Analysis of toxicological findings related to immunofluorescence investigations.

Background: The subject of this article is the role of forensic toxicology in post-mortem examinations using immunofluorescence methods, its implications and its role in providing conclusive evidence for both criminal and civil proceedings. The aim of the study is to verify the correlation between the mode of death and the ingestion of exogenous substances and, if positive, to identify the category of substances ingested and assess their role in the cause of death. Materials and methods: A laboratory study was carried out, consisting of several phases: pre-analytical phase; analytical phase; post-analytical phase. The variables analyzed were sex, cause of death, age. Abused substances tested: amphetamines, methamphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, methadone, opiates, tricyclic antidepressants, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis), alcohol. Conclusions: Retrospective analysis was performed on a total sample of 55 cases. The most relevant data emerged: cocaine with an incidence of 7.3% (4 cases out of 55), amphetamines with 5.4% (3 cases in total). The results of the screening tests were then subjected to confirmatory tests. There is an association between the use of certain exogenous substances and an increased risk of certain causes of death, such as overdose, traffic accidents, cardiovascular deaths, etc. This paper has highlighted the possibility of using first level immunological tests, such as immunofluorescence, to provide preliminary answers to the judicial authority immediately after autopsy, and a quantitative deepening with further second level tests, such as gas chromatography, as a gold standard to determine the cause of death.

The role of miRNA-21 and hypoxia inducible factor-1 in predicting post mortem interval in cardiac muscles of aluminum phosphide deaths.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of the postmortem interval (PMI) represents one of the major challenges in forensic pathology. Because of their stability, microRNAs, or miRNAs, are anticipated to be helpful in forensic research. OBJECTIVE: To see if estimation of PMI is possible using miRNA-21 and Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression levels in the heart samples from aluminum phosphide toxicity (Alpt). METHODS: This was a cross sectional study on 60 post-mortem samples (heart tissues) collected at different intervals during forensic autopsies. The two groups were allocated equally according to the cause of death into Group I (non-toxicated deaths, n = 30): Deaths caused by other than toxicity, and Group II (toxicated deaths, n = 30): Deaths due to Alpt. MDA (Malondialdehyde) and GSH (Glutathione), were measured in heart tissues using ELIZA. MiRNA- 21and HIF-1α expression levels were measured in heart tissues at different PMI using RT-Q PCR. ROC curve for detection of toxicated deaths using miRNA-21 and HIF was carried out. RESULTS: miRNA-21 and HIF-1α expression levels in Alp deaths were up regulated while GSH was downregulated with statistically significant difference. There was positive correlation between miRNA-21, HIF-1α and MDA with PMI while there was negative correlation between GSH and PMI in Alp deaths. In prediction of post mortem interval in Alp deaths miRNA-21 sensitivity and specificity were (75.9 %, 51.7 %, respectively) while HIF-1α sensitivity and specificity were 100 %. CONCLUSION: PMI can be calculated using the degree to which particular miRNA-21 and HIF-1α are expressed in the heart tissue. The combination of miRNA-21 with HIF-1α in post mortem estimation is precious indicators.

A scoping review on virtual autopsy: Main concepts, qualified professionals and future prospects.

The beginning of post-mortem evaluation studies through minimally invasive procedures began between 1800 and 1930. It started with Dr. Howard Kelly and was later followed by Décio Parreiras and Werneck Genofre, due to the yellow fever outbreak in Brazil. However, despite its early beginnings, the intensification of the research on this field occurred around 2010, when the publications about this subject became three times more frequent than before. There are basically two classifications for this procedure. The first one is virtual non-invasive autopsy, which is based only on imaging exams; the second is the minimally invasive autopsy, in which imaging exams are associated with other techniques such as biopsy and angiography. The main objective of the present study is to evaluate the existent data published about virtual autopsy from 2010, and highlight the key concepts related to this theme. A search was conducted in PUBMED, MEDLINE, and LILACS databases using the descriptors "virtual autopsy" and "minimally invasive autopsy", the review protocol has been registered on Open Science Framework (OSF), the total number of studies included were 28, and the data was presented through the PRISMA-ScR flowchart. Although, it is well known that this theme is recent in research fields and, because of that, there is still a lot to explore.

