Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 41 in total

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  1. Jayaprakash PT, Hadi H, Srinivasan A, Chellamuthu P, Abd Aziz Mohd Yusop R, Hashim N
    J Forensic Sci, 2016 09;61(5):1390-3.
    PMID: 27621069 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13187
    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology*
  2. Ranson D
    J Law Med, 2015 Jun;22(4):745-50.
    PMID: 26349375
    While forensic medical tasks are usually associated with supporting the criminal justice system, there are a range of forensic medical skills that can be brought to bear on addressing humanitarian activities. Disaster victim identification is a procedure that has achieved international standardisation through the work of a multinational Interpol Standing Committee. While part of a police organisation, it includes forensic pathologists, anthropologists, odontologists and molecular biologists who provide most of the specialist scientific input regarding identification that is integrated with police processes such as document examination and fingerprinting. The loss of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 represented a major activation of these procedures in an environment that had both humanitarian and forensic criminal investigation components. The information that is derived from the processes involved in disaster victim identification has a value that goes far beyond the determination of identity. It has an important humanitarian role in supporting the family and friends of the victims in their bereavement journey.
    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology*
  3. Hashim N, Hemalatha N, Thangaraj K, Kareem A, Ahmed A, Hassan NF, et al.
    Forensic Sci Int, 2015 Aug;253:137.e1-7.
    PMID: 26103928 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.05.020
    A research that tested the methods suitable for comparing ante- and post-mortem radiographic patterns of frontal sinuses concluded that superimposition should be followed as a stringent method for establishing individual identification. We verified the practical relevance of prescribing superimposition by superimposing ante- and post-mortem frontal sinus patterns recorded in case situations as well as simulated ante- and post-mortem of frontal sinus patterns recorded using archived skulls. For superimposition, the wipe facility available in the vision mixer was employed in addition to the mix mode. Ante- and post-mortem radiographic patterns that were available in two earlier cases were not superimposable. Related simulated ante- and post-mortem radiographic patterns of frontal sinuses are superimposable only when the skull that is initially oriented for recording the ante-mortem radiograph is retained in the same posture for recording the post-mortem radiograph also. Once the skull has been removed from the X-ray table, after recording the simulated ante-mortem radiograph, and repositioned for the simulated post-mortem radiograph, even when the intervening time is 1min, the sinus patterns in these radiographs are not superimposable. Superimposition cannot be used as a conditional requirement for side-by-side comparison of radiographic patterns of frontal sinuses.
    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology/methods*
  4. Chidambaram R
    JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc, 2016 12 10;54(201):46-54.
    PMID: 27935913
    Forensic odontology is a sub-discipline of dental science which involves the relationship between dentistry and the law. The specialty of forensic odontology is applied in radiographic investigation, human bite marks analysis, anthropologic examination and during mass disasters. Besides the fact that radiographs require pretentious laboratory, it is still claimed to be a facile, rapid, non-invasive method of age identification in the deceased. The budding DNA technology has conquered the traditional procedures and currently being contemplated as chief investigating tool in revealing the hidden mysteries of victims and suspects, especially in hopeless circumstances. Forensic odontology has played a chief role in solving cold cases and proved to be strong evidence in the court of law. Systematic collection of dental records and preservation of the same would marshal the legal officials in identification of the deceased. To serve the forensic operation and legal authorities, dental professionals need to be familiar with the basics of forensic odontology, which would create a consciousness to preserve the dental data. The aim of this paper is to emphasize the vital applications of forensic odontology in medico-legal issues. Conjointly the recent advancements applied in forensic human identification have been updated.
    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology/methods*
  5. Jayaprakash PT
    Forensic Sci Int, 2015 Jan;246:110-21.
    PMID: 25498986 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.10.043
    Establishing identification during skull-photo superimposition relies on correlating the salient morphological features of an unidentified skull with those of a face-image of a suspected dead individual using image overlay processes. Technical progression in the process of overlay has included the incorporation of video cameras, image-mixing devices and software that enables real-time vision-mixing. Conceptual transitions occur in the superimposition methods that involve 'life-size' images, that achieve orientation of the skull to the posture of the face in the photograph and that assess the extent of match. A recent report on the reliability of identification using the superimposition method adopted the currently prevalent methods and suggested an increased rate of failures when skulls were compared with related and unrelated face images. The reported reduction in the reliability of the superimposition method prompted a review of the transition in the concepts that are involved in skull-photo superimposition. The prevalent popular methods for visualizing the superimposed images at less than 'life-size', overlaying skull-face images by relying on the cranial and facial landmarks in the frontal plane when orienting the skull for matching and evaluating the match on a morphological basis by relying on mix-mode alone are the major departures in the methodology that may have reduced the identification reliability. The need to reassess the reliability of the method that incorporates the concepts which have been considered appropriate by the practitioners is stressed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology/methods
  6. Nambiar P, Carson G, Taylor JA, Brown KA
    J Forensic Odontostomatol, 2001 Jun;19(1):5-8.
    PMID: 11494677
    A wad of used chewing gum recovered from the scene of a burglary contained impressions of human teeth. Casts of these impressions displayed unique morphological characteristics which were found to show concordance with corresponding features present on casts of the posterior teeth of a suspect.
    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology/methods
  7. Zyoud TYT, Abdul Rashid SN, Suppiah S, Mahmud R, Kabeer A, Abd Manaf R, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2020 Dec;42(3):423-431.
    PMID: 33361724
    INTRODUCTION: Post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) provides information that helps in the determination of the cause of death and corpse identification of disaster victims. One of the methods for corpse identification includes assessment of the body stature. There is a lack of post-mortem imaging studies that focus on the anthropometric assessment of corpses. Our aim was to identify the relationship between cadaveric spine length and autopsy length (AL) among and autopsy length (AL) among a Malaysian population and derive a regression formula for the estimation of corpse body height using PMCT.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively assessed 107 cadavers that had undergone conventional autopsy and PMCT. We made 5 measurements from the PMCT that included cervical length (CL), thoracic length (TL), lumbosacral length (LS), total column length of the spine, excluding the sacrum and coccyx (TCL), and ellipse line measurement of the whole spine, excluding the sacrum and coccyx (EL). We compared these anthropometric PMCT measurements with AL and correlated them using linear regression analysis.

