Death following cylindrical battery ingestion associated with toxic manganese levels.

Cases of battery ingestion are well documented in the scientific literature, especially concerning button cell battery ingestion in children. In this instance, the authors present an atypical case of a young man who voluntarily ingested a cylindrical alkaline battery containing manganese. The patient died approximately a week later, despite not exhibiting any specific symptoms. The battery was found in the cecum during the autopsy, showing deterioration at its positive pole. The cecal mucosa exhibited two ulcerations without perforation. Histological analysis revealed intestinal ischemia in the cecum, with no microscopic lesions in other organs. Toxicology reports indicated high levels of manganese in both cardiac and peripheral blood. Considering all the results from the additional analyses, the experts concluded that the death was likely of multifactorial origin, associated with a toxic blood concentration of manganese. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first recorded death following the ingestion of a cylindrical battery, and the first instance of manganese intoxication resulting from the ingestion of an alkaline battery. The authors will present the case and provide a literature review to assess the extent to which the presence of manganese may have contributed to the fatality.

Forensic diagnostic approach of peri-volcanic area fatalities: About two cases at piton de la Fournaise.

The Piton de la Fournaise, located on the island of Reunion, is a particularly active volcano that gathers many observers during its eruptions. However, this activity, if not supervised, can involve many risks. During the eruption of Piton de la Fournaise in April 2021, two geology students camped in the peri-eruptive zone. They were found dead 48 h later on the surface and were not in the immediate vicinity of a fumarole. The autopsy revealed superficial traumatic injuries, which did not explain the death. Internal examination of both victims showed a nonspecific asphyxia syndrome and hemorrhagic pulmonary edema, with no cause of death identified. Microscopic analysis confirmed the autopsy findings without providing new diagnostic elements. Toxicological analysis revealed abnormally high levels of sulfurous gases (H2 S and SO2 ) in the blood and lungs of both victims. The interpretation of all the forensic data allows us to conclude that the death was secondary to volcanic sulfur gas poisoning, despite the atypical context of this event. However, the meteorological conditions of the night of the event may have caused a stagnation of toxic volcanic gases on the ground, with concentrations high enough to cause fatal intoxication in these two persons, although they were not in a confined environment as is usually the case in cases of sulfur poisoning. The dramatic outcome of this event required a rigorous forensic diagnostic approach and reminds us of the need to respect safety conditions in peri-volcanic areas.

Age estimation based on computed tomography exploration: a combined method.

Despite an extensive number of existing methods, age estimation of human remains is still an unsolved matter in the field of forensic anthropology, especially when it comes to mature adults. The specific aim of this work was to propose a combined method for age estimation, for forensic purposes, by coupling the Suchey-Brooks method and the measure of the pubic bone density. For this purpose, we used an independent test sample comprising 339 CT scans of living individuals aged 15 to 99 years old. Measurement of bone density and staging according to the Suchey-Brooks phases were performed, followed by estimation of ages based on a combined method and an existing virtual reference sample. Results highlighted a significant negative correlation between bone density and age. Good accuracy was obtained for the measurement of pubic bone density for age estimation of men and women, especially concerning mature adults, with an absolute error ranging from 9 to 16 years for all individuals. The authors propose a practical combined method consisting of, first, allocating phases according to the scannographic approach of the Suchey-Brooks method. For phases I to IV, the age estimation is given using the Suchey-Brooks method. For phases V to VI, the pubic bone density measurement is used. Further study will be needed to assess the reproducibility of these results on cadavers and dry bones, as the post-mortem process could interfere with the measurement of mineral bone density.

Finding of Hyperostosis Frontalis Interna During the Autopsy Procedure: Forensic Issues.

Hyperostosis frontalis interna is a common phenomenon, which may have been overrated in its significance in the past, and may, currently be underrated in its significance. We present three cases of hyperostosis frontalis interna found during medicolegal autopsies and discuss their forensic considerations. The patients were all middle-aged women with metabolic and endocrine manifestations and psychiatric ailments; thickening of the inner table of the frontal bone of the skull was found during each autopsy. We describe the relationship between hyperostosis frontalis interna, metabolic manifestations, and neuropsychiatric symptoms as part of Morgagni-Stewart-Morel syndrome. There is still considerable disagreement in the scientific community as to whether this syndrome is a clinical entity. Nonetheless, awareness of Morgagni-Stewart-Morel syndrome can be of help in understanding the circumstances surrounding death. In some other cases, hyperostosis frontalis interna could be used by forensic pathologists as criteria for sexing and aging a skeleton.