Introducing Computed Tomography Standards for Age Estimation of Modern Australian Subadults Using Postnatal Ossification Timings of Select Cranial and Cervical Sites,

Contemporary, population‐specific ossification timings of the cranium are lacking in current literature due to challenges in obtaining large repositories of documented subadult material, forcing Australian practitioners to rely on North American, arguably antiquated reference standards for age estimation. This study assessed the temporal pattern of ossification of the cranium and provides recalibrated probabilistic information for age estimation of modern Australian children. Fusion status of the occipital and frontal bones, atlas, and axis was scored using a modified two‐ to four‐tier system from cranial/cervical DICOM datasets of 585 children aged birth to 10 years. Transition analysis was applied to elucidate maximum‐likelihood estimates between consecutive fusion stages, in conjunction with Bayesian statistics to calculate credible intervals for age estimation. Results demonstrate significant sex differences in skeletal maturation (p < 0.05) and earlier timings in comparison with major literary sources, underscoring the requisite of updated standards for age estimation of modern individuals.     

CT、MRI在弥漫性轴索损伤法医学鉴定中应用价值分析

目的探讨CT和MRI检查方法在弥漫性轴索损伤(diffuse axonal injury,DAI)法医学鉴定中的应用价值。方法收集26例CT和MRI影像资料齐全的DAI鉴定资料进行回顾性分析,比较CT和MRI两种方法对DAI病灶检出率的差异,分析DAI病灶检出数量与法医学鉴定结果之间的关系。结果 26例经MRI检出DAI病灶787个,经CT检出DAI病灶32个,MRI对DAI病灶的敏感度显著高于CT(P0.01)具有统计学意义。26例DAI鉴定的伤残等级数值与影像学检查发现的病灶数量之间存在负相关(r=-0.908,P0.01)。结论 MRI检查对DAI病灶的检出率较CT检查具有明显优势,可为DAI诊断提供更为准确的依据,在法医临床学鉴定中具有重要的应用价值。     

UBM、SL-OCT及房角镜检查前房角结构的比较

目的 探讨超声生物显微镜（ultrasound biomicroscope,UBM）、裂隙灯前节光学相干断层成像（slit lamp optical coherence tomography,SL-OCT）与房角镜检查房角后退和房角关闭的一致性. 方法 在同一暗室中对被检查眼上方、下方、颞侧、鼻侧4个方位进行UBM、SL-OCT及房角镜检查,记录前房角情况,应用x2检验和Kappa检验对3种检查方法就房角关闭、房角后退的检查结果一致性进行比较. 结果 应用UBM、SL-OCT及房角镜检查判断房角关闭和房角后退,3种检查方法差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,UBM与房角镜检查房角后退结果一致性更好（Kappa值0.882）,而SL-OCT与房角镜检查房角后退结果一致性一般（Kappa值0.624）. 结论 以房角镜检查作为标准,对房角后退的判断UBM优于SL-OCT;对房角关闭的判断,UBM、SL-OCT及房角镜检查一致性均良好.     

Use of Craniofacial Superimposition in Historic Investigation

A skeleton discovered in Grand Forks, North Dakota was purported to belong to Clelland “Clell” Miller, a James‐Younger gang member, who was killed during the Northfield Bank robbery on September 7, 1876. A 3‐D image from a computer tomography (CT) scan of the skull was obtained, and a craniofacial superimposition was conducted to determine if the skull could belong to Miller. The superimposition method used in this case was to overlay the CT image of the skull onto Miller's postmortem photograph. In addition to the craniofacial superimposition, the images were juxtaposed to compare similarities or differences in facial morphology between the skull and photograph. Superimposition methods can be used to exclude identifications; however, they should not be used as a conclusive method for identification. In this case, there were sufficient similarities between the skull and Miller's photograph; therefore, the skull could not be eliminated as possibly being that of Miller.     

