Pubic growth study: applicability in sexual and age diagnostic.

The growth of five variables of the ischiopubic area was analyzed from bone material from birth to old age. The main purpose was to evaluate its significance and capacity for age and sex determination during and after growth. The material used consisted of 327 specimens from four documented Western European collections. Growth curves were calculated by polynomial regression for two classical variables of the ischiopubic area (pubis length and ischiopubic index) and three new variables of the pubic acetabular area (horizontal and vertical diameter of the pubic acetabular area and the pubic acetabular index). None of the curves showed lineal growth, with the exception of the ischiopubic index and the masculine vertical diameter of the pubis acetabular area. Pubis length has the most complicated growth, expressed by a five-degree polynomial. All the variables are useful for adult sex determination, except the pubic acetabular index. The ischopubic index, vertical diameter of the pubic acetabular area and the pubic acetabular index seem to be good variables for sub-adult sex determination. For age estimation the best variables, in both archaeological and forensic remains, are the absolute measurements (pubic length, vertical and horizontal diameter of the pubis). However, pubis length is the best variable for age estimation because it can be applied until 25 years of age.

Sacral fusion as an aid in age estimation

The degree of fusion at the anterior aspect of the sacral vertebrae has been scored in 242 male and female skeletons from the Lisbon documented collection, ranging in age from 16 to 59 years old. Statistical tests indicate a sex difference towards earlier fusion in young females compared with young males, as well as a clear association between degree of fusion and age. Similar results have been found in documented skeletal samples from Coimbra and Sassari, and the recommendations stated by these authors regarding age estimation have been positively tested in the Lisbon collection. Although more research from geographically diverse samples is required, a general picture of the pattern of sacral fusion and its associations with age and sex is emerging. We also provide a practical example of the usefulness of the sacrum in age estimation in a forensic setting, a mass grave from the Spanish Civil War. It is concluded that the scoring of the degree of fusion of the sacral vertebrae, specially of S1-2, can be a simple tool for assigning skeletons to broad age groups, and it should be implemented as another resource for age estimation in the study of human skeletal remains.

Incidence of retromolar foramen in human mandibles: ethnic and clinical aspects

The retromolar foramen allows the passage of the neurovascular bundles that contribute to nutrition and innervation of the pulp and periodontium of the lower teeth. Knowledge of this anatomical variation may prevent complications in the anesthesia and surgical procedures in this area and serve as an anatomical landmark for ethnic identification. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the retromolar foramen in human mandibles of adult Brazilians and discuss the clinical and ethnic related to the presence of this foramen. Were evaluated 222 human mandibles, dry, adults, Brazilians, independent of gender. The evaluation was performed by two examiners who standardized search from a previous anatomical study. The mandibles were analyzed: the presence of the retromolar foramen (bilateral or unilateral), the presence of the foramen on right and left sides, and the number of foramens present on each side. It was found that 59 had at least one mandible retromolar foramens resulting in an incidence of 26.58%. The retromolar foramen was present unilaterally in 41 mandibles and 18 bilaterally, with incidences of 18.47% and 12.16% respectively. on the right side, the retromolar foramen was present in incidences of 16.22% and 18.92% respectively The analysis of the right side of the mandibles revealed that 47.46%, 21.21% and 3.03% had one, two and three foramens, respectively The left side showed 55.93%, 16.22% and 8.11% of the 222 mandibles with one, two and three retromolar foramens, respectively The incidence of retromolar foramen in the Brazilian population is significant and should be considered in the planning and execution of procedures in several areas of clinical practice dentistry in order to avoid complications. Moreover, it was found that the incidence of retromolar foramen contributes to differentiation of ethnic groups in the area of forensic anthropology.