Osteopontin: A novel marker of pre-symptomatic sporadic Alzheimer's disease.

INTRODUCTION: We investigate the role of osteopontin (OPN) in participants with Pre-symptomatic Alzheimer's disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and in AD brains. METHODS: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) OPN, AD, and synaptic biomarker levels were measured in 109 cognitively unimpaired (CU), parental-history positive Pre-symptomatic Evaluation of Experimental or Novel Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease (PREVENT-AD) participants, and in 167 CU and 399 participants with MCI from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort. OPN levels were examined as a function of amyloid beta (Aß) and tau positivity. Survival analyses investigated the link between OPN and rate of conversion to AD. RESULTS: In PREVENT-AD, CSF OPN was positively correlated with synaptic biomarkers. In PREVENT-AD and ADNI, OPN was elevated in CSF Aß42/40(+)/total tau(+) and CSF Aß42/40(+)/phosphorylated tau181(+) individuals. In ADNI, OPN was increased in Aß(+) positron emission tomography (PET) and tau(+) PET individuals, and associated with an accelerated rate of conversion to AD. OPN was elevated in autopsy-confirmed AD brains. DISCUSSION: Strong associations between CSF OPN and key markers of AD pathophysiology suggest a significant role for OPN in tau neurobiology, particularly in the early stages of the disease. HIGHLIGHTS: In the Pre-symptomatic Evaluation of Experimental or Novel Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease cohort, we discovered that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) osteopontin (OPN) levels can indicate early synaptic dysfunction, tau deposition, and neuronal loss in cognitively unimpaired elderly with a parental history. CSF OPN is elevated in amyloid beta(+) positron emission tomography (PET) and tau(+) PET individuals. Elevated CSF OPN is associated with an accelerated rate of conversion to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Elevated CSF OPN is associated with an accelerated rate of cognitive decline on the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale 13, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Mini-Mental State Examination, and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale Sum of Boxes. OPN mRNA and protein levels are significantly upregulated in the frontal cortex of autopsy-confirmed AD brains.

Sex estimation using post-mortem computed tomographic images of the clavicle in a Malaysian population.

Forensic practitioners need contemporary anthropological data for the identification of human remains. The clavicle possesses a high degree of variability in its anatomical, biomechanical, and morphological features that are sex-dependent albeit population specific. The aim of this study was to develop sex estimation models for Malaysian individuals using post-mortem computed tomographic images of the clavicle. Sample comprised scans of 2.0 mm resolution of 405 individuals (209 male; 196 female) aged between 19 to 88 years. These scans were reconstructed and visualized using Infinitt. Six clavicular measurements (i.e. maximum length, C1; midshaft circumference, C2; midshaft maximum diameter, C3; midshaft minimum diameter, C4; maximum breadth of the sternal end, C5; and maximum breadth of the acromial articular surface, C6) were obtained from these images. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and discriminant function analysis. Measurements taken from the images were highly precise (ICC = 0.770-0.999). There is a significant difference between all parameters and sex (p < 0.001), however none for age and ethnic group. A multivariate sex estimation model was developed: Sex = (C1*0.86) + (C2*0.236) + (C3*-0.145) + (C5*- 0.074) - 17.618; with an accuracy rate of 89.1 % and sex bias of -3.2 %. Lower accuracy rates were obtained for single variable models (61.5-83.2 %). The resultant sex discriminant models can be used for estimating sex based on the clavicle in our local forensic practice.

Early Evidence of Post-Mortem Fetal Extrusion in Equids: A Case from the Western Zhou Period (1045-771 BC) Site of Yaoheyuan in Northwestern China.

