Pub Date : 2025-12-02DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102761
Gunashree B.S.
Microbial toxins pose a significant threat to forensics due to their potential use in bioterrorism, unintentional exposure to pathogens, and natural outbreaks. This comprehensive review examines existing information and techniques for identifying, characterizing, and studying microbial toxins as forensic evidence. A systematic search was conducted on peer-reviewed literature related to the forensic detection of microbial toxins, classification systems for toxins, and emerging analytical technologies. Major databases were extensively searched using keywords relevant to forensic microbiology, toxin detection, and biosecurity implementation. The three main groups of microbial toxins of particular forensic interest are staphylococcal enterotoxins, clostridial toxins, and mycotoxins. Current advanced detection technologies include surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and next-generation sequencing, all offering greater sensitivity and specificity than previous methods. The CDC bioterrorism threat classification system is crucial for prioritizing threats and guiding responses. Forensic analysis of microbial toxins requires specialized analytical capabilities, rigorous quality assurance systems, and multidisciplinary expertise in microbiology, analytical chemistry, and threat assessment. Combining existing techniques with new technologies enhances both routine surveillance and emergency response capabilities.
{"title":"Microbial toxins in forensic science: detection, classification, and biosecurity implications − a comprehensive review","authors":"Gunashree B.S.","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102761","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102761","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microbial toxins pose a significant threat to forensics due to their potential use in bioterrorism, unintentional exposure to pathogens, and natural outbreaks. This comprehensive review examines existing information and techniques for identifying, characterizing, and studying microbial toxins as forensic evidence. A systematic search was conducted on peer-reviewed literature related to the forensic detection of microbial toxins, classification systems for toxins, and emerging analytical technologies. Major databases were extensively searched using keywords relevant to forensic microbiology, toxin detection, and biosecurity implementation. The three main groups of microbial toxins of particular forensic interest are staphylococcal enterotoxins, clostridial toxins, and mycotoxins. Current advanced detection technologies include surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and next-generation sequencing, all offering greater sensitivity and specificity than previous methods. The CDC bioterrorism threat classification system is crucial for prioritizing threats and guiding responses. Forensic analysis of microbial toxins requires specialized analytical capabilities, rigorous quality assurance systems, and multidisciplinary expertise in microbiology, analytical chemistry, and threat assessment. Combining existing techniques with new technologies enhances both routine surveillance and emergency response capabilities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102761"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145736791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A one-month-old girl in good health being carried by her mother in a baby carrier suddenly went into cardiac arrest. She was rushed to the hospital, but was pronounced dead. A forensic autopsy was performed. On the heart, which weighed 63.6 g, a single large, well-defined, round, white tumor was observed in the left ventricular wall. Tumor cells with spindle-shaped small nuclei proliferated along with collagen fiber proliferation. The diagnosis was cardiac fibroma. The tumor had compressed the left bundle branch, causing fatal arrhythmia and death. This case report describes sudden infant death caused by a primary cardiac fibroma, diagnosed postmortem.
