Legal Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Establishing models for postmortem interval estimation based on measuring surface temperature of corpses and ambient temperature by infrared thermography technology","authors":"Chunyan Tu ,&nbsp;Hao Zhou ,&nbsp;Runting Dou ,&nbsp;Yongjing Li ,&nbsp;Tan Li ,&nbsp;Tingting Yu ,&nbsp;Nuo Cheng ,&nbsp;Jingjing Niu ,&nbsp;Yaling Xie ,&nbsp;Heng Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102745","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102745","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Body temperature is an important indicator for forensic scientists to estimate the early post-mortem interval (PMI). Traditionally, forensic practitioners have mostly used methods such as measuring the internal temperatures of the body, including rectal temperature and liver temperature, to infer the PMI. However, these methods rely on the experience of the operator, suffer from manual measurement errors, and cannot fully consider the interference of environmental factors, resulting in unstable accuracy of the inference results. Infrared thermography technology can use optoelectronic technology to dynamically and monitor the surface temperature of objects and ambient temperature. It has the advantages of non-contact, convenience, and high efficiency. This project utilized thermography technology to monitor the surface temperature of SD rat corpses and the real-time ambient temperature under five average environment temperature conditions of 25 °C, 20 °C, 15 °C, 10 °C, and 5 °C, aiming to explore the correlations among the changes in body surface temperature, ambient temperature changes, and PMI. By comparing the changes in body surface temperature of rabbits, SD rats, and C57 mice, the project investigated the relationship between body weight and the rate of body surface temperature decrease. Then, multivariate correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, and machine learning analysis methods were employed to construct and evolve models for PMI estimation. Finally, the accuracy of the model was verified using the single-blind method. The results showed that using infrared thermography to detect body surface temperature and ambient temperature can more conveniently and accurately infer the PMI, demonstrating high application and transformation value.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102745"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145570068","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":"Mechanism of methamphetamine movement from the blood into the stomach","authors":"Kei Yoshitome ,&nbsp;Fumio Moriya ,&nbsp;Masanobu Miura","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102700","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102700","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102700"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145521139","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":"Mixed planned and unplanned complex suicide by cut-throat and poisoning in a hemiplegic person − case report","authors":"Hasan A. Abder-Rahman ,&nbsp;Imad M. Al-Abdallat ,&nbsp;Lamia K. Alsenaidi ,&nbsp;Hasan K. Alhawwari ,&nbsp;Safaa Z. Mahfoz ,&nbsp;Nadia N. Jendli ,&nbsp;Nada M. Al-Masad ,&nbsp;Abed-Alraheem Ali","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102771","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102771","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cutthroat cases are considered rare, especially suicidal cutthroat which is scarce. This case study presents a mix between planned and unplanned complex suicidal cutthroat that complicated the decision of the manner of death. A 60 year old male with a left sided hemiplegia was found dead with deep cutthroat and had incised wounds on both wrists with a bucket filled with blood next to him, the toxicology test revealed the presence of permethrin insecticide in the stomach. This paper shows the difficulty in deciding whether the case is a planned or unplanned complex suicide and some cases might mix between the two. However, both planned and unplanned complex suicide may point to homicidal act, which is why it is recommended to record these cases especially since complex suicide is rare and there are different methods used that are unfamiliar to us. The bizarre factors that raise suspicion in our case are the hemiplegia, the age, the use of pesticides, the cut of both wrists, and the fatal cut-throat. We didn’t find any reported cases of complex suicide by poisoning with pesticides or successful cutthroat.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102771"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145851491","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":"Mucoid extracellular matrix accumulation as a histopathological marker of aortic fragility: Two autopsy cases and a literature review","authors":"Marida Imbriani ,&nbsp;Damiano Marchesini ,&nbsp;Gianluca N. Piras ,&nbsp;Monica La Greca ,&nbsp;Anna Claudia Caruso ,&nbsp;Anna Maria Manta ,&nbsp;Benedetta Baldari","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102779","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102779","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Medial degeneration of the aortic wall represents a critical substrate for the development of acute aortic syndromes, particularly dissection, in both clinically healthy individuals and those with known cardiovascular disease or syndromic features. Among these alterations, Mucoid Extracellular Matrix Accumulation (MEMA) has emerged as a key histopathological marker of aortic fragility, with implications not only for clinical practice but also for forensic investigations of sudden and unexpected deaths. This study presents two autopsy case reports of 41-year-old and 44-year-old individuals who died from acute aortic dissection with no prior evidence of cardiovascular disease or other macroscopic findings that could explain the death. Detailed histopathological examination revealed mucoid extracellular matrix accumulation and associated medial changes; in one case, acute cocaine intoxication was identified as a plausible hemodynamic trigger acting upon an intrinsically vulnerable aortic wall. Furthermore, a narrative review on MEMA and its role in medial layer alteration was conducted, allowing comparison of our findings with existing literature.