Tests of one Brazilian facial reconstruction method using three soft tissue depth sets and familiar assessors

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evaluation of a digital methodology for human identification using palatal rugoscopy

Palatal rugoscopy, or palatoscopy, is the process by which human identification can be obtained by inspecting the transverse palatal rugae inside the mouth. Aim: This study evaluated a digital method for human identification using palatoscopy, by comparing photographs of the palate against the images of cast models of the maxilla photographed with and without highlighting of the palatal rugae. Methods: Condensation silicone impressions were made from the upper arches of 30 adult subjects of both genders and their palates were then photographed. The first impression was made with heavy silicone, the second impression with light silicone, and then the models were cast in improved type IV dental stone. The casts were photographed, the palatal rugae of each one were highlighted with a pencil, and then the models were photographed again. Using a free image-editing software, the digital photographs were overlapped over the images of the palatal rugae of the models with and without highlighting of the palatal rugae, in order to identify the pairs. Results: The result of overlapping the digital photographs with the images of the models without highlighted palatal rugae resulted in 90% positive identification. For the overlapping of the digital photographs with the images of models with highlighted palatal rugae, there was 100% positive identification. Conclusions: The digital method evaluated in this study was proven effective for human identification.

The Evidence of the Rugoscopy Effectiveness as a Human Identification Method in Patients Submitted to Rapid Palatal Expansion

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of rugoscopy as a human identification method, even when the patient is submitted to rapid palatal expansion, which in theory would introduce doubt. With this intent, the Rugoscopic Identity was obtained for each subject using the classification formula proposed by Santos based on the intra-oral casts made before and after treatment from patients who were subjected to palatal expansion. The casts were labeled with the patients' initials and randomly arranged for studying. The palatine rugae kept the same patterns in every case studied. The technical error of the intra-evaluator measurement provided a confidence interval of 95%, making rugoscopy a reliable identification method for patients who were submitted to rapid palatal expansion, because even in the presence of intra-oral changes owing to the use of palatal expanders, the palatine rugae retained the biological and technical requirements for the human identification process. © 2012 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Prevalência de lesões causadas por mordidas humanas e desenvolvimento de técnica para análise de mordidas na pele em investigações criminais

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Human identification by means of conventional and digital Cheiloscopy: a study of the literature

One of the areas of human identification is Cheiloscopy, the name given to the study of the lips, their characteristics (such as thickness, position of the grooves and grooves) and the record of the impressions left by them. There are variations in the layout of the lines and fissures of the lips, which are unique to each individual, permanent and unchanging. The lip print rarely changes, enduring minor traumas such as inflammation or sores. In criminal investigations, lip prints, visible through the presence of lipstick, can be found on glasses, napkins, clothes, cigarettes, indicating a relationship between the subject and the scene of the crime. Latent impressions may be revealed employing specific chemicals such as powder of silver and aluminum nitrate. Although it is not a very common method, Cheiloscopy may become very useful in forensics due to the extensive amount of valuable information that it brings. The objective of this study was to review the literature on the use of Cheiloscopy in human identification, using traditional and digital methods. It was found that the literature is still in need of studies in this area. The advent of new digital technologies can facilitate the implementation of technical expertise, generating speed and objectivity. New research studies are necessary, especially in the development of digital methods. The application of Cheiloscopy can greatlyhelp with Law, in the identification of living suspects and dead individuals. In the end the benefit will fall to society as a whole.

Estimativa da altura por dimensões dentárias: uma revisão da literatura

The knowledge of Forensic Anthropology is very importance in cases of identification of human remains. One phase of this process is the study of human height, which can be accomplished with relative ease when intact corpses, complete skeletons or long bones are available. However, the experience of Forensic Dentistry is essential in situations in which there is only information of the skull or of the teeth. The objective of this study was to review in the literature and evaluate works concerning the estimate of the height calculated from dental dimensions. Carrea, in 1920, proposed the estimation of the probable height of an individual by developing formulas for maximum and minimum heights from measurements of the lower central and lateral incisors and canines. The method was used in the case "Josef Mengele", to complement estimates. Tested in the Brazilian population, 70% of match between the actual and the estimated stature were obtained. Using more precise instruments, in the modified method, 96% of correct matching were verified. Recently, a new formula was introduced to estimate height, from measurements of upper teeth, because the technique cannot be used when jaw is not available. The correlation between height and dental dimensions is demonstrated. However, there is still a lack in scientific literature in this field, and further studies are necessary. The estimate of height from dental dimensions can be very useful and important, especially in situations where the complete skeleton it not found, and long bones are not available.

