Identification Of Skeletal Remains Research Articles

Characterising the cave bear Ursus spelaeus Rosenmüller by ZooMS: a review of peptide mass fingerprinting markers

ABSTRACTIn the last decade, the identification of bone fragments by peptide mass fingerprinting or zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry is developing as a powerful tool in Quaternary palaeontology. The sequence of amino acids that make up the bone collagen molecule shows slight variations between taxa, which can be studied by mass spectrometry for taxonomic purposes. This requires reference databases that allow peptide identification. Although the cave bear (Ursus spelaeus Rosenmüller, 1794) is a common component in many European Pleistocene cave sites, no peptide fingerprint taxonomic study has paid special attention to this species up to now. For peptide markers in Ursidae, the most recent proposal is based on collagen obtained from a modern brown bear sample. In this work we attempt to cover this gap by studying bone collagen of cave and brown bear samples from different origins and different chronology, applying matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF). We also performed an in-silico study of ursid bone collagen sequences published in databases. In our results we detected some discrepancies between the peptides obtained from both in silico and MALDI TOF analysis of fossil collagen and those published in the literature, in which we conclude that there are some misidentified peptides. The identification of skeletal remains by means of their peptide fingerprint is proving to be a powerful tool in palaeontology, which will bear greater fruit once the limitations of a technique that is in its initial stages have been overcome.

Reconstructions of Length of Radius From its Fragments- A Pilot Study in Eastern Indian Population

In a demographically diverse, vast and densely populated country like India, the establishment of identity of a deceased assumes great medico-legal importance. It also poses a true challenge to the forensic scientist working in an environment where decomposition and taphonomic process are rapid. Structurally bones resist common degradation and putrefactive changes and remain longer as material for evidential value. Human skeletal remains are found under suspicious circumstances and doctors examining them need to give an opinion in the court of law. Forensic experts are often consulted regarding identification of skeletal remains. One of the important data for identification is the stature. The estimation of skeletal samples, for age, sex and stature are vital when found from sites in mixed lot. For this purpose, a technique will be highly appreciated for reconstruction of total length of long bones from their fragments. This current pilot investigation was designed to estimate the total length of radius using its fragmentary bone length in a population specific study thus in turn to employ them in stature formulae for population specific cases to estimate the final stature of the individual. After getting institutional ethical committee clearance, the study over 57 radii revealed linear equation where total length of radius was used as dependent variable and the different fragmentary length being the independent variables.

Engaging Undergraduate Students in Forensic Anthropology Research During Times of Restricted Lab Access: The Efficacy and Importance of Student-Led Surveys

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on experiential learning have been felt by students interested in forensic anthropology casework and lab training. Without access to labs and with cancellations of courses related to hands-on learning like human osteology and forensic anthropology, students may not receive critical training necessary in their fields of interest. In this paper, we explore one potential option for engaged forensic anthropology research: the creation of skeletal research surveys that students can design and disseminate to law enforcement to better understand the nature of forensic casework in their own states. Students reported a high satisfaction rate with these survey projects and were able to build networks that helped them refine their post-graduation education and career goals. By formulating questions, creating surveys, submitting to the review board, and synthesizing data, students were able to explore forensic topics without entering a traditional lab setting during times of university lockdowns. The data from this research can be used by forensic anthropology students and professors in the future to better assist law enforcement with the identification of skeletal remains. The surveys described in this paper are easily replicated by other professors seeking to provide students with low-cost, remote forensic research opportunities.

A qPCR-duplex assay for sex determination in ancient DNA.

Molecular biology techniques are increasingly being used in sex identification of skeletal remains when traditional anthropometric analyzes are not successful in identifying sex of remains that are incomplete, fragmented and /or of immature individuals. In the present work, we investigated the possibility of determining sex by using the qPCR-duplex method for both ancient and modern DNA samples. This method involves the co-amplification of two genes in a single reaction system and the subsequent analysis of the fusion curves; the gene sequences used for the construction of suitable primers are those of steroid sulfatase (STS) and testis specific protein Y-linked 1 (TSPY) genes which turned out to be two sensitive markers as they have a detection limit of 60 pg and 20 pg respectively on modern DNA. The validity of the method was verified on modern DNA in which gender was identified in all the samples with 100% accuracy; thus, allowing for the same results as the classic method with amelogenin, but in a faster and more immediate way, as it allows for sex determination solely by analyzing the denaturation curves without having to perform an electrophoretic run. The proposed molecular technique proves to be sensitive and precise even on degraded DNA, in fact on 9 archaeological finds dating from the VII-XII century in which sex had been identified through anthropometric analysis, it confirmed the sex of 8 out of 9 finds correctly.

