Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology最新文献

Insect succession patterns on pig carrion in southern Nigeria.

IF 1.5 4区医学

Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology Pub Date : 2025-04-02 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-025-00990-0

Izuchukwu Stanley Etoniru, Desiré Brits, Jolandie Myburgh, Maryna Steyn, Lawrence Hill

{"title":"Insect succession patterns on pig carrion in southern Nigeria.","authors":"Izuchukwu Stanley Etoniru, Desiré Brits, Jolandie Myburgh, Maryna Steyn, Lawrence Hill","doi":"10.1007/s12024-025-00990-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-025-00990-0","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: In analyzing decomposing human remains in cases of unattended death, observing insect succession patterns to aid in estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) based on carrion insects is one of the tasks of the forensic entomologist. The purpose of this study is to provide baseline data in order to improve PMI estimates using carrion insects. The lingering armed conflict in Nigeria creates a situation where unidentified human remains overwhelm law enforcement agencies. A common challenge is the lack of affordable, easy-to-use, and locally derived methods. This study aims to describe the succession patterns of arthropods, including insects, in pig carcasses in the wet and dry seasons in southern Nigeria as a baseline to aid in PMI estimation. Arthropods were observed and collected (all life cycle stages) in a total of 20 freshly-killed pigs (10 pigs for each season) which were deployed to study sites within 3 h of humane killing and at various times during the two seasons over 14 months. The time of appearance, activity, and disappearance of the arthropods were noted and related to the stages of decomposition to create succession patterns. Three classes, six orders, and 16 families of arthropods were collected. Musca domestica was the first to arrive, followed by Chrysomya marginalis, visiting within 10 min after placement. An ant species (Family Formicidae) had the widest presence through decomposition stages. There was an increase in the absolute number and species richness of arthropods in the wet season. Some arthropods, like the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), were exclusively present in the wet season. The observed succession patterns can be used as a reference for forensic scientists to aid in PMI assessment in Nigeria. Arthropods found exclusively in a season could be used to establish the season of death.","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143771745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Sudden cardiac death in a young athlete due to anomalous origin of both coronaries from a common ostium.

IF 1.5 4区医学

Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology Pub Date : 2025-04-02 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-025-00979-9

Stefania Zerbo, Giuseppe Davide Albano, Ginevra Malta, Alberto Alongi, Emiliano Maresi, Antonina Argo

{"title":"Sudden cardiac death in a young athlete due to anomalous origin of both coronaries from a common ostium.","authors":"Stefania Zerbo, Giuseppe Davide Albano, Ginevra Malta, Alberto Alongi, Emiliano Maresi, Antonina Argo","doi":"10.1007/s12024-025-00979-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-025-00979-9","url":null,"abstract":"Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people is a tragic event and a worldwide public health issue. SCD is the most common cause of death in young athletes and is related to acquired/congenital cardiac disorders, such as cardiomyopathies, congenital coronary anomalies and ion channelopathies. We report the case of a 14-year-old male non professional athlete who was apparently healthy but suddenly died during a football game. His clinical history was negative for any significant medical illness. At autopsy, a congenital anomalous origin of both the right and left coronary arteries from a single aortic ostium above the aortic cusp was observed with a concomitant hypertophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) The toxicological analysis was negative for common drugs of abuse. The death was attributed to SCD due to hyperkinetic ventricular arrhythmia secondary to myocardial ischemia in a subject with an anomalous origin of both coronary arteries and underlying hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This report highlights a rare congenital anomalous origin of the coronary arteries associated with a high risk of SCD, particularly in young athletes.","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143771748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Sudden unexpected death due to B-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia (B-ALL) in a 3-year-old child.

