Legal Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Stature estimation based on the mandibular bone measurements using three-dimensional images from postmortem computed tomography in a Japanese population","authors":"Shoken Suzuki ,&nbsp;Maki Ohtani ,&nbsp;Yuhei Matsuo ,&nbsp;Masayuki Fukuda ,&nbsp;Sohtaro Mimasaka","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2024.102566","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2024.102566","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We aimed to evaluate the correlation between cadaver stature and mandibular bone measurements using three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) images and develop a stature estimation formula for a Japanese population.</div><div>In total, 307 and 72 identified cadavers who underwent postmortem CT were selected as the “training” and “validation” datasets, respectively, to derive a stature estimation formula.</div><div>Four mandibular bone measurements (linear distances between the bilateral mandibular condyles: C-C, from the mental spine to the mandibular condyle: S-C, between the bilateral mandibular foramen: F-F, and from the mental spine to the mandibular foramen: S-F) were obtained from 3D CT-reconstructed images that included only the mandibular bone. Correlations between stature and each of the mandibular bone measurements were assessed using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients. Multiple stepwise regression analyses (including and excluding sex status) were performed using all measurements to develop the stature estimation formula, and its accuracy was validated.</div><div>Significant correlations were observed between the mandibular bone measurements and stature. The correlation coefficients were 0.668, 0.699, 0.705, and 0.669 for C-C, S-C, F-F, and S-F, respectively. <em>R</em>² was 0.660 and 0.615, and the standard error of estimation (SEE) was 6.13 and 6.53 cm for including and excluding sex status, respectively. The validation test confirmed its accuracy.</div><div>In conclusion, mandibular bone measurements based on 3D CT images may be useful for stature estimation in Japanese individuals in forensic investigations, particularly in cases where better predictors, such as long bones, are unavailable.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 102566"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142933405","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Age assessment of Chinese Tibetan twins using multiple skeletal age estimation methods: A case report","authors":"Shuai Luo ,&nbsp;Fei Fan ,&nbsp;Meng Liu ,&nbsp;Li-rong Qiu ,&nbsp;Meng‑jun Zhan ,&nbsp;Yu-chi Zhou ,&nbsp;Hui-kun Yang ,&nbsp;Hu Chen ,&nbsp;Xue-ling Chen ,&nbsp;Zhen‑hua Deng","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2024.102558","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2024.102558","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This case presents a unique age estimation involving Chinese Tibetan twins, where one of them has been arrested for alleged rape. His parents claimed he was about 13 years old without providing any official age documentation. Since age is important in criminal proceedings in China, bone age estimation was conducted to determine the chronological age of the twins. The twins underwent a physical examination, X-rays of the left hand/wrist, and pelvis, and a CT scan of the clavicle. Two age estimation standards in China were used: “Skeletal Maturity and Assessment Methods of Hand and Wrist for Chinese” (China-05 standard), and “Technical Specifications for Skeletal Age Evaluation of Han Population Teenagers” (TSSHPT standard). The bone radiographs showed that most of the twins’ epiphyseal development was similar, with only slight differences observed in the distal radius, distal ulna, and iliac crest apophysis. The results of the two methods showed differences in the range of predicted ages. Applying the RUS-CHN method to hand/wrist images, the estimated age of the suspect was determined to be 16–16.5 years old, while his brother’s age was 15.5–16 years old. Applying the TSSHPT standard to all three images, the estimated age of the suspect was 17–17.5 years old, while his brother’s age was estimated to be 16.5–17 years old.</div><div>In this case, two commonly used methods for age estimation were introduced. The disparity in age estimations using the RUS-CHN and TSSHPT standards, with the age of the suspect ranging from 16 to 17.5 years. This case revealed that the choice of bone age estimation method can significantly impact the result of estimated age, which has important implications for legal proceedings. Additionally, the minor differences in skeletal maturity between the twins emphasize the need to account for individual variations, even among genetically similar individuals. Furthermore, this case contributes to the broader discourse on the effectiveness of skeletal age estimation methods across diverse populations, underscoring the necessity for tailored evaluation standards that consider genetic and environmental diversity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 102558"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142830692","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}

