Reconstruction of devastating head injuries: a useful method in forensic pathology

Ballistic trauma caused by military rifles: experimental study based on synthetic skull proxies

Rifles are often involved in violent deaths such as homicide and suicide. Consequently, expert knowledge and experimental forensic investigations are important to clarify the nature of ballistic trauma when applied to the human head and neurocranium. This study investigated differences in entrance wound morphology with Synbone® spheres which are described as being comparable to human flat bones. A series of ballistic experiments were conducted using two different rifle calibers (5.56 × 45 mm and 7.62 × 39 mm Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)). Synbone® spheres were used for close-range 0.3 m simulated executions as well as at 25 m and 35 m to simulate urban and military engagements. Results were compared with previously published experimental studies using similar military ammunition. In our study, entry wound morphology closely resembles real forensic cases compared to exit wound and overall shape morphology independently of the distance and the caliber. Circumferential delamination was clearly visible with full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds, yielding similar damage pattern morphology to the human crania. This study documented the presence of hydraulic burst or shock in all ten rounds from all three distances. Krönlein shots were also observed in some cases. Synbone® spheres constitute an acceptable synthetic surrogate for ballistic experiments. The present study offers new initial data on the behavior of Synbone® proxies in ballistic testing of military ammunitions; FMJ gunshot injuries to the human head, for distances that have not previously been published, suggesting that efficient tests can take place under these conditions. Further research on experimental ballistics with a larger number of controlled factors and multiple repetitions is recommended to verify the results of this pilot study before applied in forensic simulations.

An autopsy case of the decomposed body with kronlein's shot and the importance of skull reconstruction

In forensic medicine, firearm-related fatalities are regular. The range and velocity of the bullet, the characteristics of the wounds, and the probability of recovery are vital components of forensic analyses. While examining gunshot wounds to the skull, focus on the critical difference between bullet entry and exit points and the distance between the muzzle and the bullet entrance is vital. Determining bullet injury in cases of extreme decay has been a difficult challenge. The police send a corpse in the later stages of decomposition for re-postmortem examination, with a history of severe blunt force injuries to the head in our case report. Following the reconstruction of the skull, it is determined that some regions are bone deficient. A bullet entry wound is present on the left side's upper border of the defect, formed like an arc (representing the upper 1/3^rd of a circle), and a corresponding exit wound was discovered on the right side's lower border of the defect, shaped like an arc (representing the lower 1/3^rd of a circle). The bullet passed left to right backward and downward. It is noteworthy that in cases of advanced decomposition, where identifying the characteristics of a bullet wound is nearly impossible, fully skeletonizing the body and reconstructing it will provide critical hints to establishing the cause of death.

Reversed configuration of the muzzle imprint mark in a pistol contact entrance wound mimicking a non-suicidal act

The muzzle imprint mark characteristically associated with contact or near contact entrance gunshot wounds exemplifies one of the most informative external findings in forensic medical practice. The presence of the muzzle imprint mark on the body's surface proves ballistic trauma, point of entry, and range of fire. Moreover, its appearance and configuration may indicate the type of the involved weapon and the way the firearm had been positioned and held at the time of discharge. In this paper, we present the contact shot wound pattern of an 83-year-old man who committed suicide with a Frommer Stop 12 M autoloading pistol of caliber 7.65 mm Browning. Initially, the muzzle imprint mark configuration in relation to the entrance gunshot defect in the victim's right temple indicated an unusual application or orientation of the pistol's barrel during discharge, thus, strongly suggesting a non-suicidal act. However, a critical confrontation of postmortem findings along with the results of ballistic expertise provided a clear explanation, which comprised the remarkable construction and unique muzzle design of the used handgun.

Application of the "bubbling" procedure to dead body portraits in forensic identification

Purpose

A procedure is needed for bodies with disfiguring injuries to the face and the use of their portrait for visual identification.

Method

We present the application of a simple image processing procedure, otherwise known as ”bubbling,” which is based on the concept of ”perceptual filling-in,” to images for visual identification in the forensic context. The method is straight forward and can be performed using readily available software and hardware..

Results

The method is demonstrated and examples are shown. The visual recognition of known persons using “bubbled” images was successfully tested.

Conclusion

The “bubbling” procedure for visual identification enhancement is quick and straightforward and may be attempted before escalating to more involved identification methods and procedures.

