撕脱骨折与永存骨骺、籽骨、副骨的影像学鉴别

目的探讨撕脱性骨折与永存性骨骺、籽骨、副骨的影像学鉴别办法。方法回顾性分析了14个要求重新鉴定是否存在骨折的案例,观察撕脱性骨折的直接、间接征象,并结合其发生机制与永存性骨骺、籽骨及副骨的固有形态、特点等进行对照。结果所选案例中有2例永存性骨骺、3例籽骨、3例副骨均具有骨块边缘钝圆、骨皮质连续、局部软组织未见肿胀以及伤后该骨的连续摄片无明显变化等共同特征。结论正确掌握撕脱性骨折、生理性小骨骺、籽骨及解剖变异的副骨的特点,并综合运用影像学资料是鉴别撕脱性骨折的基本要素。     

Frozen human bone: a microscopic investigation

The taphonomic effects of prolonged extreme cold and freezing on human bone have received little research attention. Questions of specific interest include whether previously frozen bone can be identified and whether freezing alters the structural integrity enough to prevent histological aging. There is no evidence from previous studies that freezing damages the structural integrity, and to date no research investigating the freezing process on bone microstructure has been undertaken. This research attempts to distinguish histologically previously frozen bone from nonfrozen bone by identifying patterned defects. To determine the effects of freezing in bone microstructure using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), several human bone sections were subjected to prolonged freezing and allowed to thaw before thin sectioning. Light microscopy failed to demonstrate statistically significant differences between frozen and nonfrozen specimens. SEM analysis revealed fractures, although these lacked pattern and did not occur systematically throughout the section. Evidence of microstructural changes caused by liquid expansion, however, was remarkable but did not alter the structural integrity of the microstructure. The results of this study suggest that freezing does not alter the process of histomorphological analysis.     

Detection of amitriptyline, citalopram, and metabolites in porcine bones following extended outdoor decomposition

Skeletal remains of a domestic pig were assessed for relative distribution of amitriptyline, citalopram, and metabolites. Following acute exposure and outdoor decomposition for 2 years, drugs and metabolites were analyzed in 13 different bones. Bones were pulverized following a simple wash procedure, and drugs were extracted by passive incubation in methanol, followed by solid-phase extraction. Samples were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and confirmed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The Kruskall-Wallis test showed that bone type was a main effect with respect to drug level for all analytes, with levels varying from 33- to 166-fold. Ratios of levels of drug to that of the corresponding metabolite were less variable, varying roughly one- to eightfold. This suggests limitations in the interpretive value of drug measurements in bone and that relative levels of drug and metabolites should be further investigated in terms of forensic value.     

Experimental adipocere formation: implications for adipocere formation on buried bone

Adipocere, or grave wax (adipo = fat, cere = wax), is a distinctive decomposition product composed primarily of fatty acids (FA) and their alkali salts. FA result from the bacterial enzymatic hydrolysis of body fats. Reactions with ammonia and alkali metals originating from body fluids and pore waters of the depositional environment produce alkali salts of FA (soap). Adipocere formation is generally associated with burial of corpses with ample adipose tissue available. No indications that adipocere can form on defleshed remains have been presented in the literature. At the termination of a long-term bone diagenesis experiment, several samples were found to possess growths of an unknown compound. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry confirmed that the growths are adipocere. The results herein reveal that adipocere can indeed form on defleshed bones under the right conditions and that even residual adipose and lipids in defleshed bones are sufficient to produce adipocere growth on the surfaces of bone.     

Differentiating human bone from animal bone: a review of histological methods

This review brings together a complex and extensive literature to address the question of whether it is possible to distinguish human from nonhuman bone using the histological appearance of cortical bone. The mammalian species included are rat, hare, badger, racoon dog, cat, dog, pig, cow, goat, sheep, deer, horse, water buffalo, bear, nonhuman primates, and human and are therefore not exhaustive, but cover those mammals that may contribute to a North American or Eurasian forensic assemblage. The review has demonstrated that differentiation of human from certain nonhuman species is possible, including small mammals exhibiting Haversian bone tissue and large mammals exhibiting plexiform bone tissue. Pig, cow, goat, sheep, horse, and water buffalo exhibit both plexiform and Haversian bone tissue and where only Haversian bone tissue exists in bone fragments, differentiation of these species from humans is not possible. Other primate Haversian bone tissue is also not distinguishable from humans. Where differentiation using Haversian bone tissue is undertaken, both the general microstructural appearance and measurements of histological structures should be applied. Haversian system diameter and Haversian canal diameter are the most optimal and diagnostic measurements to use. Haversian system density may be usefully applied to provide an upper and lower limit for humans.     

Assessment of bone age based on morphometric study of the upper end of the humerus

Assessment of changes in the spongy bone structure of the upper end of the humerus is one of the common methods of age estimation. This method was devised many years ago (1894) and has never been verified in an objective numerical testing. We projected an objective morphometric method assessment of the upper end of the humerus. The study was carried out on humeri from cadavers of 88 men and 84 women. The surface area of atrophy of the spongy structure (medullary cavity) was calculated on the longitudinal section of the humerus. A new morphometric method was applied, which allowed numerical presentation of results. The results of the study show a lack of statistical correlation between atrophy of the spongy structure within the upper end of the humerus and the chronological age. Therefore, it can be concluded that the assessment of humerus structure should be omitted in the forensic medical age estimation.     

手腕部桡、尺骨骺线消失作为推测18岁年龄的指征

目的探讨手腕部桡、尺骨骺线消失是否可以作为推测青少年18岁年龄的指征。方法研究样本为15～20岁的中国5城市4492名（男1942,女2550）汉族健康青少年。在受试者出生日前后15d内拍摄左手腕正位X线片。根据骺线是否可辨评价桡、尺骨远侧骺的发育,计算年龄组骺线不可辨的例数及其构成比。结果在18岁以下,男、女青少年桡骨骺线不可辨等级出现的构成比分别为0.9%和4.9%,尺骨骺线不可辨等级出现的构成比分别为13.1%和69.2%。结论手腕部桡骨骺线消失可作为推测青少年18岁年龄的指征。     

应用Young-Burgess分型推断交通事故受伤人员骨盆损伤机制

目的根据骨盆骨折X线片Young-Burgess分型推断道路交通事故致死者（roadtrafficfatalities,RTFs）骨盆损伤机制,并探讨其法医学应用价值。方法回顾性分析128例车外成人RTFs尸体骨盆X线片的Young-Burgess分型,根据分型推断骨盆损伤机制,对照真实案情进行统计分析。结果可区分APC、LC亚型的推断骨盆损伤机制正确率（94.1%、92.9%）明显高于不区分亚型的（63.6%、70.7%）（P〈0.05）;区分LC亚型还能进一步推断后侧方、前侧方或是持续、较大的前侧方外力。结论综合各种影像手段区分Young-Burgess亚型可较好地推断骨盆损伤机制,为道路交通事故现场重建提供可靠依据。