Forensic Sci., Volume 5, Issue 1 (March 2025) – 5 articles

Background/Objectives: Facial soft tissue thickness (FSTT) data are extensively utilized in forensic and medical sciences, serving as a foundational element for craniofacial reconstruction and identification methods. This study aims to analyze the differences in FSTT measurements between upright and supine positions in living subjects. Methods: The study sample consisted of 121 participants aged 20 to 86 years from Slovakia. Biological sex and age data were collected. FSTT measurements were taken at eight medial facial line landmarks and eight bilateral landmarks using a non-invasive General Electric LOGIQe R7 ultrasound device. Results: The results indicate that the head position significantly influenced more than half of the landmarks, with mean differences not exceeding 1.31 mm. Most FSTT values were higher in the horizontal position. Younger males and females exhibited significant differences in FSTT across various regions, including the eye, cheek, nose and mouth, with discrepancies in the forehead, chin, and cheek regions among younger males. In older males, only the gonion region showed a significant position-related difference, while older females demonstrated substantial FSTT changes at five landmarks, with the largest difference (1.31 mm) observed at the mandible, accounting for 15.74% of the mean FSTT. Compared to younger groups, older females exhibited higher FSTT values in the upright position. Conclusions: These findings suggest that measurements in an upright position may be more suitable for facial reconstruction, as positional changes in FSTT can occur in both positive and negative directions. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the mesiodistal and buccolingual alveolar diameters and the usual crown and cervical diameters and to test the reliability of these alveolar measurements for their application in dental anthropology in cases of missing teeth. Methods: A total of 127 skeletal individuals from the identified osteological collection of Certosa Cemetery (Bologna, Italy) were used in this study. After the evaluation of limiting factors, only the central incisor to the second premolar was analysed due to a null or small sample size for the molars. The mesiodistal and buccolingual diameters were measured at the level of the crown, cervix and alveolus. The relationship between the mesiodistal and buccolingual crown or cervical diameters and the alveolar measurements was assessed. Results: The buccolingual alveolar diameters showed consistently significant relationships with their equivalent cervical and crown diameters, while the mesiodistal alveolar diameters did not show consistent relationships. Furthermore, the patterns of phenotypic variation were similar for the alveolar, cervical and crown areas. Thus, the alveolar areas appear to show similar levels of variability compared with the equivalent crown and cervical areas. Conclusions: Alveolar measurements may serve as suitable proxies in comparative phenotypic variation studies and can be considered a useful supplement to the standard odontometric data collection strategy. The measurements proposed in this study for the evaluation of the alveoli are a valid alternative in situations in which teeth are not available for measurement, such as in forensic and archaeological contexts. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), combined with an Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS), has been, for over fifty years of practical experience and research in the field, the analytical system of choice for the investigation and analysis of Gun Shot Residues (GSRs). However, the interpretation of analytical results has profoundly changed in recent decades. Specifically, the criteria for evaluating particles presumptive of contamination of a possible discharge have evolved, assessments regarding possible primary/secondary transfer phenomena have been refined, and the retention times of particulate matter on various types of surfaces involved during the discharge have been revalued. The purpose of this study is to provide a formal representation that links together the firearm memory effect, namely the formation of composite characteristic GSRs resulting from the use of the same Firearm but with ammunition having different metallic alloy constituents and different primer mixtures, and the decay time. Methods: The deduced mathematical model is based on experimental results reported in the scientific literature listed below, and it has been elaborated with a series of non-contradictory assumptions, each of which plays a specific role in the mathematical formalism used. Results and Conclusions: This model, although not yet validated through rigorous experimentation, represents a valuable tool in investigations related to the firearm memory effect when forensic specialists have collected GSR samples from the hands of the alleged shooter within four hours of the shooting. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sex estimation constitutes an important tool in the process of identifying an anonymous individual in forensic contexts. The bones commonly used in sex estimation are those that exhibit greater sexual dimorphism, such as the pelvis or the femur. However, these bones are not always available, which means that it is necessary to find alternative bones for analysis. The main purposes of this study include the assessment of fibular and tibial sexual dimorphism in samples from three Portuguese reference skeletal collections, and the development of metric models for the estimation of biological sex. Methods: A sample of 290 individuals (160 females; 130 males), belonging to the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection (training sample), the Lisbon Identified Skeletal Collection (test sample), and 21st the Century Identified Skeletal Collection (training sample), was employed to develop models for sex prediction through logistic regression. Results: From the identification of the most dimorphic bone dimensions, 13 models were created with an accuracy ranging between 80.1% and 89.7% in the training sample (under cross-validation), and between 82.5% and 91.7% in the test sample Conclusions: The results of this work show that predictive models based on the fibula and tibia can be accurate and unbiased. Full article

Background: Strangulation by ligature, most frequently employed for homicidal purposes, is not a common suicide method. Even more infrequent is the use by the victim of cable ties as a tool of self-strangulation. Methods: We describe a case of a 50-year-old woman who was found dead with a cable tie tight around her neck. In our case, analysis of the circumstantial data and the psychopathological history of the victim—along with an external examination, an autopsy, and toxicological findings—was crucial in the differential diagnosis between death intentionally inflicted by a third person and suicide. Through a narrative review conducted by performing a literature search using online resources (PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect). Results: we were only able to identify eight similar cases. Conclusions: These were compared with our case, to trace similarities and differences, useful in guiding the forensic doctor in the diagnosis of death in such circumstances. Full article