    RESULTS: The results showed a significant linear relationship existed between TL and LS with AL, which was higher in comparison with the other parameters than the rest of the spine parameters. The linear regression formula derived was: 48.163 + 2.458 (TL) + 2.246 (LS).

    CONCLUSIONS: The linear regression formula derived from PMCT spine length parameters particularly thoracic and lumbar spine gave a finer correlation with autopsy body length and can be used for accurate estimation of cadaveric height. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever linear regression formula for cadaveric height assessment using only post mortem CT spine length measurements.

    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology/methods*
  8. Ibáñez O, Valsecchi A, Cavalli F, Huete MI, Campomanes-Alvarez BR, Campomanes-Alvarez C, et al.
    Leg Med (Tokyo), 2016 Nov;23:59-70.
    PMID: 27890106 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2016.09.009
    Craniofacial superimposition has the potential to be used as an identification method when other traditional biological techniques are not applicable due to insufficient quality or absence of ante-mortem and post-mortem data. Despite having been used in many countries as a method of inclusion and exclusion for over a century it lacks standards. Thus, the purpose of this research is to provide forensic practitioners with standard criteria for analysing skull-face relationships. Thirty-seven experts from 16 different institutions participated in this study, which consisted of evaluating 65 criteria for assessing skull-face anatomical consistency on a sample of 24 different skull-face superimpositions. An unbiased statistical analysis established the most objective and discriminative criteria. Results did not show strong associations, however, important insights to address lack of standards were provided. In addition, a novel methodology for understanding and standardizing identification methods based on the observation of morphological patterns has been proposed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology/methods*
  9. Gunawardena SA, Abeyratne P, Jayasena A, Rajapaksha S, Senadhipathi H, Siriwardana D, et al.
    Sci Justice, 2023 Sep;63(5):638-650.
    PMID: 37718011 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2023.08.001
    Estimating the post mortem interval (PMI) in skeletonized cases is an extremely challenging exercise. Sri Lanka lacks adequate taphonomic research which is a serious limitation when assessing PMI in forensic death investigations. Methods that have been proposed to estimate PMI using the total body score (TBS) and accumulated degree days (ADD) are mainly based on data from continental and temperate climates and have shown less reliability in tropical climates. With the intention of developing a region-specific, evidence-based guide which would be applicable to tropical climates like Sri Lanka, we selected thirteen skeletonized remains with known PMIs from forensic case records and analysed their taphonomy in relation to selected weather data. We also compared the ADD values within our dataset with reference ranges calculated using published formula. All except one were found from outdoor locations. The TBS ranged from 24 to 32 and had a weak positive correlation with the PMI. The earliest appearance of skeletonization was 15 days in a body found indoors. The highest rate of skeletonization was seen in a body with a TBS of 32 and a PMI of 23 days. The average daily temperature and relative humidity were similar across all the cases however, the amount of rainfall varied. Bodies exposed to monsoon rains (n = 6) had a lower mean rate of skeletonization compared to those that were not exposed (n = 4) suggesting lower rates of decomposition during periods of heavy rainfall. No correlation was found between ADD and TBS. In 9 (69.2%) cases, the actual ADD was much lower than reference ADD ranges for TBS values, indicating poor applicability of TBS and ADD based formulae in estimating PMI within the Sri Lankan climate. Our study shows a strong need for taphonomic and entomological research in tropical climates to further explore the impact of monsoons on biotic and abiotic factors affecting skeletonization.
    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology*
  10. Hossain MZ, Munawar KM, Rahim ZH, Bakri MM
    Arch Oral Biol, 2016 Apr;64:85-91.
    PMID: 26803673 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2016.01.001
    Stature estimation is an important step during medico-legal and forensic examination. Difficulty arises when highly decomposed and mutilated dead bodies with fragmentary remains are brought for forensic identification like in mass disaster or airplane crash. The body remains could be just a jaw with some teeth. The objective of this study was to explore if the stature of an individual can be determined from the tooth crown dimensions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology
  11. Damas S, Wilkinson C, Kahana T, Veselovskaya E, Abramov A, Jankauskas R, et al.
    Forensic Sci Int, 2015 Dec;257:504-508.
    PMID: 26482539 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.07.045
    Craniofacial superimposition, although existing for one century, is still a controversial technique within the scientific community. Objective and unbiased validation studies over a significant number of cases are required to establish a more solid picture on the reliability. However, there is lack of protocols and standards in the application of the technique leading to contradictory information concerning reliability. Instead of following a uniform methodology, every expert tends to apply his own approach to the problem, based on the available technology and deep knowledge on human craniofacial anatomy, soft tissues, and their relationships. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of different craniofacial superimposition methodologies and the corresponding technical approaches to this type of identification. With all the data generated, some of the most representative experts in craniofacial identification joined in a discussion intended to identify and agree on the most important issues that have to be considered to properly employ the craniofacial superimposition technique. As a consequence, the consortium has produced the current manuscript, which can be considered the first standard in the field; including good and bad practices, sources of error and uncertainties, technological requirements and desirable features, and finally a common scale for the craniofacial matching evaluation. Such a document is intended to be part of a more complete framework for craniofacial superimposition, to be developed during the FP7-founded project MEPROCS, which will favour and standardize its proper application.