Molecular Genetic Identification of Skeletal Remains from the Unmarked Graves of the First Half of the 16th Century from the Necropolis of the Ascension Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin

Molecular Genetic Identification of Skeletal Remains from the Unmarked Graves of the First Half of the 16th Century from the Necropolis of the Ascension Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin

Sex determination using computed tomography of the last thoracic vertebrae in Indian (Bengali) population

Identification of skeletal remains has been challenging for forensic anthropologists, especially during disasters. 92 subjects, comprising 59 males and 33 females in the age bracket of 10 and 88, were scanned using a CT scan in the Indian Bengali population. Wilk's lambda for the model is 0.621 which signifies a good discriminating power of the model. The discriminant function equation (table 4) is, Df= 0.350 x EPWu - 0.039 x EPWI + 0.045 x SPL + 0.147 x SPH -11,357.0verall 75% of the sample was correctly classified into their group by this model. This study showed a significant difference in measurements of the last thoracic vertebrae for sex discrimination, so this can suggest that the last thoracic vertebra is a useful tool for sex identification, especially in cases of mass disaster where other bones may have been destroyed as an adjunct to other sex identifying tools in crime or death scene for Indian (Bengali) population

Adult Stature Estimation from Radiographic Metatarsal Length in a Contemporary Korean Population.

The ability to estimate stature can be important in the identification of skeletal remains. This study aims to develop a Korean-specific equation predicting stature using radiographic measurements in the contemporary Korean population. 200 healthy Korean adults, including 102 males and 98 females, were randomly selected (age, range 20–86 years). The first and second metatarsals of the foot were measured by a standing X-ray using a digital medical image viewer. The result showed a statistically significant correlation between metatarsal length and stature in Korean populations (male, R = 0.46, p < 0.001; female, R = 0.454, p < 0.001). Values of correlation coefficients (R) of the equations were 0.431 to 0.477. Compared to equations derived from other races, the Korean-specific equation showed significantly lower error values for estimating the actual height of Koreans through cross-validation. In conclusion, this study is the first to propose a Korean-specific regression formula for estimating stature using metatarsal length and a verified formula for precise application to the Korean population. However, given the relatively low correlation coefficient, the stature estimation formula derived from this study can be utilized when other bones that allow more accurate stature estimation are not available.

Development of an age estimation method for bones based on machine learning using post-mortem computed tomography images of bones

• We developed an age estimation method for adult bone using machine learning. • The vertebral body, ischial tuberosity, iliac crest, and femur were analyzed. • High-frequency components were extracted from images as feature variables. • Partial least squares regression (PLS) was applied for dimensionality reduction. • Support vector regression with PLS components effectively estimated ages. Age estimation from bones plays a major role in the identification of skeletal remains. We present a novel age estimation method developed through the application of machine learning (ML) to post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) images of bones. This study used PMCT images of the vertebral body, ischial tuberosity, iliac crest, and femur, which were transformed into homologous models. Two-dimensional discrete wavelet transform (2D-DWT) was conducted to extract high-frequency components. Dimensionality reductions of the prepared data arrays were conducted with principal component analysis and partial least squares regression (PLS). The known ages and scores of the principal components were supplied to ridge regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, and support vector regression with a linear kernel or a radial basis function kernel. A 10-fold double-looped cross-validation was conducted and estimation accuracies were verified with the mean absolute errors and correlation coefficients ( r ) between the actual and estimated ages. Preprocessing with 2D-DWT and PLS obtained good results. Of the ML methods examined, support vector regression with radial basis function kernel achieved the highest accuracy, with an optimum mean absolute error and r of 7.92 (male vertebral body) and 0.837 (female ischial tuberosity), respectively. The method developed in this study could be used as a rapid, accurate, and objective tool for identifying both skeletal remains and non-skeletonized cadavers.

