Specimens for teaching forensic pathology, odontology, and anthropology. II. Teeth and bone

A set of specimens has been collected, preserved, and organized specifically for the teaching of forensic pathology, odontology, and anthropology. Plastination of soft tissue, whole organs, bones, and teeth has proven valuable in preserving delicate, friable, and calcined specimens. The dry, odorless, biologically inert specimens are durable and resistant to damage caused by handling. Subtle features of soft tissue pathology are well preserved. Patterned injuries change due to shrinkage, but remain easily recognizable. Plastinated whole jaws are still readily identifiable from antemortem records. Radiograph density is essentially unchanged. Putrid and charred specimens become quite manageable.     

Rates of putrefaction of dental pulp in the Northwest coast environment

Cytological stability is of interest to criminal investigators in instances where remnants of soft tissue have been preserved, since such tissue can aid in the identification of human remains, helping to determine either the sex of the individual or his or her identity. This study based on seven experiments shows that, in Northwest coast outdoor environments in both summer (three experiments) and winter (three experiments), the stability of dental pulp nuclei ranges from 4 days to 2 weeks. The seventh experiment serves to describe the morphological sequence observed in nuclear putrefaction. The specimens included human and pig extracted teeth and unextracted pig teeth. Deposition of the specimens was made both on the surface and in the subsurface (30-cm depth), and the environmental variables were recorded.     

A standard procedure for accommodating forensic anthropological and genetic analysis of decomposing human remains from tropical climates

At the Medical Legal Center in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil (CEMEL/FMRP-USP), unidentified decomposing bodies routinely undergo soft tissue removal (by immersion in water at 80–90 °C for 24 h) prior to an anthropological analysis intended to yield a biological profile of age, sex, ancestry, height, pathology and so on. In the event that this analysis is unsuccessful, samples may be submitted for DNA profiling. The tropical climate and the defleshing process may confound preservation, recovery and analysis of DNA, however. In order to establish an optimal standardized protocol for identification of decomposing human remains from a tropical climatic region, the outcome of anthropological and genetic analyses was compared, along with the utility of bone (mainly femur and sternum) and teeth (mainly molar) specimens for DNA analysis. In a sample (n = 39) of partially skeletonized remains, anthropological analysis was sufficient for identification in eight cases. In further six cases, DNA profiling was successfully attempted. As a consequence of our study, we recommend collection of 1–2 well preserved teeth prior to defleshing and anthropological analysis in these circumstances.     

Carnivore voiding: a taphonomic process with the potential for the deposition of forensic evidence

Carnivore defecation and regurgitation are taphonomic processes that create discrete concentrations of bone pieces and soft tissue fragments of animals that have been consumed. Experiments in which baboon carcasses were fed to leopards and spotted hyenas demonstrate that primate metapodials and phalanges are well represented as readily identifiable specimens in such scat concentrations. Most often phalanges are recovered from scat as whole, articulated digit units (composed of the proximal through distal phalanges) still covered with ligaments, intact skin and finger/toe nails. Considering the very basic similarities between baboon and human physiques, the potential applications of these findings to human forensic cases are significant. Fingers and toes possess features, including fingerprints and, sometimes, distinctive finger and toe rings, useful in the identification of human bodies.     

Differentiation of hydrocephalic calf and human calvariae

Occasionally, partial calvariae of hydrocephalic calves are found in forensic contexts and mistakenly identified as human. Such specimens can be properly identified through immunological assessment of associated soft tissue, microscopic analysis of associated hair, and morphological comparison with documented museum specimens. Morphological comparison should focus on the form of the occiput, supraorbital grooves, and bulbous vault and presence of coronal processes.     

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 of traumatic injury in burned cranial bone: an experimental approach.

