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Nishshanka B, Kumarasinghe I, Shepherd C, Paranirubasingam P, Mohotti D, Jayawickrama SM, Ariyarathna R. Post-blast histological changes to three animal bones exposed to close-range chemical detonation. Int J Legal Med 2024:10.1007/s00414-024-03270-8. [PMID: 38902543 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03270-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
A range of investigative practices to aid explosive-related death investigations currently exist, although the use of histopathological bone samples to diagnose blast exposure and the distance of individuals from the blast source has not been previously reported. Forensic histopathology has been used effectively on soft tissue samples to define blast-related injuries effectively, analysing human organs such as the lungs, brain, liver, and skeletal muscles, providing important and useful forensic pathology interpretations. However, no studies currently exist examining the post-blast histological changes in human or animal bones subjected to blasts for forensic pathology practice, despite the opportunity that hard tissue bone samples present, given their significantly lower rate of decomposition over soft tissue. This study presents the first evidence-based findings on the post-blast histological changes in three animal bones when exposed to close-range chemical detonation (C4). The study's qualitative findings highlight critical changes in the tissue architecture of three different animal bone sources due to blast effects with range from the blast source. This emphasises the potential use of histopathological bone sample analysis in future blast-related death investigations, while providing ideas to further explore this work using larger-scale experiments and post-blast case studies in aid of applying this work to human samples and forensic pathology practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bandula Nishshanka
- Institute for Combinatorial Advanced Research and Education (KDU- CARE), General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka.
| | - Iranthi Kumarasinghe
- Faculty of Medicine, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka
| | - Chris Shepherd
- School of Chemistry and Forensic Science, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | | | - Damith Mohotti
- School of Engineering and Technology, The University of New South Wales, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
| | | | - Randika Ariyarathna
- Centre for Defence Research & Development, Ministry of Defence, Homagama, Sri Lanka
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2
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Gunas V, Mishalov V, Mykhaylenko O, Voroshilov K, Hrynchyshina O, Makarenko O. Forensic-medical characteristics of penetrating wounds as manifestations of explosive trauma in the case of decomposed bodies examination. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2024; 67:102373. [PMID: 38154311 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 caused a significant spike in the number of deaths from blast injury. The impossibility of evacuating the bodies of dead servicemen or civilians from the battlefield for a long time leads to the fact that forensic experts often have to deal with the examination of bodies in a state of decomposed changes. At the same time, the material and technical support of forensic medical institutions in different parts of Ukraine is heterogeneous: most experts do not have access to laboratory or instrumental research methods and can only rely on macroscopic research data. This article provides an overview of the cases of expert examination of cases of explosive trauma of decomposed bodies using macroscopic, microscopic, chemical and instrumental research, which indicates the high efficiency of their use for the purpose of solving expert questions of various nature. At the same time, the identified morphological characteristics of the damage are not purely specific and indicate the action of a blunt solid object with a limited contact surface, which had high kinetic energy and significant penetrating capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valery Gunas
- National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya, Pirogov Street 56 21018, Vinnytsia, Ukraine.
| | - Volodymyr Mishalov
- Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine, Dorohozhitska Street 9 04112, Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - Olexandr Mykhaylenko
- Kyiv City Clinical Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination, Dokuchaevska Street 4 03141, Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - Kostyantyn Voroshilov
- Kyiv Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination, Orangereina Street 7 04112, Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - Olexandra Hrynchyshina
- Kyiv City Clinical Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination, Dokuchaevska Street 4 03141, Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - Oksana Makarenko
- Kyiv Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination, Orangereina Street 7 04112, Kyiv, Ukraine.
