Skeletal sexing standards of human remains in Turkey

The identification of victims involved in mass fatality incidents, as well as the identification of unknown individuals in criminal cases has become an increasingly important issue nowadays. Sex assessment represents a key point in forensic evaluations due to its significance in providing biological identity. Even though the availability of documented skeletal remains to forensic practitioners is a common practice in many countries, in Turkey, contemporary documented skeletal remains are not available for this purpose. For this reason, studies have been focused on living populations. Previous research has shown that modern technologies such as CT scanning present very promising potential in establishing new standards for contemporary populations. Therefore, the main aim of this project was to examine the application of the measurements taken from 3D CT images of the femur in order to assess sex, and to contribute to the establishment of discriminant function equations for the Turkish population for forensic applications. The accuracy and reproducibility of imaging methods in the assessment of the measurements taken from femora are essential when estimating sex. This research also concentrated on determining the accuracy and repeatability of CT measurements, using the femur. Prior to primary data collection, a preliminary study was performed in an effort to test the reliability of the femur measurements. The results of reliability analysis indicated no significant difference between the three observations of each measurement. Thus, the methodology employed in the current study appears reliable and reproducible. In addition, a validation study was conducted to determine the linear measurement accuracy of the 3D volume rendering models derived from a medical CT scanner and the influence of different reconstruction parameters. The differences between measurements obtained from dry bones and their 3D volume rendered models were also evaluated. The results from this study indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between measurements taken from different reconstruction parameters and measurements obtained from CT images and drybones. Using the CT data, volume-rendering function (VR), 3D Curved Multiplanar reconstruction (MPR), and Scout View on OsiriX were employed in order to compare the accuracy and reliability of each rendering method and to determine which technique is optimal for linear measurements. Overall, the measurements taken from the 3D Volume Rendering images had the highest intra-observer reliability when compared to the other two rendering methods. This research study produced data and interpretations that will inform on and improve population specific standards of sex assessment from three-dimensional postcranial osteometric landmarks. Additionally, this research is believed to provide value for a developing discipline of forensic anthropology, and integrate within the existing systems of criminal investigation and disaster victim identification practices in Turkey. A Turkish sample population, consisting of 300 adult hospital patients was examined via the interpretation of CT reconstructed images using the OsiriX software. The 3D reconstructions were then created using the volume-rendering function in OsiriX (v.5.6.). Following the 3D reconstruction, an image of each femur was segmented from the surrounding bones to ensure the correct usage of landmarks as accurately as possible. Thirteen measurements were acquired using a 3D viewer after being located and marked on each CT reconstructed femora. These thirteen anthropometric parameters were measured and analysed by basic descriptive statistics and discriminant analysis methods using the SPSS 21.0 software package. The intra-observer variation was assessed by obtaining the intraclass correlation coefficient in order to evaluate the accuracy of the linear measurements taken. Asymmetry was also tested. The results indicated that an accuracy of 92.3% was acquired from a combination of six of the measurements, and the Femur Vertical Diameter of Neck (FVDN) measurement was found to be the most dimorphic with 88.0% accuracy

Investigating the Body in the Victorian Asylum: Doctors, Patients, and Practices

This book explores how the body was investigated in the late nineteenth-century asylum in Britain. As more and more Victorian asylum doctors looked to the bodily fabric to reveal the ‘truth’ of mental disease, a whole host of techniques and technologies were brought to bear upon the patient's body. These practices encompassed the clinical and the pathological, from testing the patient's reflexes to dissecting the brain. Investigating the Body in the Victorian Asylum takes a unique approach to the topic, conducting a chapter-by-chapter dissection of the body. It considers how asylum doctors viewed and investigated the skin, muscles, bones, brain, and bodily fluids. The book demonstrates the importance of the body in nineteenth-century psychiatry as well as how the asylum functioned as a site of research, and will be of value to historians of psychiatry, the body, and scientific practice