Post-mortem fetal extrusion, also known as "coffin birth", refers to the phenomenon where a fetus is pushed out of a deceased female due to pressure from decomposing gas in the abdominal cavity. While post-mortem fetal extrusion has been documented in humans at several archaeological sites, there are few reports of it occurring in non-human animals. In this study, we present a case of post-mortem fetal extrusion in equids observed in a chariot-horse pit (CMK2) at the Western Zhou period site of Yaoheyuan in northwestern China, dating to the early first millennium BC. This specific pit, one of four excavated at the site, contained at least 29 horses and 3 wooden chariots. Most of these horses were young adults aged between 4 and 12 years. Out of the 22 horses with sex estimates, 21 were males. Among these individuals, one adult female horse (Horse 6) and one infantile horse (Horse 10) were of particular importance. Based on the age-at-death, sex, and head orientation of the two individuals, alongside their spatial relationships, it is highly likely that Horse 6 was the fetus of Horse 10 and was extruded in the pit. According to the parturition stage of Horse 10, Horse 6 was likely interred in CMK2 in late spring or early summer of the year, during which the relatively high temperature may have generated gas that led to the extrusion of the fetus. Although the specific reason for the inclusion of a pregnant mare in a chariot-horse pit at Yaoheyuan remains a topic for future research, this case marks the first report of post-mortem fetal extrusion in archaeological horses. The findings offer insights into the timing of horse interment as part of ritual practices among the settled elites during the Bronze Age in China and provide valuable reference data for contemporary equine veterinary science.

Histogical changes in oral mucosa (gingiva) as a method for estimating post-mortem interval: A literature review.

Estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) is an essential step in forensic investigations, particularly those involving homicides and unwitnessed deaths. However, traditional methods occasionally yield inconsistent estimates. Histological and molecular techniques are considered crucial in forensic pathology and are frequently employed to estimate the time interval of death. The gingiva is an oral mucosal tissue used to estimate PMI. This review aimed to examine the potential of histological methods to determine PMI using oral mucosal tissue, namely the gingiva, and to investigate changes that occur in oral mucosal tissue at different time intervals when compared with those in normal tissues. The oral mucosa comprises layers of stratified squamous epithelium and connective tissue. Similar to other body tissues, changes are known to occur in the gingiva after death, and these cellular and tissue changes should also be considered. Alterations in the gingiva include homogenisation, karyorrhexis, pyknosis, karyolysis, chromatin clumping, eosinophilia, collagen fibre degradation, and the loss of tissue architecture. Reviews collating the results of original trials have consistently reported how the oral mucosa is altered by autolysis and how such changes can be observed in histological tissue morphology after death. Histology is an acceptably accurate technique for estimating PMIs.

Radioiodinated Tau Imaging Agent III Molecular Modeling, Synthesis, and Evaluation of a New Tau Imaging Agent, [125I]ISAS in Post-Mortem Human Alzheimer's Disease Brain.

Using a molecular modeling approach for Tau-binding sites, we modified our previously reported imaging agent, [125I]INFT, for the potential improvement of binding properties to Tau in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. Two new derivatives, namely [125I]ISAS and [125I]NIPZ, were designed, where binding energies at site 1 of Tau were -7.4 and -6.0 kcal/mole, respectively, compared to [125I]INFT (-7.6 kcal/mole). The radiosynthesis of [125I]ISAS and [125I]NIPZ was carried out by using iodine-125 and purified chromatographically to achieve >90% purity. In vitro binding affinities (IC50) for Tau were as follows: INFT = 7.3 × 10-8 M; ISAS = 4.7 × 10-8 M; NIPZ > 10-6 M. The binding of [125I]ISAS to gray matter (GM) correlated with the presence of Tau in the AD brain, confirmed by anti-Tau immunohistochemistry. [125I]NIPZ did not bind to Tau, with similar levels of binding observed in GM and white matter (WM). Four radiotracers were compared and the rank order of binding to Tau was found to be [125I]IPPI > [125I]INFT > [125I]ISAS >>> [125I]NIPZ with GM/WM ratios of [125I]IPPI = 7.74 > [125I]INFT = 4.86 > [125I]ISAS = 3.62 >> [125I]NIPZ = 1.24. The predictive value of Chimera-AutoDock for structurally related compounds binding to the Tau binding sites (measured as binding energy) was good. A binding energy of less than -7 kcal/mole is necessary and less than -8 kcal/mole will be more suitable for developing imaging agents.

