Legal Medicine RSS feed: Current Issue. Legal Medicine provides an international forum for the publication of original articles, reviews and correspondence on subjects that cover practical and theoretical areas of interest relating to the wide range of legal medicine. Subjects covered include forensic pathology, toxicology, odontology, anthropology, criminalistics, immunochemistry, hemogenetics and forensic aspects of biological science with emphasis on DNA analysis and molecular biology. Submissions dealing with medicolegal problems such as malpractice, insurance, child abuse or ethics in medical practice are also acceptable.http://www.legalmedicinejournal.com/?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Legal Medicine1344-6223121January 2010 © 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.legalmedicinejournal.com/article/PIIS134462230900371X/abstract?rss=yesEditorial Board10.1016/S1344-6223(09)00371-XLegal Medicine 12, 1 (2010)2010-01-01Legal Medicine2010-01-01121S1344-6223(09)X0008-8IFCIFChttp://www.legalmedicinejournal.com/article/PIIS1344622309003265/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Skeletal identification has a long tradition in both physical and forensic anthropology. The process generally begins with formulation of a biological profile (osteobiography); specifically, estimation of sex, age, ethnicity and stature. The present paper briefly reviews a selection of the principal methods used for one aspect of the identification process; the estimation of personal age. It is well-documented that variability in the morphological features used to assess age in the human skeleton progressively increases from birth to old age. Thus choice of method is inherently related to whether unidentified remains are those of a juvenile or an adult. This review, therefore, considers methods appropriate for age estimation in both juvenile and adult remains; the former being primarily based on developmental, and the latter degenerative, morphological features. Such a review is timely as new methods are constantly being developed, concurrent with refinements to those already well established in mainstream anthropology.Forensic age estimation in human skeletal remains: Current concepts and future directionsDaniel Franklin10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.09.001Legal Medicine 12, 1 (2010)2009-10-23Legal Medicine2009-10-23121S1344-6223(09)X0008-8Review Article17http://www.legalmedicinejournal.com/article/PIIS1344622309003290/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: The success of PCR-based genotyping of decomposed remains depends on the quality of extracted DNA. Hard tissues and muscles are preferred because of their DNA stability. However, in dismembered corpses the choice of a suitable DNA source is more limited. In short tandem repeat (STR) analysis in two cases of dismembered corpses, we found an advantage of using blood vessels over muscles. To confirm that blood vessels are better for STR typing compared to muscle, we collected nine sets of blood vessels and the adjacent muscle from six other decomposed remains and compared the STR profiles between the blood vessel and muscle samples. Better results for STR typing were obtained in blood vessels. Based on these results, we recommend use of blood vessels as material for PCR-based genotyping in identification of dismembered human remains with heavy postmortem changes.Usefulness of blood vessels as a DNA source for PCR-based genotyping based on two cases of corpse dismembermentKaori Shintani-Ishida, Kazuki Harada, Makoto Nakajima, Ken-ichi Yoshida10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.09.004Legal Medicine 12, 1 (2010)2009-10-23Legal Medicine2009-10-23121S1344-6223(09)X0008-8Original Articles812http://www.legalmedicinejournal.com/article/PIIS1344622309003320/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Investigation of bodies recovered in water comprises an important proportion of medico-legal cases, but is affected by relevant limits concerning the specific decomposition processes and the cause of death. Few indications are provided by literature concerning the post mortem modification of corpses in water, but for a general variability in decomposition degree, and only few experimental projects have been performed in order to verify the influence of water on the decomposition process. On the other hand, in order to reconstruct the cause of death, at present, the diatom test is considered as the “golden standard” for the diagnosis of drowning, although recent literature has pointed out its relative reliability and the frequent problems of contamination.This pilot study was performed to observe the changes of animal remains in aquatic