The relationship between biological parameters and facial soft tissue thickness measured by ultrasound and its forensic implications.

Facial soft tissue thickness (FSTT) data are currently widely used in forensic and medical science. In the forensic sciences, they form the basis for craniofacial reconstruction and identification methods. Since there are few FSTT data in the Slovak population, this study aims to enrich the data in well-defined age categories, taking into account differences between sexes and body mass index (BMI). The sample consisted of 127 participants aged 17 to 86 years from Slovakia. In addition to biological sex and age information, stature and body weight were recorded to calculate BMI. Subsequently, 17 facial anthropometric landmarks were used to measure FSTT using a noninvasive General Electric LOGIQe R7 ultrasound device. The mean values of FSTT were greater in the mouth region in males and in the zygomatic and eye regions in females. Differences between males and females, regardless of sex and BMI, were significant only at two landmarks. When BMI and age were taken into account, there were differences in 12 of 17 landmarks. Linear regression results showed the strongest correlation of most landmarks with BMI, followed by age and sex. When the FSTT was estimated in association with sex/age/BMI, landmarks in the zygomatic, mandibular, and frontal regions were the best regressors. The results of the present study demonstrate that B-mode ultrasound measurements of FSTT can be used in facial reconstruction as a function of BMI, age, and sex of the subject. Furthermore, the present regression equations can help practitioners in the forensic/medical field to calculate individual tissue thickness.

Population genetic analysis of 12 X-STR markers in Slovakia.

Background: During the last 20 years, X-chromosomal STR markers have become widely used in forensic genetics and paternity testing. Nevertheless, to exploit their full potential in any given population, a reliable reference dataset needs to be established. Since no relevant studies concerning these markers have been performed on the Slovak population so far, we decided to analyse several commonly used markers in this population.Aim: To create an informative set of Slovak population data concerning X-STR markers.Subjects and methods: We genotyped 378 individuals and analysed 12 loci (DXS10148, DX10135, DXS8378, DXS7132, DXS10079, DXS10074, DXS10103, HPRTB, DXS10101, DXS10146, DXS10134 and DXS742) localised in four distinct linkage groups.Results: Our analysis showed that the most informative marker is DXS10135 (PIC = 0,927) and the most informative linkage group (LG) is LG1 with 149 different haplotypes. This analysis also confirmed linkage disequilibrium for two pairs of markers (DX10101-DX10103 and DX10101-HPRTB) within LG3 in female samples. No statistically significant departure from HWE was observed for any locus. Moreover, the interpopulation comparison of 8 European populations based on haplotype frequencies showed no statistically significant FST values in any LG, except for LG2 in comparison with the German population.Conclusion: We created a haplotype database for forensic analyses and kinship testing in Slovakia, as well as the CE dataset which can be used to further increase the decision power in similar analyses in the future.

Sexual dimorphism and bilateral difference of fingerprint sweat pore among Slovak population.

Third level dermatoglyphic markers show a high level of individuality. Despite this fact, the occurrence of individual sweat pore types is still insufficiently studied due to their problematic extraction. The aim of our study was to evaluate the variability of sweat pore types on distal fingertips in the Slovak population and to establish the most uniform method for delineating the evaluated fingerprint area of 1 cm2 in size to avoid bias in the obtained data. In this study, the variability of seven sweat pore types (round, rhomboid, elliptical, square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal) on distal phalanges were investigated in a sample of 60 volunteers (30 females and 30 males) from the Slovak population. The evaluated area was 1 cm2. Since none of the previously used definition methods seems to be completely reliable, we developed our own method using individual types of dermatoglyphic patterns. This method allowed an uniform location of the studied fingerprint area. The results suggest that sweat pores, like other dermatoglyphic characteristics, have strong identification potential. Several statistically significant bilateral and intersexual differences were found in both male and female populations. Significant intersexual differences in all categories were found in rhomboid and rectangular sweat pore types. Their use could be applied to partial or otherwise unusable fingerprints. The results of this study could help to incorporate these prints into the identification process, allowing their full use.

Mutational analysis of 16 STR markers in the Slovak population.

BACKGROUND: Short tandem repeats (STRs) are genetic markers frequently used for human identification and paternity testing. They are highly mutable, which may occasionally lead to inconsistencies between the genotypes of parents and their children. As the mutation rates of individual STR markers can vary among populations, population-specific data are of high importance. AIM: To investigate the mutation rates of 16 STR markers in the Slovak population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this study, we analysed the germline mutation rates of 16 STR markers (TH01, D3S1358, vWA, D21S11, D16S539, D1S1656, D19S433, SE33, D10S1248, D22S1045, D12S391, D8S1179, D2S1338, D2S441, D18S51 and FGA) in the Slovak population. At these loci, we analysed 42 096 allelic transfers and identified 61 mutation events. RESULTS: The loci with the highest overall mutation rates were SE33 and FGA, while no mutations were identified in TH01, D19S433 and D22S1045. The average paternal mutation rate was higher than the maternal mutation rate. All but one mutation consisted of gains or losses of a single repeat unit and the overall mutation rate was estimated to be 1.45 x10-3 per meiosis. CONCLUSION: This study provides data which can be used to further strengthen the correct paternity index calculations and reliability of paternity testing in Slovakia.