Histopathological and medico-legal aspects in a case of death related to an undiagnosed cerebral large B-cell lymphoma.

We report an unusual and undetected case of primary central nervous system lymphoma presenting as multiple lesions in the periventricular occipital lobe in an immunocompetent host, which had manifested as a stroke. The neoplastic diagnosis was made only after death following a thorough autopsy and histopathological examinations which enabled the diagnosis of a rare cancer (primary cerebral lymphoma) which remained undetected and undiagnosed during life.

Enhancing trauma evaluation: Comparative analysis of post-mortem computed tomography and autopsy findings in abdominal stab wounds.

In cases of traumatic deaths, accurate assessment of injuries is essential for both legal and medical purposes. This case report compares the findings of post-mortem computed tomography with conventional autopsy methods in assessing abdominal stab wounds. A 34-year-old woman with multiple stab wounds in the abdomen underwent post-mortem examination, including computed tomography imaging. Computed tomography revealed specific breaches in the skin's continuity and internal injuries, including perforation of the stomach. A conventional autopsy confirmed the presence of multiple stab wounds and associated injuries to internal structures. However, additional injuries to major blood vessels, such as the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava, were only detected during manual exploration of the peritoneal cavity. This case highlights the complementary roles of post-mortem computed tomography and conventional autopsy in evaluating traumatic injuries. While computed tomography imaging offers non-invasive visualisation of injuries, manual examination remains essential for identifying certain injuries, particularly those affecting major blood vessels. The integration of computed tomography imaging with traditional autopsy methods enhances the accuracy and reliability of forensic assessments in cases of traumatic deaths, particularly in complex cases involving multiple injuries. Understanding the strengths and limitations of these techniques is crucial for improving forensic investigations and ultimately enhancing medico-legal outcomes.

Accuracy of Instrumented Mouthguards During Direct Jaw Impacts Seen in Boxing.

PURPOSE: Measuring head kinematics data is important to understand and develop methods and standards to mitigate head injuries in contact sports. Instrumented mouthguards (iMGs) have been developed to address coupling issues with previous sensors. Although validated with anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs), there is limited post-mortem human subjects (PMHS) data which provides more accurate soft tissue responses. This study evaluated two iMGs (Prevent Biometrics (PRE) and Diversified Technical Systems (DTS) in response to direct jaw impacts. METHODS: Three unembalmed male cadaver heads were properly fitted with two different boil-and-bite iMGs and impacted with hook (4 m/s) and uppercut (3 m/s) punches. A reference sensor (REF) was rigidly attached to the base of the skull, impact kinematics were transformed to the head center of gravity and linear and angular kinematic data were compared to the iMGs including Peak Linear Acceleration, Peak Angular Acceleration, Peak Angular Velocity, Head Injury Criterion (HIC), HIC duration, and Brain Injury Criterion. RESULTS: Compared to the REF sensor, the PRE iMG underpredicted most of the kinematic data with slopes of the validation regression line between 0.72 and 1.04 and the DTS overpredicted all the kinematic data with slopes of the regression line between 1.4 and 8.7. CONCLUSION: While the PRE iMG was closer to the REF sensor compared to the DTS iMG, the results did not support the previous findings reported with use of ATDs. Hence, our study highlights the benefits of using PMHS for validating the accuracy of iMGs since they closely mimic the human body compared to any ATD's mandible.

Minimally invasive autopsy - endoscopic approach to post-mortem diagnostics.

The noticeable decline in the number of autopsies performed in recent years requires investigation into the causes of the phenomenon and attempts to prevent it. One potential cause of this trend is fear of disfiguring the body. Carrying out autopsies using a minimally invasive method may reduce the decrease in the number of autopsies performed. The first work on the development of the method and its continuation gave promising results. This allows us to start a discussion on attempts to introduce the method. The solution seems especially justified when the alternative is to completely abandon post-mortem examinations using the traditional method. Laparoscopy and thoracoscopy are tools that allow for accurate imaging and analysis of organ changes. Enriching them with additional tests using endoscopic techniques may have a positive impact on the accuracy of autopsy diagnoses. The development of a clear protocol for minimally invasive post-mortem diagnosis requires further research to determine the accuracy of the method.

