Analysis of metallic medical devices after cremation: The importance in identification

The potential of facial nevi in personal identification

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.

Medico-legal scene investigation in the case of burned bodies - a systematic review

A judicial on-site examination is essential for the correct analysis of a forensic case, particularly when there has been a fatal fire, as heat-related changes to bodies make identification by the forensic pathologist and other specialists difficult along with estimating the post-mortem interval and determining the precise cause and manner of death. We systematically reviewed all relevant articles dating from 2003 to 2022 in the PubMed database with a view to updating recommendations on how best to proceed. Our recommendations highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach involving various forensic specialists.

Multidisciplinary Forensic Approach in "Complex" Bodies: Systematic Review and Procedural Proposal

The recovery of severely altered cadavers (i.e., extensively decomposed, mummified, charred or dismembered) can be a challenge for forensic pathologists due to the difficulties in identification, PMI estimation and manner and cause of death determination. In such cases, integrating routine approaches (autopsy, histology, toxicology) to more specific forensic branches can be fundamental to improving the investigative process. In this paper a systematic review using PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases has been performed. The aim was to evaluate the forensic approaches implemented in the management of severely altered bodies due to decomposition, mummification, skeletonization, charring or dismemberment (to which we refer to as "complex"), and the role of each approach in the solution of a case. Then, the literature revision results were used to propose a schematic flowchart summarizing the post mortem activities that can be performed in forensic practice, adaptable in relation to each case.

Identification of skeletal remains by orthopaedic implant: A case report and brief review of the literature

Establishing identity from skeletal remains is a challenging task for forensic experts. Identification in such cases can be achieved by dental records, post-mortem radiography and DNA profiling. However, these methods require additional data for comparisons. Positive identification can also be achieved using implanted medical devices. This is a rapid and inexpensive method, as long as a central database is maintained for effective tracking of such devices. We present a case report in which identity was established from skeletal remains using information furnished on the implanted metallic dynamic hip screw and side plate. This case report discusses the legal scenario in India and globally with regard to medical devices and their utility for forensic application. It emphasises the need for legal provision relating to medical devices in India, which would compel the manufacturer to use unique identification numbers for each medical device and to maintain a person-specific database.

Toxic atmospheric pollutants from crematoria ovens: characterization, emission factors, and modeling

Human remains and corpses' cremation is an increasing practice worldwide alternative to burials, which have increased their cost and reduced spaces in cemeteries. Alike to other combustion processes, cremation produces pollutant emissions that contribute to worsen air quality in modern cities. A 6-month sampling campaign was performed in order to characterize emissions from corpse cremation in three different crematorium ovens and develop emission factors which were used to determine the population exposure to those pollutants during cremation activities applying a dispersion model. The main difference among crematoria was the inclusion or non-inclusion of controlled air supply devices. Using isokinetic samplings in the chimneys crematoria, emissions were measured and characterized with different chemical analyses. No significant differences were found in arsenic and metal concentrations among different crematories, although carbon monoxide, particles, elemental carbon, organic carbon, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in facilities without controlled air supply were up to seven times higher than those with controlled air supply. Nevertheless, these pollutants exceeded standards in all crematoria. Except for elemental and organic carbon concentration that correlated with corpse weight, other recorded cadaver characteristics bear no relation with pollutant emissions. Emission factors among different ovens did not present significant differences; then, they were used for dispersion modeling of particles and mercury emissions over Mexico City when 35 crematoria operate simultaneously through an hour showing that PM_2.5 and Hg increase 0.01-1 μg m^-3 and 0.01-0.1 ng m^-3, respectively, in that scenario.

New aspects of dental implants and DNA technology in human identification

Missing, ineligible or delayed reference data to establish conventional dental or DNA identification are common scenarios in forensic practice. Therefore, it is worthwhile to explore new avenues that facilitate human identification. Due to the recent remarkable evolution in the prosthetic dental restorations based on dental implants and the emergence of novel DNA technologies utilized to infer the biological profile, the identification process has become easier than ever before. We report on a characteristic case, which highlights the particular importance of dental implants and DNA approaches in the prospective investigations for human identification. The aim of this publication is to focus on the possibility of identifying the batch numbers, even if they were not engraved in dental implants, making antemortem dental records of dental implants more easily accessible to establish a comparative dental identification. In addition, the reported case presents the supplementary data yielded through estimating the epigenetic age using DNA methylation as well as the biogeographical origin using Y-Haplotype and mitochondrial DNA analyses. Our results demonstrate that expanded oral implant investigations that also include implants extraction and comprehensive microscopic measurements can lead to identifying their batch numbers despite the numerous number of implants systems manufactured and distributed worldwide. Data saved by dental implant manufacturers can be very supportive and represent additional reference data for dental identification, when antemortem dental records are still missing. Furthermore, DNA methylation and mitochondrial DNA analyses can support the progress of investigation.

Environmental impacts caused by cemeteries and crematoria, new funeral technologies, and preferences of the Northeastern and Southern Brazilian population as for the funeral process

Cemeteries and crematoria are the main funeral ways used in the world nowadays. It is a little-studied segment in the present days, mainly as for the possible environmental impacts in the environment, such as those derived from dental amalgam, prostheses, and dioxins, among other. This article aimed to identify the environmental impacts caused by cemeteries and crematoria and to point out new trends in funeral processes such as freeze-drying and alkaline hydrolysis. The study is justified due to the large part of the Brazilian population that do not know the environmental impacts caused by cemeteries and crematoria, as well as to bring information about the new processes. For that, a research was carried out with 400 people. The main results show that among all the funeral processes, the new freeze-drying process was opted by 33% of the sample. We also identified that the main reasons for choosing the funeral process were less environmental impact (28%), no after-death expenses (grave payment) (16.1%), and the possibility of putting away or throwing away the remains wherever you want (14.9%). Finally, new funeral processes were well accepted by the Brazilian population-those who were interviewed-due to their benefits.