{"title":"An autopsy case of sudden infant death caused by cardiac fibroma","authors":"Wataru Irie, Fumiko Satoh, Chizuko Sasaki, Eriko Ochiai, Maho Kondo, Satoshi Kamogawa, Yoshiya Saito","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102760","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102760","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A one-month-old girl in good health being carried by her mother in a baby carrier suddenly went into cardiac arrest. She was rushed to the hospital, but was pronounced dead. A forensic autopsy was performed. On the heart, which weighed 63.6 g, a single large, well-defined, round, white tumor was observed in the left ventricular wall. Tumor cells with spindle-shaped small nuclei proliferated along with collagen fiber proliferation. The diagnosis was cardiac fibroma. The tumor had compressed the left bundle branch, causing fatal arrhythmia and death. This case report describes sudden infant death caused by a primary cardiac fibroma, diagnosed postmortem.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102760"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145662525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-20DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102759
Ryo Namba , Masaru Asari , Yuta Takahashi , Chisato Hoshina , Kanae Mori , Katsuhiro Okuda , Keiko Shimizu
We developed a novel next-generation sequencing-based genotyping panel for 200 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci, and evaluated the genotyping performance when using small amounts of DNA. We analyzed 1144 previously characterized autosomal SNPs, and selected 200 informative SNPs, based on the allele coverage ratio (ACR) and amplicon size, to minimize inter-locus depth of coverage imbalances. Analysis of the 200 SNPs was performed using 1 ng of DNA from 66 Japanese individuals. The average ACR of most of the SNP loci ranged from 0.85 to 0.95. We also detected 200-SNP genotypes using diluted DNA samples (500, 250, 125, 60, 30, and 15 pg/reaction), and found high ACRs and concordance from less than 100 pg of DNA: the concordances were as high as 95.7 % and 88.0 %, respectively, when 60 and 30 pg of DNA were used. Our method also showed higher inhibitory tolerance than other methods when humic acid was added to the initial amplification reaction for SNP genotyping. When genotyping in the presence of 10 ng/µL humic acid, no SNP profiles were detected, but profiles with more than 99 % concordance were recovered on addition of bovine serum albumin. The genotyping performance was also evaluated using small groups of cells (10, 5, 4, 3, and 2 cells/reaction) isolated by micromanipulation with micro-tweezers. High concordance was identified on analysis of three cells (96.1 %). The use of isolated cells allowed accurate determination of the sensitivity, indicating that our method is highly sensitive and can provide informative SNP profiles for individual identification.
{"title":"Design of a 200-SNP panel for individual identification and evaluation of genotyping performance using isolated cells","authors":"Ryo Namba , Masaru Asari , Yuta Takahashi , Chisato Hoshina , Kanae Mori , Katsuhiro Okuda , Keiko Shimizu","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102759","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102759","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We developed a novel next-generation sequencing-based genotyping panel for 200 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci, and evaluated the genotyping performance when using small amounts of DNA. We analyzed 1144 previously characterized autosomal SNPs, and selected 200 informative SNPs, based on the allele coverage ratio (ACR) and amplicon size, to minimize inter-locus depth of coverage imbalances. Analysis of the 200 SNPs was performed using 1 ng of DNA from 66 Japanese individuals. The average ACR of most of the SNP loci ranged from 0.85 to 0.95. We also detected 200-SNP genotypes using diluted DNA samples (500, 250, 125, 60, 30, and 15 pg/reaction), and found high ACRs and concordance from less than 100 pg of DNA: the concordances were as high as 95.7 % and 88.0 %, respectively, when 60 and 30 pg of DNA were used. Our method also showed higher inhibitory tolerance than other methods when humic acid was added to the initial amplification reaction for SNP genotyping. When genotyping in the presence of 10 ng/µL humic acid, no SNP profiles were detected, but profiles with more than 99 % concordance were recovered on addition of bovine serum albumin. The genotyping performance was also evaluated using small groups of cells (10, 5, 4, 3, and 2 cells/reaction) isolated by micromanipulation with micro-tweezers. High concordance was identified on analysis of three cells (96.1 %). The use of isolated cells allowed accurate determination of the sensitivity, indicating that our method is highly sensitive and can provide informative SNP profiles for individual identification.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102759"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145617997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Botulinum toxin type A is widely used to block acetylcholine release in the treatment of chronic sialorrhea, muscle spasticity, and dystonia. We aim to develop a user-friendly method for detecting cases of medical botulinum toxin poisoning.
Methods
The mice poisoning model was established by injecting or gavage with Botulax®, and the poisoning dose and symptoms were observed. The residual levels of toxin in poisoned mice were detected by high-resolution mass spectrometry and sandwich ELISA, respectively.
Results
Two hours after poisoning, no residual botulinum toxin was found by mass spectrometry (MS) under our specific untargeted workflow and sample preparation conditions, but ELISA detected residual toxin in various tissues of mice. Among them, the muscle tissue had the highest level. There is no noticeable difference in the levels of toxin residues in the same organs of mice, regardless of the route of poisoning. The sandwich ELISA method is user-friendly for detecting medical botulinum toxin poisoning. The presence of toxin residues can be detected in various tissues two hours after exposure, with muscle being the optimal sampling tissue.
