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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.03.026 Byline: Niels Lynnerup (a), Henrik Kjeldsen (b), Ralf Zweihoff (c), Steffen Heegaard (d), Christina Jacobsen (a), Jan Heinemeier (b) Keywords: Age at death; Forensic; Chronology; Radiocarbon Abstract: Based on an actual case, where we were able to ascertain the year of birth of three dead babies found in a deep-freezer to within 1-2 years (1986, 1988 and 2004, respectively), we review the current state of forensic age determination/year of birth determination. The age of an individual (year of birth) is often a fundamental piece of data in connection with forensic identification of unidentified bodies. The methods most often used are based on determining various morphological, age-related, changes on the skeleton (or teeth, although odontological methods are not reviewed in this paper). As such, these methods are all relative, i.e. they do not furnish calendar ages or years, but an estimate of the age at death, with a rather large range, i.e. the methods rely on biological aging following the chronological aging. More recently, methods have been proposed using more direct ascertainment of age at death, e.g. protein racemisation, or, as in our case, radiocarbon methods. Especially the latter method may in fact yield absolute ages (years of birth), because.sup.14C activity, as measured in specific proteins in specific cells or tissues in the body, were in equilibrium with the so-called bomb-pulse, when these proteins were formed (at birth). The bomb pulse reflects a dramatic change in atmospheric.sup.14C content due to nuclear bomb testing, and these dramatic changes can be rather tightly related to single calendar years. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (b) AMS.sup.14C Dating Centre, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Denmark (c) Institute of Legal Medicine, Dortmund, Germany (d) Eye Pathology Section, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark Article History: Received 19 January 2010; Revised 17 March 2010; Accepted 19 March 2010

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.10.001 Byline: Christina Jacobsen, Niels Lynnerup Keywords: Forensic pathology; Forensic radiology; Computed tomography; Craniocerebral trauma; Skull fractures; Brain injuries Abstract: Computed tomography (CT) has been used routinely at the Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen since 2002. A retrospective study was performed in order to correlate CT-scan based diagnoses of cranial and cerebral lesions with macroscopic autopsy diagnoses in 56 cases. The CT-scans were performed by a forensic pathologist. They were obtained by using two different CT-scan protocols. The results showed correct skull fracture diagnoses in 34/56 cases. Fractures were diagnosed partially (9) or missed totally (13) on CT-images in 22 cases. The agreement for fracture diagnoses of the anterior, medial and posterior cranial fossae was 20%, 52% and 60%, respectively. Fractures involving bilateral bones were diagnosed correctly more frequently. The diagnostic agreement regarding brain injuries varied from 0% to 79%. Both the autopsy-reports and CT-scan descriptions need to be standardized in order to secure more exact comparisons in the future. Author Affiliation: Section of Forensic Pathology, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V Vej 11, DK-2100 Copenhagen A, Denmark Article History: Received 2 October 2008; Revised 25 May 2009; Accepted 5 October 2009

This study examines the evidence of three skeletal markers of childhood health that leave permanent observable changes in the adult skeleton during two climate events, the Medieval Warm Period (MWP) and the Little Ice Age (LIA) that occurred in the medieval period (1050–1536 CE). A total of 241 adult skeletons from the Danish medieval period were included. Linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) was examined macroscopically. Harris lines (HL) and infectious middle ear disease (IMED) were examined from CT imaging. The skeletons were segregated by the mortuary pattern of arm position that coincidentally changes between the MWP to the LIA. LEH and IMED increase in frequency from the MWP to the LIA while there is a reverse trend for HL. Significance: This is the first study that examines childhood health as reflected on skeletal remains of adults using a combination of CT imaging and macroscopic examination for temporal changes in the medieval period. The study did not include any sub-adults due to limitation of methods, i.e. the method of IMED is not yet developed to assess sub-adults. Neither was time-of-occurrence for the skeletal marker included as there is conflicting information from different methods for HL and neither has it been developed yet for IMED. A sample of sub-adults from both time periods could be compared by sub-adult mortality, as well as for differences in the timing of skeletal age markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of a preliminary study on the use of 3-D software (Photomodeler®) for identification purposes. Perpetrators may be photographed or filmed by surveillance systems. The police may wish to have these images compared to photographs of suspects. The surveillance imagery will often consist of many images of the same person taken from different angles. We wanted to see if it was possible to combine such a suite of images in useful 3-D renderings of facial proportions.Fifteen male adults were photographed from four different angles. Based on these photographs, a 3-D wireframe model was produced by Photomodeler®. The wireframe models were then rotated to full lateral and frontal views, and compared to like sets of photographs of the subjects. In blind trials, 9/15 of the wireframe models were assigned to the correct sets of photographs. In five/15 cases, the wireframe models were assigned to several sets, including the correct set. Only in one case was a wireframe model not assigned to a correct set of photographs at all. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The microscopic method of age at death determination was introduced by Kerley in 1965 [E.R. Kerley, The microscopic determination of age in human bone, Am. J. Phys. Anthropol, 23 (1965) 149–163.]. However, even though the method has been revised several times, there remain some fundamental issues concerning the reliability of the methods. This is because several basic histological features seen in a cross section of a bone have to be quantified according to the method, but the definition, and hence quantification, of these features leaves room for subjectivity. In a previous study we found that some of these features (osteon fragments and Haversian canals) could not be identified reliably. Only secondary osteons could be identified with a low inter and intra observer error. Furthermore, since the histological features are quantified in only parts of an entire bone cross section, the selection of these parts or areas is a potential source of bias. Finally, unless an unbiased method is used for addressing features on the borders of the selected areas, this will also introduce error. These issues have not been addressed specifically in previous studies. In this study, we used the methods of stereology to choose the regions of interest, as well as for dealing with border phenomena, and we only counted secondary osteons. Our results show a statistically significant increase in the median number of osteons per area unit with increasing age at death. However, this was after exclusion of one outlier. This result is probably due to the limited sample size (N =24). As such, this study is preliminary, but does warrant applying the described techniques to a larger sample. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The virtual approach in physical and forensic anthropology is increasingly used to further analyze human remains, but also to propose new didactic means for visualization and dissemination of scientific results. Computerized facial approximation (FA) offers an alternative to manual methods, but usually requires a complete facial skeleton to allow for the estimation of the facial appearance of an individual. This paper presents the case of Tycho Brahe, Danish astronomer born during the XVIth century, whose remains were reanalyzed at the occasion of a short exhumation in 2010. Cranial remains of Brahe were poorly preserved, with only a partial facial skeleton, and virtual anthropology tools were used to estimate the missing parts of his skull. This 3D restoration was followed by a FA using TIVMI-AFA3D, subsequently textured with graphic tools. The result provided an interesting estimate that was compared with portraits of the astronomer. The impact of the missing data estimation was investigated by performing FAs on 10 complete test subjects and the same 10 subjects after cropping and estimating 50% of the landmarks (reproducing the preservation state of Tycho Brahe's cranial remains). The comparison between the FA based on the complete and incomplete skulls of the same subject produced a visual assessment of the estimation impact on FAs which is relatively low. This procedure is an alternative to manual methods and offers a reproducible estimate of a face based on incomplete cranial remains. Although the case report concerns a historical individual, the robust automatic estimation of missing landmarks followed by a FA has value for forensic caseworks as a support to the identification process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Elevated systemic oxidative stress levels of 8-oxoGuo and 8-oxodG have been reported in individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). As no previous studies have addressed the link between local levels of 8-oxoGuo and 8-oxodG in the central nervous system (CNS), measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and urinary systemic levels, we employed autopsy-based material to elucidate this aspect. Additionally, we investigated the impact of 8-oxoGuo and 8-oxodG levels on the prevalence of somatic co-morbidities. Based on post mortem samples from deceased individuals with SMI (N = 107), we found significantly elevated urinary levels of both 8-oxoGuo and 8-oxodG compared to mentally healthy living controls. While we found an association between urinary and CSF 8-oxodG levels (r = 0.50, P < 0.001), a similar correlation was not evident for 8-oxoGuo (r = 0.15, P = 0.16). Additionally, the two r -values we r e significantly different (P < 0.001). Neither marker