Importância da correta confecção do prontuário odontológico para identificação humana: relato de caso

The clinical records correspond to a set of documents where all information of the patient is stored. When properly confectioned and filed by the dentist, it may serve as a tool for success in dental expertise. The aim of this paper is to present the importance of proper confection of dental records in human identification by means the presentation of a case of identification, occurred in a São Paulo state city. The notes present in the dental records of the alleged victim were very poor, even with a contradiction. However, having endodontic treatment been performed, the comparative analysis between the radiographs of the skull of the victim (postmortem) and the endodontic treatment of tooth 22 (antemortem) permitted to observe total coincidence between the details of such treatment, and anatomical features present in other dental elements. These important parameters of comparison indicated that the body was of the suspect and, due to the number of coincidences, it could not belong to another individual. Nevertheless, the clinical documentation provided was deficient, and presented contradictory data. Because of its fundamental importance for human identification, it is essential that dental professionals take the necessary care to ensure its proper confection and custody, seeking to make the clinical records also an efficient instrument of consultation in identification cases.

Nível de conhecimento dos cirurgiões dentistas sobre a qualidade dos prontuários odontológicos para fins de identificação humana

Objective: The aim of this research was to determine the knowledge level of 400 dentists registered in the Regional Dental Council of Cuiabá, through a questionnaire about the importance of records in the process of human identification. Results: We observed that 48.36% of them dispense between 10 and 20 minutes. Only 13.1% of the surveyed dentists did not have the habit of writing down the oral conditions of their patients before starting treatment and 42.62% have only one odontogram filled. From the 122 participants, 11.11% reported that the documentation had no utility to establish the patients identity. To make the situation worse, 33.6% of them said they did not keep the records of patients updated. Conclusion: We conclude that the dentist of Cuiabá has enough knowledge on preparing, maintaining and importance of dental records before the death in the identification process for establishing the patient identity. But, always he did not properly fills the dental records, thus it has been reducing their clinical, administrative and legal value.

Tests of one Brazilian facial reconstruction method using three soft tissue depth sets and familiar assessors

Facial reconstruction is a method that seeks to recreate a person's facial appearance from his/her skull. This technique can be the last resource used in a forensic investigation, when identification techniques such as DNA analysis, dental records, fingerprints and radiographic comparison cannot be used to identify a body or skeletal remains. To perform facial reconstruction, the data of facial soft tissue thickness are necessary. Scientific literature has described differences in the thickness of facial soft tissue between ethnic groups. There are different databases of soft tissue thickness published in the scientific literature. There are no literature records of facial reconstruction works carried out with data of soft tissues obtained from samples of Brazilian subjects. There are also no reports of digital forensic facial reconstruction performed in Brazil. There are two databases of soft tissue thickness published for the Brazilian population: one obtained from measurements performed in fresh cadavers (fresh cadavers' pattern), and another from measurements using magnetic resonance imaging (Magnetic Resonance pattern). This study aims to perform three different characterized digital forensic facial reconstructions (with hair, eyelashes and eyebrows) of a Brazilian subject (based on an international pattern and two Brazilian patterns for soft facial tissue thickness), and evaluate the digital forensic facial reconstructions comparing them to photos of the individual and other nine subjects. The DICOM data of the Computed Tomography (CT) donated by a volunteer were converted into stereolitography (STL) files and used for the creation of the digital facial reconstructions. Once the three reconstructions were performed, they were compared to photographs of the subject who had the face reconstructed and nine other subjects. Thirty examiners participated in this recognition process. The target subject was recognized by 26.67% of the examiners in the reconstruction performed with the Brazilian Magnetic Resonance Pattern, 23.33% in the reconstruction performed with the Brazilian Fresh Cadavers Pattern and 20.00% in the reconstruction performed with the International Pattern, in which the target-subject was the most recognized subject in the first two patterns. The rate of correct recognitions of the target subject indicate that the digital forensic facial reconstruction, conducted with parameters used in this study, may be a useful tool. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reconstrução facial forense: comparação entre tabelas de espessuras de tecidos moles faciais