{"title":"Allelic and haplotype diversity of 12 X-chromosomal short tandem repeats in Koreans, with an analysis of anomalous profiles","authors":"Dong Gyu Lee ,&nbsp;Jung-Eun Kim ,&nbsp;Ji Hwan Park ,&nbsp;Mi-Jung Kim ,&nbsp;Man Il Kim ,&nbsp;Si-Keun Lim ,&nbsp;Ju Yeon Jung","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2024.102561","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2024.102561","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Owing to the unique inheritance pattern of the X chromosome, X-chromosomal short tandem repeat (X-STR) analysis represents a valuable tool in forensic DNA examination—particularly in complex kinship cases, missing person investigations, and disaster victim identification. We analyzed buccal swabs from 429 unrelated Korean males for forensic statistical parameters of 12 X-STRs. Among the 427 individuals analyzed (2 were excluded), DXS10135 was the most informative marker (polymorphism information content [PIC] = 0.9131) and DXS7423 the least informative (PIC = 0.4250). When analyzed based on the four linkage groups (LGs), each individual had unique 12 X-STR haplotypes, with LG1 showing the highest haplotype diversity (0.9968) and the most common haplotype frequency (0.0164). LG1 was also the most informative (PIC = 0.9945), followed by LG3, LG4, and LG2 (with haplotype diversities of 0.9882–0.9968). Our analysis shows that Koreans clustered with East Asians, displayed strong genetic similarity, but differed significantly from Emirati Arabs, Brazilians, Argentinians, and Europeans, forming three distinct clusters influenced by historical and geographical factors. Within the examined X-STR haplotypes, biallelic patterns were identified in two instances: one involved a duplication at DXS10146, as indicated by relative peak height and normalized peak height ratio analysis, and the other encompassed eight loci, where balanced peak heights (72.51 %) and an X peak height imbalance at the amelogenin locus (59.69 %) were indicative of Klinefelter syndrome with sex chromosome aneuploidy. The 12 X-STR loci are informative and discriminatory in the Korean population, providing critical insights for forensic applications and genetic research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 102561"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142856562","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}

{"title":"Fatal Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in a vaccinated adult with traumatic splenectomy: A case report","authors":"Anna Laura Santunione ,&nbsp;Jessika Camatti ,&nbsp;Fabrizio Zucchi ,&nbsp;Cecilia Ferronato ,&nbsp;Filippo Ferrari ,&nbsp;Stefania Caramaschi ,&nbsp;Enrico Silingardi ,&nbsp;Rossana Cecchi","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102569","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102569","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome (WFS) is a rare but life-threatening condition characterized by massive adrenal hemorrhage. WFS represents one of the features of the Overwhelming Post-Splenectomy Infection, which occurs any time after spleen removal and is recognized as the most serious complication in asplenic patients. We report a fatal case of WFS resulting from Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in a vaccinated and splenectomized patient.</div><div>D.R., a 62-year-old man who had been splenectomized 20 years earlier following a traffic accident and had undergone Streptococcus Pneumoniae vaccination, had an acute febrile episode with chills at home, followed by vomiting. He died suddenly within 12 h of presentation. A multidisciplinary approach was adopted to resolve the case. Autopsy, histological, immunohistochemical, microbiological and toxicological examinations were performed. At autopsy, both adrenal glands presented increased volume and diffuse intraparenchimal hemorrhage. Postmortem bacteriological cultures of blood, cerebrospinal fluid and pericardial fluid showed S. pneumoniae, while serologic and molecular characterization demonstrated that the serotype responsible was serotype 23B, which was not included in the vaccination which D.R. underwent. Accordingly, the cause of death of D.R. was attributed to acute adrenal insufficiency due to Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome caused by <em>Serotype 23B Streptococcus pneumoniae</em> infection.</div><div>In splenectomized patients with fever, accompanied by other nonspecific symptoms, the diagnosis of WFS should be considered, even if the subjects received the recommended vaccinations. The postmortem diagnosis of WFS requires a multidisciplinary approach, including macroscopic examination, histological analysis, and microbiologic investigations, so it is necessary to collect appropriate postmortem biological specimens for microbiological investigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 102569"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142957964","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}

{"title":"Corrigendum to \"Distinguishing true from pseudo hematoma in the cervical spinal canal using postmortem computed tomography\" [Leg. Med. 66 (2024) 102358].","authors":"Hikaru Kuninaka, Yosuke Usumoto, Momoka Tanabe, Noriko Ogawa, Moe Mukai, Ayako Nasu, Kazuho Maeda, Chiaki Fuke, Shungo Sawamura, Tsuneo Yamashiro, Daisuke Utsunomiya, Yoko Ihama","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102591","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102591","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"102591"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143076257","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}

{"title":"Colloidal iron staining used for amniotic fluid in lung sections of stillborn infants in histopathology","authors":"Haruka Ikeda,&nbsp;Motoki Osawa,&nbsp;Akio Tsuboi,&nbsp;Shotaro Isozaki,&nbsp;Yu Kakimoto","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102592","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102592","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In forensic pathology, intrauterine amniotic fluid aspiration must be examined in lung sections of a stillborn fetus in late pregnancy. Alcian blue staining and immunohistochemistry are routinely performed using anti-cytokeratin antibody to detect the components. Colloidal iron staining is another method for acidic mucus polysaccharides. Retrospectively, we examined 15 forensic cases of stillborn and neonatal deaths with autopsies conducted at our department. Colloidal iron staining caused positive features of amniotic mucin in 14 cases, but Alcian blue staining could not be confirmed clearly in 8 cases because of weak color development. For detection of amniotic mucin, colloidal iron staining showed a richer color with contrast than other methods. Moreover, mucin masses were observed in two live-born infants, and in all stillborn infants, one of which was clinically diagnosed as having meconium aspiration syndrome. Non-specific reaction to iron ions such as hemosiderin-phagocytic macrophages might occur in the lung sections. However, colloidal iron staining should be the alternative routine for lung tissue from stillborn infants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"73 ","pages":"Article 102592"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143144441","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}

