Legal Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Injury as a silent witness: forensic medicine’s role in the legal qualification of an explosive case","authors":"Francesco Calabrò ,&nbsp;Francesco Saverio Romolo ,&nbsp;Beatrice Defraia ,&nbsp;Valentina Bugelli","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102845","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102845","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In forensic practice, the reconstruction of criminal behavior and charge determination are often entrusted solely to law enforcement, with forensic medicine playing a marginal, confirmatory role. Nonetheless, accurate injury analysis remains fundamental and, in specific contexts, may be decisive.</div><div>The authors present a case that underscores the crucial role of interdisciplinary forensic collaboration − particularly between forensic pathologist and ballistics expert − in the reconstruction of the event dynamics and in supporting judicial decision-making aimed at the accurate charge determination of the event. On the shutter of a bookstore a ticking object wrapped in white cloth was discovered. A bomb disposal technician intervened to neutralize the device. During the operation, the device exploded, causing the amputation of the left hand, loss of the right eye and bilateral thigh lacerations with retained foreign bodies. The technician claimed the explosion occurred spontaneously. Based on this, charges included mass murder, considering the alleged explosive power. A multidisciplinary forensic analysis integrating crime scene investigation, injury pattern review, radiological imaging and explosive residue testing was conducted. A detailed injury analysis and technical assessment of the device disproved this version, redefining the victim’s position at the time of detonation and substantially reducing the inferred explosive capacity. This led to the reclassification of some criminal charges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 102845"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147787357","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":"Association between menstruation and spermatozoa persistence in sexual assault victims: a medicolegal case–control study in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia","authors":"Raja Al Fath Widya Iswara ,&nbsp;Beta Ahlam Gizela ,&nbsp;Intarniati Nur Rohmah ,&nbsp;Tuntas Dhanardhono","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102856","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102856","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Spermatozoa detection is an important component of forensic examination in sexual assault cases. Spermatozoa persistence in the vaginal environment is influenced by physiological factors, including menstruation. However, the effect of menstruation on spermatozoa detectability during medicolegal examinations remains insufficiently explored. This study aimed to evaluate the association between menstruation and spermatozoa persistence among sexual assault victims undergoing medicolegal examination in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A case–control study was conducted involving 240 female sexual assault victims examined within five days after the alleged assault. Cases consisted of victims examined during menstruation (n = 120), while controls were victims examined outside the menstrual period (n = 120). Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify factors associated with spermatozoa detection.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Spermatozoa were detected in 64.2% of menstruating victims and 47.5% of non-menstruating victims. Menstruation was significantly associated with increased odds of spermatozoa detection (adjusted OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.05–3.16; p = 0.032). Early examination (&lt;24 h) was the strongest predictor (adjusted OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.50–4.86; p = 0.001). Age was not significantly associated with spermatozoa detection. A significant interaction between menstruation and time since assault was observed (adjusted OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.14–3.89; p = 0.018), indicating a stronger effect of menstruation in delayed examinations. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Menstruation is associated with increased spermatozoa detection and appears to influence spermatozoa persistence in a time-dependent manner. These findings highlight the importance of considering menstrual status in the forensic interpretation of spermatozoa evidence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 102856"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147845339","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":"Evaluating the value and risks of DNA evidence in Japanese criminal trials: Changes before and after the lay judge system","authors":"Shigeru Akanuma,&nbsp;Yukiko Sugano,&nbsp;Suzuka Shimmura,&nbsp;Ken Sato,&nbsp;Yoichiro Takahashi","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102861","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102861","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>DNA evidence can be used to link perpetrators to crime scenes or victims. We examined all Japanese criminal court cases included in a commercially available LEX/DB Internet (LEX database) from 1989, the year DNA analysis was first used as evidence in criminal trials, through 2024. We primarily analyzed data on the validity, conviction, and sentencing rates of trials involving DNA evidence. The conviction rate in these trials was not higher than the generally published conviction rate in all phases. This was either nearly equivalent to or slightly lower than that in trials without DNA