The Fascinating World of Forensic Sciences: Multidisciplinary Approaches in Human Remains and the Role of Forensic Pathology in Calabrian Experience.

Forensic sciences play a vital role in the criminal justice system by providing insights into the identity of victims and suspects, causes of death, and other crucial pieces of evidence. In this research paper, we will explore the utility of forensic sciences, its techniques and applications, and the critical role of the forensic pathologist in analyzing human remains. For this purpose, we have analyzed a series of human remains and cadavers found in a state of decomposition, illustrating the medico-legal investigations carried out. Specifically, 50 cases from Calabrian experience are reported from 2003 to 2023 in different contexts of both judicial and archaeological interest and discovered by chance. In any case, anthropological, odontological, genetic, entomological, and forensic radiological investigations were carried out with the supervision of the forensic pathologist in all cases. The varied composition of the sample made it possible to understand the methods and the various specialists involved in such diversified cases. Furthermore, a review of the scientific literature on the topic of human remains was carried out. In particular, by delving into these topics, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of forensic anthropology and forensic sciences and their significance in the criminal justice system.

Beyond the surface: how ex-vivo diffusion-weighted imaging reveals large animal brain microstructure and connectivity.

Diffusion-weighted Imaging (DWI) is an effective and state-of-the-art neuroimaging method that non-invasively reveals the microstructure and connectivity of tissues. Recently, novel applications of the DWI technique in studying large brains through ex-vivo imaging enabled researchers to gain insights into the complex neural architecture in different species such as those of Perissodactyla (e.g., horses and rhinos), Artiodactyla (e.g., bovids, swines, and cetaceans), and Carnivora (e.g., felids, canids, and pinnipeds). Classical in-vivo tract-tracing methods are usually considered unsuitable for ethical and practical reasons, in large animals or protected species. Ex-vivo DWI-based tractography offers the chance to examine the microstructure and connectivity of formalin-fixed tissues with scan times and precision that is not feasible in-vivo. This paper explores DWI's application to ex-vivo brains of large animals, highlighting the unique insights it offers into the structure of sometimes phylogenetically different neural networks, the connectivity of white matter tracts, and comparative evolutionary adaptations. Here, we also summarize the challenges, concerns, and perspectives of ex-vivo DWI that will shape the future of the field in large brains.

New findings on post-mortem chicken quality changes: The ROS-influenced MAPK-JNK signaling pathway affects chicken quality by regulating muscle cell apoptosis.

Research conducted previously has demonstrated that apoptosis significantly influences the chicken quality. While ROS are acknowledged as significant activators of apoptosis, the precise mechanism by which they influence muscle cell apoptosis in the post-mortem remains unclear. In this study, chicken samples were treated with rosemarinic acid and H2O2 to induce varying ROS levels, and the ROS-triggered apoptosis mechanism in chicken muscle cells in post-mortem was analyzed. The TUNEL results revealed that elevated ROS levels in chicken were associated with a greater degree of muscle cell apoptosis. Western-blot results suggested that sarcoplasmic ROS could initiate apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway by activating the MAPK-JNK signaling pathway. Moreover, TEM and shear force results demonstrated that muscle cell apoptosis initiates myofiber fragmentation and structural damage to sarcomeres, ultimately reducing chicken tenderness. This study enhances our understanding of post-mortem muscle cell apoptosis, providing valuable insights for regulating chicken quality.

Retrospective screening of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in post mortem samples from 2014 to 2021.