A reinterpretation of the small Captorhinid Reptile Captorhinikos Parvus Olson as a new genus, reanalysis of its cranial anatomy, and a phylogenetic analysis of the basal reptilian family Captorhinidae

The cranial anatomy of the basal captorhinid reptile Captorhinikos parvus (Reptilia, Captorhinidae), is reinterpreted here based on analysis of a group of new specimens recovered subsequent to its original diagnosis as well as further analysis of the original specimens utilized in E.C. Olson\u27s original characterization of the species. Structural features inconsistent with the generic description suggest the redefinition of C. parvus as a new genus, Rhodotheratus parvus. Analyses of basal members and selected derived members support the characterization of Rhodotheratus as a distinct taxon

A Statistical Investigation of Nonmetric Vertebral Traits with a Skeletal Population Sample from the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt

This paleogenetic study utilizes 17 nonmetric epigenetic vertebral traits to determine their suitability for studying past genetic relationships. The samples utilized were from Egypt’s Dakhleh Oasis. Though infracranial nonmetric traits have a limited role in the study of past population genetics, this study has shown their value for elucidating past genetic patterns for intragroup analysis. The key to their utilization is to test the epigenetic factors (e.g., age, sex, symmetry and intertrait correlations) which were done using a number of statistical tests including Phi coefficient, G-test and the Odds ratio. This study utilized a novel set of spatial statistics to examine within-group genetic dynamics of the Kellis 2 cemetery. Five traits support previous research that demonstrated this cemetery was organized along patrilocal and patrilineal lines. This thesis has demonstrated the genetic value of vertebral epigenetic traits and argues for their continued use in paleogenetic research

A study on variations in the branching pattern of anterior cerebral artery

The dimensions and branching pattern of the anterior cerebral artery have been studied and the observed result leads to the following conclusions: 1. The anterior cerebral artery took its origin from the corresponding internal carotid artery at the anterior perforated substance and was single in number at its origin. The angulations of the artery towards the anterior communicating artery varied from 50 to 60 degrees in all the specimens. 2. The dimensions corresponding to the external diameter of both the internal carotid artery at its termination and the middle cerebral artery at its origin correlated with the earlier studies. 3. Length and diameter of A1 segment was within the normal limit so that no hypoplastic changes were seen. The perforators arising from this segment were a maximum of 4 in number. 4. The anterior communicating artery was absent in one specimen, doubled in three specimen and a loop like pattern in one specimen. The dimensions of this artery lie within the standard margin. A maximum of three perforators coursed upwards from the posterosuperior surface of this artery. 5. A third anterior cerebral artery was seen to arise from the anterior communicating artery with an incidence of 2%, followed the same course as that of A2 on left side and ended by turning upwards similar to the callosomarginal branch. 6. The recurrent artery of Heubner arose in majority of cases distal to the anterior communicating artery. It has been observed that 80 % of the artery took origin at the A2 segment, 10% at the level of anterior communicating artery and 10% from the A1 segment. 7. Diameter of A2 segment was within normal limit. No hypoplastic or aplastic changes occurred. The three branches constantly seen in the entire specimen are the orbitofrontal, frontopolar and callosomarginal artery. Inter hemispheric branches were also present in four specimens. 8. The majority of the aneurysms of the anterior cerebral artery near the anterior communicating artery pointing anteriorly and inferiorly are safely clippable. The posterior and superiorly pointing aneurysms are fraught with more risks due to the proximity and involvement of anterior communicating artery perforators, recurrent artery of Heubner and A2 segments. Hence the anatomy of the branches arising from the anterior cerebral artery near the anterior communicating artery complex was to be investigated properly to minimize neurovascular morbidity caused by surgical procedures performed in this region. 9. The present study conform the high percentage of variations in the anterior cerebral artery, to more variations in the anterior communicating artery and distal anterior cerebral artery segments rather than A1 segments. The anterior cerebral artery – anterior communicating artery complex is incredibly varied and consequently the surgery in this area is extremely challenging