Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Ultrastructural and Microanalytical Changes in Bone

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is an hereditary disease of connective tissue, characterised clinically by frequent fracture following minimal trauma. Advances in molecular biology have demonstrated type I procollagen gene mutations in OI, this has not been matched by studies in the transmission electron microscope. The aim of this study was to investigate histological and ultrastructural changes of bone collagen and microanalytical changes of bone mineral in OI. Ultrastructurally, cellular changes were observed, possibly due to the poor secretion of abnormal type I procollagen chains. Fibrils were observed associated with type I collagen, possibly representing degraded collagen or abnormal collagen formed de novo. Histomorphometry of bone osteoid type I collagen fibre diameters, demonstrated larger diameter fibrils in OI compared to normal bone, possibly indicating an altered packing of collagen molecules. An X-ray microanalysis technique was developed, and determined the molar calcium to phosphorus (Ca/P) ratio of OI cortical bone to be lower than normal. Analytical studies on bone mineral suggested an apatite lattice was maintained, despite the possible ionic substitutions resulting in a low Ca/P ratio. A transgenic mouse with a mutated type I procollagen was investigated using the methodologies applied to human OI bone. Radiography and alizarin red staining demonstrated multiple fractures. Fibrils associated with type I collagen were observed. Analytical studies correlated well with OI data, a lower Ca/P ratio was observed in transgenic mouse bone. Molecular biological results have indicated that some mutations cause substitutions for glycine, this study has shown that these appear to alter the quarternary structure of the type I collagen. Alteration in collagen architecture may change the stereochemistry and hence the nucleation and growth environment for apatite. Also, an increased opportunity for ionic substitution and adsorption of ions may result. The findings of this study point to certain abnormalities in type I collagen and mineral formation and may be associated with the increased ease and frequency of bone fractures in OI

The Law-Forensic Science Disciplinary Divide - The Canadian Experience

In this report we seek to provide a comparison between the learning and teaching of Forensic Science at university level in UK with that in Canada. The choice of Canada for such a comparison is due to the fact that forensic-legal policing education has been developing there with the building of stronger relationships between practitioners and HEIs

When science doesn't meet the law: Addressing the absence of forensic skills in law degrees

This short article outlines the development of an educational package to bring forensic science into the law curriculum. It details a current project at Leeds University, in collaboration with forensic science educators from Staffordshire University

Gum Damar as a substitute for Canada Balsam in mounting media for microscopical specimens

A number of substitutes for Canada balsam have been suggested in the literature with varying degrees of success for the entomologist. This paper re-evaluates classic Gum Damar media as a substitute for Canada balsa

The trials and tribulations of designing and utilising MCQs in HE and for assessing forensic practitioner competency

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) are a very well known, traditional and accepted method of assessment. The use of MCQs for testing students has produced numerous debates amongst academics concerning their effectiveness as they are viewed as practical and efficient but also perceived as possibly „too easy‟ and potentially unable to appropriately test the higher order cognitive skills that essay questions can assess.The use of MCQs in a forensic science context is currently being investigated, not only for use within forensic science education, but also for the testing of competency of qualified forensic practitioners. This paper describes a Higher Education Academy funded project that is investigating the design and the implementation of MCQs for testing forensic practitioners and the lessons that have been learnt so far, that will assist academics in the development of robust MCQ assessments within forensic science degrees to promote and assess deep learning

Natural background levels of primary biogenic amines in water samples from lakes and rivers around Stoke-on-Trent

Searching for victims of crime who have been buried in hidden (clandestine) graves or dumped into water courses currently utilises a number of techniques such as victim recovery dogs or ground penetrating radar. The development of chemical techniques would offer further assistance in body location and previous research has shown that primary biogenic amines are potential chemical markers of decomposition. There is a paucity of information about the natural abundance of the primary biogenic amines cadaverine, methylamine and putrescine in different water courses and an understanding of this natural abundance would allow for more accurate detection. This work aimed to chemically detect the natural background levels of primary biogenic amines (cadaverine, methylamine, and putrescine) in water samples taken from canals, lakes and rivers around Stoke-on-Trent (UK), These amines were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Water samples from the Hanley Park in Stoke-on-Trent were examined. In Hanley Park, there is a lake fed by a canal. It was determined that 0.002 mM putrescine was present in the analysed water samples from the park; cadaverine could not be detected. For comparison, in previously analysed leachate samples of buried porcine material with a post-burial interval of 350 days, putrescine had a concentration of 0.374 mM and cadaverine had a concentration of 0.323 mM. These data suggest that background levels of key bioamines are much lower than those found from buried material and it expected that this will be the scenario for bodies found in water

Does the UK need a Human Taphonomy Facility?

Abstract: Human Taphonomy Facilities (HTFs) are outdoor laboratories where scientific research is carried out on donated human cadavers in order to understand how human decomposition progresses in a variety of conditions. There are currently eight such facilities in the USA, one in Australia and one on mainland Europe. Forensic scientists in the UK have started to ask the question 'Does the UK need a Human Taphonomy Facility?'. A review of the literature produced by the existing HTFs, as well as published opinion and commentaries about these facilities and the feasibility of one in the UK has been undertaken. The existing arguments for and against the establishment of a Human Taphonomy Facility in the UK have been examined. Given recent media interest in the possibility of the establishment of a Human Taphonomy Facility in the UK, and the surrounding controversy, it is important to evaluate the potential benefit or harm of the creation of such a facility to Society and the scientific community

Hulton Abbey Skeletal Digitisation Project JISC / Academy Distributed e-Learning (DeL) Programme II

The aim of this project was to produce a digitised record/resources from skeletal material recovered from a well publicised excavation of historical importance in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. This excavation took place at Hulton Abbey and produced a published book as part of its work. Whilst the initial aim of this project was to produce digitised resources which will be actively used for forensic science teaching at Staffordshire University and Reading University these can equally and readily be adopted by other organisations and institutions. In addition, due to the interdisciplinary interest in this work, the potential for re-purposing and re-use of these digitised resources is enormous. Due to the anatomical nature of the skeletal excavations there is potential for use in anthropological and biological (e.g. disease) studies and there is also historical and religious sociological and cultural applications as well as in photographic studies, computing and e-learning technologies