in urine or CSF was associated with obesity-related variables, metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes. The post mortem interval did not affect the results, but the agonal phase seemingly introduced bias. This study provided novel insights into the cellular oxidative stress levels in individuals with SMI. We demonstrated that increased oxidative stress locally and systemically is correlated and is a clear phenomenon in SMI. Although post mortem measurements contain some weaknesses, our study indicates DNA as the main site of oxidative stress modifications in the CNS in SMI. This may provide novel opportunities for treatment modalities. Additionally, our study demonstrated the applicability of post mortem material investigating systemic and local 8-oxoGuo and 8-oxodG levels. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • Mentally ill have elevated markers of oxidative stress compared to mentally healthy. • 8-oxodG levels in cerebrospinal fluid correlates with ditto levels in urine. • DNA may be the main target for oxidative stress damage in the brain in mental illness. • 8-oxoGuo and 8-oxodG appear stable post mortem in urine and cerebrospinal fluid. • Agonal phase might increase levels of oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine borers such as the shipworm, Teredo navalis , can cause great destruction to wooden archaeological remains in the marine environment. The focus of this study was to investigate whether shipworm preferentially settle on one orientation of the wood over another, i.e. radial, tangential or transversal and if the resulting tunnels are oriented in a specific direction according to the fibres within the wood. This was investigated using Computed Tomography (CT) scanning and subsequent 3D modelling as a method of both quantifying the severity of attack by shipworm and examining the orientation of the tunnels. Panels of pine, cut in tangential, radial and transversal planes, were placed in the sea at a location where shipworm was known to be abundant. After attack, the panels were weighed, X-rayed, entrance holes counted and 3D CT models created. All results show a difference between the three planes. The specific direction of the single tunnels could be evaluated using the CT models, since the individual tunnels could be isolated, and followed throughout the panel. The results show that the radial plane suffered a more severe attack than either of the two other planes. These results have implications for archaeological interpretation and conservation. For example, the results show that ancient ships built with timbers cut in a radial plane (e.g. Viking Ships or other structural elements cut in radial plane) may be more prone to attack and thus require more protection than those built in tangential or transversal plane should they be raised (difficulties lifting due to fragility) or preserved in situ . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropometric measurements (e.g. the height to the head, nose tip, eyes or shoulders) of a perpetrator based on video material may be used in criminal cases. However, several height measurements may be difficult to assess as the perpetrators may be disguised by clothes or headwear. The eye height (EH) measurement, on the other hand, is less prone to concealment. The purpose of the present study was to investigate: (1) how the eye height varies during the gait cycle, and (2) how the eye height changes with head position. The eyes were plotted manually in APAS for 16 test subjects during a complete gait cycle. The influence of head tilt on the EH was investigated in 20 healthy men. Markers were attached to the face and the subjects were instructed to stand relaxed, tilt their head to the right, to the left, forward and backward. The marker data for the right eye were used to calculate the EH. The respective deviation and SD from the relaxed standing EH and the EH in the Frankfurt plane, left tilted, right tilted, forward tilted and backward tilted, in addition to the corresponding head tilt angles were calculated. There was no correlation between the height of the subject and the maximum vertical displacement of the EH throughout the gait cycle nor between height of the subjects and the variation of the EH throughout the gait cycle. The average maximum vertical displacement for the test subject group was 4.76 cm (±1.56 cm). The average EH was lower when the subjects were standing in the relaxed position than in the Frankfurt plane. The average EH was higher in the relaxed position than when the subjects tilted their heads, except when they tilted their heads backwards. The subjects had a slightly larger range of motion to the right than to the left, which was not significant. The results of this study provide a range for eye height estimates and may be readily implemented in forensic case work. It can be used as a reference in height estimates in cases with height measurements based on time of the gait cycle and based on the degree of head tilt from video material. Our data also provide descriptive statistics which may be helpful when comparing eye height measurements of a perpetrator with one or more suspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed the trabecular bone changes in the pubic bone (PB) and in the