Exploring the potential of cranial non-metric traits as a tool for personal identification: the never-ending dilemma

Forensic anthropologists tasked with identification of skeletal remains often have to set up new strategies to overcome the limitations of conventional individualizing markers. A sound acquaintance with non-metric traits is essential for a reliable distinction between normal variations and pathological or traumatic conditions, yet the role of cranial variants in the identification process is still somehow ill-defined. One hundred crania (50 males and 50 females) of known sex and age were selected from the Collezione Antropologica LABANOF (a documented contemporary skeletal collection) and non-metric traits were scored as present or absent and by side. The frequencies of 13 traits were used to calculate the compound probabilities to find an individual with an exact combination of cranial features in the worldwide population. The probabilities of the majority of the individuals (53%) are within the 1 out of 10 million–1 out of 1 million interval. However, a fair number of subjects (25%) of the sample have the probabilities falling into the 1 out of 1 billion–1 out of 100 million interval, while the probabilities of a small portion of the sample (10%) are less than 1 out of 1 billion. This pilot study illustrates that some combinations of cranial variants are quite rare and may represent potential evidence to discern presumptive identifications, when an appropriate set of traits is selected and antemortem data are available for comparison. However, further research on larger and various samples is needed to confirm or discard the use of combinations of cranial non-metric traits as individualizing markers.

Skull-facial anthropometric traits of forensic odontological interest for estimating sex, race and age. Review of the literature

One of the main functions of anthropologists and forensic dentists is to identify subjects according to physical characteristics of the features presented using non-routine methods. These characteristics, especially bone, allow professional to determine the sex, age and racial origin of the remains or skeleton found. Dentist focus on features belonging to the stomatognathic system, while anthropologists study the bones that make up the human body. In this study, we describe the investigations of cranio-facial anthropometric features of dental interest carried out by anthropologists to identify the sex, race and age of skeletal remains or skeletons. in addition, we describe the so-called dental anthropology that studies the elements of the stomatognathic system from an anthropological point of view. Electronic literature was reviewed through search engines such as PUBMED, Google Academic and SciELO with the search terms "Forensic Dentistry, Forensic Anthropology, Sex Determination, Ancestry Determination and Age Determination". Knowledge of the craniofacial anthropological features from the forensic point of view is of great importance in individualized and multidisciplinary studies by forensic dentists and anthropologists in the identification of skeletal remains.

Canine Width as a Means for Stature &amp; Sex Prediction

Background: Estimation of stature, along with sex, age and race, is one of the four pillars of forensic anthropology and is considered a preliminary screening in identification of skeletal remains. Teeth, particularly the canines form an excellent material for such forensic investigations as they resist decay due to caries or other diseases of tooth as well as remain highly stable during natural calamities. Materials &amp; Method: Study was conducted in SSSMC, Dehradun among 100 healthy subjects (&gt;17 years), comprising 66 males and 34 females. Mean mesio-distal width of mandibular canine tooth was measured on both side on dental casts and mean stature measured by anthropometer. The collected data was subjected to statistical analysis; correlation and sexual dimorphism was calculated for both sexes and a linear regression formula obtained for estimating stature. Observations &amp; Result: Mean canine width on both right and left side as well as height was more in males as compared to females. Sexual dimorphism was more involving right canine width. The findings were found to be statistically significant for right canine width (RCW) and for height, between male and females. Accuracy for sex prediction was high in females (F= 64.7%, M=59.1%). Using the values of RCW and LCW, regression equations were obtained for estimating height. Conclusion: Width of mandibular canine is reliable for stature estimation but for sex prediction it is not much reliable on the left side. However these parameters can be used as an adjuvant in situations when only single tooth is available for identification.

The Role of Postcranial Skeleton Morphology in Species Identification and Phylogeny Inferences: Gerbillinae (Rodentia: Muridae) as a Case Study

Identification of rodents usually has been done based on cranial and dental characters. Postcranial skeleton has been ignored in spite of its importance in archaeozoology for identification of skeletal remains. Herein, we intended to determine the importance of postcranial skeleton in identification and classification of gerbilline rodents in Iran. Different skeletal parts of 82 specimens belonged to five genera and ten species were extracted using papain digestion. A total of 62 characters with 142 character states were defined as informative postcranium variations for separating taxa. Results showed that reconnaissance of specimens belonging to the genera Tatera, Gerbillus, and Rhombomys was possible using morphological characters of vertebral column and thorax, pectoral girdle and forelimb, and pelvic girdle and hindlimb. Moreover, these morphological characters could be useful for identification of Meriones species. For cladistic analyses, the data matrix scored for two characters of external anatomy, 20 of vertebral column, 11 of pectoral girdle, seven of pelvic girdle, ten of forelimb and 12 of hindlimb was provided. The cladogram resulted from strict consensus method, employed in PHYLIP, was comparable with phylogenetic trees inferred from cranial morphology and molecular studies. Finally, an identification key for Gerbillinae was provided based on postcranium characteristics.

