No abstract

Establish a person's identity can be a very complex process, one of the main objectives of the forensic sciences. The analysis of the teeth, fingerprints and DNA comparison, are probably the most used technics, allowing fast and secure identification processes. However, these techniques can not always be applied, in some cases, it is necessary to apply different and less known techniques. In this work, a systematic analysis of the shape and dimensions of the palatal rugae was performed. We analyzed 120 subjects of both sexes, between 15 to 20 years olds, fully dentated, and by calcorrugoscopy were determined the shape, size, number and position of the palatal rugae. The most prevalent palatal rugae shape was sinuous (43%) followed by curve (27%), line (15%), point (11%), and polymorphic varieties (4%). The average number was 12.27, being higher in male than female. The palatal rugae that were larger were the sinuous (mean 9.58 mm). 40% of the rugae were found in the E quadrant, followed by D (30%), the rest was distributed among the other regions. The analysis of the palatal rugae and their features can be used as a reliable guide to the forensic identification.

RESUMEN:La tercera edad tanto en Chile como en el mundo es una población creciente, que se caracteriza por que sus habilidades motoras sufren un deterioro progresivo y natural, destaca la pérdida del balance como una más afectadas; facilitando las caídas y por consiguiente lesiones traumáticas graves, como es la fractura de cadera. Este trabajo persigue reeducar el balance y control postural en los adultos mayores a través del uso de realidad virtual. El estudio se llevo a cabo en el Laboratorio de Biomecánica de la Universidad de Talca. Participaron 20 sujetos adultos mayores (edad promedio 69 años). Se utilizo un modelo de intervención de 8 semanas con una frecuencia de 3 veces a la semana, 20 minutos cada sesión. Se evaluó el balance y control postural a partir de una plataforma posturográfica estática (Estandar y Tándem) antes de comenzar la intervención, a las 3, 6 y 8 semanas de tratamiento. El área y velocidad promedio disminuyeron de manera significativa en la fase de vista al frente en la prueba de apoyo Bipodal o Estandar lo que representa una disminución del 30% respecto de los valores iniciales. La velocidad promedio se redujo un 4% respecto al inicio (p<0,01). En la prueba Tándem, él área de desplazamiento del centro de presión (COP) disminuyo de manera significativa en la fase de vista al frente, lo que significa una disminución progresiva del 28% (p<0,01). El entrenamiento con RV (Nintendo Wii Fit) contribuye de manera significativa en mejorar el balance y el control postural en los adultos mayores. Aspectos observados en la variables posturograficas tales como: área de desplazamiento del COP en vista al frente para la prueba Estándar y Tándem, en la velocidad promedio de excursión del COP para la fase de vista al frente en la prueba Estandar y ojos cerrados para Tándem.PALABRAS CLAVE: Balance; centro de presión; Adulos mayores; Realidad virtual. INTRODUCCIÓNLa alteración en el sistema de control postural en edad avanzada, se ha asociado a la degeneración progresiva de los sistemas responsables de la postura, entre ellos los sistemas somatosensorial (propioceptores y mecanorreceptores), visual y vestibular (van Asten et al., 1988a). Este tipo de alteración es una de las principales causas que llevan a la pérdida del balance, facilitando las caídas en la población con una importante prevalencia en los adultos mayores (van Asten et al., 1988b).Por otro parte, la degeneración del balance en el adulto mayor (AM) ha estimulado la investigación en los últi-mos años sobre cómo interactúan los sistemas de control postural y cómo cuantificarlos en cualquier etapa de la vida (Gage et al., 2004). Los estudios muestran que el balance se pierde cuando el desplazamiento del centro de presión (COP) cae fuera de los límites de estabilidad, es decir, fuera de la óptima posición del COP dentro de la base de sustentación. Se ha demostrado que el envejecimiento está asociado con un incremento del desplazamiento del COP (afectando las variables de área y velocidad promedio) durante la posición de pie (Onambele et al.,...

SUMMARY:The aim of the present study is to analyze the differences in the soft facial tissue thicknesses measured in corpses without fixing, with recent death, and in embalmed corpses. 30 male human corpses were used; they were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of a conservation method. Fifteen bodies, without any method of conservation, with an average age of 38.6 years (SD 8.37) and Fifteen preserved bodies by means of the intravascular injection technique of fixing conservative solution on the basis of formaldehyde, with an average age of 38.4 years (SD 7.67). In each one of them the thickness was measured in eight medium and six bilateral paramedium landmarks, using the needle-punction method. The descriptive statistical ones were calculated and the t test was applied with 95% of significance. All the landmarks, except for right exocanthion and left and right gonion, presented bigger thickness in the cadavers embalsamed. You differ significant they were in the Trichion, glabella, nasion, pogonion, right superciliare, right supraorbital, right infraorbital, right gonion, left superciliare, left supraorbital, right infraorbital landmarks.

SUMMARY:The sex determination of human skeletons is important in forensic and anthropological research. It can be carried out through qualitative or quantitative analysis of morphological parameters of dimorphism. The shape of the piriform aperture is one of the classic indicators of sexual dimorphism since it describes differences between males and females according to strong populationspecific behavior. The purpose of this study was to analyze the presence of sexual dimorphism in the size of the piriform aperture and its relationship with individual skin color. We used 90 human skulls from the Collection of the Federal Universidad de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), with registered data on sex, age and skin color (classified as white, black and brown). The dimensions studied were: height, upper width and lower width of piriform aperture. All dimensions were greater in males than females, however, only the piriform aperture height was found to be significant with p <0.01. By analyzing differences and grouping them according skin color, the piriform aperture height was found to be significantly higher (p <0.05) in white, black and brown males. In the group of black individuals skulls, we found significant differences in the upper width (p <0.05). The main differences, related to the piriform aperture height and the low influence of skin color in the presence of sexual dimorphism in the piriform aperture size, are in contrast with what has been reported in the literature and justify the revision of the classic indicators used for diagnosis of sex in specific populations.