The first case of C4-Blast related death in Malaysia: A multidisciplinary approach illustrated with emphasis on conjoint anthropologic and radiologic expertise in forensic identification of skeletal remains.

BACKGROUND: Blast related deaths are often shrouded by diagnostic and medicolegal complexities requiring multidisciplinary expertise in order to gauge accurate identification of the victims and document scientific investigations comprehensively. In the advent of more sophisticated technology, anthropologic methods can now be applied into post mortem imaging interpretation. The traditional imaging roles of characterizing osseous fragmentation, detecting and localizing foreign bodies can be expanded to simulate and support physical anthropologic examination to assist in documentation for court proceedings. CASE PRESENTATION: An assemblage of unidentified, incomplete, highly fragmented skeletal remains were found scattered on a bare area of land in a forest. There was evidence of an explosion given the pattern of scattered evidentiary material of explosive and ballistic nature. Laboratory analysis of white powder found within the explosive material confirmed the presence of high impact C4-explosive trace containing cyclotrimethylene trinitramin [Royal Demolition Explosive (RDX)] & pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN). It took meticulous multidisciplinary efforts to confirm the identity of the victim that was marred by the severe fragmentation and skeletalization of the remains. The initial radiologic interpretation focused more on identification of foreign bodies and supporting documentation of fragmentation. With the current availability of post computed tomography (PMCT) in our center, we reexamined the value and potential of PMXR and PMCT as an adjunctive tool for biological profiling. CONCLUSION: This was the first case of C4-blast related death reported in Malaysia. The multidisciplinary approach in efforts to identify the victim may serve as a guide in managing, coordinating and maximizing the expertise of different forensic specialists, with emphasis on anthropologic and radiologic collaboration.

Scavenger activity in a peri-urban agricultural setting in the Highveld of South Africa.

Scavenging animals often scatter skeletal remains of forensic interest and cause scavenging damage. This study aimed to identify scavenging animals in the peri-urban agricultural Highveld of South Africa, describe their scattering patterns, and the damage they cause to bone. Ten pig carcasses (Sus scrofa domesticus) (40-80 kg) were placed at the University of Pretoria's Mierjie Le Roux Experimental Farm (Highveld) in summer and winter. Motion-activated cameras recorded the scavenging. Scavenger species were identified and their behaviors, scattering pattern, and the damage they cause to bone were described. Scavenging was primarily by black-backed jackals; however, mongooses (slender, yellow, and water mongoose), Cape porcupine, and honey badger were also active. Remains were commonly scattered in two directions by jackals. The distance of scattering was heavily influenced by fencing. The remains were scattered within a maximum radius of 73.7 m. The remains were scavenged and skeletonized faster in summer. Jackals caused minimal damage to bone, isolated to superficial, nonspecific scores, furrows, and punctures. A few mongoose bone alterations were present as jagged gnaw marks on the angle of the mandible and gnawing of the vertebral spinous process. Cape porcupine bone damage included gnaw marks on the condyle of a femur and head of humerus, and destruction of the proximal and distal ends of a tibia. The described scattering pattern and bone modification patterns will assist in the recovery and analysis of scavenged remains found in peri-urban agricultural areas in South Africa.

Taphonomic bone trauma caused by Southern African scavengers.

Forensic anthropologists in Southern Africa are often confronted with post-mortem modifications of human skeletal remains caused by animal scavenging. This is troublesome as the post-mortem pseudo-trauma could be misinterpreted. This study aimed to describe the skeletal trauma caused by Southern African scavengers which are of forensic interest. The scavenging animals selected for this study included wild dog, spotted hyena, lion, leopard, black-backed jackal, caracal, and porcupine housed at the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa. Sparsely fleshed and articulated bovine front and hind limbs as well as ribs were placed in each animal enclosure and collected after 2 days for cleaning and analysis. Felids (lion, leopard, and caracal) gnawed away the greater trochanter of the humerus leaving deep, parallel furrows. Hyena caused massive trauma to bone with one-third of the tibia shaft surviving with jagged fracture edges. Porcupines left distinctive fan-like parallel scores and large, oval depressions with an eroded, polished appearance. Wild dogs and jackals did not leave any distinctive patterns. Light scavenging trauma is distinct from other bone taphonomy but cannot be used to determine the species. Heavy scavenging trauma patterns can be used to determine the general type of perpetrating animal; however, the exact taxa or species cannot be determined.

A 1810 skull of Napoleon army's soldier: a clinical-anatomical correlation of steam gun trauma.

INTRODUCTION: In the following article, we are presenting a clinical observation of Baron Larrey. In 1804, Larrey was the inspector general of health, as well as the chief surgeon of the imperial Napoleonic Guard. He participated in all of Napoleon's campaigns. A paleopathological study was performed on a skull from Dupuytren's Museum (Paris) with a long metal stick in the head. We report here a clinical case as well as the autopsy description of this soldier's skull following his death. We propose a different anatomical analysis of the skull, which allowed us to rectify what we believe to be an anatomical error and to propose varying hypotheses regarding the death of soldier Cros. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The skull was examined, observed and described by standard paleopathology methods. Measurements of the lesion were performed with metric tools and expressed in centimeters. Historical research was made possible through the collaboration with the Museum of Medicine History-Paris Descartes University. RESULTS: Following the above detailed anatomical analysis of the path of the metal rod, we propose various possible lesions in soldier Cros due to the accident. At the inlet, the frontal sinuses could have been damaged. At the level of the second portion of the intracranial path, all of the anatomical elements present in the cavernous sinus could have been injured (cranial nerves III, IV, V1 and V2, VI, internal carotid artery and cavernous sinus). The exit orifice of the foreign body passes through the left condylar fossa of the occipital bone, points to a highly probable lesion of the left hypoglossal nerve (12th cranial nerve). CONCLUSION: The paleopathological study of human remains, when combined with anatomical and clinical knowledge of the pathologies of the head and neck, can rectify diagnoses of the past.