As Ciências Forenses empregam a técnica de Reconstrução Facial buscando aumentar as possibilidades de reconhecimento humano. Após análise antropológica, a face é esculpida sobre o crânio esqueletizado e divulgada na mídia. Existem várias metodologias para a modelagem do rosto e das características da face, bem como vários dados de espessuras de tecidos moles que auxiliam no contorno facial. Com o intuito de investigar se existe uma metodologia que favoreça mais reconhecimentos e que permita uma maior semelhança com o indivíduo, este trabalho buscou comparar reconstruções faciais manuais feitas com duas abordagens para o preenchimento dos tecidos moles (métodos Americano e de Manchester) e para a predição dos olhos, nariz, boca e orelhas. Também buscou comparar reconstruções realizadas com quatro tabelas de espessuras de tecidos moles, desenvolvidas para brasileiros por estudos prévios, observando a possibilidade de unir esses dados para auxiliar na reconstrução. Um quarto objetivo foi averiguar se existe influência do sexo e do conhecimento anatômico ou forense na frequência de reconhecimentos. O estudo foi dividido em duas fases. Na primeira, duas reconstruções foram realizadas para dois indivíduos alvos (um homem e uma mulher) com os métodos Americano e de Manchester, aplicando dois guias para olhos, nariz, boca e orelhas. As reconstruções foram avaliadas por quarenta indivíduos (homens e mulheres, divididos em 4 grupos - alunos de graduação em Odontologia que não passaram pela disciplina de Odontologia Legal, alunos de graduação em Odontologia que passaram pela disciplina, especialistas em Odontologia Legal e indivíduos que não possuíam conhecimento de anatomia humana) por meio dos testes de reconhecimento e semelhança. Para o alvo feminino, as frequências de reconhecimentos foram 20% e 10% para os métodos Americano e de Manchester, respectivamente; para o alvo masculino, as frequências foram 35% e 17,5%. Em relação à semelhança, as medianas foram menores que 3 (em uma escala de 1 a 5); entretanto, foi verificada uma exceção para a escultura feita com o método Americano para o alvo masculino, a qual apresentou mediana 3. Na segunda fase, reconstruções faciais para quatro alvos (dois homens e duas mulheres) foram obtidas com o método Americano, considerando as quatro tabelas de espessuras de tecidos moles para brasileiros. Dezesseis reconstruções foram avaliadas por cento e vinte indivíduos, também pelos testes de reconhecimento e semelhança. Assim como na fase I, foram considerados o sexo e o grupo dos avaliadores. Para o alvo 1, as proporções de acertos são significativamente maiores para reconstruções feitas com as tabelas de cadáveres (44% e 38%) em relação às com os dados de exames de imagem. Para o alvo 4, as proporções de acertos com os dados de cadáveres (Tedeschi-Oliveira et al.) e com os de ressonância magnética foram significativamente maiores comparados às reconstruções com dados de tomografias computadorizadas. Em relação à semelhança, somente o alvo 1 mostrou diferenças significativas de frequências de semelhança leve entre reconstruções. Além disso, não houve influência nem do sexo, nem do conhecimento de anatomia nas frequências de reconhecimentos corretos. Espera-se que a tabela proposta possa ser empregada para a população brasileira.