evidence. However, after 2009, when trials shifted from judge-only to lay judge trials, remarkable changes in the weighting of the admissibility and probative value of DNA evidence were observed. Specifically, from 1989 to 2009, the rate of admissibility of DNA evidence was high, and the average conviction rate was higher than that of trials without DNA evidence. However, after the transition to lay judge trials, the conviction rate in trials involving DNA evidence fell below the average conviction rate compared to those not involving DNA evidence. It can be presumed that the value of DNA evidence and its probative weight have increased during lay judge trials. Contrarily, sentencing trends in DNA-evidence-involving trials showed some variation in the diverse judgment criteria of lay judges after the transition to lay judge trials; however, no significant changes occurred. These data will stimulate discussions regarding quality control and maximize the value of DNA evidence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 102861"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147851438","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 norovirus infection in a patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: forensic use of BioFire FilmArray GI panel","authors":"Kálmán Rácz ,&nbsp;Andrea Kurucz ,&nbsp;Giuseppe Davide Albano ,&nbsp;László Majoros ,&nbsp;Péter Attila Gergely","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102844","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102844","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Identifying infections during autopsy is challenging in forensic pathology. Although microbiological testing can assist in diagnosis, distinguishing true pathogens from contaminants is often difficult. Molecular methods, such as PCR, may support diagnostic conclusions.</div></div><div><h3>Case description</h3><div>On August 22, 2024, a 30-year-old woman was admitted to the Department of Emergency Medicine, Clinical Centre, University of Debrecen, Hungary, with severe vomiting and diarrhea. Her medical history included treated congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Within 30 min of admission, she developed sudden cyanosis and respiratory insufficiency. Despite resuscitation efforts, the patient died shortly after arrival.</div><div>Two days before hospitalization, she had collected sewage samples from the Kraszna River (Hungary) as part of her job. According to her colleagues, she did not wear any protective equipment (mask, gloves, or coveralls). The samples were later analyzed at the National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy and tested positive for Norovirus.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Postmortem examination, including microbiological and molecular investigations (BioFire FilmArray GI multiplex PCR), confirmed Norovirus infection. These findings supported the hypothesis that viral infection significantly contributed to rapid clinical deterioration.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>This case highlights the utility of molecular microbiology in forensic investigations. Multiplex PCR panels, routinely used in clinical diagnostics, can provide valuable evidence in postmortem settings, particularly in acute gastrointestinal deaths where autopsy findings are non-specific. Early patient education in congenital adrenal hyperplasia may prevent fatal outcomes in similar cases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 102844"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147787378","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 discovery and forensic investigation of two early medieval burials","authors":"Dario Innocenti ,&nbsp;Francesco Simonit ,&nbsp;Maurizio Perogio ,&nbsp;Ugo Da Broi ,&nbsp;Carmine Lubritto ,&nbsp;Noemi Mantile ,&nbsp;Valentina Giacometti ,&nbsp;Gianpaolo Gazzano ,&nbsp;Lorenzo Desinan","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102850","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102850","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We report a case of medicolegal and archaeological interest involving the discovery of some human remains near a medieval castle. During a storm in the summer of 2024 some trees on a hill (near Udine) were uprooted. Several months later, in December 2024, a passerby noticed a human skull among the exposed roots and promptly alerted the authorities. A medicolegal inspection of the remains at the scene identified a partial skeleton and requested an archaeologist to excavate and document the remains. Further enquiries indicated that the uprooted trees had originally been planted in the 1960 s and that the site had been used in 1944 for the execution of partisans. The hill was surveyed using metal detection and geophysical techniques, and the remains were excavated and recorded using the archaeological methodology. The survey of the area allowed the discovery of another skeleton, suggesting a complex burial history for the area.