Large-scale in-vivo Caucasian facial soft tissue thickness database for craniofacial reconstruction

A large-scale study of facial soft tissue depths of Caucasian adults was conducted. Over a 2-years period, 967 Caucasian subjects of both sexes, varying age and varying body mass index (BMI) were studied. A user-friendly and mobile ultrasound-based system was used to measure, in about 20min per subject, the soft tissue thickness at 52 facial landmarks including most of the landmarks used in previous studies. This system was previously validated on repeatability and accuracy [S. De Greef, P. Claes, W. Mollemans, M. Loubele, D. Vandermeulen, P. Suetens, G. Willems, Semi-automated ultrasound facial soft tissue depth registration: method and validation. J. Forensic Sci. 50 (2005)]. The data of 510 women and 457 men were analyzed in order to update facial soft tissue depth charts of the contemporary Caucasian adult. Tables with the average thickness values for each landmark as well as the standard deviation and range, tabulated according to gender, age and BMI are reported. In addition, for each landmark and for both sexes separately, a multiple linear regression of thickness versus age and BMI is calculated. The lateral asymmetry of the face was analysed on an initial subset of 588 subjects showing negligible differences and thus warranting the unilateral measurements of the remaining subjects. The new dataset was statistically compared to three datasets for the Caucasian adults: the traditional datasets of Rhine and Moore [J.S. Rhine, C.E. Moore, Tables of facial tissue thickness of American Caucasoids in forensic anthropology. Maxwell Museum Technical series 1 (1984)] and Helmer [R. Helmer, Sch?delidentifizierung durch elektronische bildmischung, Kriminalistik Verlag GmbH, Heidelberg, 1984] together with the most recent in vivo study by Manhein et al. [M.H. Manhein, G.A. Listi, R.E. Barsley, R. Musselman, N.E. Barrow, D.H. Ubelbaker, In vivo facial tissue depth measurements for children and adults. J. Forensic Sci. 45 (2000) 48-60]. The large-scale database presented in this paper offers a denser sampling of the facial soft tissue depths of a more representative subset of the actual Caucasian population over the different age and body posture subcategories. This database can be used as an updated chart for manual and computer-based craniofacial approximation and allows more refined analyses of the possible factors affecting facial soft tissue depth.     

Identification of heroin in street doses using 1D-TOCSY nuclear magnetic resonance

Heroin street doses are complex mixtures commonly analyzed in forensic laboratories. Identification of the illicit substance in these street doses is among the primary analytical tasks of a forensic laboratory. We demonstrate that the one-dimensional ID-TOCSY NMR experiment permits identification of heroin in standard mixtures containing up to ten or more different components. This method produces an easily-identified and effective "fingerprint" for heroin within a mixture of other substances. The method has been successfully tested as a tool for identification of heroin in street doses from police casework in Israel. This NMR technique is robust and quick (a measurement can be carried out in 10-15 min), and it does not require any preliminary physical or chemical treatments of the sample to be examined, due to the effective spectroscopic "filtering" of the interfering components. The ID-TOCSY NMR method can potentially be used in combination with additional analytical methods as a routine tool in forensic laboratories to positively identify heroin for court purposes.     

Evaluation of reliability of STR typing in human colon carcinomas tissues used for identification purpose

The short tandem repeats (STRs) have become an important and widely used tool in forensic casework. Clinical tissue samples are not usually employed in forensic casework, but sometimes, malignant tissue samples may be the only source of biological material for forensic investigations. However, in use of such samples, uncertainties due to microsatellite instability (MSI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) may be encountered. In our study of 77 human colon carcinomas tissue with the AmpFlSTR Identifiler Kit comprising 15 STR loci and the amelogenin gene, we detected four kinds of changes between normal tissue and tumor tissue including pLOH, LOH, occurrence of an additional allele (Add) and occurrence of a new allele (New) instead of that found in normal tissue. The overall variation detectable rate was 11.28%, of which pLOH was 79.1%, LOH was 7.9%, Add was 7.9% and New was 5%. Of the above four changes, the incidence rate of pLOH, LOH, Add and New was respectively 8.93%, 0.89%, 0.89% and 0.57%. The STRs mostly affected were D18S51, D5S818, FGA and D19S433. Only pLOH was found at five loci including vWA, TPOX, TH01, D13S317 and amelogenin gene. Our results demonstrate that great care should be taken in the evaluation of typing results obtained from clinical tissue specimens, in particular when no reference samples are available, because genetic instability is a very common event observed in different tumors and the STRs used for individual identification could sometimes be affected.     