auricular surface (AS) of the ilium using 319 CT scans of cadavers to estimate the age. Although the sharpness of the trabecular structure decreases in CT images when soft tissues are present, we identified four phases for the changes in PB and five in AS; a juvenile trait in PB and a senile trait in AS helped narrow the age range. High correlation with age was identified for both sexes in PB (F 0.89; M 0.75) and in AS (F 0.85; M 0.71) used independently or combined (F 0.91; M 0.78). The old adults (>60 years) could be evaluated with better accuracy and discriminated in several phases. We found low inter-observer error and low inaccuracy (about 6 years, mean for all age ranges). The method is robust with respect to slice thickness, display window and kernel within the tested ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the reliability of methods used for forensic dental age estimation. We analysed all cases over the last 21 years (1984–2004) of unidentified bodies that were examined for identification purposes (including age assessment), and of which secure identification was subsequently achieved. In total, the study included 51 cases and 7 different methods had been used for dental age estimation, with the Bang/Ramm and the Gustafson/Johanson methods being the most frequently applied. The age estimates had usually been recorded as 10-year intervals. Factual ages at death were in the range of 6–76 years, with the largest concentration of cases being in the age interval of 25–55 years (34 cases). There was good agreement between estimated age interval and factual age at death in 37/51 (72%) of the cases. In eight cases the factual age at death deviated up to ±5 years from the estimated age, and in six cases by more than 6 years. The average difference between factual age at death and estimated age was 4.5 years. The four subadults in the material were all correctly estimated within an age range of ±3 years. Our study showed that forensic odontological age estimates are reliable. However, the implementation of the specific methods may need to be adjusted concerning age ranges. In the future we recommend to register anamnestic information and the different steps in the methods used. Clinical evaluation should contain more details about attrition, colour, number and presumed age of the restorations and periodontal status. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Radiocarbon bomb-pulse dating has been used to measure the formation age of human eye-lens crystallines. Lens crystallines are special proteins in the eye-lens that consist of virtually inert tissue. The experimental data show that the radiocarbon ages to a large extent reflect the time of birth, in accordance with expectations. Moreover, it has been possible to develop an age model for the formation of the eye-lens crystallines. From this model a radiocarbon calibration curve for lens crystallines has been calculated. As a consequence, the time of birth of humans can be determined with an accuracy of a few years by radiocarbon dating. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The last of the Danish Viking Kings, Sven Estridsen, died in a.d. 1074 and is entombed in Roskilde Cathedral with other Danish kings and queens. Sven''s mother, Estrid, is entombed in a pillar across the chancel. However, while there is no reasonable doubt about the identity of Sven, there have been doubts among historians whether the woman entombed was indeed Estrid. To shed light on this problem, we have extracted and analysed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from pulp of teeth from each of the two royals. Four overlapping DNA-fragments covering about 400bp of hypervariable region 1 (HVR-1) of the D-loop were PCR amplified, cloned and a number of clones with each segment were sequenced. Also a segment containing the H/non-H specific nucleotide 7028 was sequenced. Consensus sequences were determined and D-loop results were replicated in an independent laboratory. This allowed the assignment of King Sven Estridsen to haplogroup H; Estrid''s sequence differed from that of Sven at two positions in HVR-1, 16093T→C and 16304T→C, indicating that she belongs to subgroup H5a. Given the maternal inheritance of mtDNA, offspring will have the same mtDNA sequence as their mother with the exception of rare cases where the sequence has been altered by a germ line mutation. Therefore, the observation of two sequence differences makes it highly unlikely that the entombed woman was the mother of Sven. In addition, physical examination of the skeleton and the teeth strongly indicated that this woman was much younger (approximately 35 years) at the time of death than the 70 years history records tell. Although the entombed woman cannot be the Estrid, she may well be one of Sven''s two daughters-in-law who were also called Estrid and who both became queens. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nineteen Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (STRs), DYS19, DYS389-I, DYS389-II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385, DYS388, DYS434, DYS435, DYS436, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS460, DYS461 and DYS462 were typed in Inuit (n=70) and Danish (n=62) population samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]