Morphological characteristics of pubic symphysis for age estimation of exhumed persons

Suchey-Brooks method based on morphological features of pubic symphysis is a common method of age evaluation of human skeletal remains. The aim of the study was the classification of the examined samples into a particular phase according to Suchey-Brooks method, comparing the estimated age according to Suchey-Brooks with living age of the identified persons. The study was conducted on 120 pairs of pubic bones symphysis of male who disappeared from the area of north-west Bosnia during previous war, who were exhumed and the process of their identification was previously finished. The youngest person was 19 years old and the oldest 86. The study was retrospective, made by comparing the morphological characteristics of pubic symphysis pairs of the examined sample with Suchey-Brooks standards. The statistical analysis of data obtained by the survey showed that the smallest deviations from the average were in phase II by Suchey-Brooks, while the maximum deviation was in phase IV. The standard deviation generally increases from phase to phase, which is to be expected. The span of age obtained for Bosnian population is smaller at all stages in relation to Suchey Brooks-standards, as well as standard deviation, except in phases IV and VI. There was a significant difference noticed in phase V in the estimation of age between the original method and Bosnian population. In general, Suchey-Brooks method leads to underestimation of age, but the underestimation or overestimation in relation to the actual age is possible at each stage, which indicates the individual biological variation

Secular trends in body height in Balkan populations from 1945 to 1995

The aim of this study was to look for any secular trend in the stature of Balkan populations from the time of World War II (1939–1945) to the Balkans War (1991–1995). The research was based on the examination of exhumed skeletons of 202 men killed in World War II in the area of the Republic of Slovenia, and 243 men killed in the Bosnian War in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The length measurements of the right and left humerus, femur, tibia and fibula were taken. Since the results revealed no significant differences and the left-sided bones were more complete and recurrent in the sample, the bones of the left side were used in the analysis. Since the increase in height depends mostly on the increase in length of the long bones, with an average absolute change of about 0.28 cm for humerus, 0.55 cm for femur, 0.49 cm for tibia and 0.20 cm for fibula per decade in our case, these results suggest a significant increase of the height of the Balkans population. The difference of the sum of the average femur and tibia length for the study period was 4.13 cm. Recalculated average length increase of the sum length of femur and tibia per decade was 0.88 cm for the left side. Our study revealed that there was a trend towards increased long bone lengths, at least in the male population analyzed.

Is it possible to determine firearm calibre and shooting range from the examination of gunshot residue in close range gunshot wounds? An experimental study

Introduction: The aim of the study was determining the type of weapon and shooting distance depending on chemical analysis of inorganic gunshot residue from the skin gunshot wounds in experimental animals (pigs). Methods: Experimental study was conducted in order to determine components and their percentage in gunshot residue (GSR). In 60 samples, pig skin was shot by fi ring projectiles from four different weapons and from three different distances (contact wound and near contact wound from 5 cm and 10 cm). The methodology included determining the presence of inorganic material: antimony, barium, lead, nickel, zinc and copper in the skin and subcutaneous tissue using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Results: Formula for determining weapon type was provided cutt-off points for different weapons, with 78.6% of original grouped cases being correctly classifi ed. Formula for determining weapon type was provided cutt-off points for different distances, with 58.9% of original grouped cases being correctly classified, which was slightly less reliable compared to weapon type discrimination analysis. Conclusion: The presented study showed that chemical analysis of GSR in entrance wound with AAS could be useful in determining the type of weapon, as well as the shooting distance, i.e. in our study, determining whether the wound is contact or near contact. This could be particularly useful in postmortally putrefi ed or charred bodies with gunshot wounds

Effects of improper posture during work on lumbal pain syndrome of discogenic etiology

Introduction: Lumbar pain syndrome is the most common cause of why patients, especially the active ones, are reported to physicians. It is manifested as nonspecific or non-radicular lumbar pain syndrome which is not associated with neurological symptoms, and specific which is associated with spinal nerve root compression. Aims of this study were to determine correlation between inadequate equipment and improper position for work with disk caused lumbar pain syndrome. Methods: The study included 913 patients who have visited the Community-based rehabilitation ambulance "Praxis" due to low back pain syndrome and verified disc hernia in the five year period. Lumbar pain syndrome was diagnosed by clinical examination (history, inspection, palpation, Lasegue sign, neurologic and motoric dysfunction tests), then radiologic diagnostic methods (CT, MRI). The data about inadequate equipment and position during work were obtained in interview with  patients. Results: Lumbar pain syndrome is most common among workers (268 or 29.35%), followed by officials (239 or 26.17%). With the conducted research we determine that all the patients had inadequate equipment and the position of labor and weak abdominal and spinal muscles. Conclusion: Based on research conducted through the before mentioned variables, we can determine not only the association, but a strong influence of inadequate equipment and improper position for work to the occurrence of disk caused lumbar pain syndrome

Is it possible to determine firearm calibre and shooting range from the examination of gunshot residue in close range gunshot wounds? An experimental study

Introduction: The aim of the study was determining the type of weapon and shooting distance depending on chemical analysis of inorganic gunshot residue from the skin gunshot wounds in experimental animals (pigs).Methods: Experimental study was conducted in order to determine components and their percentage in gunshot residue (GSR). In 60 samples, pig skin was shot by fi ring projectiles from four different weapons and from three different distances (contact wound and near contact wound from 5 cm and 10 cm). The methodology included determining the presence of inorganic material: antimony, barium, lead, nickel, zinc and copper in the skin and subcutaneous tissue using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS).Results: Formula for determining weapon type was provided cutt-off points for different weapons, with 78.6% of original grouped cases being correctly classifi ed. Formula for determining weapon type was provided cutt-off points for different distances, with 58.9% of original grouped cases being correctly classified, which was slightly less reliable compared to weapon type discrimination analysis.Conclusion: The presented study showed that chemical analysis of GSR in entrance wound with AAS could be useful in determining the type of weapon, as well as the shooting distance, i.e. in our study, determiningwhether the wound is contact or near contact. This could be particularly useful in postmortally putrefi ed or charred bodies with gunshot wounds

Epidemiological Factors and Pathomorphologic Characteristics of Hydatidiform Mole

<strong>Introduction:</strong> Hydatidiform mole is a gestational trophoblastic disease characterized by a range of disorders of abnormal trophoblastic proliferation.<br /><strong>Methods:</strong> This was a retrospective study of 70 singletone pregnancies until the 12th week of gestational age diagnosed with hydatidiform mole or spontaneously aborted physiological pregnancy. The pregnant<br />women had almost similar demographic features and were divided into two groups. 35 pregnant women with a molar pregnancy were included in the study group; while 35 pregnant women with physiological<br />pregnancy spontaneously aborted were included in the control group. Analyzed parameters included a pregnant woman’s age, blood type, parity and previous pregnancies (course and outcomes).<br /><strong>Results:</strong> In the study group 11.43% of cases had hydatidiform mola during previous pregnancies as well as the advanced average gestational age of an ongoing pregnancy (9.63±1.83 in contrast to 8.25±2.03<br />in the control group). The pregnant women with the hydatidiform mole were reported to have statistically significantly greater number of irregular villous borders (71.43%); slightly enlarged villi (54.29%); moderated<br />presence of cisterns (65.71%) as well as mild avascularisation of villi (57.14%).<br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> It was concluded that a previous molar pregnancy represents the highest risk for hydtidiforme mole and the pathomorphologic analysis of vilous changes can be a reliable parameter for establishing<br />proper diagnosis of partial hydatidiform mole