environments. The following experimental system was set up: three piglet corpses, who died by natural causes independent from the study, were immerged in water rich in diatoms (Navicola, Order Pennales) in a tank exposed to the open air; macroscopic, histochemical and diatoms analysis were performed after 1, 2 and 3months. Decomposition effects were fast: since the first month the skin appeared colliquated with exposure of the underlying bone surface, whereas at the second and third month the inner viscera were no longer recognizable; histology revealed that the skin was well preserved at 1month, but morphology was completely altered at the second month, whereas at the third month epidermis was no longer visible. Diatom testing showed the presence of contamination both in the first and second piglet; the finding of a sea-diatom, on the other hand, was completely unexpected.This study performed for the first time histochemical testing on animal models submerged in water: although the results became negative after the second month, some microscopic structure could still be recognized at the end of the experimental project; on the other hand, the search for diatoms in the samples proved the high possibility of post mortem contamination.Immersion of piglet carcasses in water – The applicability of microscopic analysis and limits of diatom testing on an animal modelAlessia Di Giancamillo, Elena Giudici, Salvatore Andreola, Davide Porta, Daniele Gibelli, Cinzia Domeneghini, Marco Grandi, Cristina Cattaneo10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.09.007Legal Medicine 12, 1 (2010)2009-12-07Legal Medicine2009-12-07121S1344-6223(09)X0008-8Original Articles1318http://www.legalmedicinejournal.com/article/PIIS1344622309003332/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: The color of postmortem lividity and control skin in 21 adult cadavers whose postmortem interval was within 72h, was measured by spectrophotometry in order to estimate the postmortem interval, objectively. The L∗a∗b∗ system, which has been widely used for the digital expression of skin color, was used and linear regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the postmortem interval and 31 color factors including L∗ (Value), a∗ and b∗ (Chroma and Hue) and C∗ (Chroma). The difference in Chroma between postmortem lividity and control skin (ΔC∗ and ) was only weakly correlated with the postmortem interval. We propose a new equation for calculating the postmortem interval using several color factors obtained by measurement of postmortem lividity, together with some autopsy findings that are known to affect the formation of postmortem lividity. The new equation makes it possible to estimate the postmortem interval within ±4.76h.Estimation of postmortem interval based on the spectrophotometric analysis of postmortem lividityYosuke Usumoto, Wakako Hikiji, Naomi Sameshima, Keiko Kudo, Akiko Tsuji, Noriaki Ikeda10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.09.008Legal Medicine 12, 1 (2010)2009-12-07Legal Medicine2009-12-07121S1344-6223(09)X0008-8Original Articles1922http://www.legalmedicinejournal.com/article/PIIS1344622309003356/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Estimation of stature is one of the important component in identification of human remains in forensic anthropology. The present investigation attempts to estimate stature from seven facial measurements of 300 (173 males and 127 females) healthy subjects between the ages of 18–70years from Northwest India. Height of all the subjects was measured and facial measurements were taken. Data was subjected to statistical analysis like mean, standard deviation, multiplication factors, Karl Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r), linear and multiple regression analyses using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The average height of the subjects was in the range of 154.3–178.3cm in males and 155.1–168.4cm in females. Estimated stature calculated by regression analysis of seven facial measurements was almost similar to mean actual stature in both males and females and the difference by using multiplication factors was found to be greater. Standard error of estimation (SEE) computed both by linear and multiple regression analyses was found to be low for the two sexes. Thus we can conclude that regression equations generated from facial measurements can be a supplementary approach for the estimation of stature when extremities are not available.Estimation of stature from facial measurements in northwest IndiansDaisy Sahni, Sanjeev, Parul Sharma, Harjeet, Gagandeep Kaur, Anjali Aggarwal10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.10.002Legal Medicine 12, 1 (2010)2009-12-11Legal Medicine2009-12-11121S1344-6223(09)X0008-8Original Articles2327http://www.legalmedicinejournal.com/article/PIIS1344622309003393/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Aim: This study describes the short-term impacts of an on-site team of practising clinicians (Clinical Liaison Service, CLS), in enhancing the Coroner’s investigation for the prevention of healthcare-related deaths.Methods: An internal observational program evaluation was conducted where objective and externally verifiable achievements of CLS over a six-year period were provided in relation to definable program components.Results: From 2003–2008, the same conceptual model for CLS was in place.CLS developed and implemented for the death investigation process: (i) a working model for a comprehensive and standardised clinical review; (ii) a knowledge management strategy to enhance the healthcare sector access to information and coronial (iii) activities to improve communication channels between the Coroner’s Office and the healthcare sector.The short-term impact included improved appropriateness of cases that proceed to investigation; improvements in the nature and depth of the investigation, and self-reported changes to clinicians practice.CLS reflected that the clinically enhanced investigation improved the credibility of the Coroner’s death investigation, reduced apprehension in the healthcare sector about the purpose of the investigation and engendered co-operation between involved parties.Discussion: This study suggests that a team of practising clinicians assisting the Coroner’s investigation of healthcare-related deaths contributes towards improving patient safety.The impact of a clinical team assisting the Coroner’s investigation of healthcare-related deaths: Reflections on six-years of serviceJoseph E. Ibrahim, Nicola Y. Cunningham, Adam J. O’Brien, Amanda J. Charles, Carmel M.F. Young10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.10.006Legal Medicine 12, 1 (2010)2009-12-07Legal Medicine2009-12-07121S1344-6223(09)X0008-8Original Articles2834http://www.legalmedicinejournal.com/article/PIIS1344622309003381/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Late-onset chylothorax is a relatively rare and essentially benign postoperative complication. We describe an autopsy case of undiagnosed hemi-chylothorax accompanied by fatal acute pulmonary thromboembolism after pulmonary resection and lymph node dissection for lung cancer, reviewing the literature. The patient was a 60-year-old woman. She complained of dyspnea on the 20th postoperative day, which gradually increased. The patient suddenly died 2days later. Autopsy demonstrated right chylothorax (1000ml), and fatal acute pulmonary thromboembolism, mainly on the left side, originating from the lower extremities. Postoperative chylothorax, causing respiratory and pulmonary circulatory disturbance, may provide an important predisposition to ward fatality due to pulmonary thromboembolism even among those showing a milder type; thus careful management is necessary.Undiagnosed late-onset chylothorax accompanied by fatal acute pulmonary thromboembolism after surgical treatment of lung cancer: An autopsy case and review of the literatureTakaki Ishikawa, Tomomi Michiue, Dong Zhao, Li Quan, Dong-Ri Li, Hitoshi Maeda10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.10.005Legal Medicine 12, 1 (2010)2009-12-09Legal Medicine2009-12-09121S1344-6223(09)X0008-8Case Report3538http://www.legalmedicinejournal.com/article/PIIS1344622309003319/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: The radiological depiction of stab wounds in soft-tissues using multislice computed tomography is difficult and the hereby obtained images often lack contrast. To overcome these shortcomings we tried a new method.We gently instilled the contrast medium Lipiodol® Ultra-fluide into five experimentally induced stab wounds on a pork haunch. Subsequent MSCT reconstructions of the wounds delivered clear, for medical laymen easily appreciable images regarding the stab direction and the stab depth.We believe that this easy and rapid technique can be useful in the examination of stab wounds in living and dead victims of sharp trauma.Radiological stab wound channel depiction with instillation of contrast mediumS.A. Bolliger, U. Preiss, N. Glaeser, M.J. Thali, S. Ross10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.09.006Legal Medicine 12, 1 (2010)2009-10-26Legal Medicine2009-10-26121S1344-6223(09)X0008-8Brief Communication3941http://www.legalmedicinejournal.com/article/PIIS1344622309003344/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Two Y-STR genotyping systems were evaluated for usefulness in forensic casework in the