The effect of photography training on the accurate representation of gunshot and stab wounds in autopsies: a comparative study
This study investigates the influence of photography training on the precision of autopsy photographs in depicting these findings. In cases of fatal gunshot and stab wounds, photographs were concurrently taken by individuals without photography training (Group A) and a trained medical photographer (Group B). Two sets of photos were then anonymously presented to forensic medicine specialists, who had no prior knowledge of the associated autopsies, along with relevant survey questions. Responses were assessed according to the autopsy findings. 63.5% of the questions were correctly answered using Group A photographs, while Gr...
Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology - November 24, 2023 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research

Temporomandibular trauma and reflections on personal evaluation
This study suggests revising the reference tables on personal damage, considering the inclusion of TMD and its categorization and impact. (Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology)
Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology - November 21, 2023 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research

Estimation of postmortem interval using histological and oxidative biomarkers in human bone marrow
AbstractIn forensic medicine, estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) is of great importance for the timeline and the reconstruction of the events surrounding death. Bone marrow (BM) is one of the largest organs in the body, with good resistance to autolysis and contamination. Therefore, the present study aims to correlate different postmortem intervals and bone marrow antioxidant enzyme levels using an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, detection of the changes in the histological structure of human bone marrow in relation to the time passed since death. BM samples from 20 forensic autopsy cadavers w...
Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology - November 21, 2023 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research

Temporomandibular trauma and reflections on personal evaluation
This study suggests revising the reference tables on personal damage, considering the inclusion of TMD and its categorization and impact. (Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology)
Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology - November 21, 2023 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research

Estimation of postmortem interval using histological and oxidative biomarkers in human bone marrow
AbstractIn forensic medicine, estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) is of great importance for the timeline and the reconstruction of the events surrounding death. Bone marrow (BM) is one of the largest organs in the body, with good resistance to autolysis and contamination. Therefore, the present study aims to correlate different postmortem intervals and bone marrow antioxidant enzyme levels using an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, detection of the changes in the histological structure of human bone marrow in relation to the time passed since death. BM samples from 20 forensic autopsy cadavers w...
Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology - November 21, 2023 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research

Postmortem histological freeze –thaw artifacts: a case report of a frozen infant and literature review
We present a case report involving an autopsy performed on an infant, who died of natural causes, after undergoing freezing and thawing. The objective of this study was to identify and discuss the histological artifacts observed in different tissues as a result of the freeze –thaw process. Histologically, the infant’s tissues exhibited the most common features described in the literature. Ice crystal artifacts, characterized by expansion of the extracellular space and tissue clefts, were found in the heart, brain, liver, lungs, and kidneys. On the contrary, adipose tissue was not affected, likely due to the scarcity of...
Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology - November 20, 2023 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research

Classification of rib fracture types from postmortem computed tomography images using deep learning
In this study, the objective was to train a model that can distinguish between various fracture types on different levels of hierarchical taxonomy and detect them on 2D-image representations of volumetric postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) data. We used a deep learning model based on the ResNet50 architecture that was pretrained on ImageNet data, and we used transfer learning to fine-tune it to our specific task. We trained our model to distinguish between “displaced,” “nondisplaced,” “ad latus,” “ad longitudinem cum contractione,” and “ad longitudinem cum distractione” fractures. Radiographs with no...
Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology - November 16, 2023 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research

Maxillary sinus in gender determination: a morphometric analysis using cone beam computed tomography
AbstractGender determination of skeletal remains is an important forensic procedure in the identification process. Maxillary sinus remains intact even when the skull and other bones may be badly disfigured. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) can provide precise information about complex anatomical structures, as it is characterized by rapid volumetric image acquisition with high resolution. The present study aimed to assess the accuracy of maxillary sinus measurements using cone beam computed tomography in gender determination and to develop a formula using discriminate function analysis. Bilateral maxillary sinus images...
Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology - November 12, 2023 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research

The role of alcohol and patterns of alcohol-related deaths in Republic of North Macedonia within the period 2007 –2020
AbstractExcessive alcohol consumption is one of the most important factors in a substantial number of violent deaths. The aim of our study was to investigate alcohol-related deaths in the Republic of North Macedonia in the period from 2007 to 2020, in order to study the influence of elevated blood alcohol levels in violent deaths. Five hundred sixty-four post-mortem blood samples from alcohol-related death cases —natural deaths and violent deaths (suicides, accidents, and homicides)—were analyzed, and the results were evaluated according to sex, age, and cause of death. Among 564 cases, traffic accidents were the leadi...
Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology - November 10, 2023 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research

Fatal anabolic androgenic steroid overdose in an amateur bodybuilder: a clinical and autopsy report
AbstractStanozolol is a synthetic anabolic –androgenic steroid commonly used by bodybuilders to increase muscle mass. However, its use can lead to serious adverse effects on the liver, including cholestasis, hepatic necrosis, and even death. In this case report, we describe a fatal case of stanozolol overdose in an otherwise healthy 35-yea r-old amateur bodybuilder. The patient presented with general malaise, jaundice, and a history of hematemesis after taking stanozolol tablets orally for 3 months. Upon admission, his liver function tests were significantly abnormal, and he succumbed within 48 h despite symptomatic tr...
Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology - November 10, 2023 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research

The role of alcohol and patterns of alcohol-related deaths in Republic of North Macedonia within the period 2007 –2020
AbstractExcessive alcohol consumption is one of the most important factors in a substantial number of violent deaths. The aim of our study was to investigate alcohol-related deaths in the Republic of North Macedonia in the period from 2007 to 2020, in order to study the influence of elevated blood alcohol levels in violent deaths. Five hundred sixty-four post-mortem blood samples from alcohol-related death cases —natural deaths and violent deaths (suicides, accidents, and homicides)—were analyzed, and the results were evaluated according to sex, age, and cause of death. Among 564 cases, traffic accidents were the leadi...
Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology - November 10, 2023 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research