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Tambuzzi S, Gentile G, Raud L, Andreola S, Primavera R, Zoja R. Forensic pilot application of rehydrating solutions on human cadaveric skin: what are the effects on hemorrhagic infiltrates? Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:883-893. [PMID: 38189927 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03155-2] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The microscopic evaluation of hemorrhagic infiltrates is crucial in forensic diagnostics, but it proves challenging in corificated and mummified cadavers. In these cases, pre-treatment with rehydrating solutions is recommended, although their effects on the hemorrhagic infiltrate are not well understood. In this pilot study, we microscopically investigated the effect of two different rehydrating solutions-Sandison's solution and fabric softener-on well-preserved human cadaveric skin samples taken from areas affected by an ecchymotic lesion, comparing them with direct fixation in formalin. Specifically, we examined the topographic distribution of the hemorrhagic infiltrate in each layer of the skin by assigning a semi-quantitative score, conducted mutual comparisons, and performed statistical analysis. Histologically, compared to direct fixation in formalin, a slight and statistically non-significant reduction in the hemorrhagic infiltrate was observed in samples pre-treated with fabric softener. On the other hand, a more pronounced and statistically significant decrease in scores was observed in samples pre-treated with Sandison's solution. This effect is likely due to the fact that Sandison's solution, due to its components, exerts an osmotic effect, partially inducing osmotic lysis of red blood cells. Overall, extensive areas of hemorrhagic infiltrates were preserved, although to a lesser extent, while smaller foci were markedly reduced, sometimes even disappearing. The findings suggest that Sandison's solution has a detrimental effect on cutaneous hemorrhagic infiltrates, emphasizing the importance of being cautious and conducting dual sampling, using both formalin and a rehydrating solution, for forensic examination of mummified or corificated skin samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Tambuzzi
- Laboratory of Forensic Histopathology and Forensic Microbiology - Section of Forensic Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, Street, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Guendalina Gentile
- Laboratory of Forensic Histopathology and Forensic Microbiology - Section of Forensic Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, Street, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Lison Raud
- École polytechnique universitaire Polytech Angers de L'université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Salvatore Andreola
- Laboratory of Forensic Histopathology and Forensic Microbiology - Section of Forensic Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, Street, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Primavera
- Laboratory of Forensic Histopathology and Forensic Microbiology - Section of Forensic Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, Street, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Zoja
- Laboratory of Forensic Histopathology and Forensic Microbiology - Section of Forensic Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, Street, 20133, Milan, Italy
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Merelli V, Caccia G, Mazzarelli D, Franceschetti L, Paciello O, Bonizzoni L, Caccianiga M, Campobasso C, Cattaneo C. Skin surface debris as an archive of environmental traces: an investigation through the naked eye, episcopic microscope, ED-XRF, and SEM-EDX. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:123-137. [PMID: 37227490 PMCID: PMC10772008 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03021-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Traces from bodies can be of various nature, for example of biological or inorganic origin. Some of these historically have received more consideration than others in forensic practice. Samplings of gunshot residues or biological fluid traces are commonly standardized, whereas macroscopically invisible environmental traces are usually ignored. This paper simulated the interaction between a cadaver and a crime scene by placing skin samples on the ground of five different workplaces and inside the trunk of a car. Traces on samples were then investigated through different approaches: the naked eye, episcopic microscope, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF). The purpose is to provide the forensic scientist with the awareness of the value of debris on skin and then to highlight implications for forensic investigations. Results demonstrated that even naked eye observation can reveal useful trace materials, for defining the possible surrounding environment. As a next step, the episcopic microscope can increase the number of visible particulates and their analysis. In parallel, the ED-XRF spectroscopy can be useful to add a first chemical composition to the morphological data. Finally, the SEM-EDX analysis on small samples can provide the greatest morphological detail and the most complete chemical analysis, although limited, like the previous technique, to inorganic matrices. The analysis of debris on the skin, even with the difficulties due to the presence of contaminants, can provide information on the environments involved in criminal events that can add to the investigation framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Merelli
- Labanof (Laboratorio Di Antropologia E Odontologia Forense), Sezione Di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomediche Per La Salute, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, 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, Milan, Italy.