</div><div>This multidisciplinary investigation, incorporating forensic archaeology, physical anthropology and chemistry, enabled the complete recovery and detailed forensic examination of two skeletons, which established a timeframe for these burials, clearly demonstrating the effectiveness of teamwork in forensic research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 102850"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147935050","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":"Differentiation of heat-related deaths using quantitative evaluation of urinary myoglobin and renal tubular myoglobin deposition","authors":"Sari Matsumoto,&nbsp;Shojiro Takasu","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102855","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102855","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Myoglobin elevation from rhabdomyolysis is a recognized feature of heat-related deaths; however, the postmortem distribution of myoglobin across body fluids, as well as the diagnostic value of urinary myoglobin and renal tubular myoglobin deposition, remain unclear. This study aimed to characterize postmortem myoglobin distribution in multiple body fluids, assess postmortem interval (PMI) effects, and evaluate the diagnostic utility of urinary myoglobin and renal myoglobin-positive tubular casts in heat-related deaths. Myoglobin concentrations were measured in urine, serum, aqueous humor, vitreous humor, and pericardial fluid from autopsy cases. Renal myoglobin deposition was assessed immunohistochemically and semi-quantified as counts per 20 high-power fields. Associations with PMI, inter-fluids correlations, group comparisons, and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed. Myoglobin concentrations varied among body fluids, with urinary levels lower than those in other compartments. Urinary myoglobin was not associated with PMI, myoglobin levels in other fluids, serum BUN, or creatinine levels, but was significantly positively correlated with renal myoglobin-positive tubular cast counts (R² = 0.30, P &lt; 0.0001). Urinary myoglobin levels and renal tubular myoglobin deposition were significantly higher in heat-related deaths than in non-heat-related deaths (P &lt; 0.0001). ROC analysis showed an AUC of 0.92 for urinary myoglobin and 0.78 for renal myoglobin-positive tubular cast counts. Urinary myoglobin represents a robust postmortem marker with minimal PMI influence and limited correlation with myoglobin levels in postmortem body fluids and reflects renal tubular myoglobin deposition. Quantitative assessment of urinary myoglobin and renal myoglobin-positive tubular casts provides a useful adjunct for the postmortem diagnosis of heat-related deaths.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 102855"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147799316","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":"Influence of feature encoding and machine learning algorithms on ancestry inference using autosomal STR profiles: A simulation approach using Asian populations","authors":"Kohei Tomonari ,&nbsp;Yoshito Tomisaka ,&nbsp;Yoshio Yamaoka","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102851","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102851","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biogeographic ancestry inference provides valuable insights into forensic science for identifying unknown remains and analyzing trace evidence found at crime scenes, particularly when other useful information is lacking. In this study, we investigated the impact of two feature encoding strategies (raw allele values and one-hot encoding) and three machine learning algorithms (Random Forest (RF), XGBoost (XGB), and Support Vector Machine (SVM)) on population classification using simulated autosomal STR profiles. Simulations were conducted using 20 autosomal STR loci commonly included in commercial kits, focusing on East Asian (EA) and Southeast Asian (SEA) populations. XGB demonstrated strong performance with both raw allele values and one-hot encoding. In contrast, while SVM achieved comparable accuracy with one-hot encoding, its performance markedly declined when raw allele values were used. RF consistently yielded lower accuracy than the other two algorithms. We also investigated the limits of intra-continental population classification and found that accuracy generally plateaued at approximately 80–85 % for EA vs. SEA, Japanese vs. Chinese, and Japanese vs. Vietnamese classifications, with similar performance observed in a preliminary evaluation using real Japanese profiles. However, in the classification of the genetically close Japanese and Korean populations, a marked discrepancy was observed between the simulation results and those derived from the real profiles. These findings clarify how feature encoding interacts with machine learning in STR-based population classification and delineate practical limits for closely related Asian populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 102851"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147798792","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":"Postmortem computed tomography assessment of atlantoaxial displacement due to high- versus low-energy blunt force scenarios","authors":"Shoutao Ni ,&nbsp;Bin Wu (female) ,&nbsp;Bin Wu (male) ,&nbsp;Yang Li ,&nbsp;Jianjun Li ,&nbsp;Zhe Liu ,&nbsp;Xu Li ,&nbsp;Shengyin Zhu ,&nbsp;Guanglong He ,&nbsp;Yang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102854","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102854","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The aim of the study was to quantify atlantoaxial displacement indicators on postmortem CT and to evaluate their ability to reflect cervical blunt-force scenarios with different energy levels, particularly high- versus low-energy impacts. A total of 182 cases were selected, including six groups based on the death scenario: head and neck injury caused by traffic accident (40), thoracoabdominal injury caused by traffic accident (40), high-fall injury (36), hanging (20), strangulation (16), and control group (sudden cardiac death, 30). Seven displacement indicators were measured after three-dimensional multiplanar reconstruction. Statistical analyses (Shapiro-Wilk, ANOVA, <em>t</em>-tests) were performed. Five classification algorithms were evaluated for predicting external neck force mechanisms. The head and neck injury group exhibited the highest atlantoaxial subluxation rate (20%), followed by high-fall (13.9%) and thoracoabdominal