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3
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Franceschetti L, Galante N, Del Sordo S, Casali MB, Genovese U. Forensic considerations on the two major civilian terrorist events occurred in Milan: A retrospective autopsy-based study. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 326:110929. [PMID: 34329954 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Explosion-related deaths are a disregarded topic of forensic sciences, despite the pivotal role of the forensic pathologist in such investigations. In fact, very few scientific articles have been published up to now, even if there is a considerable increase of terrorist attacks worldwide due to the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). In this paper, the authors show a retrospective autopsy-based study on the two major civilian terrorist events which occurred in Milan (Italy). The first one took place in a closed system, where a gelignite bomb was set inside the National Agriculture Bank in December 1969. 17 people were killed, and all of them underwent forensic autopsies, which were performed at the Milan Institute of Legal Medicine. The second event took place in an open system, where a car bomb exploded in Palestro Street in July 1993. 5 people were killed, forensic autopsies were performed as well. A total of 22 explosion-related deaths were assessed in this study. For each victim, the analysis of clothes, external and internal examinations were reported; furthermore, a statistical analysis using Fisher's exact test was carried out in order to show differences among blast injuries that occurred in a closed system versus an open system. The analysis of the autopsy reports, which included the descriptions of clothes, and the injury patterns allowed a possible reconstruction of the bodily exposure side of the victims in relation to the origin site of the explosive devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Franceschetti
- Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni-Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Nicola Galante
- Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni-Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
| | - Sara Del Sordo
- Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni-Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Umberto Genovese
- Dipartimento di Oncologia ed OncoEmatologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Galante N, Franceschetti L, Del Sordo S, Casali MB, Genovese U. Explosion-related deaths: An overview on forensic evaluation and implications. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2021; 17:437-448. [PMID: 34196925 PMCID: PMC8413147 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-021-00383-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Explosion-related deaths are uncommon events which require expertise and confidence so that an appropriate death investigation can be performed. The present study aims to provide a detailed forensic analysis of the issues and implications arising in the event of an explosion. Methods A retrospective review of casualty data was conducted on electronic literature databases. Cases concerning deadly explosions registered at the Milan Institute of Legal Medicine were examined and analyzed altogether. Results Explosions may involve closed or open systems. A security assessment of the site is always necessary. Alterations of the site due to rescue procedures can occur; thus, on-site forensic investigation should be adapted to the environment. Then, a study protocol based on autopsy procedures is presented. Application of the postmortem radiology enforces forensic procedures both for the analysis of blast injuries and skeleton fractures, and for identification purposes. Blast injuries typically cause lacerations of the lungs, intestine and major vessels; moreover, hyoid fractures can be documented. Histopathology may help to define blast injuries effectively. Forensic chemistry, toxicology and ballistics provide useful investigative evidence as well as anthropology and genetics. Different forensic topics regarding explosions are discussed through five possible scenarios that forensic pathologists may come across. Scenarios include self-inflicted explosion deaths, domestic explosions, work-related explosions, terrorist events, and explosions caused by accidents involving heavy vehicles. Conclusion The scenarios presented offer a useful instrument to avoid misinterpretations and evaluation errors. Procedural notes and technical aspects are provided to the readers, with an insight on collaboration with other forensic experts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Galante
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomediche Per La Salute, Sezione Di Medicina Legale E Delle Assicurazioni, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli 37, 20133, Milano, MI, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Franceschetti
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomediche Per La Salute, Sezione Di Medicina Legale E Delle Assicurazioni, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli 37, 20133, Milano, MI, Italy
| | - Sara Del Sordo
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomediche Per La Salute, Sezione Di Medicina Legale E Delle Assicurazioni, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli 37, 20133, Milano, MI, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Bruno Casali
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomediche Per La Salute, Sezione Di Medicina Legale E Delle Assicurazioni, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli 37, 20133, Milano, MI, Italy
| | - Umberto Genovese
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomediche Per La Salute, Sezione Di Medicina Legale E Delle Assicurazioni, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli 37, 20133, Milano, MI, Italy
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Castro SV, Cardoso RM, Santana MH, Richter EM, Munoz RA. Graphite sheet as a novel material for the collection and electrochemical sensing of explosive residues. Talanta 2019; 203:106-111. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.05.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Merli D, Amadasi A, Mazzarelli D, Cappella A, Castoldi E, Ripa S, Cucca L, Cattaneo C, Profumo A. Comparison of Different Swabs for Sampling Inorganic Gunshot Residue from Gunshot Wounds: Applicability and Reliability for the Determination of Firing Distance. J Forensic Sci 2018; 64:558-564. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Merli
- Dipartimento di Chimica Università degli Studi di Pavia V.le Taramelli 12 27100 Pavia Italy
| | - Alberto Amadasi
- LABANOF Laboratorio di Antropologia ed Odontologia Forense Istituto di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni Università degli Studi di Milano v. Mangiagalli 37 Milano Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche sede operativa di Medicina Legale Università degli Studi di Bologna Via Irnerio 49 40126 Bologna Italy
| | - Debora Mazzarelli
- LABANOF Laboratorio di Antropologia ed Odontologia Forense Istituto di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni Università degli Studi di Milano v. Mangiagalli 37 Milano Italy
| | - Annalisa Cappella
- LABANOF Laboratorio di Antropologia ed Odontologia Forense Istituto di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni Università degli Studi di Milano v. Mangiagalli 37 Milano Italy
| | - Elisa Castoldi
- LABANOF Laboratorio di Antropologia ed Odontologia Forense Istituto di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni Università degli Studi di Milano v. Mangiagalli 37 Milano Italy
| | - Stefano Ripa
- Dipartimento di Chimica Università degli Studi di Pavia V.le Taramelli 12 27100 Pavia Italy
| | - Lucia Cucca
- Dipartimento di Chimica Università degli Studi di Pavia V.le Taramelli 12 27100 Pavia Italy
| | - Cristina Cattaneo
- LABANOF Laboratorio di Antropologia ed Odontologia Forense Istituto di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni Università degli Studi di Milano v. Mangiagalli 37 Milano Italy
| | - Antonella Profumo
- Dipartimento di Chimica Università degli Studi di Pavia V.le Taramelli 12 27100 Pavia Italy
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Abstract
Fatal blast injuries are generally reported in literature as a consequence of the detonation of explosives in war settings. The pattern of lesion depends on the position of the victim in relation to the explosion, on whether the blast tracks through air or water, and whether it happens in the open air or within an enclosed space and the distance from the explosion. Tire explosion-related injuries are rarely reported in literature. This study presents a fatal case of blast overpressure due to the accidental explosion of a truck tire occurring in a tire repair shop. A multidisciplinary approach to the fatality involving forensic pathologists and engineers revealed that the accidental explosion, which caused a series of primary and tertiary blast wave injuries, was due to tire deterioration.
