Assessment of intra- and intercostal variation in rib histomorphometry: its impact on evidentiary examination

Rib histological age estimation requires the evaluation of the middle third of the sixth rib. Human ribs have thin cortices and, when recovered, are often fragmented or absent, making it difficult to identify a specific midthoracic rib. This research explores the amount of microstructure variation in the middle third of the midthoracic ribs and determines whether the sixth rib age prediction equation can be applied to non-sixth ribs with similar accuracy. The amount of variability must be evaluated in order to meet the criterion for evidentiary examination. The sample consists of 120 cortical bone cross-sections from the middle third of ribs 3-8 removed from 20 cadavers. For each rib, osteon population densities (OPDs) and associated age estimates were calculated. The results demonstrate that non-sixth ribs can provide similar OPD values compared with those of the sixth ribs; however, individual variation proved to be significantly associated with bias, suggesting that individual factors influence the magnitude and direction of bias in non-sixth rib OPD values. This demonstrates the importance of evaluating multiple cross-sections (both intra- and inter-rib) to estimate age due to the normal remodeling variation within individuals.     

Use of the global positioning system in the field recovery of scattered human remains

This study examines the Global Positioning System (GPS) as a tool for field mapping of scattered human remains or other materials in forensic investigations. Two aspects of the GPS are considered: (1) the level of accuracy that can be obtained using a mid-priced GPS unit, and (2) the effectiveness of using the GPS to map scattered materials. The positional accuracy of the GPS receiver was tested using a National Geodetic Survey (NGS) point located in Baton Rouge, LA. The utility of the GPS for mapping was investigated by setting up a mock field recovery and mapping the remains using both the GPS and traditional archeological methods. The results indicate that the positional error for a single location using GPS was less than one-half meter. However, when multiple positions were considered, the data produced on different days were not consistent. Further, the GPS receiver used in this study could not distinguish items in close association. Factors such as tree cover density, the proximity of the materials to structures or trees, and satellite positioning contributed to the erratic data. These results indicate that traditional techniques and photographs are still indispensable for mapping scattered remains or artifacts.     

根据骨骺愈合程度推断青少年年龄

骨骺愈合程度作为推断青少年活体年龄的重要手段之一,在相关鉴定中得到了广泛的应用.随着技术发展,国内外众多学者利用骨骺愈合程度推断年龄的研究取得了很多成果,本文针对根据骨骺愈合程度推断年龄的方法的产生、发展、研究成果以及有待解决的问题等进行综述,以期为相关研究和实践提供参考.     

计算机X线成像测量青少年四肢长骨推算身高

目的 应用计算机X线成像(computed radiographv,CR)测量活体上肢骨及胫腓骨正位片上相关指标,建立适合当代中国四川地区汉族14～18岁人群运用上肢骨及胫腓骨推算身高的数学模型.方法 对194例14～18岁四川汉族健康青少年进行左侧肢体上肢骨及胫腓骨正位摄片,测量特定标志点间距离,同时准确测量其身高....     

中国汉族6-18周岁男性牙齿生长发育的年龄研究

目的研究牙齿钙化程度与年龄的关系,建立利用牙齿钙化程度推断中国汉族6～18周岁男性年龄的办程。方法通过对6568名6～18周岁汉族男性全口曲面断层影像上牙齿的钙化程度进行评分;将分级值及其对应年龄输入SPSS软件进行分析,建立推断年龄的方程模型;从研究样本外随机抽取已知年龄的样本160例进行卣测,,结果同名牙齿钙化评分值侧别间秩合检验结果P〉0．05;下颌左侧恒牙钙化评分值与年龄相关分析结果r值均存0．7以上,下颌同名牙间相关系数r均在0．9以上;所建回归模型拟合优度R^2=0．828,估计值标准误为1．23岁;阿测平均洪差为0．423±0．269岁。结论本研究所建立的方法准确可靠,可用于中国汉族6～18周岁男性人群的年龄推断。     

广东省6～15周岁汉族人牙龄的研究

目的研究广东省6～15周岁人群牙齿钙化的规律,建立根据牙齿钙化程度推断未成年人年龄的方法。方法观测2 710例（男性1 363例,女性1 347例）广东省6～15周岁汉族人全口曲面断层影像片,对其下颌牙齿钙化程度进行评分分级,所得数据经SPSS软件统计分析,建立根据牙齿钙化程度推断年龄的方程,并以100例（男60例、女40例）研究外样本进行盲测。结果数据统计显示,两侧同名牙钙化评分分级值的差异无显著性意义（P〉0.05）,而性别间差异有显著性意义（P〈0.05）;下颌单侧8颗牙齿的钙化评分分级值与年龄相关系数（r）女性为0.552～0.759,男性为0.672～0.838;所建回归模型拟合优度（R2）均在0.7以上,估计值标准误男性为0.91～1.11岁,女性为0.92～0.98岁;盲测推测年龄与真实年龄平均误差男性为0.429±0.282岁、女性为0.399±0.252岁。结论本研究所建方法推断结果准确可靠,可用于广东地区6～15周岁人群年龄推断。     

So-called Spontaneous Human Combustion

A well-documented case of so-called Spontaneous Human Combustion is reported. Review of the literature shows that these strange observations have been reported since the 17th century, even in famous novels. There are several main features that may lead to help the diagnosis: the vicinity of the body is intact or nearly intact, some parts of the body are turned into ashes (usually the middle third of the body), whereas other parts are intact or nearly intact, burning of the body usually occurs postmortem, the cause of death is usually natural, there is often (but not always) high concentrations of blood alcohol, there is a source of heat near the body. It is indispensable to rule out a homicide by the examination of the body in situ, the autopsy, the toxicological and histopathological samples, the arson assessment, and a thorough police inquiry.     

杭州市汉族未成年人牙龄推断的研究

目的采用全口曲面断层影像,研究杭州市未成年人牙齿钙化的规律,从而建立根据牙齿推断杭州市未成年人年龄的方法。方法对杭州市1189例年龄在6~15周岁之间的未成年人全口曲面断层影像进行观测,根据牙齿钙化规律建立分级标准,依据牙齿钙化分级与年龄的相关性建立相应方程。结果牙齿钙化规律无侧别差异但有性别差异,分性别建立相应的回归方程,方程拟合优度高且标准差低。结论所建立的方程可用于杭州地区未成年人年龄的推断。     

The Reliability of Visually Comparing Small Frontal Sinuses*

Abstract: Several studies have investigated frontal sinus comparison for personal identification. One study addressed the statistical reliability of correct identification using automated digital methods and resulted in a 96% accuracy rate. Missed matches with the digital methods generally involved small, less featured sinuses. This study investigates the hypothesis that human examiners may be able to more accurately identify correct matches than digital methods, even when the comparisons involve small frontal sinuses. Participants were provided two sets of 28 radiographs and were instructed to identify matching radiographs and list the radiographs that did not have a corresponding match. Overall, error rates were low, with correct associations identified at a rate of 0.983. No incorrect associations (“false positives”) were made. Correct association rates were highest among participants “experienced” examining radiographs. Results support previous assertions that frontal sinus radiographs are a reliable means of personal identification even when the frontal sinuses are small.