sibling pairs and the palatal rugae patterns were both environmentally and genetically influenced.     

腭皱法医学同一认定数字化系统的建立

目的建立腭皱法医学同一认定数字化系统并对其进行效果评价。方法在标准条件下获取腭皱的数字图像,对腭皱信息都进行采集、降噪、增强、分割、特征提取、边缘检测、信息匹配等处理,运用Matlab软件研制腭皱法医学同一认定系统,并进行效果评价。结果本研究成功建立腭皱法医学同一认定数字化系统,从匹配结果来看,正确率达到100%。结论腭皱法医学同一认定数字化系统的建立,为同一认定提供一种新的方法和途径。     

利用腭皱特征进行同一认定的指标体系构建

目的根据腭皱的形态图特征,进行口腔腭皱在法医学同一认定的指标体系构建。方法收集100例成年人腭皱模型,依据腭皱的形状、数量、位置分布等特征对腭皱形态图进行全面系统的编码。编码顺序采用英文字母按照先右侧再左侧,先前部再后部的顺序编码,并且右、左侧编码以破折号连接。最后依据编码,统计分析腭皱形态分布特征。结果 100例腭皱形态图中,个体间未见完全一致者,每个个体不论男性与女性均表现有独特的腭皱形态图;且同一个体左右侧单条腭皱的形态及分布亦不同。波浪形腭皱所占比例最大（23.03%）,三分叉形出现比例最小（0.74%）,不同性别的波浪形及曲线形腭皱所占比例均较大,女性波浪形（22.7%）及曲线形（18.28%）;男性波浪形（24.11%）及曲线形（21.43%）。结论口腔腭皱法医学同一认定的指标体系构建,将为法医学的同一认定提供一种新的方法。     

Palatal rugae pattern in a Portuguese population: a preliminary analysis

Palatal rugae have been related with specific racial groups and are said to be useful in sex discrimination. This work aimed to characterize the palatal rugae patterns in a Portuguese population. Fifty plaster casts were examined for first and third rugae shape evaluation; shape, frequency, and association with sex were studied. In females, the most prevalent first rugae were the straight type on the right and the curve type on the left; in males, the straight type was the most prevalent on both sides. The most frequent third rugae type was sinuous on both sides, in both sexes. No significant sexual dimorphism in rugae shape was found (p > 0.05). When comparing these results with those from other investigations, it was clear that a particular rugae pattern could be established for different ethnic groups. However, the small sample size justifies further work in larger samples to validate these findings.     

Individuality of human palatal rugae

Investigators have implied that palatal rugae are unique to each individual. However, these researchers have disagreed as to whether or not legal identification could be based solely on palatal rugae. Previous studies used poor duplicating materials and may not have considered the effects of growth, extractions, palatal expansion, or some combination of these. The inadvertent use of other features of the cast, such as teeth, edentulous ridge morphology, muscle attachments, vestibular depth, or some combination of these, to aid in the identification, may have influenced their results. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if palatal rugae can be relied upon for identification. Twenty-five orthodontic cases were selected with pre- and post-treatment casts; orthodontic treatment had taken eighteen to sixty months. One hundred casts were randomly selected as variables. All casts were trimmed so that all areas except for the rugae area of the hard palate were removed. The twenty-five post-orthodontic casts were dispersed within 100 randomly selected casts. Nine investigators were given the twenty-five pre-orthodontic casts and asked to compare them to the other one hundred and twenty-five casts for possible matches. Data were collected as to percentage of correct matches and time required for comparison. Each set of pre- and post-orthodontic casts was properly identified (100%) by 8 investigators, and the remaining investigator correctly matched 22 out of 25 casts (88%). These conclusions were drawn.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Morphological pattern of palatal rugae in children of Davangere

The aim of this study was to identify and compare the rugae pattern between males and females of two different communities in the city of Davangere, Karnataka, India, which may be an additional method of identification in cases of crimes or communal riots. Elastomeric impressions of the maxillary arch of 100 selected children were made; casts were poured in Type IV stone. The method of identification of rugae pattern followed was that of Lysell and Thomas and Kotze, which includes the number, shape, direction, and unification of rugae. The study revealed no significant difference in the total number or length of rugae between the two communities and sexes. However, with regard to shape and unification, females showed a significantly higher diverging rugae type while males had a significant number of circular and converging type of rugae. Also, discrimination function analysis allowed a moderate differentiation of the population. Hence, the rugae pattern can be an additional method of differentiation in conjunction with the other methods such as visual, fingerprints, and dental characteristics in forensic sciences.     