    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology/methods; Forensic Anthropology/standards*
  12. Lai PS, Khoo LS, Mohd Hilmi S, Ahmad Hafizam H, Mohd Shah M, Nurliza A, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2015 Aug;37(2):123-35.
    PMID: 26277669 MyJurnal
    Skeletal examination is an important aspect of forensic pathology practice, requiring effective bone cleaning with minimal artefact. This study was conducted to compare between chemical and entomology methods of bone cleaning. Ten subjects between 20 and 40 years old who underwent uncomplicated medico-legal autopsies at the Institute of Forensic Medicine Malaysia were randomly chosen for this descriptive cross sectional study. The sternum bone was divided into 4 parts, each part subjected to a different cleaning method, being two chemical approaches i.e. laundry detergent and a combination of 6% hydrogen peroxide and powder sodium bicarbonate and two entomology approaches using 2nd instar maggots of Chrysomyia rufifacies and Ophyra spinigera. A scoring system for grading the outcome of cleaning was used. The effectiveness of the methods was evaluated based on average weight reduction per day and median number of days to achieve the average score of less than 1.5 within 12 days of the bone cleaning process. Using maggots was the most time-effective and costeffective method, achieving an average weight reduction of 1.4 gm per day, a median of 11.3 days to achieve the desired score and an average cost of MYR 4.10 per case to reach the desired score within 12 days. This conclusion was supported by blind validation by forensic specialists achieving a 77.8% preference for maggots. Emission scanning electron microscopy evaluation also revealed that maggots especially Chrysomyia rufifacies preserved the original condition of the bones better allowing improved elucidation of bone injuries in future real cases.
    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology/economics; Forensic Anthropology/methods*
  13. Mahat NA, Zafarina Z, Jayaprakash PT
    Forensic Sci Int, 2009 Nov 20;192(1-3):19-28.
    PMID: 19671490 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.07.008
    The influence of rain and malathion on the initial oviposition as well as development of blowfly species infesting rabbit carcasses decomposing in sunlit and shaded habitats were studied over a period of 1 year in Kelantan, Malaysia. Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) was the most dominant species that infested the carcasses, followed by Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart). In general, rain, depending on its intensity, delayed initial oviposition by 1-2 days and prolonged the pupation period by 1-3 days. The presence of malathion in the carcasses delayed initial oviposition by 1-3 days and prolonged the pupation period by 2-3 days. These findings deserve consideration while estimating postmortem interval since rain is a commonplace occurrence in Malaysia and malathion is one of the common poisons as an agent for choice to commit suicide.
    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology
  14. Sinthubua A, Theera-Umpon N, Auephanwiriyakul S, Ruengdit S, Das S, Mahakkanukrauh P
    Clin Ter, 2016 Mar-Apr;167(2):33-7.
    PMID: 27212570 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2016.1918
    Age estimation is one of the major components of forensic identification. Cranial suture closure has long been used as indicator for age estimation. Maxillary sutures have been less studied for estimation of age at death because they vary in their timing of closure with age. The purpose of this study was to estimate age by examining 190 Thai skulls with age ranging between 15-93 years from Forensic Osteology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, and Chiang Mai University. Four parts of maxillary suture (incisive, anterior, transverse, and posterior sutures) were investigated the suture obliteration of each suture by computerizing from photograph. The suture were measured by pixel counting.The prediction model which based on the support vector machine (SVM) for regression or support vector regression (SVR) was utilized for data analysis. The results showed high correlation (R2 = 0.9086) between the predicted age and actual age. Plot between actual age group and predicted age in seven groups also revealed high correlation (R2 = 0.9434). These can be implied that we are able to use this SVR model to predict age at death using maxillary suture information.The interesting issue is to further apply this model in more cases to ensure the generalization of the finding. This study is the first attempt to estimate age at death using a new method based on novel analysis which considers a characteristic of relationship between maxillary suture closures with age that are not in linear form. The present study may contribute as a basis knowledge and method for further study of age estimation in archaeological and forensic anthropological contexts, especially when only skull or base of skull are found.
    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology
  15. Aspalilah Alias, AbdelNasser Ibrahim, Siti Noorain Abu Bakar, Mohamed Swarhib Shafie, Faridah Mohd Nor, Srijit Das
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: The mental foramen is present on either side of the body of the mandible bone. This foramen
    transmits mental vessels and nerves. In forensic anthropology, mental foramen may be important for
    differentiating sex, estimating age and identifying various races based on morphology. The main aim of the
    present study was to determine the position, shape and diameter of the mental foramen according to sex,
    age and race by postmortem computed tomography in the Malaysian population.

