The death and mortal remains of Francisco Pizarro

When Francisco Pizarro was assassinated in 1541, he was buried near the Cathedral of Lima, but was later moved into the crypt under the altar. In 1891 mummified remains were identified as those of Pizarro and placed in a sarcophagus on public exhibition. In 1977 bones were discovered in a walled over niche in the crypt. The skull was in a lead box engraved with Pizarro's name. Which remains--the bones, or the mummy--are those of Pizarro? This question and more can now be answered. This paper will give evidence of the exact wounds that Pizarro received in his final sword fight, as well as a facial sculpture of the skull now identified as that of the conqueror of Peru.     

The accuracy of sex identification in European skeletal remains using the phenice characters

Three documented European skeletal series were examined to assess the accuracy and reliability of the pubic variables described by Phenice for correctly identifying the sex of adult human skeletal remains. The accuracy and objectivity of these variables, as reported by Phenice, Kelley, Sutherland and Suchey, and Lovell, could not be confirmed on this European material. In general, the subpubic concavity feature, when used alone, proved to be the most reliable variable for sex identification. In this study, the level of correct sex identification that could be achieved using the Phenice variables was shown to be significantly affected by the previous experience of the observer.     

Age-specific changes in bone tissue microstructure and potential for use for human identification

The possibility of using the data of quantitative microscopy of bone tissue for evaluation of age with the aim of personality identification is discussed. Computer histomorphological analysis of third rib, tibial lower epiphysis and diaphysis fragments from 564 male corpses of known age (0-90 years) was carried out. A complex of parameters most strongly correlating with age was detected: extension of active osteogenesis zone in the longitudinal section of a rib, thickness of layers of internal and external general diaphyseal laminae in the tibial bone, trabecular area in the tibial epiphyseal preparation, etc. Age-specific changes in bone tissue structures is characterized by a great variety and depends on the type and location of these structures. Bone tissue characteristics change irregularly and asynchronously, therefore their correlations with age are different in different age groups. A general biological interpretation of the results is offered.     

The use of bacteria for the identification of vaginal secretions

We have used the 16S–23S rRNA intergenic spacer region for identifying vaginal specific bacteria. Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus gasseri were detected in vaginal secretions but not in semen, blood or saliva. Our data indicated that both L. crispatus and L. gasseri were detected in vaginal secretions from women with different levels of expression of hormonal genes including pregnant, pre- and post-menopausal women, and a woman who has had a hysterectomy. Therefore, we have demonstrated that these Lactobacilli are promising new markers for the forensic identification of vaginal secretions. We have incorporated the Lactobacilli markers into a mRNA multiplex system to produce an 11-plex assay that can identify circulatory blood, menstrual blood, saliva, semen (in the presence and absence of spermatozoa) and vaginal secretions.     

Margaret Clitherow: skeletal identification of an historical figure?

This paper describes the use of physical anthropological methods of analysis in attempting to identify an historical figure in England. The historical background to the examination is detailed and reasons for the belief that the skeletal remains excavated from the site were those of a named person, Margaret Clitherow, are discussed. Analysis of age, sex and manner of death indicated that the remains were not those of Margaret Clitherow.     

The use of restrictive labels in juvenile corrections: The case of Ohio

A study was conducted to determine the ramifications of the use of restrictive categories imposed within correctional settings, and an analysis of such classifications within one juvenile correctional institution—The Fairfield School for Boys—was undertaken.     

The use of moxibustion scars in the identification of individuals in forensic medicine

The use of moxibustion today does not only take place in Eastern Asia, but recently also in Europe and the United States. Moxibustion scars are often seen in autopsy cases in Japan. However, no reports of the use of moxibustion in autopsy cases have been reported. This paper reports on an autopsy case in which moxibustion scars were used to extrapolate on the past symptoms of the deceased, date of therapy and the location of the moxibustion clinic which administered the moxibustion.     

The use of thoracolumbar and hip joint dysmorphism in identification

A case of roentgenographic identification of a deceased person is presented. Comparison of antemortem and postmortem radiographs of the vertebral column and hip joint, for the purpose of identification, was based on the deceased medical history, and the fact the deceased was endentulous, and fingerprint comparison was not feasible. Evaluation of anatomical variants, due to the effects of degenerative disease, provided positive identification in a visually unidentifiable deceased person.     

The use of microspectrophotometry for the identification of pigments in small paint samples

The visible reflectance spectra of a number of common pigments are presented. These were measured between 380 nm and 900 nm in paint films using the Nanospec 10S Microspectrophotometer. This data can be used in combination with a computer program based upon simple Kubelka-Munk theory to identify the pigments in paint samples. The use of this approach in forensic science is illustrated by examples from recent cases.     

DNA鉴定技术及其在刑事侦查中的应用

DNA鉴定技术自产生以来,在国内外有了一定的发展。就其在刑事侦查中的价值而言,它能够起到锁定犯罪嫌疑人、进行尸源认定、为串并案件提供依据、排除犯罪嫌疑等作用。DNA鉴定技术并非绝对可靠,尚有一些问题值得我们注意。     

The use of orthopedic surgical devices for forensic identification

Surgically implanted devices have become increasingly common in modern skeletal material. Therefore, having the knowledge of the variety of implanted orthopedic devices, their manufacturer, and where to find and how to use identifying numbers in such implants can assist in the identification process when traditional methods are not applicable. Orthopedic device manufacturers are required by the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990 and the FDA Modernization Act of 1997 to track permanently implanted devices. Manufacturer information on orthopedic devices associates the orthopedic surgeon who implanted the device with the patient. By providing a current list of the most common orthopedic device manufacturers in the U.S.A. and the associated contact information, investigators will have updated tools for the individuation process. Despite numerous complicating factors regarding how device data are tracked, the information presented here can assist forensic professionals with obtaining presumptive and/or positive identifications.     