Use of Cardiac Injury Markers in the Postmortem Diagnosis of Sudden Cardiac Death

In the daily practice of forensic pathology, sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a diagnostic challenge. Our aim was to determine the usefulness of blood biomarkers [creatine kinase CK‐MB, myoglobin, troponins I and T (cTn‐I and T), and lactate dehydrogenase] measured by immunoassay technique, in the postmortem diagnosis of SCD. Two groups were compared, 20 corpses with SCD and 8 controls. Statistical significance was determined by variance analysis procedures, with a post hoc Tukey multiple range test for comparison of means (p < 0.05). SCD cases showed significantly higher levels (p < 0.05) of cTn‐T and cTn‐I compared to the control group. Although only cases within the first 8 h of postmortem interval were included, and the control group consisted mainly of violent death cases, our results suggest that blood troponin levels may be useful to support a diagnosis of SCD.     

Comparison Among Manual Facial Approximations Conducted by Two Methodological Approaches of Face Prediction

This study verified the difference between two methods of forensic facial approximation (FFA) regarding recognition and resemblance rates. Three‐dimensional models of skulls were obtained from computerized tomography (CT) scans of two subjects (targets). Two manual FFAs were performed for each target, by applying two different guidelines for the facial structures (what we called “American method” (AM) and “Combined method” (CM)). Unfamiliar assessors evaluated the sculptures by recognition and resemblance tests. The AM was that which allowed more correct responses of recognition and higher resemblance's scores for the male target (p < 0.001). Regarding guidelines for modeling characteristics of the face, the ones that are practical and easily performed for sculptures, such as the length of the anterior nasal spine multiplied by 3 for nose prediction, may offer better results in terms of resemblance.     

Measurement of Postmortem 1,5‐anhydroglucitol in Vitreous Humor for Forensic Diagnosis

In forensic diagnosis, postmortem blood glucose is known to be susceptible to change after death. However, the 1,5‐anhydroglucitol (1,5‐AG) concentrations in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) reflect the mean blood glucose level for a short period of time. In this study, we compared the postmortem 1,5‐AG concentrations in vitreous humor and CSF in 47 subjects to evaluate the utility of this concentration in the vitreous humor for forensic diagnosis. The postmortem 1,5‐AG concentrations in vitreous humor (mean±SD: 20.2 ± 8.7 μg/mL) and CSF (16.8 ± 8.7 μg/mL) did not differ significantly and showed a strong correlation (r² = 0.87, p < 0.01). These results suggest that the vitreous humor 1,5‐AG concentration provides useful information on the antemortem blood glucose level, in addition to the HbA1c value and the CSF 1,5‐AG concentration.     

The Effect of Soft Tissue on Temperature Estimation from Burnt Bone Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

This study investigated the effect of soft tissue and different exposure times on the prediction of burning temperatures of bone when using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Ovis aries rib bones were burnt at different temperatures and for varying time intervals. Results of a linear regression analysis indicated that burn temperatures can be predicted with a standard error of ±70°C from defleshed bone spectra. Exposure time does not have a significant impact on prediction accuracy. The presence of soft tissue has a significant impact on heat‐induced changes of the bone matrix in low (<300°C) as well as high temperatures (>800°C), slowing down combustion in the former and accelerating it in the latter (p < 0.05). At medium temperatures, no significant difference was noted. These results provide forensic investigators a new perspective with which to interpret the results of crystallinity measures derived from burnt bone.     

Comparative Toxicology of Intentional and Accidental Heroin Overdose*

Abstract: The demographic and toxicological characteristics of deliberate (SUI, n = 50) and accidental (ACC, n = 927) fatal heroin overdose cases were examined. SUI cases were more likely to be female, had lower body mass indices, were more likely to be enrolled in treatment and less likely to have hepatic pathology. The median blood morphine concentration of SUI cases was significantly higher than that of ACC cases (0.70 vs. 0.40 mg/L, p < 0.001). Blood morphine concentrations of >1 mg/L were seen among 38.0% of SUI cases compared to 13.9% of ACC cases. Being a member of the SUI group remained a significant independent predictor of higher morphine concentrations after controlling for the effects of potential confounders (p < 0.001), other significant predictors being the absence of alcohol (p < 0.001), the presence of methadone (p < 0.05), and the presence of cocaine (p < 0.05). The current data are consistent with the view that suicide forms a small, but distinct, category of heroin overdose cases, rather than overdose being a parasuicidal phenomenon per se.     

Criminal Recidivism After Forensic Psychiatric Treatment. A Multicenter Study on the Role of Pretreatment,Treatment-Related,and Follow-Up Variables

This study examined associations between criminal recidivism after discharge from forensic treatment and variables related to either the time before the current forensic treatment, or the current forensic treatment, or the follow-up after discharge. Participants were treated in 12 forensic clinics according to section 63 of the German penal code. A patient was classified as a criminal recidivist when the patient or the aftercare reported that the patient was delinquent at follow-up. Patients without criminal recidivism were patients for which both perspectives (patient and aftercare) reported no delinquency at follow-up. Mann–Whitney U-tests and Fisher's exact tests were performed. Data to classify patients were available for N = 249 patients. Fifteen patients (6%) were classified as criminal recidivists. The follow-up was M = 12.58 (SD = 1.84) months, and the criminal acts occurred M = 6.00 (SD = 5.55) months after discharge. Differences between patients with and without criminal recidivism were found in pretreatment (young age at first crime, early onset of mental disorder, previous forensic treatments), treatment-related (disorder due to psychoactive substance use, gradual release abuses, outbreaks, assaults against staff, criminal act during treatment, type of discharge, outcome ratings), as well as follow-up variables (no specified housing situation, not being abstinent from psychoactive substances, inpatient readmission, course of outpatient treatment, course of mental disorder) (all p < 0.05). To conclude, it is important to consider variables related to the time before the current treatment, treatment-related variables, and variables related to the follow-up to identify the patients at risk of criminal recidivism after discharge from forensic treatment.     