{"title":"CT-assisted age estimation from the medial clavicular epiphysis in the Greek population according to Schmeling and Kellinghaus classification","authors":"M.S. Madentzoglou ,&nbsp;D. Nathena ,&nbsp;V. Sinatkas ,&nbsp;A. Karantanas ,&nbsp;G. Kontakis ,&nbsp;A. Papadomanolakis ,&nbsp;E.F. Kranioti","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102589","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102589","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Examining the clavicle by macroscopic or radiologic techniques is a well-established method in forensic age estimation in living and dead individuals. The present study examined 196 CT (computed tomography scan) images of native patients from the archive of the medical imaging laboratory of the University Hospital in Heraklion, Crete, in Greece. The ossification of the medial clavicular epiphysis was classified according to Schmeling et al. and the extended amplified staging system of Kellinghaus et al. Next, a stage transition analysis was carried out according to the Bayesian model. Probability density functions were calculated using informative priors for age distribution in the total population, deceased and violently deceased individuals. Our study showed that when the medial clavicular epiphysis’ ossification is sorted in stages 4 and 5 in Greek males and females, the cumulative probability of adulthood (≥18 years) is nearly 1. As far as Greek males are concerned, in stage 3c, the cumulative probability of adulthood (≥18 years) is 0.86, and in Greek females in stage 3c, the cumulative probability of adulthood (≥18 years) is 0.97. This is the first study of age estimation based on the ossification of the sternal clavicular end using CT in a Greek population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"73 ","pages":"Article 102589"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143068662","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}

{"title":"Forensic identification of a fatality in a child due to a bite from Deinagkistrodon acutus: A case report","authors":"Panpan Zhu ,&nbsp;Guohui Xu ,&nbsp;Lixia Lv ,&nbsp;Yanfei Xia ,&nbsp;Ting Li ,&nbsp;Kaixuan Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102590","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102590","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The five-paced viper (Deinagkistrodon acutus) is a prevalent venomous snake in China. Its venom comprises metalloproteinases, phospholipase A2, C-type lectin-like proteins, and serine proteases, which can induce acute reactions such as tissue inflammation, edema, necrosis, hemorrhage, coagulopathy, and even multiple organ failure. This report details a case involving a child in a rural area of China who was accidentally bitten by Deinagkistrodon acutus while playing outdoors and subsequently died despite treatment. The autopsy findings and histopathological results may assist in the clinical management and forensic practice related to Deinagkistrodon acutus envenomation in the future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"73 ","pages":"Article 102590"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143123969","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}

{"title":"Corrigendum to \"Exploring health professionals' knowledge of end of life in Italy\" [Leg. Med. 71 (2024) 102542].","authors":"Claudia Casella, Emanuele Capasso, Mariagrazia Marisei, Gaetano Di Donna, Pierpaolo Di Lorenzo, Massimo Niola","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102571","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102571","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"102571"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143015155","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}

{"title":"The role of myocardial bridge of the left anterior descending artery in a sudden death of a ketamine and cannabis user. Addressing the uncertainties on the cause of death in a forensic pathologist’s casework","authors":"Guido Pelletti ,&nbsp;Simone Bianchini ,&nbsp;Emanuela Mauro ,&nbsp;Jennifer Paola Pascali ,&nbsp;Chiara Baldovini ,&nbsp;Stefania Damiani ,&nbsp;Filippo Pirani ,&nbsp;Susi Pelotti","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102588","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102588","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this case report, the role of a myocardial bridge of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and recent use of cannabis in a sudden death of a drug user is discussed, also considering the relevance of histopathological pulmonary findings.</div><div>A 37-year-old man with a history of drug abuse was found dead in his house. External and autoptic examination were performed, as well as histologic and toxicologic analyses of tissues, organs and body fluids samples. Autoptic examination revealed signs of previous endovenous drugs administration and a 0.5 cm deep intramyocardial bridging of a 1.5 cm long segment of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Histo-pathologic examination revealed the presence of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and multiple alveolar macrophages containing brownish pigments. Toxicological analysis of post-mortem blood revealed recent use of ketamine (&lt;0.5 ng/ml) and cannabis derivatives (8.8 ng/ml for THC and 2.2 ng/ml for 11-OH-THC) in a subject with a history of previous abuse of cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine, confirmed through hair analysis. The analysis of forensic literature, thoroughly examined in this paper, along with a comprehensive evaluation of all post-mortem data, indicates that cannabis likely contributed to the cause of death, in conjunction with myocardial bridging. This suggests a dual mechanism involving both cardiac and pulmonary factors. This case could add to the limited body of evidence in the literature and provide insights into the potential contributory role of cannabis in sudden deaths.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"73 ","pages":"Article 102588"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143015245","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}