Anthropological Facial Approximation in Three Dimensions (AFA3D): Computer‐Assisted Estimation of the Facial Morphology Using Geometric Morphometrics

This study presents Anthropological Facial Approximation in Three Dimensions (AFA3D), a new computerized method for estimating face shape based on computed tomography (CT) scans of 500 French individuals. Facial soft tissue depths are estimated based on age, sex, corpulence, and craniometrics, and projected using reference planes to obtain the global facial appearance. Position and shape of the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears are inferred from cranial landmarks through geometric morphometrics. The 100 estimated cutaneous landmarks are then used to warp a generic face to the target facial approximation. A validation by re‐sampling on a subsample demonstrated an average accuracy of c. 4 mm for the overall face. The resulting approximation is an objective probable facial shape, but is also synthetic (i.e., without texture), and therefore needs to be enhanced artistically prior to its use in forensic cases. AFA3D, integrated in the TIVMI software, is available freely for further testing.     

The Lateral Angle Revisited: A Validation Study of the Reliability of the Lateral Angle Method for Sex Determination Using Computed Tomography (CT),

This article presents the results of a validation study of a previously published method of sex determination from the temporal bone. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lateral angle method for the internal acoustic canal for accurately determining the sex of human skeletal remains using measurements taken from computed tomography (CT) scans. Previous reports have observed that the lateral angle size in females is significantly larger than in males. The method was applied to an independent series of 77 postmortem CT scans (42 males, 35 females) to validate its accuracy and reliability. The mean lateral angle of the internal acoustic canal was found to be larger in females (46.5°) than in males (43.4°). However, the difference was not statistically significant and the sex differences reported in previous studies were not substantiated. In light of the observed results, the lateral angle method appears to be of minimal practical use in forensic anthropology and archeology.     

Age Estimation Based on Pulp Cavity to Tooth Volume Ratio Using Postmortem Computed Tomography Images

Pulp cavity size is known to decrease with age and can therefore serve as an indicator for age estimation. Here, we evaluated whether reconstructed images of multidetector‐row computed tomography (MDCT) acquired before forensic autopsy are useful for estimating age at death. Images of 136 mandibular first premolars obtained from bodies of known age at death were analyzed, and the volume of the regions corresponding to pulp cavity and that of the whole tooth were determined using a voxel counting function. The pulp cavity was clearly distinguishable from dental hard tissue on the reconstructed images when using a cutoff value of 1400 Hounsfield units. Regression analysis adjusted for sex showed that estimated age correlated significantly with the pulp cavity to tooth volume ratio (r = 0.76). MDCT is gaining more widespread use in forensic medicine, and analyzing dental images to obtain parameters for age prediction is a practical approach for postmortem identification.     

Identification of a Carbonized Body Using Implanted Surgical Plates: The Importance of Computed Tomography

In addition to clinical examination, forensic odontologists can use diagnostic imaging as an auxiliary method for identification. This paper reports a case where forensic odontologists from the Afrânio Peixoto Legal Medicine Institute in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) positively identified a carbonized and partially calcined body using oral and maxillofacial imaging. The cadaver showed several metallic plates fixed with metallic screws on bones of the neurocranium and viscerocranium. Family members provided spiral computed tomography scans of the skull and a panoramic radiograph that were acquired after an accident that required surgical procedures. Comparative analysis between the clinical exam and the maxillofacial images demonstrated complete coincidence, confirming the victim's identity. Dactyloscopy, which is the most commonly used method of identification, was not possible because of the body carbonization. Thus, diagnostic imaging, especially computed tomography, was essential for elucidation of this case.     

眼球突出度测量方法的比较及其法医学意义

目的比较Hertel突眼度计及CT测量两种眼球突出度测量方法的差异,探讨其法医学应用价值。方法选取56例眼部无损伤及疾病的正常人作为正常组,在确定规范的CT影像工作站上测量眼球突出度绝对值,并比较双眼眼球突出度有无差异。选取47例单侧眼眶骨折的伤者,根据两眼有无眼眶骨折,将其分为伤眼组及健眼组,分析Hertel突眼度计及CT测量两种方法测得同一眼眼球突出度绝对值的差异以及同一受检者双眼眼球突出度相对差值的差异。结果 CT法测量正常人双眼间眼球突出度差异无统计学意义。健眼组CT法测得眼球突出度绝对值为(16.66±5.41)mm,Hertel突眼度计测得眼球突出度绝对值为(16.16±4.45)mm,两组测量结果之间差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。伤眼组应用两种方法测量的眼球突出度绝对值之间差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。两种测量方法测得的眼球突出度相对差值在伤眼和健眼组之间差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 CT法与突眼度计法具有较好的一致性,可以运用于法医学鉴定实践。