Estimation of stature and body weight from static and dynamic footprints - Forensic implications and validity of non-colouring cream method.

In the present study, the metric properties of dynamic footprints were analysed using non-colouring method in relation with body parameters and compared with static footprint measurements. The results of the study provide a better understanding of the relationship between static and dynamic footprints, which may be useful for biological profiling that allows more accurate identification. Stature, body weight, five length and two width parameters of dynamic (walking) footprints of young Slovak adults (65 females and 68 males) were analysed. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated and equations for prediction of stature and body weight by linear regression analysis and multiple regression analysis were developed. Intersex differences were confirmed for all parameters and bilateral for some. Statistically significant differences were found in all measurements (p-value>0.05), except for the width of the standing and walking footprint in the mixed group. A positive correlation was found between the selected footprint diameters with stature (max - r = 0.82) and body weight (max - r = 0.70). Stature could be calculated with an accuracy of up to 4.40 cm and body weight with an accuracy of up to 9.56 kg. The results of the present study show that selected measurements of dynamic footprints correlate with stature and body weight. These results could be used in biological profiling in the medical and forensic fields.

Population and forensic analysis of 9 non-CODIS markers in Slovak population.

Genetic analyses of STR markers provide data for several important applications, including criminal caseworks, kinship analyses and population studies. In this study, we describe the parameters of nine STR markers (D2S1360, D3S1744, D4S2366, D5S2500, D6S474, D7S1517, D8S1132, D10S2325, D21S2055) in Slovak population and compare them with several European and worldwide populations. Since these markers are not commonly used in forensic practice, our data might provide subsidiary discriminatory power in the most demanding criminal examinations, where additional markers need to be analyzed. Moreover, we performed the MDS analysis and constructed a phylogenetic tree representing genetic relationships between several European populations based on Nei's DA distance. We show that the analysis of just 9 markers is sufficient for reliable clustering of different European populations and their separation from the populations from other geographical areas. Taken together, our data provide a reliable dataset characterizing the Slovak population, which might serve as a basis for criminal, population and kinship studies.

Distribution of the Minutiae in Hypothenar Palm Prints in Slovak Adults: Indications for Personal Identification.

Minutiae are small distinguishing features found along every ridge flow, which make each friction ridge print unique. The most common friction ridge prints found at the crime scene are fingerprints; therefore, the most of the minutiae studies are focused exactly on this kind of prints. The authors believe that further examination and enlargement of the palm print database could result in better use of the palm prints for personal identification. We analyzed a total of 160 palm prints from 40 females and 40 males aged between 18 and 70 years from Slovakia. For the evaluation of the minutiae, the area of the hypothenar had to be marked out. The classification of the minutiae used for this study was based on a modified version of the classification system using the total of 13 types of minutiae. The frequency of every minutiae type was calculated and, using the chi-square test with Yates's correction, bilateral and sex differences were assessed. The relationship between the different types of minutiae was examined with Pearson's correlation test. During the initial phases of the identification process, the focus should be on the least common types of minutiae (Y or M and return), which were found not to correlate; thus, their mutual occurrence is random (e.g., overlap-Y or M, crossbar-return, or Y or M-dock). The results of the present study show which specific minutiae types are the most suitable for personal identification. These findings may be beneficial in more effective outcome of the identification process.

Estimation of stature and body weight in Slovak adults using static footprints: A preliminary study.

The stature and the body weight as part of the biological profile can aid the personal identification. The dimensions of the human foot, as well as the footprint, can be used for the prediction due to the existence of its positive correlation with the stature and body weight. Five diagonal axes and ball breadth of bilateral static footprints of 132 young Slovak adults were obtained. All diameters were larger in a male group than female group. No bilateral differences were found except the first diagonal axis and ball breadth. A positive correlations between the selected footprint diameters with the stature (r = 0.37-0.64) and the body weight (r = 0.29-0.71) were confirmed. The linear and multiple regression prediction equations were developed. A stature prediction equation using the most lateral diameters (the fourth and fifth diagonal axis) exhibited the highest accuracy ranging from 4 to 7.5 cm. Similar results were found for the body weight estimation of the male and mixed group. In the female group, the most medial axis (first and second) exhibited the highest accuracy. The body weight estimation accuracy ranges from 9.09 to 11.09 kg. The real and predicted stature and body weight were compared and found differences were lower than calculated SEEs. Thresholds and prediction trend of under- or overestimation was identified. The results of the present study show that selected measurements of static footprints could be used to predict stature and body weight but should be applied only for Slovaks due to population specificity.