Conclusions
Our research indicates that under specific sample preparation, chromatographic separation, and untargeted detection conditions, mass spectrometry may not be effective for detecting Botulinum toxin at concentrations below the ng/ml level. The study demonstrates that ELISA is a sensitive and practical alternative for early detection. Positive results can be detected within 2 h of poisoning, especially when taken from muscle tissue.
{"title":"High-resolution mass spectrometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of residual botulinum concentrations in a mouse model of botulism","authors":"Dongqing Li , Junyan Liang , Ying Chen , Xianglei Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102758","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102758","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Botulinum toxin type A is widely used to block acetylcholine release in the treatment of chronic sialorrhea, muscle spasticity, and dystonia. We aim to develop a user-friendly method for detecting cases of medical botulinum toxin poisoning.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The mice poisoning model was established by injecting or gavage with Botulax®, and the poisoning dose and symptoms were observed. The residual levels of toxin in poisoned mice were detected by high-resolution mass spectrometry and sandwich ELISA, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Two hours after poisoning, no residual botulinum toxin was found by mass spectrometry (MS) under our specific untargeted workflow and sample preparation conditions, but ELISA detected residual toxin in various tissues of mice. Among them, the muscle tissue had the highest level. There is no noticeable difference in the levels of toxin residues in the same organs of mice, regardless of the route of poisoning. The sandwich ELISA method is user-friendly for detecting medical botulinum toxin poisoning. The presence of toxin residues can be detected in various tissues two hours after exposure, with muscle being the optimal sampling tissue.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our research indicates that under specific sample preparation, chromatographic separation, and untargeted detection conditions, mass spectrometry may not be effective for detecting Botulinum toxin at concentrations below the ng/ml level. The study demonstrates that ELISA is a sensitive and practical alternative for early detection. Positive results can be detected within 2 h of poisoning, especially when taken from muscle tissue.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102758"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145570069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-17DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102757
Anaïs Du Fayet de la Tour , Quentin Ballouhey , Pierre Raguin , François Paraf
Background
Female genital mutilation (FGM) refers to socio-cultural practices involving the partial or total removal of a woman’s external genitalia for non-medical purposes. These procedures are associated with numerous short- and long-term physical and psychological complications. While such complications are relatively well documented in adults, pediatric cases remain insufficiently reported. Forensic physicians are often the first – and sometimes the only – healthcare providers to detect and document these complications, particularly in asylum contexts.
Case presentation
We report the case of an 8½-year-old Guinean girl with a history of type IIb FGM, examined by a forensic physician during an asylum application. The medico-legal examination revealed a 3 cm mobile mass at the clitoral site, causing pelvic pain and urinary dysfunction. Her father had allegedly threatened to perform a second excision. Protective measures were implemented in coordination with child welfare authorities before surgical intervention, which resulted in complete resection of the clitoral mass. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of an epidermoid cyst.
Conclusions
This case underscores the critical role of forensic physicians in identifying rare pediatric complications of FGM and initiating both protective and therapeutic interventions. By enabling surgical treatment and preventing long-term psychological harm, it highlights the integrative function of forensic medicine at the intersection of health, law, and child protection.
{"title":"Clitoral epidermal cyst after excision in an 8-year-old girl: the pivotal role of forensic medicine in the detection and care of female genital mutilation (FGM)-related complications","authors":"Anaïs Du Fayet de la Tour , Quentin Ballouhey , Pierre Raguin , François Paraf","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102757","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102757","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Female genital mutilation (FGM) refers to socio-cultural practices involving the partial or total removal of a woman’s external genitalia for non-medical purposes. These procedures are associated with numerous short- and long-term physical and psychological complications. While such complications are relatively well documented in adults, pediatric cases remain insufficiently reported. Forensic physicians are often the first – and sometimes the only – healthcare providers to detect and document these complications, particularly in asylum contexts.</div></div><div><h3>Case presentation</h3><div>We report the case of an 8½-year-old Guinean girl with a history of type IIb FGM, examined by a forensic physician during an asylum application. The medico-legal examination revealed a 3 cm mobile mass at the clitoral site, causing pelvic pain and urinary dysfunction. Her father had allegedly threatened to perform a second excision. Protective measures were implemented in coordination with child welfare authorities before surgical intervention, which resulted in complete resection of the clitoral mass. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of an epidermoid cyst.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This case underscores the critical role of forensic physicians in identifying rare pediatric complications of FGM and initiating both protective and therapeutic interventions. By enabling surgical treatment and preventing long-term psychological harm, it highlights the integrative function of forensic medicine at the intersection of health, law, and child protection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102757"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145558162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cardiac metastases from malignant melanoma are rare and often remain undiagnosed until autopsy due to their nonspecific clinical presentation. The case report concerns a woman in her 40 s, with medical history of coeliac disease who presented with a triad of cholestatic jaundice, weight loss and generalised weakness. Acute cardiac symptoms occurred during the patient’s hospitalisation, with dyspnoea and palpitations preceding refractory ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Post mortem examination showed extensive metastatic melanoma that included the lungs, liver, spleen, lymph nodes and notably the myocardium and the endocardium. Importantly, no cutaneous or mucosal primary site was identified, classifying this case as melanoma of unknown primary (MUP). The histological and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the diagnosis. This case report summarises the range of diagnostic issues associated with cardiac metastasis from melanoma, where the clinical presentation can mimic other cardiac pathologies and cause undiagnosed fatal arrhythmias. The findings emphasise the significance of meticulous autopsy and histological examination in elucidating unrecognized cardiac involvement in patients with metastatic melanoma, particularly in MUP.
