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Cappella A, Solazzo R, Mazzarelli D, Gibelli D, Dolci C, Sforza C, Cattaneo C. The potential of facial nevi in personal identification. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6206. [PMID: 38485806 PMCID: PMC10940291 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56847-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Forensic anthropologists dealing with personal identification (PI) of human remains have recently stressed the need to explore the potential of "secondary identifiers" for identifying victims who died in particular events for whom images often represent the main antemortem data available. Being the face the part most exposed in images, characteristics as pigmented skin lesions (PSLs), can be crucial if combined with other input. Since no data is available on frequencies and distribution of facial PSLs in the general population, this study aims at systematically collecting such data to verify their potential in PI and to open a debate on the aid that "secondary identifiers", regardless of their specific nature, can give to the identification of the deceased in specific forensic contexts. A retrospective analysis on three-dimensional facial models of 1039 Italian subjects (from 4 to 84 years old) was conducted to examine the incidence of PSLs discriminated according to size and position in well-defined facial areas. From the collected data we developed a probabilistic approach providing the likelihood ratio (LR) for two settings: (1) the relative frequencies of nevi in the various facial areas, providing the deriving compound probability of owning a certain facial PSLs pattern; and (2) codes describing the facial nevi pattern of each individual of our population, thus testing their uniqueness and so their potential in PI. The calculated LRs mostly proved high identifying strength, particularly when provided by the compound probability-based approach. Data on incidence and position of facial nevi, their generated codes, and the probabilistic approach here presented, all constitute a starting point for advancing secondary identifiers. Nonetheless, although this preliminary study proved facial PSLs as valuable and potentially useful for identification, their significance and validity should be interpreted with caution as we are still at the first theoretical step clearly based on ideal conditions, and thus further investigations are due on the limitations of their use in practical identifying settings. Therefore, being this systematic study only a preliminary one in its nature, it is recommended not to use this kind of approach until further studies will test its validity in several practical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Cappella
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy.
- U.O. Laboratorio di Morfologia Umana Applicata, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097, San Donato Milanese, Italy.
| | - Riccardo Solazzo
- LAFAS (Laboratorio di Anatomia Funzionale dell'Apparato Stomatognatico), Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Debora Mazzarelli
- LABANOF (Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense), Sezione di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Gibelli
- LAFAS (Laboratorio di Anatomia Funzionale dell'Apparato Stomatognatico), Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Dolci
- LAFAS (Laboratorio di Anatomia Funzionale dell'Apparato Stomatognatico), Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiarella Sforza
- LAFAS (Laboratorio di Anatomia Funzionale dell'Apparato Stomatognatico), Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Cattaneo
- LABANOF (Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense), Sezione di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
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Gunawardena SA, Abeyratne P, Jayasena A, Rajapaksha S, Senadhipathi H, Siriwardana D, Vindula N, Perera C, Peiris D. Retrospective analysis of factors affecting rate of skeletonization within a tropical climate. Sci Justice 2023; 63:638-650. [PMID: 37718011 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2023.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Estimating the post mortem interval (PMI) in skeletonized cases is an extremely challenging exercise. Sri Lanka lacks adequate taphonomic research which is a serious limitation when assessing PMI in forensic death investigations. Methods that have been proposed to estimate PMI using the total body score (TBS) and accumulated degree days (ADD) are mainly based on data from continental and temperate climates and have shown less reliability in tropical climates. With the intention of developing a region-specific, evidence-based guide which would be applicable to tropical climates like Sri Lanka, we selected thirteen skeletonized remains with known PMIs from forensic case records and analysed their taphonomy in relation to selected weather data. We also compared the ADD values within our dataset with reference ranges calculated using published formula. All except one were found from outdoor locations. The TBS ranged from 24 to 32 and had a weak positive correlation with the PMI. The earliest appearance of skeletonization was 15 days in a body found indoors. The highest rate of skeletonization was seen in a body with a TBS of 32 and a PMI of 23 days. The average daily temperature and relative humidity were similar across all the cases however, the amount of rainfall varied. Bodies exposed to monsoon rains (n = 6) had a lower mean rate of skeletonization compared to those that were not exposed (n = 4) suggesting lower rates of decomposition during periods of heavy rainfall. No correlation was found between ADD and TBS. In 9 (69.2%) cases, the actual ADD was much lower than reference ADD ranges for TBS values, indicating poor applicability of TBS and ADD based formulae in estimating PMI within the Sri Lankan climate. Our study shows a strong need for taphonomic and entomological research in tropical climates to further explore the impact of monsoons on biotic and abiotic factors affecting skeletonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameera A Gunawardena
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Pravini Abeyratne
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | | | | | - Hashan Senadhipathi
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Dulanka Siriwardana
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Nimath Vindula
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Clifford Perera
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
| | - Dinesh Peiris
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Scendoni R, Cingolani M, Tambone V, De Micco F. Operational Health Pavilions in Mass Disasters: Lessons Learned from the 2023 Earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2052. [PMID: 37510493 PMCID: PMC10380084 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11142052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The massive earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria in February 2023 killed tens of thousands of people, and most of the deceased have not yet been identified. Many victims were pulled from the rubble hours or days later, injured and in need of assistance, treatment, and food, and many have not yet been connected with their families. Armed forces, volunteers, technicians, and health workers must cooperate in synergy in these situations to ensure effective interventions and to improve resilience. Based on the lessons learned from the response efforts to this recent natural catastrophe, this brief report proposes, for the first time, an organisational model structured around five functional pavilions that can be safely set up at the edge of a disaster area. Each pavilion should run its own activities to make a vital contribution to the overall coordinated emergency response. Looking to the future, it is extremely important to apply a technical approach that leads to maximum operational synergy at a disaster site and during the first phase of a sudden-onset emergency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Scendoni
