Stature estimation from bi-acromial and bi-iliocristal measurements

Identification studies about stature estimation provide useful information in individual cases. Many studies put forward the relationship between height and some parts of the skeleton and the body parts in consideration. The classical measurements (foot, hand and long bones) for stature estimation have been already studied in different populations, whereas very few is available concerning Bi-acromial Breadth (BAB) and Bi-iliocristal Breadth (BICB). Anthropometrical measurements were performed by middle-income 337 volunteers; 216 males and 121 females. These measurements were studied by SPSS routines and linear regression formulas were defined for variables included in significant correlation related to stature. There was a statistically significancy (p<0.01) between stature and variables (BAB, BICB). Sex differences were found to be highly significant for all the measurements. In this research, best correlation was examined in males for BAB (r=0.42), but for BICB there was a very weak correlation in both males (r=0.21) and females (r=0.19). When both variables were studied, relation with stature in males reached to r=0.43. Even though variables' relations with stature were found weak, in cases of impaired integrity of corpses, regression formulas about stature estimation specific to Turkish population may provide useful information

The usage of third molars to determine legally relevant age thresholds in Turkey

From a forensic perspective, attaining the ages of 12, 15 and 18 is particularly important with respect to the Turkish Penal Code (TPC). The aim of this study is to obtain data regarding third molar development in the Turkish population for age estimation and to investigate the contribution of third molar development to age estimation in relation to the TPC. The study was applied with panoramic radiography on 379 male and 405 female subjects. The mineralization status of the third molars were evaluated on the basis of Demirjian's classification system. It was determined that 0' and A' stages for under-12 years of age, B' and C' stages for under-15, D' stage for under-18, E' and F' stages for over-12, G' stage for over-15 and H' stage for over-18 were specific stages for both genders. Specific stages that are detected according to the developmental stages of the third molars were not found to be adequately precise for distinguishing legal age thresholds. However, this study shows that matured third molars (reaching H stage) are indicative of an individual's being over 18years of age for both genders in Turkey

Predictive role of hand and foot dimensions in stature estimation

Stature estimation is a commonly used parameter in identification searched by medico-legal experts and forensic anthropologists. To estimate stature; measurements of hand length (HL), hand breadth (HB), wrist breath (WB), foot length (FL), foot breadth (FB) and ankle breadth (AB) were used in this study. It was aimed to predict most useful variables and to perform formulas originated from those variables significantly correlated to stature. Measurements were obtained from 356 volunteers. The best correlation value among 6 searched variables were detected in foot dimensions as FL variable for males r=0.696 and for females r=0.496 and in hand dimensions as HL variable for males r=0.578 and for females r=0.309, respectively. The least estimation error in stature prediction was achieved with using all variables in defined regression equations. Lengths measurements belong to hand and foot dimensions were more useful parameters than breadth measurements of those in stature estimation

Radiological age estimation: based on third molar mineralization and eruption in Turkish children and young adults

Radiographic evaluation of mineralization and eruption stages of third molars using dental panoramic radiographies can be an efficient tool for chronological age estimation in both forensic sciences and legal medicine. The third molar tooth is utilized for dental age estimation about the age span of 15-23 years because it represents the only tooth still in development. The aim of this study is to obtain and analyze data regarding third molar development and eruption in Turkish population for dental age estimation. A total of 744 dental panoramic radiographies of 394 female and 350 male subjects aged between 8 and 22 years were examined. Third molar development was determined according to the Nolla classification system, and eruption was assessed relative to the alveolar bone level. Mandibular and maxillary third molars were generally found at similar stages of development on both sides. Nolla stage 6 (completed crown calcification) was reached at around the age of 15 in both maxillary and mandibular third molars in both sexes. Alveolar emergence was at around the age of 16 in males and around age of 17 in females. Although third molars' eruption shows greater variability than development of third molars, data which were obtained from this study about eruption of these teeth can be supportive to development data for age estimation