    Materials and Methods: A total of 79 dentulous patients (48 males, 31 females) from 3 age groups (18-30 years, 31– 50 years, 51-74
    years) were selected for this study, and ten parameters were observed for each mandible. The parameters
    were divided into two morphological and eight morphometric parameters. The morphometric parameters
    were measured by using Osirix MD Software 3D Volume Rendering.

    Results: Results showed that mandibular
    body length and height were significantly greater in males than in females by independent t-test. (p< 0.05).
    However, the mandibular body height was found to decrease significantly with age in both sexes by one-way
    Anova. It was observed that the shape of mental foramen was 45.6% oval and 54.4% rounded. About 44.3% of
    them were in line with the longitudinal axis of the second premolar tooth.

    Conclusion: It was concluded that
    mental foramen may be used for identification purposes, particularly for sex, age and race determination.
    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology
  16. Priyadharshini KI, Ambika M, Sekar B, Mohanbabu V, Sabarinath B, Pavithra I
    J Forensic Dent Sci, 2019 2 13;10(2):88-91.
    PMID: 30745784 DOI: 10.4103/jfo.jfds_102_17
    Background: The "gender determination" which is an important human identification procedure not only helps in establishing the biological profile from skeletal and dental remains but also in facial reconstruction of unidentified victims.

    Aim: The aim of this study is to analyze predominant types of lip prints (cheiloscopy), accuracy of mandibular canine index (MCI) (odontometric), and facial index in the study population and to identify whether any correlation among the above parameters could help forensic dentistry in solving crimes.