Cape Muslim population of South Africa. Samples were collected from 105 males, and genotyped for 17 loci amplified in two multiplexes. Allele and haplotype frequencies were determined for nine Y-STR loci used to define the minimal haplotype (DYS19, DYS389-I, DYS389-II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, and the duplicated locus DYS385) amplified in one multiplex, as well as for eight widely used loci amplified in a second multiplex and consisting of DYS449, DYS481, DYS518, DYS557, DYS570, DYS607, DYS612 and DYS614. When analysing the samples for all the loci, 104 unique haplotypes were obtained, and the discrimination capacity was 0.990. When considering only the nine Y-STRs included in the minimal haplotype, 91 unique haplotypes were obtained, and the discrimination capacity was 0.866. In the case of the remaining eight Y-STR loci, values of 97 and 0.924 were obtained, respectively.Analysis of seventeen Y-chromosome STR loci in the Cape Muslim population of South AfricaKevin Cloete, Liezle Ehrenreich, María Eugenia D’Amato, Neil Leat, Sean Davison, Mongi Benjeddou10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.10.001Legal Medicine 12, 1 (2010)2009-12-07Legal Medicine2009-12-07121S1344-6223(09)X0008-8Announcements of Population Data4245http://www.legalmedicinejournal.com/article/PIIS1344622309003368/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Haplotype, allele frequencies and population data of 12 Y-chromosome STR loci DYS19, DYS385, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS437, DYS438 and DYS439 were determined from a sample of 150 unrelated male individuals from El Salvador, Central America. A total of 131 haplotypes were identified by the 12 Y-STR loci of which 118 were unique. The haplotype diversity (99.08%) and the proportion of different haplotypes (87.33%) were estimated. RST genetic distances were calculated between El Salvador and other populations from Southern and Central America, Europe and Africa. The highest RST genetic distances were found when comparing El Salvador with African populations (0.334⩽RST⩽0.395). The lowest non-significant distance was found in the comparison with Honduras. The observed genetic distances between El Salvador and Southern and Central Native groups presented a wide range of values (from 0.024 to 0.210) that can be explained by the differences in the proportion of European versus Amerindian contributions in these population groups. The Multi Dimensional Scaling (MDS) plot analysis, based on pairwise RST values, showed that the general population of El Salvador is closer to the European cluster (composed by European and South American general population samples from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela) than to the Southern/Central American cluster of Native and Mestizo populations.Population data for 12 Y-chromosome STR loci in a sample from El SalvadorJuan Carlos Monterrosa, Josefina A. Morales, Iñaki Yurrebaso, Leonor Gusmão, Oscar García10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.10.003Legal Medicine 12, 1 (2010)2009-12-07Legal Medicine2009-12-07121S1344-6223(09)X0008-8Announcements of Population Data4651http://www.legalmedicinejournal.com/article/PIIS134462230900337X/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Allele frequencies for 15 STR autosomal loci of Identifiler kit (D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818 and FGA) in the Moroccan population of Berber-speaking of Azrou, were assessed from a sample of 201 unrelated individuals. Markers D18S51, D2S1338, FGA and D21S11 present the highest power of discrimination (PD) values while D21S11 was the most polymorphic locus in the studied population. The phylogenetic tree established among worldwide populations, shows that Berber-speaking population of Azrou was so close to the Berber-speaking population of Asni but also to the Arab-speaking population of southern Morocco. Nevertheless, a significant distance was observed between populations of Azrou and Bouhria even they share the same dialect (Amazigh) and belong to the same geographical area (Morocco). The 15 STR loci studied appear to be highly discriminating, thus providing a powerful tool for forensic applications, paternity investigation, individual identification and anthropological studies.Assessment of phylogenetic structure of Berber-speaking population of Azrou using 15 STRs of Identifiler kitHicham El Ossmani, Brahim Bouchrif, Rachid Aboukhalid, Mehdi Bouabdillah, Bouchaïb Gazzaz, Driss Zaoui, Abdelaziz Chafik, Jalal Talbi10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.10.004Legal Medicine 12, 1 (2010)2009-12-07Legal Medicine2009-12-07121S1344-6223(09)X0008-8Announcements of Population Data5256