Interpreting patterns of injury in victims of fire-related deaths poses challenges for forensic investigators. Determining manner of death (accident, suicide or homicide) using charred remains is compounded by the thermal distortion and fragmentation of soft and skeletal tissues. Heat degrades thin cranial structures and obscures the characteristic signatures of perimortem ballistic, blunt, and sharp force trauma in bone, making differentiation from thermal trauma difficult. This study documents the survivability and features of traumatic injury through all stages of burning for soft tissue reduction and organic degradation of cranial bone. Forty cadaver heads were burned in environments simulating forensic fires. Progression of thermal degradation was photographically documented throughout the destructive stages for soft tissues and bone to establish expected burn sequence patterns for the head. In addition to testing intact vaults, a percentage were selectively traumatized to introduce the variables of soft tissue disruption, fractures, impact marks, and incisions throughout the cremation process. Skeletal materials were recovered, reconstructed, and correlated with photographs to discern burn patterns and survivability of traumatic features. This study produced two important results: (1) Identification of preexistent trauma is possible in reconstructed burned cranial bone. Signatures of ballistic (internal and external bevel, secondary fractures), blunt force (impact site, radiating fractures), and sharp force (incisions, stabs, sectioning) survive the cremation process. (2) In non-traumatized specimens, the skull does not explode from steam pressure but does fragment as a result of external forces (collapsed debris, extinguishment methods) and handling. The features of both results are sequentially described throughout the progression of thermal destruction.     

Identification of traumatic injury in burned cranial bone: an experimental approach.

Interpreting patterns of injury in victims of fire-related deaths poses challenges for forensic investigators. Determining manner of death (accident, suicide or homicide) using charred remains is compounded by the thermal distortion and fragmentation of soft and skeletal tissues. Heat degrades thin cranial structures and obscures the characteristic signatures of perimortem ballistic, blunt, and sharp force trauma in bone, making differentiation from thermal trauma difficult. This study documents the survivability and features of traumatic injury through all stages of burning for soft tissue reduction and organic degradation of cranial bone. Forty cadaver heads were burned in environments simulating forensic fires. Progression of thermal degradation was photographically documented throughout the destructive stages for soft tissues and bone to establish expected burn sequence patterns for the head. In addition to testing intact vaults, a percentage were selectively traumatized to introduce the variables of soft tissue disruption, fractures, impact marks, and incisions throughout the cremation process. Skeletal materials were recovered, reconstructed, and correlated with photographs to discern burn patterns and survivability of traumatic features. This study produced two important results: (1) Identification of preexistent trauma is possible in reconstructed burned cranial bone. Signatures of ballistic (internal and external bevel, secondary fractures), blunt force (impact site, radiating fractures), and sharp force (incisions, stabs, sectioning) survive the cremation process. (2) In non-traumatized specimens, the skull does not explode from steam pressure but does fragment as a result of external forces (collapsed debris, extinguishment methods) and handling. The features of both results are sequentially described throughout the progression of thermal destruction.     

Contribution of rodents to postmortem artifacts of bone and soft tissue.

Postmortem disturbance of human remains by rodents extends beyond production of characteristic tooth mark artifacts in dry bones. Three case examples are presented that demonstrate a spectrum of rodent damage to dry and fresh bone and to fresh and mummified soft tissue. In one case, human remains are used for nesting purposes. Rodents are also noted to be vectors of bone transport. Rodent activities can affect bone recovery, human identification, and interpretation of artifacts to bone and soft tissue. Guidelines to differentiate soft tissue artifacts caused by rodents and carnivores are suggested.     

Shark‐Inflicted Trauma: A Case Study of Unidentified Remains Recovered from the Gulf of Mexico*

Abstract: Here, we present a case of an unidentified male whose remains, except for the right arm, were recovered from the Gulf of Mexico 10 years prior to osteological analysis by forensic anthropologists. After the poorly preserved soft tissue was removed and the bones cleaned, forensic analysis revealed an unusual series of hard tissue trauma later attributed by a shark expert as shark scavenging and/or predation. Identified were five unique hard tissue trauma patterns that are bite mark artifacts produced by sharks: punctures without fractures, punctures with associated fractures, striations with bone shaving, overlapping striations, and incised bone gouges. The cooperation among experts provided a comprehensive death case analysis and a better understanding of shark‐inflicted trauma on human skeletal remains.     