injury groups (10%). No dislocations were observed in other groups. Significant differences in the anterior atlanto-dental interval (AADI), the posterior atlanto-dental interval (PADI), the left and right vertical distance between the atlantoaxial joint surfaces (LVAJS, RVAJS) were observed across all or individual groups (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). Classification results indicated that the energy-based grouping achieved strong overall performance, with both SVM and NB achieving 100% recall and an F1-score of 86.4% for distinguishing high- versus low-energy neck trauma. This study demonstrated that PMCT of the cervical region showed increased values of the atlantoaxial joint displacement indicators AADI, PADI, LVAJS, and RVAJS, which facilitated the identification of different types of external forces applied on the neck and supported their potential utility for energy-level stratification in forensic PMCT assessment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"83 ","pages":"Article 102854"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147845260","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 age progression for missing person investigations: A pilot evaluation of recognition accuracy","authors":"Laura Donato ,&nbsp;Michele Treglia ,&nbsp;Rossana Cecchi ,&nbsp;Douglas H. Ubelaker ,&nbsp;Jessika Camatti ,&nbsp;Fiona Gabbert ,&nbsp;Margherita Pallocci ,&nbsp;Anna Laura Santunione ,&nbsp;Luigi T. Marsella","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102808","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102808","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Forensic age progression is widely used to support long-term missing person investigations by estimating an individual’s potential current appearance. Empirical validation of this technique remains limited, and systematic evaluations of its accuracy are scarce. This pilot study examines the recognizability of age-progressed facial images derived from childhood and adolescent photographs of two adult participants (Subject A and Subject B) attending a scientific congress, aiming to provide preliminary insight into the conditions under which age progression may succeed or fail.</div><div>A forensic anthropologist—blinded to the participants’ current appearance—produced age progressions to age 25 following established morphological assessment principles. The resulting images were anonymously displayed during the meeting, where 105 attendees with no specific training in age progression attempted to identify the portrayed individuals among those present.</div><div>Recognition performance differed between the two subjects, with 79.1% correct identifications for Subject A and 54.3% for Subject B. Qualitative comparison between the age-progressed and current photographs showed both accurate feature predictions and discrepancies influenced by lighting conditions, facial orientation, and individual morphological variation.</div><div>This preliminary investigation highlights the potential value of forensic age progression while emphasizing its challenges. The findings underscore the need for larger, systematically controlled validation studies to improve the reliability and forensic applicability of age progression in missing person cases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 102808"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146161805","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":"Solving a cold case through scientific evidence","authors":"Gloria Giorato ,&nbsp;Alberto Sandri ,&nbsp;Elena Sofia Oliveri ,&nbsp;Dario Raniero","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102804","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102804","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>What role can a rigorous methodological approach play in establishing scientific evidence? This study examines the death of a 36-year-old homeless man in Northern Italy in the late 1990 s. Found unconscious with signs of assault, he was hospitalised in a coma with facial trauma. A brain CT scan showed multiple contusions and a subarachnoid haemorrhage. Due to his condition, he was transferred to another hospital, where he died shortly after.</div><div>The forensic autopsy, based on the presence of purulent material and leukocytic infiltration in the brain, identified cardiorespiratory failure due to meningoencephalitis as the cause of death, excluding any link to the assault. However, the case was suspended due to the suspects’ absence, and the judge did not examine the forensic findings.</div><div>In 2017, the investigation was reopened after identifying a suspect. The reanalysis of histological samples confirmed subarachnoid and intraparenchymal haemorrhages with leukocytic infiltration in the haemorrhagic areas. A broader macro- and microscopic analysis of the formalin-preserved brain revealed a similar pattern, with minimal leukocytes mixed with red blood cells in the meningeal spaces.</div><div>Immunohistochemical analysis using CD15 antibody showed leukocytes only in haemorrhagic areas.</div><div>The cause of death was thus redefined as traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage, excluding meningoencephalitis.</div><div>This case demonstrates the importance of a rigorous evidence-based methodological approach in establishing scientific evidence. Integrating techniques such as immunohistochemistry allowed for accurate cause-of-death identification nearly 20 years later, highlighting the value of scientific rigour and multidisciplinary collaboration in forensic medicine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"82 ","pages":"Article 102804"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146161871","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}