The application of reduced-size short tandem repeat primer sets in the analysis of human DNA from degraded and compromised samples

The purpose of this research was to demonstrate the applicability of reduced-size STR (Miniplex) primer sets to challenging samples and to provide the forensic community with new information regarding the analysis of degraded and inhibited DNA. The Miniplex primer sets were validated in accordance with guidelines set forth by the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) in order to demonstrate the scientific validity of the kits. The Miniplex sets were also used in the analysis of DNA extracted from human skeletal remains and telogen hair. In addition, a method for evaluating the mechanism of PCR inhibition was developed using qPCR. The Miniplexes were demonstrated to be a robust and sensitive tool for the analysis of DNA with as low as 100 pg of template DNA. They also proved to be better than commercial kits in the analysis of DNA from human skeletal remains, with 64% of samples tested producing full profiles, compared to 16% for a commercial kit. The Miniplexes also produced amplification of nuclear DNA from human telogen hairs, with partial profiles obtained from as low as 60 pg of template DNA. These data suggest smaller PCR amplicons may provide a useful alternative to mitochondrial DNA for forensic analysis of degraded DNA from human skeletal remains, telogen hairs, and other challenging samples. In the evaluation of inhibition by qPCR, the effect of amplicon length and primer melting temperature was evaluated in order to determine the binding mechanisms of different PCR inhibitors. Several mechanisms were indicated by the inhibitors tested, including binding of the polymerase, binding to the DNA, and effects on the processivity of the polymerase during primer extension. The data obtained from qPCR illustrated a method by which the type of inhibitor could be inferred in forensic samples, and some methods of reducing inhibition for specific inhibitors were demonstrated. An understanding of the mechanism of the inhibitors found in forensic samples will allow analysts to select the proper methods for inhibition removal or the type of analysis that can be performed, and will increase the information that can be obtained from inhibited samples.

An investigation of the relationship between antemortem and postmortem drug concentrations in blood

In the field of postmortem toxicology, principles from pharmacology and toxicology are combined in order to determine if exogenous substances contributed to ones death. In order to make this determination postmortem and (whenever available) antemortem blood samples may be analyzed. This project focused on evaluating the relationship between postmortem and antemortem blood drug levels, in order to better define an interpretive framework for postmortem toxicology. To do this, it was imperative to evaluate the differences in antemortem and postmortem drug concentrations, determine the role microbial activity and evaluate drug stability. Microbial studies determined that the bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa could use the carbon structures of drugs as a source of food. This would suggest prior to sample collection, microbial activity could potentially affect drug levels. This process however would stop before toxicologic evaluation, as at autopsy blood samples are stored in tubes containing the antimicrobial agent sodium fluoride. Analysis of preserved blood determined that under the current storage conditions sodium fluoride effectively inhibited microbial growth. Nonetheless, in many instances inconsistent drug concentrations were identified. When comparing antemortem to postmortem results, diphenhydramine, morphine, codeine and methadone, all showed significantly increased postmortem drug levels. In many instances, increased postmortem concentrations correlated with extended postmortem intervals. Other drugs, such as alprazolam, were likely to have concentration discrepancies when short antemortem to death intervals were coupled with extended postmortem intervals. While still others, such as midazolam followed the expected pattern of metabolism and elimination, which often resulted in decreased postmortem concentrations. The importance of drug stability was displayed when reviewing the clonazepam/ 7-aminoclonazepam data, as the parent drug commonly converted to its metabolite even when stored in the presence of a preservative. In instances of decreasing postmortem drug concentrations the effect of refrigerated storage could not be ruled out. A stability experiment, which contained codeine, produced data that indicated concentrations could continue to decline under the current storage conditions. The cumulative data gathered for this experiment was used to identify concentration trends, which subsequently aided in the development of interpretive considerations for the specific analytes examined in the study.