The use of odontograms and panoramic roentgenography in personal identification]

Study of dental root surfaces prompted the authors to add to the routine odontogram 28 more maxillary surfaces and 22 mandibular surfaces, this making a total of 210 diagnostic signs. Employment of amplified panoramic roentgenography permitted the authors to detect specific features of the dental cavity, root canals, periodontal fissure structure, the presence of caries and its complications, inflammatory and systemic involvement, injury to the jaws and teeth. Visual examination of dental status and application of panoramic roentgenography will help improve forensic medical personal identification.     

Criteria of personal identification by the hyoid bone

We studied 16 sizes of the hyoid bone (HB) from 158 corpses of known gender, Russians, who had died at the age over 15 years by the K. Miller et al program (1998) and 205 back projection electroroentgenograms of the neck of patients of the traumatological hospital in the town of Kirov. HB skeletization was made by the enzymatic drug enzyme. SPSS package and multidimentional statistics (regression and discriminant analyses) were used for data processing. It was established that HB is an informative object of forensic medical personal identification allowing determination of the body length and gender as well as anatomical, x-ray and osteometric individual features. Precision of human body length diagnosis by HB is 6.71-7.26 cm. Therefore, this method should be used in combination with the diagnosis by long tubular bones. Diagnosis of human gender by osteometric signs of HB based on one-dimentional discriminant analysis is feasible in 80-85%, based on canonical discriminant analysis--in 91.1% cases. The method of anatomic, osteometric and roentgenological assessment of HB individuality can be used in personal identification by intravital x-ray of cervical organs and in traumatic defects of HB. The methods may be applied in forensic medical practice in expert examination of body fragments or isolated bone fragments.     

对女性肋骨进行组织形态测量推断年龄

探讨人类密质骨的年龄变化规律 ,为法医学、人类学利用骨骼推断年龄提供新方法。收集 6 7例中国北方汉族女性右侧第六肋骨的中 1/3段 ,制作脱钙骨切片 ,在计算机图像分析仪上测量 9项组织形态学参数 ,并进行多元逐步回归分析 ,得到一个推断年龄的多元回归方程 :^Y =31 2 6 4+0 86 8X2 +2 86 6 93X4 +0 6 89X7-778 874X8-0 0 0 6X9,复相关系数和标准误分别是 0 92 3和 4 0 8。经 2 5例已知年龄的标本检验 ,预测年龄的误差在± 5岁以内的可达 84% ,误差在± 8岁以内的可达 10 0 %。结果表明 :应用肋骨的组织结构特征可准确推断死者年龄     

The use of human skin in the fabrication of a bite mark template: two case reports

Comparison of a suspected biter's dental arches with the patterned injury of a bite mark is especially difficult when the bite occurs in an anatomic location with a small radius of curvature or with complex or compound curves. The authors present two case reports in which human skin was used as a template for the reproduction of a bite. In one case the victim's skin was used; in the other, the skin of a anatomically similar person was used. The use of inked dental casts, photography, and transparent overlays significantly reduced the errors common to analysis of bite marks in these highly curved areas.     

The effects of skeletal preparation techniques on DNA from human and non-human bone

The forensic pathologist increasingly relies on the forensic anthropologist to be the consulting expert in human identification. Likewise, if identification is not possible from visual inspection of skeletal remains, the forensic biologist may be called upon to conduct DNA analysis. The possibility of downstream DNA testing needs to be considered when skeletal preparation techniques are employed to deflesh human remains, as they have the potential to strongly impact genetic analyses and subsequent identification. In this study, three cleaning techniques, boiling bone in water, in bleach, and in powdered detergent/sodium carbonate, were tested for their effect on nuclear and mtDNA recovery from a variety of human and non-human bones. A statistically significant reduction in DNA yields occurred in non-human bones cleaned with bleach, and DNA degradation was apparent electrophoretically. The human bones also showed much lower yields from bleach cleaning, while the detergent/carbonate method allowed the largest segments of DNA to be amplified, indicating it may have a less degradative effect on bone DNA than either of the other cleaning processes.     

The use of an optical polarization method in studying the stress deformation state of bone

Use of polarizable optical method (photoelasticity) in investigation of stress-deformity state of the bone is suggested. It enables modelling the magnitude and direction of external mechanical forces acting in the bone. The resulting data are registered visually and fixed by photographic method.     

CHN骨龄在司法鉴定中的应用价值

目的探讨CHN(中国人手腕骨发育标准CHN法)骨龄在司法鉴定中的应用价值,分析影响其准确性的因素及相关问题。方法对522例年龄鉴定者,均选用不同曝光值拍摄两张左手腕部正位X线片,并加照两次斜位片。使用CHN法测评骨龄。结果522例中男性489例,女性33例。男性达CHN骨龄最高值18.4岁者129例,余平均骨龄16.5岁。女性达CHN骨龄最高值17.3岁者14例,余平均骨龄15.7岁。CHN骨龄在16.0岁以上者共388例,占约74.3%。本组资料显示多种因素影响骨龄鉴定的准确性,其中以骨龄片位置及角度的变化等影响最大。结论如能获得高质量的X线片、并能熟练使用CHN法、注意利用位置和角度的变化正确判定骨骺分级,CHN骨龄基本可满足活体年龄鉴定的需要。