Systematic retrospective processing of previously analysed biological samples has been proven to be a valuable tool in the search for new drugs (e.g. new psychoactive substances (NPS)) and for quality assessment in clinical and forensic toxicology. In a previous study, we developed a strategy for retrospective data-analysis using a personalized library of synthetic cannabinoids, designer benzodiazepines and synthetic opioids obtained from the crowdsourced database HighResNPS (https://highresnps.com). In this study, the same strategy was employed for the compounds within the groups of NPS that were not previously included such as synthetic cathinones, phenethylamines, aminoindanes, arylalkylamines, piperazine derivates, piperidines, pyrrolidines, indolalkylamines and arylcyclohexylamines. Synthetic opioids and designer benzodiazepines, which were not part of the previous study, were also included. To enhance the effectiveness of the retrospective analysis, a predicted retention time was included for all entries. Data files from the analysis of 2186 forensic post mortem samples with an Agilent Technologies 6540 ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) performed in the laboratory from January 2014 to December 2021 were retrospectively processed with the up-to-date library. Tentative findings were classified in two groups: The findings where MS/MS data was acquired for library match (category 1) and the less certain findings where such data lacked (category 2). Five compounds of category 1 (three synthetic cathinones and two indolalkylamines) were identified in 12 samples. Only one of the findings, 4-MEAPP (4-methyl-α-ethylaminopentiophenone), was deemed plausible after reviewing case information. As many as 501 presumably positive category 2 findings were detected. Using the predicted retention time as an additional criterion the number was significantly reduced but still too high for a manual review. This work has demonstrated that the strategy developed in the previous study can be applied to other NPS groups. However, it is important to note the limitations such a method may have in detecting compounds at very low concentrations.

Comorbid neuropathology and atypical presentation of Alzheimer's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathological changes present with amnestic and nonamnestic (atypical) syndromes. The contribution of comorbid neuropathology as a substratum of atypical expression of AD remains under investigated. METHODS: We examined whether atypical AD exhibited increased comorbid neuropathology compared to typical AD and if such neuropathologies contributed to the accelerated clinical decline in atypical AD. RESULTS: We examined 60 atypical and 101 typical AD clinicopathological cases. The number of comorbid pathologies was similar between the groups (p = 0.09). Argyrophilic grain disease was associated with atypical presentation (p = 0.008) after accounting for sex, age of onset, and disease duration. Vascular brain injury was more common in typical AD (p = 0.022). Atypical cases had a steeper Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) decline over time (p = 0.033). DISCUSSION: Comorbid neuropathological changes are unlikely to contribute to atypical AD presentation and the steeper cognitive decline seen in this cohort. Highlights: Autopsy cohort of 60 atypical and 101 typical AD; does comorbid pathology explain atypical presentation?Atypical versus Typical AD: No significant differences in comorbid neuropathologies were found (p = 0.09).Argyrophilic Grain Disease Association: significantly correlates with atypical AD presentations, suggesting a unique neuropathological pattern (p = 0.008).Vascular Brain Injury Prevalence: Vascular brain injury is more common in typical AD than in atypical AD (p = 0.022).Cognitive Decline in Atypical AD: Atypical AD patients experience a steeper cognitive decline measured by MMSE than those with typical AD despite lacking more comorbid neuropathology, highlighting the severity of atypical AD pathogenesis (p = 0.033).

The ethics, applications, and contributions of cadaver testing in injury prevention research.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to establish best practices and guidelines to ensure that experimental research utilizing Postmortem Human Subjects (PMHS) for injury prevention adheres to relevant ethical principles, which are also commonly accepted in research involving human tissues and living subjects. Furthermore, it reviews existing literature to underscore the pivotal role of PMHS testing in evaluating the efficacy of safety systems, with a particular focus on airbag performance. METHODS: This paper conducts an examination of the primary ethical principles governing human subject research as outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki (1965) and traces their evolution up to the latest framework proposed by the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) in 2002. Input was solicited from international experts and laboratories experienced in PMHS testing to understand how these ethical principles are implemented in practice. This is complemented by a comprehensive review of literature that assesses the contribution of PMHS testing to airbag performance enhancements in frontal impacts. RESULTS: The findings underscore the importance of informed consent from donors or their next-of-kin, as highlighted in CIOMS declarations, to ensure the ethical integrity of the donation process in line with international standards. The study also finds it customary for an independent review board to evaluate the research methodology and the necessity of employing PMHS tissue over alternative methods, such as computational models or crash test dummies. Despite various national regulations on human subject participation and living tissue research, no specific legal framework governing PMHS tissue use was identified. The systematic literature review revealed that PMHS testing has been crucial in identifying potential injury mechanisms not detected by Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATD), significantly contributing to the enhancement of computer human body models and the biofidelity of crash test dummies. CONCLUSION: The International Council on the Biomechanics of Injury (IRCOBI) recognizes the need to provide guidance for research involving human cadaveric tissue to be conducted with the highest ethical standards. This study proposes five recommendations to ensure adherence to these ethical principles in PMHS testing, highlighting the paramount importance of obtaining informed consent and securing independent committee approval. Moreover, IRCOBI emphasizes that until a thorough understanding of tissue damage tolerance levels is achieved and human surrogates, such as ATDs or Human Body Models (HBM), reach full biofidelity, the use of human cadavers remains indispensable for developing effective injury prevention strategies and measures.