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Romolo FS, Aromatario M, Bottoni E, Cappelletti S, Fiore PA, Ciallella C. Accidental death involving professional fireworks. Forensic Sci Int 2013; 234:e5-9. [PMID: 24279979 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Revised: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/18/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
An interesting case of accidental death involving the explosion of professional fireworks in an apartment is described. The examination of the scene permitted to study several effects of the explosion on walls, ceiling, furniture and especially on a balcony where the victim was found. The external examination of the victim showed extensive thermal injuries, degloving injuries and extensive shrapnel wounds. The autopsy examination showed subarachnoid haemorrhage localized to the cerebellum, haemorrhage in the soft tissues of the neck and chest and fracture of one clavicle. Almost the entire surface of lungs showed blunt injuries and the liver showed tearing of parenchyma and multiple cavities. Histological analysis were carried out showing thickening of alveolar septae, enlargement of alveolar spaces and alveolar ruptures in lung sections while numerous, round, empty spaces were detected in the parenchyma of the liver. The examination of the scene and of the fragments found showed that at least eight pyrotechnical charges exploded on the balcony, in close proximity of the threshold with the living room of the apartment. According to the chemical findings, the charges were typical for professional use and were filled with a mixture of potassium perchlorate and aluminium. A conservative calculation results in more than 1.5 kg total mass of pyrotechnic composition exploding very close to the victim.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Saverio Romolo
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences,"Sapienza" University of Rome Viale Regina Elena, 336-00161 Rome, Italy; Institut de Police Scientifique, Université de Lausanne, Batiment Batochimie, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Mariarosaria Aromatario
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences,"Sapienza" University of Rome Viale Regina Elena, 336-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo Bottoni
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences,"Sapienza" University of Rome Viale Regina Elena, 336-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Cappelletti
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences,"Sapienza" University of Rome Viale Regina Elena, 336-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Antonella Fiore
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences,"Sapienza" University of Rome Viale Regina Elena, 336-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Costantino Ciallella
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences,"Sapienza" University of Rome Viale Regina Elena, 336-00161 Rome, Italy
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Analytical and quantitative concentration of gunshot residues (Pb, Sb, Ba) to estimate entrance hole and shooting-distance using confocal laser microscopy and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer analysis: An experimental study. Forensic Sci Int 2013; 231:142-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2012] [Revised: 01/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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10
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Bai RF, Ma SH, Zhang HD, Chang L, Zhang Z, Liu L, Zhang FQ, Guo ZM, Shi MS. Forensic discrimination of three common brands of kitchen knives in China by ICP-AES and infrared absorption. Int J Legal Med 2013; 128:353-60. [PMID: 23408050 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-013-0829-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2012] [Accepted: 01/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A block of an injury instrument will be left in wounds sometimes, and the suspect instrument can be discriminated by comparison with the block that was left through elemental analysis. In this study, three brands (Shibazi, Zhangxiaoquan, Qiaoxifu) of kitchen knives with forged, chop, and slice application series were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Infrared Absorption to investigate the type, number of elements and the reference range used for comparing. The results show that when regarding one or more element as the discriminative threshold, together with 5% relative standard deviation (RSD) as the reference range, all the samples could be distinguished among different series. Furthermore, within the same series, the discriminative capability could reach up to 88.57% for all samples. In addition, elements with high content, such as Cr, Mn, and C, were useful to discriminate among different series, and trace elements, such as Ni, Si, and Cu, were useful within the same series. However, in practice, it is necessary to evaluate the accuracy of the method by Standard Reference Material (SRM) before an examination is performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru-feng Bai
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, 515041, People's Republic of China,
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Affiliation(s)
- T. A. Brettell
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Cedar Crest College, 100 College Drive, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18104-6196, United States
| | - J. M. Butler
- Biochemical Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8312, United States
| | - J. R. Almirall
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, University Park, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
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12
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Are these liquids explosive? Forensic analysis of confiscated indoor fireworks. Anal Bioanal Chem 2011; 400:3065-71. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-011-5013-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2011] [Revised: 03/23/2011] [Accepted: 04/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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