    Materials and Methods: A pilot study was conducted in 100 individuals, 50 males and 50 females aged between 20 and 25 years. For each individual, the lip prints, MCI, and facial index measurements were recorded on the same day analyzed by two observers. All the analysis was done using SPSS version 14 assessed using t-test and Chi-square test.

    Results: Type II pattern of lip prints is observed as common pattern among male and female. There is no significant difference in Odontometric analysis. The mean value of facial index analysis in both genders shows highly significant.

    Conclusion: A large-scale study is required in order to validate our results to arrive at definitive results and value.

    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology
  17. Khoo LS, Mahmood MS
    PMID: 32412001 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2020.01.003
    This study explores the practicability and usability of the cling film plastic wrap on the dead body with decomposition changes, whereby the feasibility of wrapping the remains to ensure the containment of the decomposition fluid within the cling film plastic wrap. Unknown and unclaimed dead bodies were used. Wrapping and preservation of human remains using the cling film plastic wrap could be the best operational practices for first responders rather than leaving bodies exposed on the disaster site, when the supplies of the cadaver body bags are inadequate. Thinking out of the box, the conventional way of using cadaver body bags to the cling film plastic wrap forms a new perspective in managing the dead and facilitating the human identification needs. New inventive idea of adopting the cling film plastic wrap as means of protecting the dignity of the dead person, could be the way forward in humanitarian forensic action.
    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology
  18. Nor FM, Abdullah N, Mustapa AM, Qi Wen L, Faisal NA, Ahmad Nazari DA
    J Forensic Leg Med, 2013 Nov;20(8):947-52.
    PMID: 24237796 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2013.09.006
    Estimation of stature is an important step in developing a biological profile for human identification. It may provide a valuable indicator for an unknown individual in a population. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between stature and lower limb dimensions in the Malaysian population. The sample comprised 100 corpses, which included 69 males and 31 females between the age range of 20-90 years old. The parameters measured were stature, thigh length, lower leg length, leg length, foot length, foot height and foot breadth. Results showed that the mean values in males were significantly higher than those in females (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology/methods
  19. Johan NA, Khamis MF, Abdul Jamal NS, Ahmad B, Mahanani ES
    J Forensic Odontostomatol, 2012 Jul;30(1):45-54.
    PMID: 23000811
    This study aimed to assess the variability of the lower third molar (tooth 38 and 48) development in Northeast Malaysian population with respect to the side of dentition, to generate age prediction models and to compare the outcome with other studies. A total of 1080 orthopantomograms of Northeast Malaysian population aged between 14 and 25 years (540 males and 540 females) from the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia's archive which met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected and the maturity stages of tooth 38 and 48 were scored using Demirjian's stages (A-H). The findings showed a wide variation of the development of lower third molars in the Northeast Malaysian population. The roots developed earlier in males than in females. The development of the dentition on opposite sides of the mandible was synchronously in females and males. A multiple regression analysis shows that 71.1% of variance in age was explained by sex and developmental stage of tooth 48. An age prediction model was generated from the regression analysis: [Age = 7.117 + 1.907*(stage of tooth 48) - 0.432*(sex)] with mean prediction errors between -0.17 to 3.14 years. The obtained data in the current study are useful for references and determining age of unidentified human remains for identification investigation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology/methods
  20. Ibáñez O, Vicente R, Navega DS, Wilkinson C, Jayaprakash PT, Huete MI, et al.
    Forensic Sci Int, 2015 Dec;257:496-503.
    PMID: 26060056 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.05.030
    As part of the scientific tasks coordinated throughout The 'New Methodologies and Protocols of Forensic Identification by Craniofacial Superimposition (MEPROCS)' project, the current study aims to analyse the performance of a diverse set of CFS methodologies and the corresponding technical approaches when dealing with a common dataset of real-world cases. Thus, a multiple-lab study on craniofacial superimposition has been carried out for the first time. In particular, 26 participants from 17 different institutions in 13 countries were asked to deal with 14 identification scenarios, some of them involving the comparison of multiple candidates and unknown skulls. In total, 60 craniofacial superimposition problems divided in two set of females and males. Each participant follow her/his own methodology and employed her/his particular technological means. For each single case they were asked to report the final identification decision (either positive or negative) along with the rationale supporting the decision and at least one image illustrating the overlay/superimposition outcome. This study is expected to provide important insights to better understand the most convenient characteristics of every method included in this study.
    Matched MeSH terms: Forensic Anthropology/methods*
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