Kaelin Rapport - Histological Techniques for the Sex Determination of Skeletonized Human Remains

Determining the sex of skeletons is problematic in forensic and bio-archaeological research. Past studies demonstrate that bone cells can sometimes contain preserved sex chromosomal material in ancient samples. The sex chromosomes in skeletal remains may allow determination of sex in non-adults. The problem is explored by making 20μ thin sections stained with hematoxylin eosin. The dye highlights inactive X chromosomes (Barr Bodies) of females. The presence of the Barr Body is an indicator of female with an accuracy of greater than 99.9. This approach to identification of sex in unknown skeletons has been demonstrated with remains of individuals deceased as long as 25 years. Intact bone cells have also been observed in Neanderthal and Sauropod fossils and likely contain sex chromosomes. The degree to which bone cells preserve in archaeologically derived skeletal remains is explored here. A sample of 22 thin sections was created and examined for intact bone cells. The survivorship rate of bone cells in this sample is .12. Exposure to moisture facilitates bacterial activity and this is noted to be the single most important variable in determining the degree of preservation of histological structure. This technique has the potential of providing an accurate means of determining sex in non-adult skeletons. This will greatly assist forensic investigators and open new research trajectories into life-ways and life experiences in past populations.https://epublications.marquette.edu/mcnair_2014/1008/thumbnail.jp

Proving Genocide? Forensic Expertise and the ICTY

This article works towards developing a theoretical framework outlining the premises and parameters under which forensic experts operate during various stages of international criminal investigations and the presentation of expert witness testimony in court.With reference to law and science literature, the article explores the reasons for undertaking resource-intensive forensic investigations; secondly it outlines the ways in which evidence is gathered and interpreted, the process of constructing ‘forensic truth’; and finally it examines what happens to ‘forensic truth’ once it enters the legal arena. The International Criminal Tribunal for the formerYugoslavia and its activities are used to illustrate the issues involved during the ‘forensic expertise meets international law’ interface. Specifically the forensic exhumations conducted around the Srebrenica events of July 1995 and their use in the Krstic¤ trial serve to contextualize the debate

New method in the age estimation by the spheno-occipital suture. 3D cone-beam CT application

The aim of the present study was to determine the sequence and timing of closure of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis for a large sample of a modern Italian population to assess if this age marker is a useful tool for age estimation for individuals. The sample consisted of 494 individuals in the age range 0-22 years, who were admitted to the Department of Radiology, Oncology and Anatomo-Pathology of "Sapienza" University of Rome - UOC Head and Neck Radiology - and the Department of imaging, University of L'Aquila, and who had undergone multi-slice CBCT imaging. The average age of the spheno-occipital closure in men is 18.3 years, whilst in women is 16.6. Therefore, it is evident that the closure in female people is faster than 1.7 years. The timing of closure of spheno-occipital suture can be used to understand the age, even if the research has to be implemented

Using oxygen isotope analysis and a multi-isotopic approach in determining the region of origin of human remains

Multi-isotopic approaches have been used effectively to help provide estimated geographic origins for unidentified skeletal remains in cold case homicides and archaeological contexts, when DNA testing was not practical. Stable oxygen and strontium isotopes were used in the present study in order to determine their effectiveness of proveniencing human remains from Colombia and New England. Enamel hydroxyapatite was extracted from individual teeth (n=151) from individuals with known birthplaces for different regions of Colombia as well as the region of New England in the United States. All oxygen data is presented as a ratio of δ18O /δ16O (‰PDB). The results show significant geographical differences (p ≤ 0.001), between the Colombian and New England populations. The mean δ18O value for Colombia is -11.06 ± 1.28. The mean 87Sr/86Sr value for Colombia is 0.707391 ± 0.0016. The mean δ18O value of the samples from the United States is -7.42 ± 1.39. The mean 87Sr/86Sr value for the samples from the United States is 0.7099747 ± 0.0011. The oxygen and strontium ratios of the sample set have no significant differences within each geographic region. Additionally, a small subset of the immigrant community in Boston, MA is represented within the sample. There is a significant difference (p ≤ 0.002) in the population’s mean δ18O values. The establishment of this oxygen and strontium isoscape has the potential to provenience unidentified human remains recovered as a result of Colombia’s long-term internal conflict

ToScA North America (6 – 8 June 2017, The University of Texas, Austin, TX) Program

ToScA North America will address key areas of science, including Multi-modal Imaging, Geosciences, Forensics, Increasing Contrast, Educational Outreach, Data, Materials Science and Medical and Biological Science.University of Texas High-Resolution X-ray CT Facility (UTCT); Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin; Natural History Museum (London); Royal Microscopical Society (Oxford, UK)Geological Science

Forensic science expertise for international criminal proceedings: an old problem, a new context and a pragmatic resolution

Expert witness testimony provides an important source of information for international criminal proceedings, and forensic science expertise from mass graves is no exception: findings from exhumations and examinations have featured in the ad hoc tribunals’ trials and judgments. Whilst the issues surrounding the law-science relationship have been explored within the realm of national legal systems, the mixed system adopted by these tribunals presents an established discussion with a new context. Using forensic archaeology as an example, this article explores some theoretical underpinnings and practical realities surrounding the use of forensic science during international criminal investigations into mass graves before looking at how Trial Chambers aim to establish the relevance and credibility of forensic science evidence. As little guidance regarding admissibility of expert evidence is provided, it is through the case-specific legal process of cross-examination and presentation of counter-expertise that methodological issues are resolved. This, together with reliance on normative principles, is the pragmatic approach adopted to discern reliability of expert opinion

The role of forensic anthropological techniques in identifying America\u27s war dead from past conflicts

The Scientific Analysis Directorate of the U.S. Department of Defense\u27s (DoD) Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) is a unique entity within the U.S. Government. This agency currently houses the world\u27s largest, accredited skeletal identification laboratory in the world, in terms of the size of the scientific staff, global mission, and number of annual identifications. Traditional forensic anthropology is used for the formation of a biological profile (biological sex, stature, population affinity/ancestry, and age) as well as trauma and pathologies that may be compared with historical records and personnel files. Since World War II, various scientists associated with DoD have conducted base-line research in support of the identification of U.S. war dead, including, but not limited to, histology, the use of chest radiography and clavicle comparison, and statistical models to deal with commingling issues. The primary goal of the identification process of the Scientific Analysis Directorate is to use all available historical, field, and forensic methods to establish the most robust and defendable identification as scientifically and legally possible