The post-mortem concentration of glutamate in the structures of rat brain as an exponent of short aversive sensory stimulation preceding death.

The problem of post-mortem assessment of short central fear reaction preceding death has been obscure till now. The preliminary results obtained by authors have encouraged them to further research on this topic. Time of aversive sensory stimulation in the presented study was considerably decreased in comparison to the preliminary investigations. The concentration of glutamate was assayed in the selected structures of limbic system and in the cerebellum. The rats were subjected to different simultaneous modalities of sensory stimulation. The involvement of the hippocampi and the cerebellum was revealed as measured by glutamate concentration increase in the whole structures homogenates. The dominant role of mechanical stimulus has been suggested based on the measured increase of glutamate concentration in the whole cerebellum homogenate. By using the presented experimental paradigm a possible application of the biochemical assessment of human brain tissue might be developed in the future for implementing in the field of forensic pathology. The biochemical evaluation of "frozen frames" of neurotransmission can possibly help reconstruct the events which had happened just before sudden and violent death.     

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.     

The computer and the law: coordinate analysis of skull shape and possible methods of postmortem identification.

Mechanisms accelerating or retarding the disintegration of soft tissues are briefly discussed, as well as the need to reconstruct the missing profile for postmortem identification purposes. The application of X-ray and computer-based analyses is discussed in the context of providing data to predict and reconstruct the most probable soft tissue profile of a dry skull. In addition, information from extensive studies of the facial bones and profiles of veterans has been applied to methods in forensic medicine of determining age, sex, and racial background of unknown subjects.     

Medical devices; reclassification and codification of the nonabsorbable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene surgical suture. Food and Drug Administration, HHS. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that it has issued an order in the form of a letter to W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc., reclassifying the nonabsorbable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) surgical suture intended for use in soft tissue approximation and ligation, including cardiovascular surgery, from class III (premarket approval) to class II (special controls). Accordingly, the order is being codified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).     

Report of a fatal, acute tripelennamine intoxication.

A death resulting from tripelennamine overdose in a 19-year-old male Caucasian is reported. The patient died 7 h after ingesting approximately twenty 50-mg tripelennamine tablets. A concentration of 1.0 mg/100 ml was found in the blood. All tissue concentrations were measured by ultraviolet spectroscopy and verified by gas-liquid chromatography. Significant findings included pulmonary edema and multiple small petechial hemorrhages in the soft tissue of the scalp.     

Facial soft-tissue thicknesses in the adult male Zulu

The morphometric method of forensic facial reconstruction rests heavily on the use of facial soft tissue depth measurements. In reconstructing the Negroid face, much use has been made of the tables of soft tissue thicknesses of American Negroid cadavers. However, the genetic complexities of American blacks are well known. In addition it is felt that measurements made on the living are of more value than those made on the dead. In view of this it was decided to set up a table of norms for facial soft tissue depths of the living Zulu, an African Negroid who has remained relatively free from genetic admixture with other populations. The tightly controlled sample consisted of 55 healthy male Zulus, aged 20 to 35. Tissue depths at established landmarks were measured from lateral and oblique cephalometric radiographs. These were then combined with ultrasonic readings at other landmarks on the subject's face to yield a comprehensive set of tissue depth data. This paper presents a set of average facial soft tissue depth measurements from the Zulu face that results in the development of a new profile. It also provides a method for linking two systems of measurement.     