Mastoid and Magnum – Hidden Key in Forensics – A Retrospective Three-Dimensional Cone-Beam Computed Tomographic Study

Introduction and Aim: The identification of skeletal remains and decomposing them is the most challenging skill in medicolegal investigations. Gender determination utilizing the skeletal remains has been of keen interest. This study aims to assess the role of the foramen magnum (FM) and mastoids in gender determination through osteometric analysis using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of the osteometric measurements in relation to FM (shape, length, width, and area) and mastoid process (length, width, height, angle, area, and intermastoid distance) was assessed in 60 CBCT images in Planmeca ProMax three-dimensional midface machine using Romexis software, taken for the purpose of various dental treatments in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College, Chennai. Results: P Conclusion: Throughout history, dental forensics has played a major role in the identification of human remains. CBCT is gaining more popularity in the recent times over the other conventional radiographic techniques because of lesser radiation exposure, better accuracy thus it could widen the frontiers of forensics. With the emerging trends in forensics, this study will reveal the explicit aid of FM and the mastoid process using CBCT in forensic odontology.

Prediction of gender employing mandibular measurements: Application of Cone beam computerized tomography

The identification of skeletal remains is of fundamental value in medico-legal fields. The skeletal components most often investigated for gender determination are the pelvis and skull, with the mandible especially in cases of destroyed bodies. The purpose of this study was to define the validity of mandibular measures taken through cone beam computerized tomography in sex determination and to establish a formula for such differentiation. The sample consisted of 100 cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT). The CBCT images were analyzed for five measurements; the distance from the inferior border of the mandibular body to the highest point of the alveolar crest ( IBM-HAC), the distance between the inferior margins of the mental foramen to the inferior border of mandibular body (IMMF-IBM),the distance between the superior margins of the mental foramen to the highest point of the alveolar crest (SMMF-HAC),the distance between the superior margins of the mental foramen to the inferior border of the mandible (SMMF-IBM) ,and volume of mental foramen. (VMF). Data analysis was achieved using SPSS version 22. Forward stepwise binary logistic regression analysis was accomplished to predict the probability of identifying male based on one or more independent variables. The logistic regression for the different varies revealed only the distance between the superior margins of the mental foramen to the inferior border of the mandible (SMMF-IBM), and volume of mental foramen. (VMF) as the significant contributors to the regression model. The logistic regression model was statistically significant and able to 75% of the difference in sex and accurately categorized all cases. Based on the logistic regression model, an equation for prediction of sex was derived. In conclusion, the current study demonstrates the probability of sex determination employing mandibular measurements taken thought CBCT that is proved as a superior tool if compared with the other radiological techniques.

Sexual Dimorphism of Mandibular Ramus in an Egyptian Sample: A Radiographic Study

AbstractBackground: Determination of the sex is an important step in the identification of skeletal remains especially in missing persons and mass disasters. Mandible, being a strong bone that is difficult to damage and disintegrate, is an important tool in sex determination.Aim of the Study: The present study aimed to evaluate accuracy of mandibular metric standards for estimating sexual dimorphism.Methods: The study was conducted on 90 males and 92 females of Egyptian sample. Orthopantomographs were taken for evaluating eleven mandibular metric parameters. Four models were adopted by the stepwise discriminant analysis test to define the best predictor of sex discrimination in the Egyptian population sample.Results: All parameters were found to be significantly different between both sexes; and the most dimorphic param-eters were coronoid height, projective height, and mandibular canal length, followed by mandibular notch depth and condylar height. Meanwhile the least variables were gonial angle and bicondylar length.Conclusion: This study proves that mandibular measure-ments on digital radiograph are useful in sex determination.

Identification of Skeletal Remains of People Detained Disappeared and Persons Executed for Political Reasons, and Personal Integrity of the Relatives

Failure to identify the skeletal remains of people who were executed or detained-disappeared during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet prevents relatives from celebrating the funeral rite and living up the grieving process. This violates their right to personal integrity. This conclusion is based on both the recent jurisprudence of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (‘ICHM’) and one relevant judicial decision in Chile. In the light of this finding, it follows that courts should decide actions filed against the State of Chile by the relatives of the victims. Accordingly, the compensation cannot proceed solely on the basis of the State’s failure to comply with a statutory duty (falta de servicio).