Identification of the metal residues on the death related to the high voltage Spark Region by SEM-EDS

High voltage electric energy wires, transformers and the devices which run with this kind of electricity may cause serious damages and death for humans and other living organisms. It was the aim to prove with forensic medicine the presence of conductive evaporated metal particles, existing on the arc-burnt of the corpse with the scanning electron microscope energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). It was reported that somebody who entered the transformer building in Istanbul without any permission died of an arc which was formed by the high voltage there. The autopsy was done in the Morgue Department of Council of Forensic Medicine, Ministry of Justice. In the autopsy, some samples were collected by double-sided adhesive coated stubs from the surface of the skin lesions which were the result of the high voltage arc by stub. The removed samples were examined by SEM-EDS technique. The results were evaluated to determine the origin of death. It was concluded that the SEM-EDS data from the area of metallic particles which originated from the evaporating conductor contaminate the skin. The arc-bums related to the high voltage are important with other close examinations to clarify the cause of the death and the mechanism

Sudden death in infancy due to bicuspid aortic valve

Symptoms of bicuspid aortic valve usually occur in the age group of 50-70 years, but rarely, it can also lead to sudden unexpected death in infancy and early childhood. The autopsy of a 2-month-old baby boy, found dead in his cot, revealed the heart weight as 25 g, and the macroscopic examination showed the circumference of the aortic valve consisting of two leaflets as 8 mm. The thickness of the left ventricle, right ventricle, and septum was measured as 8, 7, and 10 mm, respectively. Microscopically, the heart revealed hypertrophic changes of myocytes. Subendocardial areas displayed necrosis of myocytes, and severe and diffuse ischemic changes characterized by loss of myofibers and vacuolization. Interstitial pneumonia was identified in the lungs. Death occurred as a result of a congenital bicuspid aortic valve obstructing the left ventricular outflow tract complicated by lung infection. As there are only a few reported cases in infancy, and congenital bicuspid aortic valve can lead to sudden unexpected death, this case is presented to the forensic community

Image analysis as an adjunct to sodium rhodizonate test in the evaluation of gunshot residues - An experimental study

It is important to investigate the clothing, as well as the body, to determine the range of fire of entry wounds in firearm injuries. Clothing can affect the amount of gunshot residues (GSR) reaching the body and their distribution. The amount and distribution of the GSR also vary according to the distance between the firearm and the target

Legal and ethical responsibilities of physicians in coercive situations, such as natural disasters

BACKGROUND: The relationship between the physician and the patient is based on the provisions of the proxy agreement. The attitude of the physician and the legal and ethical responsibilities of this attitude in an event of force majeure, such as severe natural disaster (earthquake), during a risky operation should be discussed. The aim of the present study was to present the opinions of the related professions about the subject and to discuss the subject on an ethical and legal ground

Higher prevalence of toxoplasmosis in victims of traffic accidents suggest increased risk of traffic accident in Toxoplasma-infected inhabitants of Istanbul and its suburbs

Reflexes of drivers who have toxoplasmosis have been shown to deteriorate from the actions of the parasitic cysts. The cysts can change the level of the neurotransmitters such as dopamine in the brain and by doing so extend the muscle response time and change personality profiles. In this Study, we aimed to determine the frequency of the latent toxoplasmosis (LT) in the driver population who were either injured or died in traffic accidents reported in Istanbul and its suburbs

Higher prevalence of toxoplasmosis in victims of traffic accidents suggest increased risk of traffic accident in Toxoplasma-infected inhabitants of Istanbul and its suburbs

Reflexes of drivers who have toxoplasmosis have been shown to deteriorate from the actions of the parasitic cysts. The cysts can change the level of the neurotransmitters such as dopamine in the brain and by doing so extend the muscle response time and change personality profiles. In this Study, we aimed to determine the frequency of the latent toxoplasmosis (LT) in the driver population who were either injured or died in traffic accidents reported in Istanbul and its suburbs