Feasibility of Contactless 3D Optical Measurement for the Analysis of Bone and Soft Tissue Lesions: New Technologies and Perspectives in Forensic Sciences

Abstract:  In forensic pathology and anthropology, a correct analysis of lesions on soft tissues and bones is of the utmost importance, in order to verify the cause and manner of death. Photographs, videos, and photogrammetry may be an optimal manner of immortalizing a lesion, both on cadavers and skeletal remains; however, none of these can supply a detailed three-dimensional (3D) modeling of the lesion. Up to now, only the use of casts has given us the possibility of studying deep lesions such as saw marks with an accurate and complete 3D reconstruction of bone structure. The present study aims at verifying the applicability of 3D optical contactless measurement for the accurate recording of soft tissue and bone lesions, in order to develop a unique and precise method of registering and analyzing lesions, both in forensic pathology and anthropology. Three cases were analyzed: the first, a car accident with blunt force skin injuries; the second, a murder with blunt force injury to the head applied with a metal rod; the third, a series of sharp force knife and saw lesions on bone. Results confirm that 3D optical digitizing technology is a crucial tool in the immortalization of wound morphology in the medico-legal context even on "difficult" substrates such as cut marks and saw marks on bone.     

A method for defleshing human remains using household bleach

Medical examiners and forensic anthropologists are often faced with the difficult task of removing soft tissue from the human skeleton without damaging the bones, teeth and, in some cases, cartilage. While there are a number of acceptable methods that can be used to remove soft tissue including macerating in water, simmering or boiling, soaking in ammonia, removing with scissors, knife, scalpel or stiff brush, and dermestid beetles, each has its drawback in time, safety, or potential to damage bone. This technical report using the chest plate of a stabbing victim presents a safe and effective alternative method for removing soft tissue from human remains, in particular the chest plate, following autopsy, without damaging or separating the ribs, sternum, and costal cartilage. This method can be used to reveal subtle blunt force trauma to bone, slicing and stabbing injuries, and other forms of trauma obscured by overlying soft tissue. Despite the published cautionary notes, when done properly household bleach (3-6% sodium hypochlorite) is a quick, safe, and effective method for examining cartilage and exposing skeletal trauma by removing soft tissue from human skeletal remains.     

Determination of morphine in postmortem rabbit bone marrow and comparison with blood morphine concentrations

The aim of this study is to predict how long after time of death a buried body could be analyzed for opiates in soft tissues and to show the accessibility and suitability of bone marrow as a useful toxicological specimen from buried bodies. Morphine solutions were injected in nine albino rabbits. Doses ranged from 0.3 to 1.1 mg/kg with 0.1 mg/kg increments. One hour after the injections, the rabbits were sacrificed. Blood, urine and bone marrow samples were collected for analysis. After the whole bodies were buried, femur bone marrow specimens were collected on the seventh and fourteenth days. CEDIA was used to monitor morphine contents of the collected samples. All experimental cases showed that the increase in the given morphine doses correlated with the increase in blood and bone marrow morphine concentrations. High morphine concentrations were detected in urine samples, but there was no correlation between the urine and blood or urine and bone marrow morphine concentrations. Statistically meaningful increases in bone marrow morphine concentrations were found parallel to increase of blood morphine concentrations. Seventh and fourteenth day postmortem morphine concentrations also followed this correlation. Morphine concentrations in bone marrow at 7 and 14 day postmortem decreased consistently when compared with bone marrow morphine concentrations collected immediately after death. We conclude that in sudden death when other specimens are unavailable due to degradation, bone marrow can be a most useful specimen. Further experimental research in this area is required to validate bone marrow as an alternative tissue.     

Death due to superficial soft tissue injuries.

A series of deaths due to multiple superficial injuries is reported. These cases represented 5% of a consecutive homicide series in the Northern Territory of Australia. All cases were characterized by extensive superficial injuries, particularly involving soft tissue, which were present over much of the body including the face, head, arms, legs, and trunk. Upper-limb fractures were present in some cases, as were fractured ribs. The internal organs and tissues were pale, but there was either little or no organ damage. No significant volume of free blood was found in any of the body cavities. In one case, fat emboli were identified in moderate numbers in the lung and kidney. Death due to multiple superficial soft tissue injuries has not previously been characterized in the literature.