Adult stature estimation from radiographically determined metatarsal length in Egyptian population

Abstract Background Estimation of the stature might be critical in the identification of skeletal remains. Usually, the small bones found among human remains are not only the most numerous, but also the best-preserved parts. Objective The primary aim of this work is to determine whether metatarsals can be used for the estimation of adult stature in an Egyptian population using radiologically determined metatarsal lengths and to propose regression equations and test the formulae for determining adult stature. Subjects and methods The 1st and 2nd metatarsals of the left foot of the 220 healthy adult participants were assessed by plain X-ray in a dorso-plantar position utilizing a digital radiography machine commonly used in hospitals. The measurements were obtained by default program on console of the machine that offers manipulation and measurements on the obtained images. Results The study clearly illustrated that the 1st metatarsal maximum length (M1) in males was the most noteworthy correlation with the true stature. The derived regression equation is as per the following: S = 851.52 + 12.26 M1, R = 0.8904 M1. Our findings in the current study were more accurate when comparing our study statistical findings with the results of other population groups. Conclusion the regression equations for stature estimation obtained in our study may be utilized for the identification of stature of skeletons among adult Egyptians from medicolegal point of view.

Study of sexual dimorphism of Malaysian crania: an important step in identification of the skeletal remains.

Sex determination is one of the main steps in the identification of human skeletal remains. It constitutes an initial step in personal identification from the skeletal remains. The aim of the present study was to provide the population-specific sex discriminating osteometric standards to aid human identification. The present study was conducted on 87 (174 sides) slices of crania using postmortem computed tomography in 45 males and 42 females, aged between 18 and 75 years. About 22 parameters of crania were measured using Osirix software 3-D Volume Rendering. Results showed that all parameters were significantly higher in males than in females except for orbital height of the left eye by independent t test (P<0.01). By discriminant analysis, the classification accuracy was 85.1%, and by regression, the classification accuracy ranged from 78.2% to 86.2%. In conclusion, cranium can be used to distinguish between males and females in the Malaysian population. The results of the present study can be used as a forensic tool for identification of unknown crania.

Estimating height from the first and second cervical vertebrae in a Spanish population.

One of the roles of forensic anthropology is the identification of skeletal remains and over the years many methods have been developed to obtain specific details of a corpse such as an estimation of age and height. The femur and tibia are ideal for this purpose but unfortunately they are often missing or badly fragmented. For this reason, in this present study, we used the smaller bones of the first and second cervical vertebrae, which are often better preserved than the long bones. Direct measurement of these bones has been found to be misleading, largely due to the remains of a covering of soft tissue, and to overcome this all measurements were taken from tomographic images. The aim of this study is to provide an auxiliary diagnostic method to evaluate the association of different anthropometric measurements taken with tomographic imagery of both the first cervical and second cervical vertebra with body height within a sample of the Spanish population. Measurements were taken from tomographic images taken with a dental CT of 203 healthy individuals from a Spanish population. The best correlation was obtained in the case of unknown sex using four measurements: two of the first cervical vertebra and two of the second vertebra using the following regression formula S=49.02+1.02O+1.58DO+0.49V+0.67I. All formulae provided statistically significant results and can be applied to any skeletal remains belonging to a Spanish population.

A CT-scan database for the facial soft tissue thickness of Taiwan adults

Facial reconstruction is a branch of forensic anthropology used to assist in the identification of skeletal remains. The majority of facial reconstruction techniques use facial soft tissue depth chart data to recreate facial tissue on a skull or a model of a skull through the use of modeling clay. This study relied on 193 subjects selected from the Taiwanese population on the basis of age and gender to determine the average values of 32 landmarks, include midline and bilateral measures, by means of CT scans. The mean age of the subjects was 46.9±16.4 years, with a mean age of 43.8±16.6 for males and 49.9±15.8 for females respectively. There were 16 landmarks with statistically significant differences between male and female subjects, namely S, G, N, Na, Ph, Sd and Id in the midline portion, FE, LO, ZA and Sub M2 in the bilateral-right and left portion, and IM point in the bilateral-left portion (abbreviations adapted from Karen T. Taylor's work). The mean soft tissue depth was greater in males than in females, and there was significant difference between the right and left sides of the face in Za point. This study's findings were compared with those of Bulut et al.