Estimation of stature using hand and foot dimensions in Slovak adults.

Hand and foot dimensions used for stature estimation help to formulate a biological profile in the process of personal identification. Morphological variability of hands and feet shows the importance of generating population-specific equations to estimate stature. The stature, hand length, hand breadth, foot length and foot breadth of 250 young Slovak males and females, aged 18-24 years, were measured according to standard anthropometric procedures. The data were statistically analyzed using independent t-test for sex and bilateral differences. Pearson correlation coefficient was used for assessing relationship between stature and hand/foot parameters, and subsequently linear regression analysis was used to estimate stature. The results revealed significant sex differences in hand and foot dimensions as well as in stature (p<0.05). There was a positive and statistically significant correlation between stature and all measurements in both sexes (p<0.01). The highest correlation coefficient was found for foot length in males (r=0.71) as well as in females (r=0.63). Regression equations were computed separately for each sex. The accuracy of stature prediction ranged from ±4.6 to ±6.1cm. The results of this study indicate that hand and foot dimension can be used to estimate stature for Slovak for the purpose of forensic field. The regression equations can be of use for stature estimation particularly in cases of dismembered bodies.

Stature estimation from various foot dimensions among Slovak population.

The foot measurements are important in forensic field as they can be used as body height predictors for an individual. The morphology of human feet shows the variations and therefore the aim of this study was to find the relation between stature and foot measurements and to generate population-specific equations. We measured the stature and bilateral foot measurements of 71 volunteers ranging in age between 18 and 27 years using standard measurements technique. The results revealed nonsignificant bilateral differences in all sex groups (p < 0.05). Sex differences were found to be significant in all foot measurements (p < 0.001). The highest significant and positive correlation coefficients with stature were observed for foot length in males (r = 0.759), in females (r = 0.722), and in the sex-mixed group (r = 0.865). According to the nonsignificant sex effects on the relation between stature and foot dimensions, the regression equations were computed only for the pooled mixed-sex group. Our study provides equations that can help to estimate stature from foot measurements among Slovaks.

Facial soft tissue thicknesses of the mid-face for Slovak population.

Forensic facial approximation is used as a tool for recreating the antemortem appearance of unknown dead and thus facilitates their identification. Several approaches to facial approximation are based on data on facial soft tissue thicknesses (FSTTs). The availability of sex-, age- and population-specific data contributes to the accuracy of the resulting facial approximation model. In this paper, first data set on FSTTs for a Central European population are presented. Soft tissue thicknesses of the mid-face were measured on 160 head CT-scans of 80 males and 80 females aged from 18 to 87 years. These CT-scans were made available after being a part of the diagnostic procedure concerning the paranasal sinuses of the patients. Basic descriptive statistics (i.e. mean, SD, median, range) for the FSTTs at 14 facial landmarks is reported separately by sex and age. Such information allows the forensic artist to choose the most suitable values for the FSTT considering the previous physiological and osteological analysis of the human remains.

Demographic, temporal and environmental effects on the frequency of cribra orbitalia in three Early Medieval populations from western Slovakia.

The frequency of cribra orbitalia was examined in Early Medieval skeletal samples from Devín and Borovce (Slovakia). The effects of environmental and socio-economic factors on the distribution of orbital lesions are explored and discussed. The frequency of cribra orbitalia was lowest in Devín-Hrad (11th-12th c. A.D.), followed by Devín-Za kostolom (9th c. A.D.) and Borovce (8th-beginning of 12th c. A.D.). The increased frequency of cribra orbitalia at Borovce can be attributed to inadequate sanitation and increased pathogen load at this rural site compared to urban Devín. Borovce (BO) sub-adults displayed orbital lesions significantly more frequently than BO adults and sub-adults in the Devín-Za kostolom (FR) and Devín-Hrad (DH) samples. Although the total mortality of sub-adults did not differ between the sites, BO sub-adults with cribra orbitalia showed a considerably higher mortality. Their counterparts from FR and DH showed similar mortality patterns irrespective of the presence of orbital lesions. As in most reference samples, no significant sex differences in the frequency of cribra orbitalia were observed in BO, DH and FR. However, a considerably increased mortality was observed in young males from Devín-Hrad irrespective of the presence of orbital lesions. This finding can be attributed to their involvement in violent conflicts. Reference data from Medieval Central European skeletal samples suggest that an increased occurrence of cribra orbitalia was associated with crop failures, migration and interpersonal conflicts. These factors favour the spread of and vulnerability to infectious diseases, which are considered to be the major cause of iron deficiency anaemia.