International Journal of Legal Medicine This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Mummification in a forensic context: an observational study of taphonomic changes and the post-mortem interval in an indoor setting
The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of mummification in an indoor setting, with an emphasis on the forensic perspective. A dataset of 102 forensic autopsy cases was assessed for distribution of desiccation of skin and soft tissue (i.e., subcutaneous fat and musculature) and for moist decompositional (i.e., putrefactive) changes. Further, possible correlation with the post-mortem interval (PMI) was evaluated, as well as the effects of clothing coverage of the body. The results indicated that yellow to orange parchment-like desiccated skin was found at significantly shorter PMIs than reddish brown to bla...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - March 21, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

A case of intrauterine fetal death related to furcate cord insertion: a brief review of the literature and professional liability considerations
This report shows the case of a healthy 29-year-old patient, at 37  weeks of gestation, admitted to the hospital two days before the due date because of the appearance of uterine contractions; clinical exams were regular. The following day, no fetal movements were perceived, a cardiotocography was performed, showing the absence of fetal heartbeat. A dead fetus was delivered. Autopsy showed furcate insertion of the umbilical cord and the rupture of the umbilical vessel, which caused fetal hemorrhagic shock. Furcate insertion still remains mostly undiagnosed and rarely it can be identified prenatally (only three cases are r...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - March 20, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Forensic age estimation: comparison and validation of the Iscan method in 3D reconstructions using a surface scanner in a Spanish population
AbstractWhen investigating a death, post-mortem identification provides with results of great legal and humanitarian significance. The effectiveness of the methods used to estimate age depends on the reference population, considering variables such as sex and ancestry. The aim of this study was to validate the Iscan method to estimate age in a Spanish forensic population, comparing the estimates obtained in dry bones and 3D reconstructions created with a surface scanner. We carried out a cross-sectional study on 109 autopsied corpses (67% male), scanning the sternal end of the right fourth rib in a 3D mesh, using an EinSca...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - March 17, 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 - March 16, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Third molar eruption in orthopantomograms as a feature for forensic age assessment —a comparison study of different classification systems
AbstractEvaluation of third molar eruption represents an established method for age assessment of living individuals. Different classification systems are available for the radiological assessment of third molar eruption. The aim of this study was to identify the most accurate and reliable classification system for the mandibular third molar eruption on orthopantomograms (OPG). We compared the method of Olze et al. (2012) with the method of Willmot et al. (2018) and a newly derived classification system using OPGs from 211 individuals aged 15 –25 years. The assessments were performed by three experienced examiners. One ...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - March 8, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Validation and optimization of the diatom L/D ratio as a diagnostic marker for drowning
AbstractIf a dead body is discovered in water, it nearly always raises the question about the cause of death, often associated with the persistent problem to differentiate between a drowning incident and post-mortem immersion. In numerous cases, a reliable confirmation of death by drowning is often only possible by a combination of diagnoses obtained from autopsy and additional investigations. As to the latter, the use of diatoms has been suggested (and debated) since decades. Based on the consideration that diatoms are present in almost every natural waterbody and are unavoidably incorporated when water is inhaled, their ...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - March 4, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Understanding the burden of unidentified bodies: a systematic review
AbstractWhile human identification is a crucial aspect of medico-legal investigations, many individuals remain unidentified each year across the world. The burden of unidentified bodies is often referred to when motivating for improved methods of identification, and anatomical teaching, yet the actual burden is somewhat unclear. A systematic literature review was undertaken to identify articles that empirically investigate the number of unidentified bodies experienced. Despite the large number of articles returned, an alarmingly low number (24 articles) provided specific and empirical details on the number of unidentified ...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - March 2, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Postmortem PF4 antibodies confirm a rare case of thrombosis thrombocytopenia syndrome associated with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 anti-COVID vaccination
We report a case of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, bilateral adrenal hemorrhage, and thrombocytopenia in a 70-year-old man found dead. He had previously received the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (Vaxzevria ®, AstraZeneca) 18 days before, and had since developed unspecific and undiagnosed characteristics of what proved to be a rare case of vaccine-associated thrombocytopenia with thrombosis syndrome (TTS). He was found dead 1 week after the beginning of symptoms (day 25 post-vaccine). Autopsy yielde d venous hemorrhagic infarction with the presence of thrombi within dural venous sinuses, and extensive hemorrhagic necrosis ...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - March 1, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Adventure Legal Medicine: a free online serious game for supplementary use in undergraduate medical education
AbstractSerious games (computer-based learning games) are increasingly used in medical education at various levels, as user access is independent of location and time and promotes non-linear learning. In legal medicine, interactive digital media are still scarce. The freely accessible online serious game “Adventure Legal Medicine” was developed as part of the “Hamburg Open Online University”. The goal was to teach the basics of forensic casework in a point-and-click adventure setting consisting of five cases. During development, 40 medical students were asked to evaluate the game anonymously . The System Usability ...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - March 1, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Molecular age estimation based on posttranslational protein modifications in bone: why the type of bone matters
AbstractAge-at-death estimation is of great relevance for the identification of unknown deceased individuals. In skeletonised corpses, teeth and bones are theoretically available for age estimation, but in many cases, only single bones or even only bone fragments are available for examination. In these cases, conventional morphological methods may not be applicable, and the application of molecular methods may be considered. Protein-based molecular methods based on the D-aspartic acid (D-Asp) or pentosidine (Pen) content have already been successfully applied to bone samples. However, the impact of the analysed type of bon...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - March 1, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Delayed occurrence of traumatic aortic dissection? Biomechanical considerations and literature
We present a well-documented case of a post-traumatic aortic dissection that ruptured about 9  months after chest trauma. A motorcyclist sustained fractures of the forearm and chest trauma with paravertebral rib serial fractures and hemopneumothorax. Nine months after the accident, echocardiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm that ruptured 3 months later and 1 month prior to the planned sur gery. An autopsy showed pericardial tamponade following a rupture of the dissected aorta. Accident scene documentation was consistent with a head-on collision of the motorcycle against the left front side of the car. The relative speed...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - March 1, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research

Evaluation of face masks as a valuable forensic DNA evidence in the post-COVID era
AbstractAfter the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, a sharp surge in the usage of the face-masks throughout the globe has been observed. Pre-experiment survey of 252 individuals indicated a higher use of cotton-make masks (41%), followed by N-95 make (31%), and surgical disposable masks (26%). It was also further revealed that a higher fraction of individuals wear a face-mask more than 3 times (37%) before its disposal. In order to assess the potential usability of different mask types as forensic DNA evidence, a study was conducted on 50 healthy individuals. DNA content of different fractions such as the portion of mask coverin...
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - March 1, 2023 Category: Medical Law Source Type: research