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Tambuzzi S, Maciocco F, Gentile G, Boracchi M, Bailo P, Marchesi M, Zoja R. Applications of microbiology to different forensic scenarios - A narrative review. J Forensic Leg Med 2023; 98:102560. [PMID: 37451142 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2023.102560] [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: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
In contrast to other forensic disciplines, forensic microbiology is still too often considered a "side activity" and is not able to make a real and concrete contribution to forensic investigations. Indeed, the various application aspects of this discipline still remain a niche activity and, as a result, microbiological investigations are often omitted or only approximated, in part due to poor report in the literature. However, in certain situations, forensic microbiology can prove to be extremely effective, if not crucial, when all other disciplines fail. Precisely because microorganisms can represent forensic evidence, in this narrative review all the major pathological forensic applications described in the literature have been presented. The goal of our review is to highlight the versatility and transversality of microbiology in forensic science and to provide a comprehensive source of literature to refer to when needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Tambuzzi
- 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, Italy
| | - Francesca Maciocco
- Azienda Ospedaliera "San Carlo Borromeo", Servizio di Immunoematologia e Medicina Trasfusionale (SIMT), Via Pio II°, n. 3, Milano, Italy
| | - Guendalina Gentile
- 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, Italy.
| | - Michele Boracchi
- 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, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Marchesi
- ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Piazza OMS 1, 24127, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Riccardo Zoja
- 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, Italy
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Stephenson L, Byard RW. An atlas overview of characteristic features of tuberculosis that may be encountered at autopsy. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2019; 16:143-151. [PMID: 31471869 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-019-00161-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although primarily a disease of the respiratory system it may be found in any organ or tissue. Global population movements and the emergence of resistant strains are contributing to increasing numbers of cases in certain populations. Subtlety of symptoms and signs, chronicity of disease and failure to seek medical assistance may result in the diagnosis only being made at the time of autopsy. For this reason forensic pathologists need to understand the protean manifestations of the disease and the variable mechanisms by which TB may cause death. This atlas overview provides descriptions of the pathological manifestations of TB in a variety of organs with accompanying illustrations. It serves as a summary of conditions that should be checked for at autopsy in suspected or confirmed cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilli Stephenson
- Forensic Science South Australia (FSSA) and the School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Level 2 Medical School North Building, Frome Road, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Roger W Byard
- Forensic Science South Australia (FSSA) and the School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Level 2 Medical School North Building, Frome Road, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.
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