Midline facial soft tissue thickness database of Turkish population: MRI study

Facial reconstruction is the approximation of an antemortem face from human skeletal remains. Since the nineteenth century, several methods have been developed for reconstruction of the face; all of them require the measurement of average tissue thicknesses at various points on the face. To our knowledge, there are no publications on soft tissue thickness in the Turkish population. In addition, there are few publications on the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in measuring soft tissue thickness for forensic sciences. The aim of this study was to create a reference database of facial tissue thickness in the Turkish population, and to present data illustrating the successful use of MRI for this purpose. The study included 161 patients (79 males and 82 females) between the ages of 18 and 78 who had undergone brain MRI in our radiology clinic, and showed no sign of maxillofacial pathology. Measurements were taken at 9 points at the midline; glabella, nasion, end of nasals, mid-philtrum, upper lip margin, lower lip margin, chin-lip fold, mental eminence, and beneath chin points. The mean values for these points in the patient sample population were determined, and differences related to age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. The values were then compared to the findings of the Manhein study.     

1H nuclear magnetic resonance of heroin's D ring

The 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts and coupling constants of heroin's D ring H-15 alpha, H-15 beta, and H-16 alpha, and H-16 beta are presented. These assignments were accessible through the introduction of a double bond (delta 15,16) in heroin. The resulting compound, delta 15,16 didehydroheroin, was subjected to deuterium exchange or stereoselective reduction or both. Reduced products d1-16 alpha heroin d2-15 alpha, 15 beta-heroin, and d3-15 alpha, 15 beta, 16 alpha-heroin are presented. Heroin with deuterated acetyls is also presented for 1H NMR spectral clarity in the D ring area.     

Reproducibility of facial soft tissue thicknesses for craniofacial reconstruction using cone-beam CT images

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of the soft tissue (ST) thicknesses at 31 landmarks using the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images obtained from 20 adult subjects. Four observers carried out ST thickness measurements using Skull Measure software, and the inter- and intra-observer error rates were evaluated. Only five of 31 landmarks showed significant differences in recorded ST thickness between the observers. When excluding inexperienced observers, only one landmark showed a significant difference between the observers. Regarding the intra-observer reproducibility, the ST thickness measurements at three landmarks showed low correlation coefficients. The results of this study indicate that CBCT images can be used to measure ST thickness with high reproducibility. However, some landmarks need to be redefined to reliably measure ST thickness on CBCT images.     

Accuracy of facial soft tissue thickness measurements in personal computer-based multiplanar reconstructed computed tomographic images

The purpose of this study was to determine the precision and accuracy of facial soft tissue measurement using personal computer (PC)-based multiplanar reconstructed (MPR) computed tomography (CT) images and to evaluate the effect of the various CT scanning protocols on the facial soft tissue thickness measurement. Thirteen different CT imaging protocols were used to image a cadaver head. MPR reformations and three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions viewed on a laptop PC were used to make measurements at six specific sites on each set of images. These measurements were compared to physical measurements at the same sites. Increasing the slice thickness resulted in decreased image quality. Within the same slice thickness, increasing the pitch ratio in the spiral mode, resulted in decreasing image quality. The image quality of conventional CT scanning was relatively poorer than that of the spiral CT scanning. However, the mean deviation from the physical measurement was within 0.43 mm in every instance. This mean deviation was quite small and clinically acceptable for measuring the soft tissue thickness of the facial area. PC-based MPR CT images of the face using routine scanning CT protocols can be used to accurately measure soft tissue thickness in the facial region. However, for more fine and accurate data collection, scanning protocols with slice thicknesses less than 5mm, and a spiral/helical mode pitch less than 2:1 are recommended.     