IF 1.5 4区医学

Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology Pub Date : 2025-04-01 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-025-00998-6

Elke Doberentz, Glen Kristiansen, Marit Bernhardt, Frank Musshoff, Burkhard Madea

{"title":"Sudden unexpected death due to B-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia (B-ALL) in a 3-year-old child.","authors":"Elke Doberentz, Glen Kristiansen, Marit Bernhardt, Frank Musshoff, Burkhard Madea","doi":"10.1007/s12024-025-00998-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-025-00998-6","url":null,"abstract":"Sudden unexpected death due to haematologic disease in children is unusual. A 3-year-old girl had been ill for several weeks, but her parents did not consult a doctor. Her complaints included a cough, fever, vomiting and fatigue. On the day of her death, the girl fell from the toilet and was unresponsive. In hospital, severe dyspnoea and a haemoglobin value of only 1.7 mg/dl were diagnosed, as well as hypothermia and haemorrhaging from mouth and nose. Despite intensive medical care and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the girl died. Main autopsy findings were severe anaemia and the underlying disease, B-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia (B-ALL). In particular, liver, spleen, lymph nodes, kidneys and bone marrow showed marked infiltration of atypical mononuclear cells replacing haematopoiesis. Intra-alveolar exudation, consistent with the early phase of acute pneumonia, was identified as cause of death. Toxicological investigations revealed positive findings of morphine (53.3 ng/ml), as well as amphetamine and THC in femoral blood, respectively, in hair samples. This paper discusses the medicolegal implications of the case (omitted duty of care by the parents).","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143751842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

New molecular markers to differentiate carbon dioxide intoxication from asphyxia due to oxygen deficiency.

IF 1.5 4区医学

Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology Pub Date : 2025-04-01 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-025-00981-1

Masahiko Yatsushiro, Midori Katsuyama, Takuma Nakamae, Kotomi Imahara, Machiko Miyamoto, Takahito Hayashi

{"title":"New molecular markers to differentiate carbon dioxide intoxication from asphyxia due to oxygen deficiency.","authors":"Masahiko Yatsushiro, Midori Katsuyama, Takuma Nakamae, Kotomi Imahara, Machiko Miyamoto, Takahito Hayashi","doi":"10.1007/s12024-025-00981-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-025-00981-1","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: The lack of specific autopsy findings for carbon dioxide (CO2) intoxication hinders the determination of cause of death based on autopsy findings alone. In addition, when death occurs in a space is filled with CO2 or other gases, the cause of death must be distinguished between intoxication and asphyxia due to oxygen deficiency, which also has no specific autopsy findings. In this study, we aimed to identify diagnostic markers of mRNA expression in the brainstem that indicate cause of death in cases of suspected CO2 intoxication.Methods: Mouse models of CO2 intoxication (composition of ambient gases at 70% CO2, 20% O2, and 10% N2) and asphyxia due to oxygen deficiency (5% O2, 95% N2) were used to identify mRNA markers specific to intoxication or asphyxia.Results: Using RNA-Sequence analysis, we identified 7 candidate genes for qRT-PCR analysis: Acid-sensing ion channel 4 (Asic4), Early growth response protein 1 (Egr1), Neurogranin (Nrgn), Opioid receptor delta 1 (Oprd1), Semaphorin 3f (Sema3f), Transthyretin (Ttr), and Tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2). We observed a significant increase of Nrgn mRNA expression in the brainstem of CO2 intoxication and a significant increase of Ttr mRNA expression in the brainstem of asphyxia due to oxygen deficiency.Conclusion: Assays for the expression of Nrgn and Ttr in the human brainstem may assist in the diagnosis/differential diagnosis of CO2 intoxication and asphyxia due to oxygen deficiency, respectively.","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143751839","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Optimizing the postmortem diagnosis of alcoholic ketoacidosis. 优化酒精性酮症酸中毒的尸检诊断。

IF 1.5 4区医学

Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology Pub Date : 2025-03-29 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-025-00978-w

John A Daniels, Michael Caplan

{"title":"Optimizing the postmortem diagnosis of alcoholic ketoacidosis.","authors":"John A Daniels, Michael Caplan","doi":"10.1007/s12024-025-00978-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-025-00978-w","url":null,"abstract":"Alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA) is an underreported and underrecognized complication of chronic alcohol use disorder, which may present as a sudden death with few diagnostic clues. The most frequent history is that the affected individual stops eating and uses alcohol as one's primary source of nutritional intake, with the subsequent development of nausea, vomiting, and general malaise. Chronic alcoholics may also stop drinking days or weeks before death, precipitating a terminal ketoacidotic state, of which beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is the principal ketoacid. The postmortem toxicology and chemistry findings may be low to absent (undetectable) blood and vitreous ethanol concentrations, elevated blood and vitreous acetone, and elevated BHB levels. We present a case series of 19 deaths of AKA at the Franklin County, Ohio Forensic Science Center that is characterized by an essentially bimodal distribution due to the introduction of an algorithm designed to facilitate the detection of ketoacids, and specifically, BHB, by two principal measures: (1) substantially lowering the detection threshold of acetone; and (2) prompting reflex testing for BHB when that threshold has been achieved. The result of this change in laboratory protocol has been a noticeably enhanced ability to make the diagnosis of AKA and to offer a feasible mechanism by which chronic alcoholics die suddenly, over the purely morphologic but mechanistically vacuous designation of \"fatty liver\".","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143742755","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