{"title":"Sudden death due to undiagnosed cardiac metastasis of malignant melanoma revealed by autopsy: a case report","authors":"Dorra Oualha , Taher Sakly , Oumeima Bouzid , Mariem Bel Hadj , Mejda Zakhama , Ahlem Bellalah , Nidhal Haj Salem","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102756","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102756","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cardiac metastases from malignant melanoma are rare and often remain undiagnosed until autopsy due to their nonspecific clinical presentation. The case report concerns a woman in her 40 s, with medical history of coeliac disease who presented with a triad of cholestatic jaundice, weight loss and generalised weakness. Acute cardiac symptoms occurred during the patient’s hospitalisation, with dyspnoea and palpitations preceding refractory ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Post mortem examination showed extensive metastatic melanoma that included the lungs, liver, spleen, lymph nodes and notably the myocardium and the endocardium. Importantly, no cutaneous or mucosal primary site was identified, classifying this case as melanoma of unknown primary (MUP). The histological and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the diagnosis. This case report summarises the range of diagnostic issues associated with cardiac metastasis from melanoma, where the clinical presentation can mimic other cardiac pathologies and cause undiagnosed fatal arrhythmias. The findings emphasise the significance of meticulous autopsy and histological examination in elucidating unrecognized cardiac involvement in patients with metastatic melanoma, particularly in MUP.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102756"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145558165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-11DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102742
Ghassan Ali Abbas , Rabiah Al-Adawiyah Rahmat , Amir Hazwan Abdul Rahim , Mariam Abdullah , Zuraiza Mohamad Zaini , Muhammad Khan Asif , Arofi Kurniawan , Phrabhakaran Nambiar , Norliza Ibrahim
Impacted mandibular third molars (IMTM) are often excluded from dental age estimation due to limited accessibility and morphological variability. This study aimed to develop an age estimation model based on the apical surface area (ASA) of IMTM roots using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). A total of 446 CBCT images of Malaysians aged 15–25 years (243 females, 203 males) from Malay and Chinese ethnicities were retrospectively analyzed. ASA measurements were obtained using Mimics and 3-matic software (Materialise NV, Belgium). Impaction levels were classified via a modified Pell and Gregory system, and impaction types using Quek’s modification of Winter’s classification. IMTM angulation, root number, and orientation across three planes were assessed. ASA means were compared by sex and ethnicity using t-tests, and ANOVA was used to evaluate differences across impaction levels, types, and root numbers. General linear regression was applied to identify significant predictors of chronological age and to develop the model, which was validated using an additional 123 CBCT scans. ASA showed a strong inverse correlation with age (r = –0.73). Significant sex-based differences in ASA were observed (male: p = 0.02; female: p = 0.03), with no significant differences between ethnicities. ASA, sex, number of roots, and impaction type were significant predictors of age. The model achieved an R2 of 0.607 and mean absolute error ranging from 0.85 to 4.87 years across age groups. This study underscores the use of IMTM from CBCT data as a feasible method for legal age estimation in the Malaysian population, particularly in distinguishing juveniles from adults.
