Timing: the Achilles heel of forensic pathology

Byard, Roger W.

doi:10.1007/s12024-016-9791-z

Cited by 13 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Determining timelines has been described as the Achilles heel of forensic pathology [ 35 ]. There are very few tools, and most are only applicable within the initial hours and days following death, and each method is vulnerable to biases [ 36 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbiome Data Accurately Predicts the Postmortem Interval Using Random Forest Regression Models

Belk

Carter

et al. 2018

Genes

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Death investigations often include an effort to establish the postmortem interval (PMI) in cases in which the time of death is uncertain. The postmortem interval can lead to the identification of the deceased and the validation of witness statements and suspect alibis. Recent research has demonstrated that microbes provide an accurate clock that starts at death and relies on ecological change in the microbial communities that normally inhabit a body and its surrounding environment. Here, we explore how to build the most robust Random Forest regression models for prediction of PMI by testing models built on different sample types (gravesoil, skin of the torso, skin of the head), gene markers (16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), 18S rRNA, internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS)), and taxonomic levels (sequence variants, species, genus, etc.). We also tested whether particular suites of indicator microbes were informative across different datasets. Generally, results indicate that the most accurate models for predicting PMI were built using gravesoil and skin data using the 16S rRNA genetic marker at the taxonomic level of phyla. Additionally, several phyla consistently contributed highly to model accuracy and may be candidate indicators of PMI.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbiome Data Accurately Predicts the Postmortem Interval Using Random Forest Regression Models

Belk

Carter

et al. 2018

Genes

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“…Although the last decades have reflected an increase in the number of studies aimed at finding appropriate methodologies for PMI estimation, the attempt to date skeletonized remains still proves to be a challenge for forensic anthropologists [ 5 , 6 ]. The complexity of this task is essentially related to the number of factors that can influence the natural evolution of changes that occur after death [ 7 ]. Yet, the majority of published studies do not reflect the influence of these factors, leading to biased results.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Luminol and the postmortem interval estimation — influence of taphonomic factors

Ermida,

Cunha,

Ferreira

2023

Int J Legal Med

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The estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is one of the key challenges for forensic anthropologists. Although there are several methods referenced for this purpose, none is sufficiently effective. One of the main reasons justifying the complexity of this task is the influence of several taphonomic factors.The study of the Luminol technique has stood out as a promising method for estimating PMI, complementing the existing methods, since it is an economic, easy and reproducible method that operates as a presumptive test. However, it is not known which taphonomic factors can influence the results obtained by this technique.The aim of this study is to test the influence of taphonomic factors, such as temperature, humidity, soil type and pH, on the estimation of the PMI by the Luminol technique.In order to test the influence of the referred factors, a sample consisting of 30 clavicles, with known and similar PMI, collected from autopsies, was distributed as evenly as possible by six vases and buried with different decomposition conditions for a period of 12 months. After the exhumation and sample preparation, the Luminol technique was applied.It was possible to clearly observe differences in the results. Thus, according to our research, it is possible to conclude that the results obtained by the application of Luminol are influenced by taphonomic factors. Therefore, the context in which a body is found should always be considered for applying this technique.

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“…На сучасному етапі розвитку судовомедичної науки та практики не втрачає своєї актуальності питання встановлення давності настання смерті (ДНС). Адже в більшості випадків смертельних наслідків, ключовим питанням слідчих органів залишається точне встановлення часу, що пройшов після смерті, оскільки ця інформація може допомогти ідентифікувати жертву, встановити обставини справи, притягнути до відповідальності злочинця чи спростувати причетність конкретної особи до скоєння злочину, спираючись на її алібі [1]. Однак точна оцінка ДНС все ще залишається складним завданням, незважаючи на чисельну кількість наукових розробок світових учених у даному напрямку [1][2][3][4][5][6].…”

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“…У своїй повсякденній практиці судово-медичні експерти використовують класичні методики визначення ДНС, що базуються на фізіологічних (аутоліз), фізичних (охолодження тіла), фізикохімічних (трупне заклякання), метаболічних (суправітальні реакції) та бактеріальних процесах, що відбуваються в тілі після смерті [2]. Однак дані рутинні методи включають великі неточності та обмеження у їх застосуванні і вони залежать від умов навколишнього середовища та індивідуальних ознак організму (вікові, статеві, фізіологічні і патологічні зміни) [1,3,4].…”

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Current state of the problem of forensic medical determination of the time since death (literature review)

Sokol¹

2022

Buk. Med. Herald

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Determining the time since death is a key issue for forensic authorities when working with a corpse at the scene of death. After all, it is precisely the accurate data provided by the forensic medical expert that makes it possible to answer important questions during the investigation of a crime. Despite the enormous amount of fundamental research conducted over many decades and devoted to the exact establishment of the time since death, this problem has not been solved yet. Despite the obtained promising results, most of the proposed methods were characterized as unreliable due to sensitivity to the influence of many external and internal modifying factors. In our opinion, it is promising to combine different methods of postmortem interval diagnostics for the simultaneous analysis of several components, which will allow taking into account various causes of death, pathological conditions and other factors that can influence the obtained result.

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Timing: the Achilles heel of forensic pathology

Cited by 13 publications

References 13 publications

Microbiome Data Accurately Predicts the Postmortem Interval Using Random Forest Regression Models

Microbiome Data Accurately Predicts the Postmortem Interval Using Random Forest Regression Models

Luminol and the postmortem interval estimation — influence of taphonomic factors

Current state of the problem of forensic medical determination of the time since death (literature review)

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