A View to the Future: A Novel Approach for 3D–3D Superimposition and Quantification of Differences for Identification from Next‐Generation Video Surveillance Systems

Techniques of 2D–3D superimposition are widely used in cases of personal identification from video surveillance systems. However, the progressive improvement of 3D image acquisition technology will enable operators to perform also 3D–3D facial superimposition. This study aims at analyzing the possible applications of 3D–3D superimposition to personal identification, although from a theoretical point of view. Twenty subjects underwent a facial 3D scan by stereophotogrammetry twice at different time periods. Scans were superimposed two by two according to nine landmarks, and root‐mean‐square (RMS) value of point‐to‐point distances was calculated. When the two superimposed models belonged to the same individual, RMS value was 2.10 mm, while it was 4.47 mm in mismatches with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001). This experiment shows the potential of 3D–3D superimposition: Further studies are needed to ascertain technical limits which may occur in practice and to improve methods useful in the forensic practice.     

Preclinical Assessment of Safety and Efficacy of Fluorescent Dye for Detecting Dermal Injuries (the injuries were both abrasions and incision) in a Murine Model

Objective documentation of tears and abrasions to the external genitalia after sexual assault is an important part of the forensic examination. A 1% aqueous solution of toluidine blue (TB) dye is often used to highlight injury, but the dye can be difficult to see on dark skin. We evaluated a fluorescent dye for detecting injuries on all skin colors in a relevant preclinical murine model. We compared the ability of trained, blinded observers to detect unstained wounds and wounds stained with 1% fluorescein sodium (FL) and with TB. We also evaluated the cutaneous wound healing response after application of both dyes. The no‐dye group had significantly fewer (p < 0.05) true‐positive identifications compared to all the dye groups. No differences in effectiveness were detected between dye treatments. All groups exhibited statistically similar healing rates. These findings support the evaluation of fluorescein sodium in a future clinical study with human subjects.     

Effects of Ketamine on the Development of forensically important Blowfly Chrysomya megacephala (F.) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and its Forensic Relevance

This study investigated effects of ketamine on the development of Chrysomya Megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) at three different temperatures. Larvae of the C. Megacephala were exposed to different concentrations of drugs and temperatures. The larval lengths, weights, and developmental durations of each stage were observed. This study demonstrated that ketamine, low temperature, and their synergistic action significantly suppressed the development of C. Megacephala (p < 0.001). The time that the larvae in all the treatments achieved the maximum length/weight was significantly delayed (p < 0.05), and that resulted in prolonged duration of larval and prepupal stages especially at low temperature. However, no linear correlations were discovered between ketamine concentration and growth rate of larval length/weight.     

The Effect of Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol®) on the Development of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and its Implications for Forensic Entomology

This study investigated the potential effects of flunitrazepam (known as “date rape drug”) on the developmental cycle of Chrysomya megacephala, an important forensic species, and their possible implications for the calculation of the PMI. A 1050 C. megacephala eggs were divided into five groups with seven replications each. The eggs were placed on artificial diet prepared with four drug concentrations of flunitrazepam (4, 8, 16, and 32 ng/g), besides the control group (prepared with water). Were evaluated the potential effects on development time, weight gain, and mortality during the cycles. The drug had no significant effect on development time or mortality although it did affect the weight of the pupae and adults (Kruskal–Wallis, p < 0.05). The result can be deduced that the determination of the postmortem interval is not affected.     

Rugoscopy: Predominant Pattern,Uniqueness, and Stability Assessment in the Indian Goan Population

The palatine rugae possess unique characteristics that could be used when it is difficult to identify a dead person according to fingerprints or dental records. They are permanent and unique to each person. The rugae are surrounded by cheeks, lips, tongue, and buccal pad of fat; hence, they remain protected in trauma, incineration, or mass disasters. Their pattern of orientation is formed by the 12th to 14th week of gestation and remains stable throughout life. In this study, dental casts of 120 patients were analyzed for individual rugae characteristics and strength and subsequent individual codes were given. No two individuals were having exactly matching rugae codes. Dimensions of rugae pattern, incisive papilla, and midpalatal raphe were also noted. Rugae were reevaluated after one year to check its stability, which showed no significant difference. The coding system followed can be adopted as a good and simple technique to achieve electronic transfer of the records of the palatal rugae.