Intra‐ and Inter‐Element Variability in Mitochondrial and Nuclear DNA from Fresh and Environmentally Exposed Skeletal Remains,

Successful identification of skeletonized remains often relies upon DNA analyses, frequently focusing on the mid‐diaphysis of weight‐bearing long bones. This study explored intra‐bone DNA variability using bovine and porcine femora, along with calcanei and tali. DNA from fresh and short‐term environmentally exposed bone was extracted utilizing demineralization and standard lysis buffer protocols, and DNA quantity and quality were measured. Overall, femoral epiphyses, metaphyses, and the tarsals had more nuclear and mitochondrial DNA than did the femoral diaphyses. DNA loss was much more rapid in buried bones than in surface exposed bones, while DNA quality differed based on environment, but not bone region/element. The demineralization protocol generated more DNA in some bone regions, while the standard lysis was more effective in others, and neither significantly affected DNA quality. Taken together, these findings reinforce the importance of considering inter‐ and intra‐bone heterogeneity when sampling skeletal material for forensic DNA‐based identifications.     

Bone Mineral Density Adult Age Estimation in Forensic Anthropology: A Test of the DXAGE Application

Estimating age‐at‐death of individuals represented only by skeletonized human remains is a fundamental aspect of forensic anthropological casework. Recently, several researchers have proposed that bone mineral density (BMD) is a useful predictor of age‐at‐death in forensic contexts. Navega et al. (JFS 63(2):497–503) developed an online application called DXAGE for calculating age‐at‐death from BMD parameters. This study tests the utility of DXAGE by utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). BMD data from a female subsample (n = 470) of the NHANES 2007–2008 dataset were analyzed, and the relationship between predicted age and real age was examined. Inaccuracy was 14.25 years, and bias was ?7.20 years. Results show that there is a weak correlation between predicted and actual age (r = 0.47) using the DXAGE application. While BMD data are potentially useful for predicting age age‐at‐death, the DXAGE application should be used cautiously in forensic anthropological contexts.     

The Difficult Task of Diagnosing Prostate Cancer Metastases on Dry Bone

The interpretation of pathology on skeletal remains is mandatory for implementing the biological profile and for disease recognition. Prostate cancer is one of the most common tumors, with a high preference for the skeleton as a primary site of metastasis. Its diagnosis on bone is however still ambiguous, due to its “osteoblastic” and resorptive manifestation. This study investigates distribution and appearance of prostate cancer metastases on dry bone on six known cases (selected from the Milano Cemetery Skeletal Collection) and one healthy individual. A macroscopic inspection was performed highlighting the abnormalities observed, describing location, shape, dimension, and aspect. A great amount of proliferative and mixed lesions was noticed, but also cases of pure lytic lesions were displayed. The multiple appearances of the manifestations observed display the difficulty in correctly identifying such a pathology, but also the potential and advantages provided by investigating a study sample with known antemortem history.     

Survival of Atherosclerotic Calcifications in Skeletonized Material: Forensic and Pathological Implications

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease creating calcifying plaques in the arterial walls. Because its paleopathological diagnosis remains little studied on skeletal remains, its impact on forensic and archeological data is completely underestimated. Here, 24 skeletal remains from the Milano Cemetery Skeletal Collection have been studied to evaluate the chance of atherosclerotic calcification survival, retrieval, and identification. Through direct comparison with a known autopsy collection and literature, the identification and categorization of several types of calcifications were performed. Clothing elements such as tights or socks played a definitive role in the preservation of the calcifications; hence they are more likely to be found in forensic cases than in archeological ones. Therefore, vascular calcifications are possible to collect and identify in skeletal remains if sufficient care is given to their recovery. Consequently and as markers of the disease, such identification can provide valuable pathological information for forensic and archeological cases.     

