Detection of multiple biomarkers associated with satellite cell fate in the contused skeletal muscle of rats for wound age estimation
In conclusion, the expression levels of Pax7, MyoD, myogenin, and IGF-1 were upregulated in a time-dependent manner during skeletal muscle wound healing, suggesting the potential for using them as candidate biomarkers for wound a ge estimation in skeletal muscle. (Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 18, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Postmortem reference concentrations of 68 elements in blood and urine
ConclusionThe present study provides an important tool when evaluating postmortem elemental concentrations. It fills a needed gap between large antemortem population studies and postmortem case reports or small case series of elemental intoxications. (Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 18, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Initial laboratory validation of temperature development models for Necrodes littoralis L. (Staphylinidae: Silphinae)
AbstractDevelopment models of necrophagous insects are applied in forensic entomology for post-mortem interval estimation. Such estimates may be used as scientific evidence in legal investigations. For this reason, it is important that the models are valid and that the expert witness is aware of their limitations.Necrodes littoralis L. (Staphylinidae: Silphinae) is a necrophagous beetle species that frequently colonizes human cadavers. Temperature models of development for the Central European population of these beetles were recently published. In this article, we present results of the laboratory validation study for the...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 18, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Fat embolism after intraosseous catheters in pediatric forensic autopsies
AbstractIn our center, we performed the autopsy of a child who died from drowning and presented, at autopsy, a major pulmonary fat embolism (PFE). A cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed, including infusion by intraosseous catheter (IIC). No other traumatic lesions and diseases classically related to a risk of PFE were detected. According to some animal studies, we considered the IIC as the only possible cause for PFE. However, we could not find literature to confirm this hypothesis in humans, especially in a pediatric population. To verify the occurrence of PFE after IIC in a pediatric population, we retrospec...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 18, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

The first rib as a method of adult age-at-death estimation in a modern South African sample
This study aimed to develop and test an age-at-death estimation method using the first rib. An identified modern black South African sample of 260 skeletons were used to collect age-related data from the first rib. Multiple linear regression analysis equations were created from this data for male, female, and combined samples. When tested on a hold-out sample, equations generated mean inaccuracies of 7 –13 years for point estimates. The 95% confidence intervals contained the true age in 11–33% of individuals depending on the equation used, but wider intervals generated using 95% prediction intervals contained true age...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 18, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Erratum to: Head/skull injury potential of empty 0.5-l beer glass bottles vs. 0.33-l Coke bottles
AbstractIn the context of further impact tests with various striking weapons against the skull, it turned out that the manufacturer had incorrectly calibrated the force measuring plate, which was used in our earlier experiments. When the tests were carried out again under the same conditions, the measurement results were significantly higher. (Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 18, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Sex assessment using the radius bone in a French sample when applying various statistical models
AbstractSex estimation of skeletal remains is one of the most important tasks in forensic anthropology. The radius bone is useful to develop standard guidelines for sex estimation across various populations and is an alternative when coxal or femoral bones are not available.The aim of the present study was to assess the sexual dimorphism from radius measurements in a French sample and compare the predictive accuracy of several modelling techniques, using both classical statistical methods and machine learning algorithms.A total of 78 left radii (36 males and 42 females) were used in this study. Sixteen measurements were ma...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 12, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Respiratory viruses in medicolegal autopsies during the winter season 2021/2022: observations after reduction of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions
AbstractIn the context of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, measures were taken to protect the population from infection. These were almost completely lifted in several countries in the spring of 2022. To obtain an overview of the spectrum of respiratory viruses encountered in autoptical routine case work, and their infectivity, all autopsy cases at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Frankfurt/M. with flu-like symptoms (among others) were examined for at least 16 different viruses via multiplex PCR and cell culture. Out of 24 cases, 10 were virus-positive in PCR: specifically, 8 cases with severe acute respirato...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 12, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

DNA methylation-based age estimation for adults and minors: considering sex-specific differences and non-linear correlations
In this study, we conducted a comparative evaluation of linear and several non-linear regressions, as well as sex-specific versus unisex mod els. Buccal swab samples from 230 donors aged 1 to 88 years were analyzed using a minisequencing multiplex array. Samples were divided into a training set (n = 161) and a validation set (n = 69). The training set was used for a sequential replacement regression and a simultaneous 10-fold cross-validation. The resulting model was improved by including a cut-off of 20 years, dividing the younger individuals with non-linear from the older individuals with linear dependence between age an...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 12, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Impact on touch DNA of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer used in COVID-19 prevention
AbstractIn the last years, forensic research has been focused on touch DNA in order to improve its evidential value in criminal activity investigations as well as to understand the variables impacting touch DNA. One of the emerging variables is represented by the use of alcohol-based sanitizers, which was suggested for hand hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aims of the present study were to assess the effect of a hand sanitizer on touch DNA deposition, transfer, and recovery and also to evaluate STR typing success, quality of DNA profiles, and personal identification. Before and after the use of an alcohol-based ha...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 12, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Assessing retinal hemorrhages with non-invasive post-mortem fundus photographs in sudden unexpected death in infancy
ConclusionPMFP can detect RH in case of SUDI and is a relevant systematic screening test to be carried out as soon as the deceased child arrives in the hospital. It can decrease the need of eye removal for pathological examination, but further studies are needed to define the best decision algorithm. (Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 12, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Impact of (forensic) expert opinions according to the Istanbul Protocol in Germany —results and insights of the in:Fo-project
AbstractAs part of a third-party funded project, expert opinions according to the Istanbul Protocol (IP) standards were compiled in Germany on a larger scale for the first time. The assessment process was initiated for 130 project participants. Statistical analysis on numerous variables was performed to test the impact of the expert opinions, foremost of the forensic medical expert opinions, on the individuals ’ asylum proceedings. The variables were drawn from forensic medical expert opinions and reports of findings, questionnaires for the study participants’ counsellors in the project and a query on the asylum status...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 12, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Detection of multiple biomarkers associated with satellite cell fate in the contused skeletal muscle of rats for wound age estimation
In conclusion, the expression levels of Pax7, MyoD, myogenin, and IGF-1 were upregulated in a time-dependent manner during skeletal muscle wound healing, suggesting the potential for using them as candidate biomarkers for wound a ge estimation in skeletal muscle. (Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine)
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 12, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Initial laboratory validation of temperature development models for Necrodes littoralis L. (Staphylinidae: Silphinae)
AbstractDevelopment models of necrophagous insects are applied in forensic entomology for post-mortem interval estimation. Such estimates may be used as scientific evidence in legal investigations. For this reason, it is important that the models are valid and that the expert witness is aware of their limitations.Necrodes littoralis L. (Staphylinidae: Silphinae) is a necrophagous beetle species that frequently colonizes human cadavers. Temperature models of development for the Central European population of these beetles were recently published. In this article, we present results of the laboratory validation study for the...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 12, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Fat embolism after intraosseous catheters in pediatric forensic autopsies
AbstractIn our center, we performed the autopsy of a child who died from drowning and presented, at autopsy, a major pulmonary fat embolism (PFE). A cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed, including infusion by intraosseous catheter (IIC). No other traumatic lesions and diseases classically related to a risk of PFE were detected. According to some animal studies, we considered the IIC as the only possible cause for PFE. However, we could not find literature to confirm this hypothesis in humans, especially in a pediatric population. To verify the occurrence of PFE after IIC in a pediatric population, we retrospec...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - April 12, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research