{"title":"Legal age estimation using developing mandibular third molar roots of various developmental stages in Malaysian population: a CBCT study","authors":"Ghassan Ali Abbas , Rabiah Al-Adawiyah Rahmat , Amir Hazwan Abdul Rahim , Mariam Abdullah , Zuraiza Mohamad Zaini , Muhammad Khan Asif , Arofi Kurniawan , Phrabhakaran Nambiar , Norliza Ibrahim","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102742","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102742","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Impacted mandibular third molars (IMTM) are often excluded from dental age estimation due to limited accessibility and morphological variability. This study aimed to develop an age estimation model based on the apical surface area (ASA) of IMTM roots using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). A total of 446 CBCT images of Malaysians aged 15–25 years (243 females, 203 males) from Malay and Chinese ethnicities were retrospectively analyzed. ASA measurements were obtained using Mimics and 3-matic software (Materialise NV, Belgium). Impaction levels were classified via a modified Pell and Gregory system, and impaction types using Quek’s modification of Winter’s classification. IMTM angulation, root number, and orientation across three planes were assessed. ASA means were compared by sex and ethnicity using <em>t</em>-tests, and ANOVA was used to evaluate differences across impaction levels, types, and root numbers. General linear regression was applied to identify significant predictors of chronological age and to develop the model, which was validated using an additional 123 CBCT scans. ASA showed a strong inverse correlation with age (<em>r</em> = –0.73). Significant sex-based differences in ASA were observed (male: <em>p</em> = 0.02; female: <em>p</em> = 0.03), with no significant differences between ethnicities. ASA, sex, number of roots, and impaction type were significant predictors of age. The model achieved an <em>R<sup>2</sup></em> of 0.607 and mean absolute error ranging from 0.85 to 4.87 years across age groups. This study underscores the use of IMTM from CBCT data as a feasible method for legal age estimation in the Malaysian population, particularly in distinguishing juveniles from adults.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102742"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145617998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Formalin pigment is the most important artifact found in postmortem histological analyses. Although it has no forensic value, formalin pigment, when abundant or not well-known to the pathologist, can morphologically resemble, mimic or misinterpret physiological or exogenous pigments of forensic interest, making their identification challenging and leading to diagnostic difficulties. To investigate these aspects, a retrospective study was conducted on 35 autopsied bodies in various states of preservation in which postmortem histological analyses had revealed the presence of brown/blackish precipitates requiring a differential diagnosis with formalin pigment artifacts. In 29 cases (83%) it could be proven that the precipitates were not due to formalin artifacts. In some cases, however, they were of minor forensic significance, so that others could be categorised as highly forensically significant. These were mainly haemosiderin, lead from gunshot residue (GSR), granular precipitates as a result of acute poisoning with various substances and malaria pigment.
It should therefore be noted that precipitates that can be superficially assigned to formalin artifacts can conceal a multitude of pigments of different types, aetiologies and thus forensic significance, which also depend on the circumstantial and investigative context of the individual cases. For this very reason, it is of central importance for forensic pathologists to constantly question whether it may be useful to further investigate the diagnosis of suspected artifactual formalin pigment precipitates in autopsy specimens.