Background characteristics and neuropathology findings of medico-legal autopsy cases with and without ß-amyloid precursor protein positive diffuse traumatic axonal injury.

The postmortem diagnosis of diffuse traumatic axonal injury (dTAI) relies on ß-amyloid precursor protein (ß-APP) immunohistochemistry. Most reports of factors associating with dTAI are decades old. We compared background characteristics and neuropathology findings of today's Finnish medico-legal autopsy cases with and without ß-APP-positive dTAI (dTAI+ and dTAI-, respectively). The cases had suffered a head injury prior to death and underwent a full neuropathological examination including ß-APP stain. Background and circumstantial data as well as neuropathology findings were collected from police documents, medical records, and autopsy and neuropathology reports. Prevalence ratios were calculated for each factor to facilitate comparisons between the dTAI+ and dTAI- groups. The dataset comprised 57 cases (66.7% males), with 17 classified as dTAI+ and 40 as dTAI-. Based on prevalence ratios, the factors that had at least two-fold prevalence among dTAI+ cases compared to dTAI- cases were: an unknown injury mechanism; concurrent epidural or subdural haemorrhage; and an accidental manner of death. In contrast, the factors that had at least two-fold prevalence among dTAI- cases compared to dTAI+ cases were: a short postinjury survival (<30 min); concurrent intracerebral/ventricular haemorrhage or contusion; vermal atrophy; and a natural or homicidal manner of death. This study revealed differences in circumstantial features and neuropathology findings between dTAI+ and dTAI- cases in today's medico-legal autopsy material. Data on typical case profiles may help estimate the prior probability of dTAI not only in medico-legal autopsies but also among living patients with head injuries.

The role of PMCT in firearm injuries. Case study.

Background: The use of radiological approaches in forensic investigations is rapidly emerging as an alternative to traditional autopsies. Here, we present the experience of the Sicilian and Calabrian forensic medical departments over the past five years, highlighting the application of PMCT to support autopsies in cases involving gunshot wound victims. Materials and Methods: From January 2020 to March 2024, thirty cadavers who died from gunshot wounds underwent total body PMCT examinations followed by autopsies. The examinations included multi-planar and 3D reconstructions. Data collected for each subject included gender, age, mode of death, type of weapon, number of shots, body sites affected, and presence of retained bullets. A team of two radiologists and two forensic physicians evaluated the images and compared them with the autopsy findings. Conclusion: PMCT and 3D reconstruction enabled evaluation of entry wounds, fracture margins, injury sites, fragments, and anatomical trajectories. The results from PMCT were compared with autopsy findings in terms of entry wounds, wound channels, foreign bodies, organ and skeletal injuries, and causes of death. PMCT showed concordance with autopsy findings in determining the cause of death in all cases. The speed, non-invasiveness, and ability to manipulate and reconstruct data make PMCT an ideal technique for supporting forensic investigations and autopsies. PMCT is highly reliable for accurately identifying lethal wounds and determining the cause of death. It excels at tracking wound paths, distinguishing entrance and exit wounds, locating retained bullets, and detecting fragmentation and dispersion of ballistic components.