Individualised and non-contact post-mortem interval determination of human bodies using visible and thermal 3D imaging

Wilk, Leah S.; Edelman, Gerda; Roos, Martin; Clerkx, M.; Dijkman, Inge; Melgar, Jordi Vera; Oostra, Roelof‐Jan; Aalders, Maurice C. G.

doi:10.1038/s41467-021-26318-4

Cited by 16 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…A fifth temperature logger was used to measure the ambient temperature. For more details on the instrumentation and the measurement protocol please refer to [29].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Next-generation time of death estimation: combining surrogate model-based parameter optimization and numerical thermodynamics

2022

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The postmortem interval (PMI), i.e. the time since death, plays a key role in forensic investigations, as it aids in the reconstruction of the timeline of events. Currently, the standard method for PMI estimation empirically correlates rectal temperatures and PMIs, frequently necessitating subjective correction factors. To address this shortcoming, numerical thermodynamic algorithms have recently been developed, providing rigorous methods to simulate postmortem body temperatures. Comparing these with measured body temperatures then allows non-subjective PMI determination. This approach, however, hinges on knowledge of two thermodynamic input parameters, which are often irretrievable in forensic practice: the ambient temperature prior to discovery of the body and the body temperature at the time of death (perimortem). Here, we overcome this critical limitation by combining numerical thermodynamic modelling with surrogate model-based parameter optimization. This hybrid computational framework predicts the two unknown parameters directly from the measured postmortem body temperatures. Moreover, by substantially reducing computation times (compared with conventional optimization algorithms), this powerful approach is uniquely suited for use directly at the crime scene. Crucially, we validated this method on deceased human bodies and achieved the lowest PMI estimation errors to date (0.18 h ± 0.77 h). Together, these aspects fundamentally expand the applicability of numerical thermodynamic PMI estimation.

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“…A fifth temperature logger was used to measure the ambient temperature. For more details on the instrumentation and the measurement protocol please refer to [29].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Next-generation time of death estimation: combining surrogate model-based parameter optimization and numerical thermodynamics

2022

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“…As a cyber−forensic science, digital forensics also plays a role in biomedical engineering. For example, thermal 3D imaging can determine the human body condition post-mortem [55]. In addition, bioinformatics combined with digital forensics also can explain terrorism's case of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) [56].…”

Section: Digital Forensics As a Cyber−forensic Sciencementioning

confidence: 99%

Current Evidence on Bioinformatics Role and Digital Forensics That Contribute to Forensic Science: Upcoming Threat

Hakim¹,

Putri

Hidayah

et al. 2022

JURRIMIPA

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Forensics has become an essential part of the disclosure of criminal evidence. A bioinformatics approach in the form of DNA forensics and digital forensics can be a good combination in disclosing digital-based criminal evidence. This study explains how the role of bioinformatics through the digital approach can be a means of forming new approaches in integration with digital forensics, called cyber-bioinformatics. Despite many hopes and challenges ahead, it does not rule out the possibility of criminal cases related to the privacy of human genomic data, so it proposes a new hypothesis, “cyber-bioinformatics.” The role of cyber-bioinformatics is very central in this regard.

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“…Various techniques and methods have been employed to estimate the PMI with the highest accuracy. Methods include examination of the external physical appearance; histopathological surveys [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]; reaction with a mineral acid, reaction with benzidine, nitrogen loss [ 9 ]; molecular biology [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]; metabolomics [ 16 ]; high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry [ 17 ]; UV-Vis spectroscopic methods [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]; radioisotope measurements [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]; luminol chemiluminescent reaction [ 24 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]; X-ray diffraction [ 32 , 33 , 34 ]; spectroscopic technology [ 21 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ]; postmortem computed tomography (CT) [ 48 ], micro-CT [ 2 , 34 ]; visible and thermal 3D imaging [ 49 ]; and entomological methods (succession model, carrion insect development) ...…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Micro-Computed Tomography for the Estimation of the Post-Mortem Interval of Human Skeletal Remains

Schmidt

Zelger

Woess

et al. 2022

Biology

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It is challenging to estimate the post-mortem interval (PMI) of skeletal remains within a forensic context. As a result of their interactions with the environment, bones undergo several chemical and physical changes after death. So far, multiple methods have been used to follow up on post-mortem changes. There is, however, no definitive way to estimate the PMI of skeletal remains. This research aimed to propose a methodology capable of estimating the PMI using micro-computed tomography measurements of 104 human skeletal remains with PMIs between one day and 2000 years. The present study indicates that micro-computed tomography could be considered an objective and precise method of PMI evaluation in forensic medicine. The measured parameters show a significant difference regarding the PMI for Cort Porosity p < 0.001, BV/TV p > 0.001, Mean1 p > 0.001 and Mean2 p > 0.005. Using a machine learning approach, the neural network showed an accuracy of 99% for distinguishing between samples with a PMI of less than 100 years and archaeological samples.

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Individualised and non-contact post-mortem interval determination of human bodies using visible and thermal 3D imaging

Cited by 16 publications

References 38 publications

Next-generation time of death estimation: combining surrogate model-based parameter optimization and numerical thermodynamics

Next-generation time of death estimation: combining surrogate model-based parameter optimization and numerical thermodynamics

Current Evidence on Bioinformatics Role and Digital Forensics That Contribute to Forensic Science: Upcoming Threat

Application of Micro-Computed Tomography for the Estimation of the Post-Mortem Interval of Human Skeletal Remains

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