A review of micro-computed tomography and artificial intelligence in talus-based forensic anthropology for sex and age estimation. 基于距骨的法医人类学中用于性别和年龄估计的微型计算机断层扫描和人工智能综述。

IF 1.5 4区医学

Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology Pub Date : 2025-03-29 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-025-00987-9

Intasin Kitpatanasombat, Pittayarat Intasuwan, Pasuk Mahakkanukrauh

{"title":"A review of micro-computed tomography and artificial intelligence in talus-based forensic anthropology for sex and age estimation.","authors":"Intasin Kitpatanasombat, Pittayarat Intasuwan, Pasuk Mahakkanukrauh","doi":"10.1007/s12024-025-00987-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-025-00987-9","url":null,"abstract":"Biological profiling is a crucial tool in forensic science, allowing for evaluating biological information from bones found at crime scenes. This method includes assessments of sex, age, stature, and ancestry. Sex assessment is the first step in biological profiling, as it influences other assessments. Age estimation is a particularly challenging aspect. Combining sex and age assessment may improve accuracy in age estimation. Researchers often use the pelvis and skull bones for these assessments due to their prevalence at crime scenes and their higher accuracy in evaluation. However, the talus, a foot bone with robust density, resilience, and resistance to damage, is another bone frequently encountered at crime scenes and may be a valuable subject for study. Medical imaging technology, particularly micro-CT imaging, supports sex and age assessment. Micro-CT images can significantly enhance the accuracy of assessments. The high resolution of these images presents an exciting opportunity for exploration in conjunction with artificial intelligence (AI), which has revolutionized forensic science workflows. AI can potentially improve the efficiency and accuracy of sex and age assessment from bones. This article compiles research on past sex and age assessments and evaluations of the talus, including the application of micro-CT images to support these assessments. The aim is to provide a comprehensive knowledge base for studying sex and age assessment from the talus using micro-CT images in conjunction with AI.","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143742753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

External causes of death in younger than 18 years old in Portugal in the last 10 years - a retrospective analysis.

IF 1.5 4区医学

Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology Pub Date : 2025-03-27 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-025-00997-7

Carlota Jardim Gomes, Marta Heitor, Joana Albuquerque, Ana Rita Inácio

引用次数: 0

Praising a glorious page of forensic pathology: a reply to Kelly Kearse.

IF 1.5 4区医学

Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology Pub Date : 2025-03-22 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-025-00996-8

Franco Serafini

{"title":"Praising a glorious page of forensic pathology: a reply to Kelly Kearse.","authors":"Franco Serafini","doi":"10.1007/s12024-025-00996-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-025-00996-8","url":null,"abstract":"This commentary reconsiders the debate on the reliability of the serological tests used to determine the ABO blood group found in ancient human biological tissues and Christian relics, particularly in response to the recent critique by Kelly Kearse. It is known that the results of investigations on the Passion relics and some Eucharistic miracles converge on the rarest AB group. The issue of the suboptimal specificity of these tests, due to possible bacterial and fungal contamination, is also acknowledged. However, despite these limitations, the great value demonstrated by these techniques in the reconstruction of the history of the origin of mankind and human migrations should not be ignored, especially given that DNA testing was not yet available in the 1970s and 80s. This article cautions against rejecting an important wealth of knowledge obtained by authoritative researchers, who applied rigorous scientific standards to their studies. Control group tissue samples were also extensively used in the analyses of Christian relics, and despite the limitations of serological tests, the identification of the same blood group in these studies was so widespread that it cannot be underestimated. The inclusion of Eucharistic miracles in peer-reviewed literature marks a significant step in bridging faith and science, encouraging a more open and multidisciplinary inquiry into these fascinating relics.","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143691441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Exploring the capabilities of Micro-XRF to study the dispersion of GSR in firearms cases.

