Poisoning histories in the Italian renaissance: The case of Pico Della Mirandola and Angelo Poliziano

A Brief Review of Scanning Electron Microscopy With Energy-Dispersive X-ray Use in Forensic Medicine

Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray (SEM/EDX) analysis is an investigation whose potential has become increasingly important in the field of forensic research and diagnosis. We present the procedure to perform a well-carried-out SEM/EDX analysis on corpses affected by different types of injuries, such as blunt force trauma, ligature strangulation, electrocution, sharp force trauma, gunshot wounds, and intoxication. After the areas of forensic interest have been macroscopically identified, the sampling can be performed in 2 different ways: apposition of the double-sided graphite tape on the damaged area or performing the excision of a biological sample. In both cases, a proper negative control sample is required. In all cases, SEM/EDX analysis can detect exogenous microtraces consistent with the types of injuries involved. In blunt force trauma, microparticles of different nature deriving from the contact of the blunt instrument with the victim may be observed; in sharp force trauma, metal microtraces (Fe, Cr, Al, Ti) can be identified. In ligature strangulation, exogenous microtraces may be found in the cutaneous furrow. In electrocution, it allows to identify the pathognomonic metal pattern (Cu, Zn, Fe) of the "electric mark." In gunshot wounds, the main applications regards the detection of metal particles (Pb, Ba, Sb) of gunshot residues. Finally, in the analysis of intoxicants, it may identify traces of toxic substances. Thus, the authors conclude that SEM/EDX analysis can provide essential information to assist in the medicolegal investigation of death.

Forensic - Pathological SEM/EDX analysis in prosecution of medical malpractice

The retention of gauze within the mediastinum is considered an exceptional finding. We are presenting the case of a woman, affected by aorto-mitral valvulopathy, in whose mediastinum was found, during the autopsy, a gauzome without signs of active phlogosis, which had been "forgotten" in a previous surgery, acted 14 years before the death. A 39 y.o. woman had received surgical treatment of double aorto-mitral valve substitution and tricuspid plastic. At age 53, she successfully received surgery once again at a different hospital; she then started rehabilitation therapy, during which she deceased due to sudden hematemesis with infectious multi organ failure. During the autopsy, a 5 cm long surgical gauze was found in the mediastinum. A SEM/EDX (Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) exam was ran on the foreign body and a sample of the same gauze used in the cardiac-surgical department of the hospital the victim had passed away in, to act a comparison between the two kinds of material. The exam showed a morphological difference between exogenous fibers incorporated within the gauzome and the control gauze. This case highlights the diagnostic and interpretative challenges in finding a foreign body within the mediastinum without signs of active phlogosis. SEM/EDX investigations executed on the gauzome and a "control gauze" allowed the attribution of malpractice to the first hospital the victim had been operated in 14 years before the exitus. The SEM/EDX exam confirms its importance in correctly identifying the case, which becomes an example for similar happenings.