- Department of Law, University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy
| | | | - Vittoradolfo Tambone
- Research Unit of Bioethics and Humanities, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Roma, Italy
| | - Francesco De Micco
- Research Unit of Bioethics and Humanities, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Roma, Italy
- Department of Clinical Affair, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Roma, Italy
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Bjelopavlovic M, Degering D, Lehmann KM, Thiem DGE, Hardt J, Petrowski K. Forensic Identification: Dental Scan Data Sets of the Palatal Fold Pairs as an Individual Feature in a Longitudinal Cohort Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20032691. [PMID: 36768055 PMCID: PMC9916100 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The INTERPOL standard for the identification of unknown individuals includes the established primary characteristics of fingerprint, DNA, and teeth. Exposure to noxious agents such as fire and water often severely limits the availability of usable material such as fingerprints. In addition to teeth, the protected oral cavity also houses palatal fold pairs, which are the subject of this study to demonstrate individuality and consequently support identification. Material and Methods: In this cohort study, 105 participants' palates were scanned twice with a dental intraoral scanner (Omnicam SIRONA®) over a 3 month period and were then analyzed using a matching program. The intraindividual and interindividual differences were determined, and the mean values and standard deviations were calculated and presented. Results: The intraindividual differences are highly significantly lower than the interindividual differences (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, the results suggest that palatal rugae pairs can be considered a highly individual feature and could be considered an identification feature in a young and healthy population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Bjelopavlovic
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg, University Mainz, Augustusplatz 2, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Desiree Degering
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg, University Mainz, Augustusplatz 2, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Karl Martin Lehmann
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg, University Mainz, Augustusplatz 2, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Daniel G. E. Thiem
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg, University Mainz, Augustusplatz 2, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jochen Hardt
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg, University Mainz, Duesbergweg 6, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Katja Petrowski
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg, University Mainz, Duesbergweg 6, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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Cappella A, De Angelis D, Mazzarelli D, Vitale A, Caccia G, Fracasso T, Cattaneo C. Rediscovering the value of images in supporting personal identification of missing migrants. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2021; 54:101985. [PMID: 34753067 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2021.101985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The crisis concerning the identification of dead migrants is forcing forensic scientists to deal with the unavailability of classical antemortem (AM) data such as radiological information and DNA. However many times there is abundant AM photographic data of which the availability and quality is underestimated. Independently of when facial image comparison can be used as a valid identification method, description of the unexpected quality and quantity of images in the scenario of unidentified migrant decedents is given in this observational study. It focuses on the overall characteristics of the AM images available for a group of 74 missing migrants related to the disaster of October 3rd, 2013. 394 images were collected: an average of 6 for each missing person. 18% are original pictures, 47.5% scans of original images, 9.9% scans of printed images while 9.4% downloaded from social networks such as Facebook. 42.7% of images resulted in focus. Among all the images, about the 10% has been used in the personal identification process to ascertain the identity of 22 persons, because of the visibility of identifying details (facial, dental and body features). The importance of such a finding should not be diminished by its simplicity. Today, those involved in collecting AM information from relatives of dead migrants are underestimating the possible presence of images, even in sub-Saharan populations, where, contrary to belief and data, technology, though simple, is available and images may turn out to be abundant and useful (and at times the only resort) for identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Cappella
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy; U.O. Laboratorio di Morfologia Umana Applicata, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Italy.
| | - Danilo De Angelis
- Labanof (Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense), Sezione di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Debora Mazzarelli
- Labanof (Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense), Sezione di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy; Fondazione Isacchi Samaja ONLUS, Milan, Italy
| | - Albarita Vitale
- Labanof (Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense), Sezione di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Giulia Caccia
- Labanof (Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense), Sezione di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Tony Fracasso
- University Center of Legal Medicine, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Cristina Cattaneo
- Labanof (Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense), Sezione di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
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Potente S, Ramsthaler F, Kettner M, Ikeda T, Schmidt P. Application of the "bubbling" procedure to dead body portraits in forensic identification. Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:1655-1659. [PMID: 33547517 PMCID: PMC8205861 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02515-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Potente
- Department of Legal Medicine, University of Saarland Medical School, Kirrberger Straße, Gebäude 49.1, 66421, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
| | - Frank Ramsthaler
- Department of Legal Medicine, University of Saarland Medical School, Kirrberger Straße, Gebäude 49.1, 66421, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Mattias Kettner
- Department of Legal Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt Medical School, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Tomoya Ikeda
- Department of Legal Medicine, Osaka City University Medical School, Asahimachi 1-4-3, Abenoku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Peter Schmidt
- Department of Legal Medicine, University of Saarland Medical School, Kirrberger Straße, Gebäude 49.1, 66421, Homburg/Saar, Germany
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