Applying 3D prints to reconstructing postmortem craniofacial features damaged by devastating head injuries

Postmortem facial identification is one of the most common techniques for establishing a deceased person's identity. In victims suffering from devastating cranial injuries, the feasibility of facial identification tasks can be compromised by damage to or disfigurement of the identifying cranial features. Although there are several reconstructive approaches, which help experts to restore the essence of person's physical appearance, thus enhancing the chances of recognition, only a few of them involve restoring the fractured cranial bones as the foundation for the reconstructed soft tissues. Here, we propose a technique based on replacement of heavily damaged hard tissues with generic prosthetics manufactured by 3D printing. Our approach does not require medical imaging technologies or other costly lab equipment. It is simple, affordable and relatively labor-efficient. The deceased's reconstructed craniofacial features can be subsequently assessed, photographed, drawn or otherwise reproduced in order to help determine his or her identity. In addition, the imagery can be displayed, published or broadcasted in media without concerns of being overly graphic.

Does preliminary optimisation of an anatomically correct skull-brain model using simple simulants produce clinically realistic ballistic injury fracture patterns?

Ballistic head injury remains a significant threat to military personnel. Studying such injuries requires a model that can be used with a military helmet. This paper describes further work on a skull-brain model using skulls made from three different polyurethane plastics and a series of skull ‘fills’ to simulate brain (3, 5, 7 and 10% gelatine by mass and PermaGel™). The models were subjected to ballistic impact from 7.62 × 39 mm mild steel core bullets. The first part of the work compares the different polyurethanes (mean bullet muzzle velocity of 708 m/s), and the second part compares the different fills (mean bullet muzzle velocity of 680 m/s). The impact events were filmed using high speed cameras. The resulting fracture patterns in the skulls were reviewed and scored by five clinicians experienced in assessing penetrating head injury. In over half of the models, one or more assessors felt aspects of the fracture pattern were close to real injury. Limitations of the model include the skull being manufactured in two parts and the lack of a realistic skin layer. Further work is ongoing to address these.

A facial reconstruction and identification technique for seriously devastating head wounds

Many authors have focused on facial identification techniques, and facial reconstructions for cases when skulls have been found are especially well known. However, a standardized facial identification technique for an unknown body with seriously devastating head injuries has not yet been developed. A reconstruction and identification technique was used in 7 cases of accidents involving trains striking pedestrians. This identification technique is based on the removal of skull bone fragments, subsequent fixation of soft tissue onto a universal commercial polystyrene head model, precise suture of dermatomuscular flaps, and definitive adjustment using cosmetic treatments. After reconstruction, identifying marks such as scars, eyebrows, facial lines, facial hair and partly hairstyle become evident. It is then possible to present a modified picture of the reconstructed face to relatives. After comparing the results with photos of the person before death, this technique has proven to be very useful for identifying unknown bodies when other identification techniques are not available. This technique is useful for its being rather quick and especially for its results.

Development of a skull/brain model for military wound ballistics studies

Reports on penetrating ballistic head injuries in the literature are dominated by case studies of suicides; the penetrating ammunition usually being .22 rimfire or shotgun. The dominating cause of injuries in modern warfare is fragmentation and hence, this is the primary threat that military helmets protect the brain from. When helmets are perforated, this is usually by bullets. In combat, 20% of penetrating injuries occur to the head and its wounding accounts for 50% of combat deaths. A number of head simulants are described in the academic literature, in ballistic test methods for helmets (including measurement of behind helmet blunt trauma, BHBT) and in the 'open' and 'closed' government literature of several nations. The majority of these models are not anatomically correct and are not assessed with high-velocity rifle ammunition. In this article, an anatomically correct 'skull' (manufactured from polyurethane) and 'brain' (manufactured from 10%, by mass, gelatine) model for use in military wound ballistic studies is described. Filling the cranium completely with gelatine resulted in a similar 'skull' fracture pattern as an anatomically correct 'brain' combined with a representation of cerebrospinal fluid. In particular, posterior cranial fossa and occipital fractures and brain ejection were observed. This pattern of injury compared favourably to reported case studies of actual incidents in the literature.

Eponyms in forensic pathology

The phenomenon of eponymous terms in forensic pathology is described in this paper. The authors analyzed representative textbooks (monographs) dealing with forensic pathology in both English and German and identified several eponymous terms. The paper aims to present to the reader the most important eponymous terms in forensic pathology. Included in the paper are the following terms: Beckwith's Sign, Casper's Rule, Krönlein's Shot, Lichtenberg's Figures, Nysten's Law, Paltauf's Spots, Puppe's Rule, Sehrt's Sign, Simon's Sign, Sveshnikov's Sign, Tardieu's Spots, Wischnewski Spots, Wydler's Sign. The spread of eponymous terms throughout various languages is mentioned. The linguistic basis of such terms as well as their advantages and disadvantages in specialist fields, and indeed in even wider circles, is discussed. The authors state that the main function of these terms is to facilitate the open flow of unambiguous information among scholars. Eponymous terms in forensic pathology are characteristic for the German speaking countries and for all countries influenced by the German school of forensic pathology. Their usage in the Anglo-Saxon world is much less widespread, meaning they do not occur very often in English monographs and textbooks.