New soft tissue correction factors for stature estimation: results from magnetic resonance imaging

In stature reconstruction using Fully's method, it is essential that a soft tissue correction factor be added to skeletal height in order to obtain an estimate of living stature. While some anthropologists consider Fully's method to be the most reliable for stature estimation, others consider it to be inadequate as it seems to be underestimating living stature, possibly due to an error in the magnitude of Fully's soft tissue factors. A recent study by Raxter and co-workers revised Fully's technique and also presented a new "universally applicable" soft tissue correction factor. The present study examines the reliability of soft tissue correction factors of Fully and Raxter et al. on a living sample of indigenous South African males. The current study is based on data collected from 28 indigenous South African (ISA) male volunteers. Standing height of each subject was measured using a stadiometer. Fully's method was used in the calculation of total skeletal height from a full body MRI scan of each subject. Subsequent analyses of the acquired data revealed that the previously derived soft tissue correction factors are not applicable to the studied sample, and why they are not applicable. The correction factors of Fully and Raxter et al. both significantly underestimate living stature in a living sample of indigenous South African males. Consequently, a new correction factor was calculated based on the prediction of living stature from TSH using regression analysis.     

Adipocere in postmortem imaging using multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A body was found in a local river almost completely converted into adipocere. The corpse was identified as a 78-year-old male who was missed for 13 months. It was assumed that he committed suicide by drowning. The postmortem imaging findings utilizing multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in this virtopsy case are presented with special focus on the radiologic appearance of adipocere. The loss of signal in MRI and hyperdensities in MSCT up to 1000 Hounsfield units, as well as the increased assessment of the intracranial structures compared with traditional autopsy, are presented.     

Failure of anthropometry as a facial identification technique using high-quality photographs

Anthropometry can be used in certain circumstances to facilitate comparison of a photograph of a suspect with that of the potential offender from surveillance footage. Experimental research was conducted to determine whether anthropometry has a place in forensic practice in confirming the identity of a suspect from a surveillance video. We examined an existing database of photographic lineups, where one video image was compared against 10 photographs, which has previously been used in psychological research. Target (1) and test (10) photos were of high quality, although taken with a different camera. The anthropometric landmarks of right and left ectocanthions, nasion, and stomion were chosen, and proportions and angle values between these landmarks were measured to compare target with test photos. Results indicate that these measurements failed to accurately identify targets. There was also no indication that any of the landmarks made a better comparison than another. It was concluded that, for these landmarks, this method does not generate the consistent results necessary for use as evidence in a court of law.     

四川汉族青少年面部中线软组织厚度的数字X线测量

目的 测量四川汉族青少年（8—20岁）人群面部中线软组织厚度，探讨其生长发育变化规律，为法医人类学的面部重建提供的基础数据。方法 选取974例（男496，女478）头颅侧位数字X线片，分13个年龄段（8—20岁）。选择面部10个标志点的软组织厚度测量，并进行描述性统计学分析。结果 四川汉族青少年人群面部10个标志点的中线软组织平均厚度，在青少年阶段大多数测量标志点随年龄增长而增厚；男女性面部中线软组织厚度统计学分析存在性别差异（P〈0．05），在15岁之后差异增大，且LU点显著差异性在9-20岁之间均存在（P〈0．01）。结论 四川汉族青少年面部中线软组织厚度有随年龄增长而增厚的档势．男女面部软组织厚度存在性别差异。     

Application of superimposition-based personal identification using skull computed tomography images

Superimposition has been applied to skulls of unidentified skeletonized corpses as a personal identification method. The current method involves layering of a skull and a facial image of a suspected person and thus requires a real skeletonized skull. In this study, we scanned skulls of skeletonized corpses by computed tomography (CT), reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) images of skulls from the CT images, and superimposed the 3D images with facial images of the corresponding persons taken in their lives. Superimposition using 3D-reconstructed skull images demonstrated, as did superimposition using real skulls, an adequate degree of morphological consistency between the 3D-reconstructed skulls and persons in the facial images. Three-dimensional skull images reconstructed from CT images can be saved as data files and the use of these images in superimposition is effective for personal identification of unidentified bodies.     