</div><div>These cases highlight the forensic significance of identifying medial degenerative lesions in sudden aortic deaths. Comprehensive autopsy and histopathological assessment (hematoxylin-eosin staining) allow the recognition of MEMA and other medial alterations even in individuals without history of cardiovascular disease, support differentiation between intrinsic structural vulnerability and potential external precipitants, and contribute to a more accurate reconstruction of the mechanisms underlying unexpected aortic fatalities. Systematic evaluation of the aortic wall also improves differentiation between intrinsic aortic pathology and external triggers, contributing to scientific understanding and to forensic accuracy, and may support medico-legal evaluations of potential medical malpractice in appropriate contexts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102779"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145960652","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":"Formalin pigment artifact in postmortem histology: Challenges and potential implications for accurate forensic differential diagnosis","authors":"Stefano Tambuzzi ,&nbsp;Guendalina Gentile ,&nbsp;Lorena Ferraroli,&nbsp;Salvatore Andreola,&nbsp;Riccardo Zoja","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102746","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102746","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Formalin pigment is the most important artifact found in postmortem histological analyses. Although it has no forensic value, formalin pigment, when abundant or not well-known to the pathologist, can morphologically resemble, mimic or misinterpret physiological or exogenous pigments of forensic interest, making their identification challenging and leading to diagnostic difficulties. To investigate these aspects, a retrospective study was conducted on 35 autopsied bodies in various states of preservation in which postmortem histological analyses had revealed the presence of brown/blackish precipitates requiring a differential diagnosis with formalin pigment artifacts. In 29 cases (83%) it could be proven that the precipitates were not due to formalin artifacts. In some cases, however, they were of minor forensic significance, so that others could be categorised as highly forensically significant. These were mainly haemosiderin, lead from gunshot residue (GSR), granular precipitates as a result of acute poisoning with various substances and malaria pigment.</div><div>It should therefore be noted that precipitates that can be superficially assigned to formalin artifacts can conceal a multitude of pigments of different types, aetiologies and thus forensic significance, which also depend on the circumstantial and investigative context of the individual cases. For this very reason, it is of central importance for forensic pathologists to constantly question whether it may be useful to further investigate the diagnosis of suspected artifactual formalin pigment precipitates in autopsy specimens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102746"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145565738","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":"Sudden death due to undiagnosed cardiac metastasis of malignant melanoma revealed by autopsy: a case report","authors":"Dorra Oualha ,&nbsp;Taher Sakly ,&nbsp;Oumeima Bouzid ,&nbsp;Mariem Bel Hadj ,&nbsp;Mejda Zakhama ,&nbsp;Ahlem Bellalah ,&nbsp;Nidhal Haj Salem","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102756","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102756","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cardiac metastases from malignant melanoma are rare and often remain undiagnosed until autopsy due to their nonspecific clinical presentation. The case report concerns a woman in her 40 s, with medical history of coeliac disease who presented with a triad of cholestatic jaundice, weight loss and generalised weakness. Acute cardiac symptoms occurred during the patient’s hospitalisation, with dyspnoea and palpitations preceding refractory ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Post mortem examination showed extensive metastatic melanoma that included the lungs, liver, spleen, lymph nodes and notably the myocardium and the endocardium. Importantly, no cutaneous or mucosal primary site was identified, classifying this case as melanoma of unknown primary (MUP). The histological and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the diagnosis. This case report summarises the range of diagnostic issues associated with cardiac metastasis from melanoma, where the clinical presentation can mimic other cardiac pathologies and cause undiagnosed fatal arrhythmias. The findings emphasise the significance of meticulous autopsy and histological examination in elucidating unrecognized cardiac involvement in patients with metastatic melanoma, particularly in MUP.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102756"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145558165","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":"Application of anatomical and histological features of testis to age estimation","authors":"Takato Murai ,&nbsp;Masaki Inoue ,&nbsp;Kenichi Mukaisho ,&nbsp;Mami Nakamura ,&nbsp;Kazuki Takaoka ,&nbsp;Masahito Hitosugi","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102767","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102767","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In forensic practice, when parts of an unidentified human body are found, age estimation with limited materials is required. This study investigated age-related anatomical and histological changes in testes to evaluate their applicability for forensic age estimation. Testicular samples from 228 male autopsy cases (aged 0–96 years) were analyzed. The Johnsen score, testicular weight, basement membrane thickness, number of seminiferous tubules per field, and percentage of hyalinized tubules were examined. Basement membrane thickness showed a strong positive correlation with age across all subjects (r = 0.733). In individuals under 20 years, testicular weight was positively correlated with age (r = 0.89), while the number of seminiferous tubules negatively correlated (r =  − 0.90). In those aged ≥ 20 years, Johnsen score, testicular weight, and hyalinization rate showed significant age-related differences between groups. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified cutoff values for age discrimination: hyalinization rate of ≥ 9.0 % for ≥ 60 years (sensitivity 69.7 %, specificity 89.5 %), and testicular weight of ≤ 10.1 g for ≥ 80 years (sensitivity 85.7 %, specificity 73.3 %). Basement membrane thickness, testicular weight, and seminiferous tubule count are useful indicators for forensic age estimation under 20 years of age; on the other hand, basement membrane thickness, testicular weight, and hyalinization rate are more informative in individuals aged ≥ 20 years. These findings suggest the potential contribution of these indicators to forensic age estimation, while further studies are needed to validate their practical applicability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102767"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839192","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":"Additional practical considerations in the interpretation of multiple sharp-force injuries","authors":"Petr Handlos","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102773","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102773","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102773"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145913873","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":"Diversity and similarity of metallothionein and STEAP gene regulation by heavy metals in human colorectal cells","authors":"Mariko Kazuta,&nbsp;Toshihiko Aki,&nbsp;Kanako Noritake,&nbsp;Atsushi Yamada,&nbsp;Kana Unuma","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102774","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102774","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Heavy metals, including arsenic, which are found in a wide range of environments, can disrupt cellular homeostasis in humans and even entire ecosystems. Metallothioneins (MTs) are well-known mediators of cellular defense against metal toxicity, while the STEAP family of metalloreductases has recently been attracting attention, especially in the field of cancer research. The aim of this study was to evaluate systematically the cellular responses of HT-29 cells (derived from human colorectal adenocarcinoma) exposed to As₂O₃ (0, 5, 10, 15 μM for 24 h). Transcriptome analysis identified the induction and suppression of the MT and STEAP genes, respectively. However, further evaluation of MT and STEAP gene responses to CdCl₂, HgCl₂, PbCl₂, and ZnCl₂ (0, 5, 10, 15 μM for 24 h) revealed that the expressions of the MT and STEAP genes were each regulated differently in a metal-specific manner, suggesting distinct cytotoxic mechanisms in response to each heavy metal. This study represents the first systematic investigation of MT and STEAP gene responses to heavy metals providing a new perspective for further research in metal toxicity assessment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102774"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145919008","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 identified indigestible umeboshi pit surrounded by maggot masses in oral cavity suggesting food-related choking in a decomposed body","authors":"Ken Sato,&nbsp;Suzuka Shimmura,&nbsp;Takeki Nishi,&nbsp;Marie Inaba,&nbsp;Hisashi Akuzawa,&nbsp;Fujio Ishizawa,&nbsp;Yukiko Sugano,&nbsp;Yoichiro Takahashi","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102777","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2026.102777","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Determination of the cause of death is a fundamental task in forensic medicine. However, this becomes particularly challenging in cases of decomposition, where critical findings necessary for diagnosis are often obscured by putrefaction or insect activity. <em>Here</em>, we report a case of a man in his 70 s who went missing during a summer hike and was found approximately 10 m below a trail after four days, in a state of moderate decomposition with heavy maggot infestation. Postmortem computed tomography revealed no major traumatic injuries but identified a high-density, oval-shaped foreign body, measuring approximately 2 cm, in the oral cavity. Autopsy confirmed this as the pit of a pickled plum (<em>umeboshi</em>), retrieved from a cluster of maggots. The stomach contained plum paste, rice, and seaweed, which were typical components of a Japanese rice ball (<em>onigiri</em>). These findings suggested that the deceased died while eating <em>onigiri</em>, implying that the cause of death involved food aspiration-related choking, although decomposition prevented definitive identification of airway obstruction and other cause of death could not be evaded completely. In this case, postmortem computed tomography enabled detection of evidence that would likely have been missed or displaced without imaging, especially given the moderate postmortem changes. It was demonstrated that, even in decomposed bodies, persistent foreign materials such as an <em>umeboshi</em> pit could serve as useful circumstantial indicators in forensic investigations. This case illustrates the importance of integrating imaging and autopsy approaches in elucidating causes of death in complex forensic cases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102777"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924403","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}