IF 1.5 4区医学

Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology Pub Date : 2025-03-22 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-025-00989-7

Niha Ansari, Hemang Parmar

{"title":"Exploring the capabilities of Micro-XRF to study the dispersion of GSR in firearms cases.","authors":"Niha Ansari, Hemang Parmar","doi":"10.1007/s12024-025-00989-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-025-00989-7","url":null,"abstract":"The forensic scientific establishment requires an evaluation of GSR obtained at the scene of the incident because it provides answers to challenges like differentiating between different types of ammunition, estimating the firing range, and linking an individual to the discharge of a firearm. There is inadequate information on the classification of ammunition types utilizing GSR analysis. This paper delves into the capabilities of Micro-XRF in characterizing GSR particles, assessing their distribution, and elucidating their significance in forensic investigations. A cloth substrate as a target sample for assemblage of firearm discharge that is GSR particles was selected as an analog of sample obtained from the crime scene from victim or suspect. Micro-XRF proved to very advantageous non-destructive technique for the aimed study herein. The results of Micro-XRF are were able to characterize the heterogeneity of GSR particles originating from different distance & firearm-ammunition respectively. The technique provided non-destructive, highly sensitive, qualitative, quantity analysis with Fast deconvolution of the samples signals proving to be beneficial in GSR discrimination with respect ammunition and shooting distance. By exploring the benefits and limitations of this technique, we aim to contribute to the advancement of forensic science methodologies, ultimately aiding law enforcement in firearm-related cases.","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143691528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

The mastoid triangle (Ma-Ast-Po) as a sexually dimorphic feature - a systematic review of 1604 human skulls and meta-analysis.

IF 1.5 4区医学

Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology Pub Date : 2025-03-22 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-024-00906-4

Maria Eduarda Ramos Stefanel, Lígia Melissa de Souza, Fernanda Thomaz de Aquino Macedo, Débora Duarte Moreira, Rhonan Ferreira Silva, Nikolaos Angelakopoulos, Walbert Andrade Vieira, Luiz Renato Paranhos, Ademir Franco

{"title":"The mastoid triangle (Ma-Ast-Po) as a sexually dimorphic feature - a systematic review of 1604 human skulls and meta-analysis.","authors":"Maria Eduarda Ramos Stefanel, Lígia Melissa de Souza, Fernanda Thomaz de Aquino Macedo, Débora Duarte Moreira, Rhonan Ferreira Silva, Nikolaos Angelakopoulos, Walbert Andrade Vieira, Luiz Renato Paranhos, Ademir Franco","doi":"10.1007/s12024-024-00906-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-024-00906-4","url":null,"abstract":"The mastoid triangle is the area between the craniometric landmarks Mastoidale (Ma), Asterion (Ast) and Porion (Po), which has been studied in the field of physical anthropology as an alleged tool for sexual dimorphism. The evidence in the current scientific literature, however, is disputable. This systematic review aimed to find out how safe is the mastoid triangle for sexual dimorphism. A research protocol submitted to PROSPERO (CRD42023488216) was designed based on PRISMA-P. Pubmed, SciELO, LiLACS, LIVIVO, Open Gray and Open Access Theses and Dissertations were searched with structured strategies. The Joanna Briggs Institute manual was followed and the critical appraisal checklist for cross-sectional studies was used. The search found 14 eligible studies out of 2148 initially screened. The combined sample consisted of 1604 human skulls. Eight studies (57,14%) clearly encouraged the use of the mastoid triangle for sexual dimorphism, while three (21,42%) advised against it. All the studies had a low risk of bias (75-100%). The standardized mean difference between male and females was between 1.00 and 1.42 without statistically significant differences between geographic regions (p > 0.05). Expressive heterogeneity and large confidence intervals were detected, showing great variability across studies. A country-specific subgroup meta-analysis revealed lack of statistically significant differences based on geographic regions. This systematic review showed low level of evidence to support the use of the mastoid triangle as a tool for sexual dimorphism.","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143691442","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0