{"title":"Formalin pigment artifact in postmortem histology: Challenges and potential implications for accurate forensic differential diagnosis","authors":"Stefano Tambuzzi , Guendalina Gentile , Lorena Ferraroli, Salvatore Andreola, Riccardo Zoja","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102746","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102746","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Formalin pigment is the most important artifact found in postmortem histological analyses. Although it has no forensic value, formalin pigment, when abundant or not well-known to the pathologist, can morphologically resemble, mimic or misinterpret physiological or exogenous pigments of forensic interest, making their identification challenging and leading to diagnostic difficulties. To investigate these aspects, a retrospective study was conducted on 35 autopsied bodies in various states of preservation in which postmortem histological analyses had revealed the presence of brown/blackish precipitates requiring a differential diagnosis with formalin pigment artifacts. In 29 cases (83%) it could be proven that the precipitates were not due to formalin artifacts. In some cases, however, they were of minor forensic significance, so that others could be categorised as highly forensically significant. These were mainly haemosiderin, lead from gunshot residue (GSR), granular precipitates as a result of acute poisoning with various substances and malaria pigment.</div><div>It should therefore be noted that precipitates that can be superficially assigned to formalin artifacts can conceal a multitude of pigments of different types, aetiologies and thus forensic significance, which also depend on the circumstantial and investigative context of the individual cases. For this very reason, it is of central importance for forensic pathologists to constantly question whether it may be useful to further investigate the diagnosis of suspected artifactual formalin pigment precipitates in autopsy specimens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102746"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145565738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-10DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102744
Aleksa Leković , Slobodan Nikolić
{"title":"Regarding the “Commotio cordis: Insights from a case of blunt chest trauma and a road map for the correct diagnosis”","authors":"Aleksa Leković , Slobodan Nikolić","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102744","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102744","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102744"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145486458","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-10DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102745
Chunyan Tu , Hao Zhou , Runting Dou , Yongjing Li , Tan Li , Tingting Yu , Nuo Cheng , Jingjing Niu , Yaling Xie , Heng Zhang
Body temperature is an important indicator for forensic scientists to estimate the early post-mortem interval (PMI). Traditionally, forensic practitioners have mostly used methods such as measuring the internal temperatures of the body, including rectal temperature and liver temperature, to infer the PMI. However, these methods rely on the experience of the operator, suffer from manual measurement errors, and cannot fully consider the interference of environmental factors, resulting in unstable accuracy of the inference results. Infrared thermography technology can use optoelectronic technology to dynamically and monitor the surface temperature of objects and ambient temperature. It has the advantages of non-contact, convenience, and high efficiency. This project utilized thermography technology to monitor the surface temperature of SD rat corpses and the real-time ambient temperature under five average environment temperature conditions of 25 °C, 20 °C, 15 °C, 10 °C, and 5 °C, aiming to explore the correlations among the changes in body surface temperature, ambient temperature changes, and PMI. By comparing the changes in body surface temperature of rabbits, SD rats, and C57 mice, the project investigated the relationship between body weight and the rate of body surface temperature decrease. Then, multivariate correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, and machine learning analysis methods were employed to construct and evolve models for PMI estimation. Finally, the accuracy of the model was verified using the single-blind method. The results showed that using infrared thermography to detect body surface temperature and ambient temperature can more conveniently and accurately infer the PMI, demonstrating high application and transformation value.
{"title":"Establishing models for postmortem interval estimation based on measuring surface temperature of corpses and ambient temperature by infrared thermography technology","authors":"Chunyan Tu , Hao Zhou , Runting Dou , Yongjing Li , Tan Li , Tingting Yu , Nuo Cheng , Jingjing Niu , Yaling Xie , Heng Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102745","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.legalmed.2025.102745","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Body temperature is an important indicator for forensic scientists to estimate the early post-mortem interval (PMI). Traditionally, forensic practitioners have mostly used methods such as measuring the internal temperatures of the body, including rectal temperature and liver temperature, to infer the PMI. However, these methods rely on the experience of the operator, suffer from manual measurement errors, and cannot fully consider the interference of environmental factors, resulting in unstable accuracy of the inference results. Infrared thermography technology can use optoelectronic technology to dynamically and monitor the surface temperature of objects and ambient temperature. It has the advantages of non-contact, convenience, and high efficiency. This project utilized thermography technology to monitor the surface temperature of SD rat corpses and the real-time ambient temperature under five average environment temperature conditions of 25 °C, 20 °C, 15 °C, 10 °C, and 5 °C, aiming to explore the correlations among the changes in body surface temperature, ambient temperature changes, and PMI. By comparing the changes in body surface temperature of rabbits, SD rats, and C57 mice, the project investigated the relationship between body weight and the rate of body surface temperature decrease. Then, multivariate correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, and machine learning analysis methods were employed to construct and evolve models for PMI estimation. Finally, the accuracy of the model was verified using the single-blind method. The results showed that using infrared thermography to detect body surface temperature and ambient temperature can more conveniently and accurately infer the PMI, demonstrating high application and transformation value.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49913,"journal":{"name":"Legal Medicine","volume":"80 ","pages":"Article 102745"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145570068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}