运用价值工程理论探索骨灰处理多样化与殡葬园区园林景观生态建设相结合的路子

针对我国现有殡葬园区资源利用现状,根据价值工程理论,提出了充分利用现有殡葬服务设施实行骨灰处理多样化,并与殡葬园区园林景观生态建设相结合,节约殡葬资源、提高殡葬服务设施综合效益的科学方法。用环境科学理论对骨灰处理方式进行利弊分析,提出符合我国国情和环保要求的骨灰处理方式。     

Macroscopic Analysis of Axe and Hatchet Trauma in Fleshed and Defleshed Mammalian Long Bones*

Abstract: Recently, the authors have noted that many studies involving the characterization of chopping weapon wounds have used either semi‐fleshed or defleshed bones (e.g., J Forensic Sci 2001; 46: 228). As these types of specimens do not reflect the full range of actual cases of postmortem dismemberment or perimortem trauma, 11 fresh pig (Sus scrofa) articulated hind limbs, with contiguous surrounding flesh, were inflicted with wounds using two axes and two hatchets. Defleshed humeri and femora were subjected to the same treatment. While there were no great differences found between the fleshed and defleshed specimens, characteristics observed including entrance site width and the presence of chattering were inconsistent with some aspects of Humphrey and Hutchinson’s study (J Forensic Sci 2001; 46: 228). Further, it was found that curve transverse and spiral fractures were prevalent in femora, while longitudinal fractures were prevalent in fibulae. Hence, fracture types may play a role in characterizing some wounds caused by chopping weapons.     

舌骨假阳性骨折12例分析

目的 探讨舌骨假阳性骨折形成的原因以及法医学鉴定要点. 方法 整理12例在实际检案中舌骨假阳性骨折案例资料并分析其形成原因. 结果 舌骨假阳性骨折主要是由于检验时人为操作（4例）以及先天性分离型舌骨（8例）误判所致. 结论 通过骨折周缘肌肉、软组织出血以及骨折断端检验,可以对人为操作因素致舌骨骨折、分离型舌骨等舌骨假阳性骨折与真性骨折进行区分.     

益肾蠲痛口服液治疗绝经后骨质疏松症临床观察

目的 观察益肾蠲痛口服液治疗肾阳虚型绝经后骨质疏松症（postmenopausal osteoporosis,PMOP）的临床疗效。方法 将120例肾阳虚型PMOP患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,每组60例。两组患者均口服钙尔奇,治疗组患者加服益肾蠲痛口服液,对照组患者加服骨康口服液,疗程均为12个月,随访24个月。治疗前后及随访时,分别采用视觉模拟评分法（visual analogue scale,VAS）评价腰背疼痛,采用双能X线检测骨密度（bone mineral density,BMD）;并观察两组中医证候疗效及脆性骨折发生情况。结果 治疗后,两组VAS评分均较治疗前显著降低（P<0.01）;腰椎、股骨颈、Ward三角BMD均较治疗前显著上升（P<0.01）;随访时,治疗组VAS下降值及腰椎（L2—4）、股骨颈、Ward三角BMD升高值均显著大于对照组（P<0.01）。两组中医证候疗效及脆性骨折复发率比较,差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 益肾蠲痛口服液可减轻PMOP患者腰背疼痛,提高BMD,改善中医症状,防止脆性骨折复发,在减轻腰背疼痛和提高BMD方面较对照药具有明显优势。     

丛状骨和骨单位带的种属特征及法医学应用价值

目的 探讨丛状骨和骨单位带的种属特征及其法医学应用价值。方法 人及猪、牛、羊、狗长骨中段横切磨片35张，在光学显微镜下观察骨组织中丛状骨和骨单位带的形态学特征。结果 丛状骨和骨单位带在猪、牛、羊、狗的密质骨中广泛存在，人骨组织中几乎不见；同种动物不同个体之间骨组织学结构也存在差异。结论 观察丛状骨和骨单位带是根据人骨鉴别种属的重要排除指标。     

男性上肢长骨的测量及其最大长推算

目的探讨用上肢长骨的残骨某一项指标建立肱骨、尺骨和桡骨最大长的回规方程,然后可根据所得值间接推算人体身高。方法选男性肱骨、尺骨和桡骨50例,左、右共100侧肢体。用人体测量仪器,按体质人类学测量方法进行各项指标测量,所得值经统计学分析后,分别与肱骨、尺骨和桡骨最大长建立直线回规方程。结果经相关分析建立了肱骨最大长回规方程17个,尺骨最大长回规方程8个,桡骨最大长回规方程11个。结论若能测得上肢长骨残骨的某一项指标,就可用所建立的回规方程推算该骨的最大长,这在法医学上具有一定的参考价值。