Sub-surface characterisation of latest-generation identification documents using optical coherence tomography

The identification of individuals, particularly at international border crossings, coupled with the evolving sophistication of identity documents are issues that authorities must contend with. Particularly, the ability to distinguish legitimate from counterfeit documents, with high throughput, sensitivity, and selectivity is an ever-evolving challenge.Over the last decade, an increasing number of security features have been introduced by authorities in identification documents. The latest generation of travel documents (such as passports and national ID cards) forego paper substrates for several layers of polycarbonate, allowing security features to be embedded within the documents. These security features may contain information at either the superficial and sub-surface levels, thus increasing the document’s resilience to counterfeiting.As the documents become harder to forge, so does the sophistication of forgery detection. There appears to be an unmet and evolving need to identify such sophisticated forgeries, in a non-destructive, high throughput manner.In this publication, we report on the application of optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging on assessing security features in specimen passports and national ID cards. OCT allows sub-surface imaging of translucent structures, non-destructively enabling quantitative visualisation of embedded security features.     

四川汉族青少年面部中线软组织厚度的数字X线测量

目的测量四川汉族青少年(8～20岁)人群面部中线软组织厚度,探讨其生长发育变化规律,为法医人类学的面部重建提供的基础数据。方法选取974例(男496,女478)头颅侧位数字X线片,分13个年龄段(8～20岁),选择面部10个标志点的软组织厚度测量,并进行描述性统计学分析。结果四川汉族青少年人群面部10个标志点的中线软组织平均厚度,在青少年阶段大多数测量标志点随年龄增长而增厚;男女性面部中线软组织厚度统计学分析存在性别差异(P<0.05),在15岁之后差异增大,且LLI点显著差异性在9～20岁之间均存在(P<0.01)。结论四川汉族青少年面部中线软组织厚度有随年龄增长而增厚的趋势,男女面部软组织厚度存在性别差异。     

Identification and quantitation of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (NaGHB) by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The most common means of identification of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (NaGHB) involves using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of a suitable derivative. However, these methods may be complicated by possible shifts in chemical equilibrium between gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), GHB salts and the precursor lactone, gamma-butyrolactone (GBL). This paper addresses the technique of proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H and 13C NMR) for the direct and accurate identification of GHB and GBL. The application of 1H NMR for GHB quantitation is also discussed.     

A new technique for three-dimensional ultrasound scanning of facial tissues

We report the development of an ultrasonic facial scanning technique that allows for the visualization of continuous contours without deforming surface tissues. Adhesive markers are placed on the face to enable measurement of facial tissue thicknesses at specific landmarks. The subject immerses the face in a clear plastic box filled with water for about 20 seconds while the researcher moves the transducer along the bottom of the box, guiding transducer movement by watching the facial image in a mirror placed below. 3D Echotech software (1) builds the images from sequentially acquired 2D frames. Reliability of repeat measurements at landmarks is good, and individual tissues (skin, subcutaneous, muscle) can be distinguished. The method is simple, reliable, less expensive and less time consuming than alternatives such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is applicable in both research and clinical contexts.     

面颅种族判定的测量研究

通过对国内外面颅种族判定测量研究现状的回顾和评析,指出目前尚没有进行中国黄种人面颅测量种族判定的有效方法。在已进行的面颅种族判定测量研究中,上面部指标的种族判定效果最好,而上腭区和下颌骨指标的种族判定效果较差。所以对于中国黄种人面颅种族判定的测量研究应当更多借鉴上面部的研究成果。     

Studies of dentition abnormalities in children of the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of personality identification

This paper reports the results of investigations carried out to elucidate the frequency and the structure of various forms of abnormalities of dentition among the children of the preschool and school age in the Republic of Armenia. These data may be of help for the forensic medical personality identification especially for the expertise of unrecognized corpses. Moreover, these data provide an indirect picture of the prevalence of abnormalities of dentition among the adult population of the country. Specifically they may sometimes be used to identify the ethnic and/or racial background of a person.