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Sperimentale, Università Degli Studi Della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, 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, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Franceschetti
- Labanof (Laboratorio Di Antropologia E Odontologia Forense), Sezione Di Medicina Legale, Dipartimento Di Scienze Biomediche Per La Salute, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Orlando Paciello
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria E Produzioni Animali, Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Letizia Bonizzoni
- Dipartimento Di Fisica Aldo Pontremoli, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Caccianiga
- Dipartimento Di Bioscienze, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Campobasso
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Sperimentale, Università Degli Studi Della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, 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, Milan, Italy
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Vignali G, Franceschetti L, Attisano GCL, Cattaneo C. Assessing wound vitality in decomposed bodies: a review of the literature. Int J Legal Med 2023; 137:459-470. [PMID: 36550324 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-022-02932-9] [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: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The capability of discriminating between a vital and a post-mortem injury has always been a central theme in forensic pathology, particularly when the corpse is an advanced state of decomposition. Post-mortem decay of the body can mask or disrupt the classical features of a skin lesion, making it difficult to establish the cause and manner of death. Taphonomically challenging situations pose several interpretative issues of skin lesions which need to be addressed with scientifically recent methods that are still limited in the forensic literature. For that reason, the present research aims at resuming what is currently available in the attempt to provide some insight regarding this topic. This review considers only original researches, in which the markers of vitality were studied a significant amount of time after death, in order to test post-mortem persistency of these markers over time. A number of 132 original articles and reviews were considered, and the most significant results are resumed in an overview table and in two intuitive figures. Though many researchers tried to establish the vitality of lesions in specimen, few analysed samples from bodies when a significant degree of putrefaction or burning had occurred. The most significant marker proved to be GPA, which sowed a satisfying persistence over time (up to 6 months in air putrefaction and 15 days in water). However, what clearly emerged is that further studies are needed to address the challenges of taphonomically transformed specimen and to possibly neutralize the variability of experimental conditions, which affect the reproducibility of results. In conclusion, this study could be a starting point for providing food for thoughts about the most useful markers to search for in unusually tricky autopsy cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Vignali
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Franceschetti
- LABANOF (Laboratorio Di Antropologia E Odontologia Forense), Institute of Legal Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Carlo Lanza Attisano
- LABANOF (Laboratorio Di Antropologia E Odontologia Forense), Institute of Legal Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Cattaneo
- LABANOF (Laboratorio Di Antropologia E Odontologia Forense), Institute of Legal Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Technical note: A comparison between rehydrating solutions in the pretreatment of mummified and corified skin for forensic microscopic examination. Int J Legal Med 2022; 136:997-1007. [PMID: 35543756 PMCID: PMC9170645 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-022-02833-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Microscopic examination of mummified or corified skin may be of extreme importance for forensic purposes. However, standard histological samples in these cases are low-end, and preparation is burdened by several problems and so are diagnostic results: an improvement of these types of specimens is therefore advantageous. This study aims to identify the best performing rehydration solution among a fabric softener, a body lotion, and Sandison's rehydrating solution. Samples of skin undergoing mummification or corification were collected from 25 corpses and each sample was divided into 4 fragments: one of these fragments was directly fixated in 4% formalin, one was previously treated with a tissue softener, another one was previously treated with a body lotion, and the last one was treated with Sandison's solution. After 72 h, the pretreated samples were post-fixated in 4% formalin and then prepared for standard histological examination staining the histological slides with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome. At the microscopic examination, samples directly fixated in formalin were characterized by usual marked structural alterations and altered stainability, typical of such dry tissues. Vice versa, those previously treated appeared to be better-preserved even though with different improvement levels: body lotion made a medium-low-grade restoration of the tissues, and fabric softener a high-grade restoration, while Sandison's rehydrating solution produced an optimal grade restoration. Sandison's rehydrating solution was confirmed to be the best rehydrating substance for mummified and corified skin. Fabric softener could be, however, considered a valid substitute, being productive of high-grade microscopic yield.
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Pellet gun trauma: An unusual and unexpected type of bone lesion. J Forensic Leg Med 2022; 88:102353. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2022.102353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Tuccia F, Giordani G, Cattaneo C, Mazzarelli D, Vanin S. First record of Physyphora alceae (Preyssler, 1791) (Diptera, Ulidiidae) from a forensic case in Northern Italy: description of immature stages, DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analysis. THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2021.1981469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- F. Tuccia
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, UK
| | - G. Giordani
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie (FABIT), Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - C. Cattaneo
- LABANOF (Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense) Sezione di Medicina Legale Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - D. Mazzarelli
- LABANOF (Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense) Sezione di Medicina Legale Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - S. Vanin
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra dell’Ambiente e della Vita (DISTAV), Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
- National Research Council, Institute for the Study of Anthropic Impact and Sustainability in the Marine Environment (CNR-IAS), Genova, Italy
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Luigi Crudele GD, Galante N, Fociani P, Del Gobbo A, Tambuzzi S, Gentile G, Zoja R. The forensic application of the Glycophorin A on the Amussat's sign with a brief review of the literature. J Forensic Leg Med 2021; 82:102228. [PMID: 34388443 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2021.102228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Even if the Amussat's sign is known since the mid-19th century, few studies have been made in order to assess its real occurrence. In particular, the histopathologic examination of the Amussat's sign lacks in the medicolegal literature. The review of the literature shows indeed a significant range of variability (from 1.1 % up to 25 %) regarding the macroscopic detection of the Amussat's sign. In this study, the authors report that the identification of a vital Amussat's sign is important and may require the immunohistochemical staining for the Glycophorin A (a marker of vital reaction). The victim was a 63-year-old man, who was found suspended from the staircase with a rope. Both the carotid arteries were opened in situ by using fine scissors with blunt tips. A horizontal lesion (length 4 mm) of the intima of the left common carotid artery was documented. A sample was obtained; then, a standard post-fixative histopathologic examination and immunohistochemical staining for the Glycophorin A were carried out. The standard histopathologic examination only revealed the intimal laceration with a poor hemorrhagic infiltration. However, the immunohistochemical staining for the Glycophorin A allowed the clear identification of the hemorrhagic infiltration, which was documented both in the intimal laceration and in the periadventitial soft tissues. The immunohistochemical staining for the Glycophorin A can identify the vitality of an Amussat's sign. When an Amussat's sign is documented, the Glycophorin A may therefore help the forensic pathologist to differentiate a hanging death from a postmortem suspension of the body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziano Domenico Luigi Crudele
- Laboratorio di Istopatologia Forense e Microbiologia Medico Legale, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano Via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Nicola Galante
- Laboratorio di Istopatologia Forense e Microbiologia Medico Legale, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano Via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Fociani
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Anatomia Patologica, Ospedale Nuovo di Legnano ASST Ovest Milanese Soma Srl, Università degli Studi di, Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Del Gobbo
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Anatomia Patologica, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Milano, Università degli Studi di, Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Tambuzzi
- Laboratorio di Istopatologia Forense e Microbiologia Medico Legale, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano Via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Guendalina Gentile
- Laboratorio di Istopatologia Forense e Microbiologia Medico Legale, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano Via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133, Milano, Italy.
| | - Riccardo Zoja
- Laboratorio di Istopatologia Forense e Microbiologia Medico Legale, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano Via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133, Milano, Italy
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