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Standards of practice in forensic age estimation with CT of the medial clavicular epiphysis —a systematic review
The objective of this analysis was to assess adherence to AGFAD recommendations among practitioners of FAE and analyse reported dose-relevant CT scan parameters with t he objective of helping to establish evidence-based dose reference values for FAE. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and in Google Scholar with specific MeSH terms to identify original research articles on FAE with CT of the MCE from 1997 to 2022. A total of 48 studies were incl uded. Adherence to AGFAD recommendations among practitioners of FAE is high regarding the use of Schmeling main stages (93%), bone window (79%), ≤ 1 mm CT...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - September 11, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Verification of a loss of heterozygosity at the D8S1179 locus in a paternity case by the MiSeq FGx system
In this study, we report a false four-step STR mutation between an alleged father (AF) and child in a paternity case. A total of 23 autosomal STR loci were evaluated using the Huaxia ™ Platinum and Goldeneye™ 20A kits, revealing a single mismatch in D8S1179 between the AF (10/10) and the male child (14/14). Additional Y-STR typing of the AF and child was performed, and the results were consistent with those based on 27 Y-STR loci. To further confirm the experimental results, we sequenced the individuals using the MiSeq FGx system and detected 10/15 unbalanced alleles in the D8S1179 locus of the AF and 14/15 unbalanced ...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - August 11, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

A cost –benefit analysis for use of large SNP panels and high throughput typing for forensic investigative genetic genealogy
This study shows that the benefits, both tangible and intangible, over the lifetime of an advanced database system would be huge and can be projected to be for less than $1 billion per year (over a 10-year period) investment can reap on average >  $4.8 billion in tangible and intangible cost-benefits per year. More importantly, on average >  50,000 individuals need not become victims if FIGG were employed, assuming investigative associations generated were acted upon. The benefit to society is immense making the laboratory investment a nominal cost. The benefits likely are underestimated herein. There is lati...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - August 11, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

A probabilistic model for murder weapon identification using stab-marks in human ribs
AbstractThe aim of this article is to provide a scientific and statistical basis to identify themurder weapon in stabbing cases from the geometric characteristics of the stab-marks left on human ribs. For this purpose, a quantitative predictive model is developed, based on geometric measurements of the stab-mark and its location along the rib. A general method based on Bayesian inference and probabilities is used for the model development, rather than a deterministic model given its inability in certain occasions to identify the murder weapon. Following the process explained in this article to collect the stab-mark informa...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - August 11, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Diagnostic models to predict nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA recovery from incinerated teeth
This study outlines a method to predict the viability of extracting nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from pig teeth that were exposed to a wide range of temperatures (27 to 1000 °C) with high accuracy (99.5–99.7%). (Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - August 11, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Proteomic profiling of sudden cardiac death with acquired cardiac hypertrophy
ConclusionThis is the first report of cardiac proteomic analysis in SCH and CCH cases. The stepwise upregulation of sarcomere proteins may increase the risk for SCD in acquired cardiac hypertrophy before cardiac fibrosis progresses significantly. These findings can possibly aid in the postmortem diagnosis of SCH in middle-aged and older individuals. (Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - August 11, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Comparison of three massively parallel sequencing platforms for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping in forensic genetics
In conclusion, the three MPS platforms perform differently with respect to sequencing quality, sequencing depth, allele balance, concordance, and background noise. These findings may be useful for data comparison, mixture deconvolution, and heteroplasmy analysis in forensic genetics. (Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - August 11, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Blood taken immediately after fatal resuscitation attempts yields higher quality DNA for genetic studies as compared to autopsy samples
ConclusionsIsolation yield and DNA integrity from blood samples collected by the EMS is superior in comparison to autopsy specimens. DNA from blood samples collected by the EMS on scene is stable at room temperature or even for days at 4 °C. We conclude that the EMS personnel should always save a blood sample of young fatal OHCA cases died on scene to enable subsequent genetic analysis. (Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - August 11, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Cannabis education: how providers and patients can engage in discussion
(Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - August 11, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Measure quantity of mitochondrial DNA in aged bones or calculate it from nuclear DNA quantitative PCR results?
This study compares mtDNA CN calculated from nDNA yield and qPCR measured mtDNA CN. Seventy-five femurs from the Second World War victims were used as samples; they were cut below the greater trochanter, surface contaminants were removed by mechanical and chemical cleaning, samples were fully demineralized, and DNA was isolated. PowerQuant ® Kit (Promega) was used to analyze DNA yield. An in-house method was used to determine mtDNA CN. Comparison of mtDNA CN from nDNA derived calculations and measured mtDNA CN highlighted vast differences. The results emphasize the need to perform qPCR to assess mtDNA CN before NGS analys...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - August 10, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

A quantifiler ™ trio-based HRM screening assay for the accurate prediction of single source versus mixed biological samples
AbstractAt present, the forensic DNA workflow is not capable of providing information about the contributor status (single source vs. multiple contributors) of evidentiary samples prior to end-point analysis. This exacerbates the challenges inherent to mixtures and low-template DNA samples. If additional sample information could be provided earlier in the workflow, protocols could be implemented to mitigate these challenges. An integrated Quantiplex ®- high resolution melt (HRM) assay was shown to be effective in distinguishing between single source and mixture DNA samples; however, integration of the HRM assay into a mor...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - August 8, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Complete investigations (autopsy, toxicology, and histology) in a death due to apixaban overdose
AbstractThe dead body of a 54-year-old man was found at home by his partner. He was off work due to depression. A letter with suicidal intention was present on the scene. He was known to be a heavy drinker, and near the body, an empty bottle of whisky was found. In addition, 2 empty blisters of Eliquis (apixaban) 5 mg, corresponding to 40 tablets, were identified. Apixaban is an oral anticoagulant, acting as a factor Xa inhibitor. Autopsy findings were mostly unremarkable, except numerous bruises and some superficial self-inflected wounds. Histology showed hematomas of calyces and renal pelvis and in the liver, several are...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - August 5, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

More than just blood, saliva, or sperm —setup of a workflow for body fluid identification by DNA methylation analysis
AbstractThe determination of cellular origin of DNA is a useful method in forensic genetics and complements identification of the DNA donor by STR analysis, since it could provide helpful information for the reconstruction of crime scenes and verify or disprove the descriptions of involved people. There already exist several rapid/pre-tests for several secretions (blood, sperm secretion, saliva, and urine), RNA-based expression analyses (blood, menstrual blood, saliva, vaginal secretion, nasal secretion, and sperm secretion), or specific CpG methylation analyses (nasal blood, blood, saliva, vaginal secretion, nasal secreti...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - August 3, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Correction to: Internal validation study to assess the SeqStudio ™ for human identification’s performance
(Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - August 3, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Sex estimation from long bones: a machine learning approach
This study upholds the value of combined long bones for sex estimation and provides models that can be applied with high accuracy to different populations. (Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - August 1, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research