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Background: Donor-origin cancer is a well-recognized but rare complication after liver transplantation (LT). The rise in the use of extended criteria donors due to the current shortage of organs increases the risk. Data on donor-origin neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) and the most appropriate treatment are scarce. Here, we report a case of a patient who developed a NEN confined to the liver after LT and was treated with liver re-transplantation (re-LT). ----- Case summary: A 49-year-old man with no other medical co-morbidities underwent LT in 2013 for alcoholic liver cirrhosis. The donor was a 73-year-old female with no known malignancies. Early after LT, a hypoechogenic (15 mm) lesion was detected in the left hepatic lobe on abdominal ultrasound. The lesion was stable for next 11 mo, when abdominal magnetic resonance identified two hypovascular lesions (20 and 11 mm) with atypical enhancement pattern. Follow-up abdominal ultrasound revealed no new lesions for the next 2.5 years, when magnetic resonance showed a progression in size and number of lesions, also confirmed by abdominal computed tomography. Liver biopsy proved a well-differentiated NEN. Genetic analysis of the NEN confirmed donor origin of the neoplasm. As NEN was confined to liver graft only, in 2018, the patient underwent his second LT. At 12 mo after re-LT the patient is well with no signs of NEN dissemination. ----- Conclusion: The benefits of graft explantation should be weighed against the risks of re-LT and the likelihood of NEN dissemination beyond the graft.

Objective: The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of alcohol and drug intoxication among fatally injured motorcyclists in a wide urban area of Zagreb, Croatia. ----- Methods: We conducted a single-center observational retrospective study over a 10-year period (2007-2016) in 3 counties covering an area including 1.2 million residents. We reviewed the records on fatally injured motorcyclists, collecting information relating to sex, age, cause of death, time of death in relation to the time of the crash, and the circumstances of the crash (time of day, day of the week, season). Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and toxicology analysis results were collected and analyzed. ----- Results: We identified 163 deaths (95.7% males, 4.3% females). Overall, 64.2% of the victims were 20 to 39 years old. The majority (50.9%) of those fatally injured were responsible for causing the traffic crash; the rest were determined not to be responsible or the responsibility could not be determined. The most frequent causes of death were multiple injuries (55.8%) and isolated head trauma (23.3%). The rider's BAC was above the legal limit for driving (>0.50 g/kg) in 53.8% of cases, with a mean BAC of 1.91 g/kg. There was no difference in riding a motorcycle with a BAC above the legal limit between groups defined as younger (≤39 years of age) and older (≥40 years of age). The number of people with an illegal BAC was significantly higher during weekends than during the work week. The BAC of riders who were responsible for the crash was significantly higher than that of those who were not responsible or whose responsibility could not be determined. Use of illegal drugs or nontherapeutic use of legal drugs was not common and was detected in 10.4% of fatally injured riders. ----- Conclusions: Alcohol intoxication has a major role in motorcycle crash-related mortality. A significant difference in BAC between fatally injured riders responsible for the accident and those who were not responsible implies that measures directed toward prevention of drinking and driving behavior could lower the number of fatal motorcycle crashes. Weekend measures, especially during spring and summer, could have particularly significant effects.

Schizophrenia is a complex polygenic disorder of unknown etiology. Over 3,000 candidate genes associated with schizophrenia have been reported, most of which being mentioned only once. Alterations in cognitive processing - working memory, metacognition and mentalization - represent a core feature of schizophrenia, which indicates the involvement of the prefrontal cortex in the pathophysiology of this disorder. Hence we compared the gene expression in postmortem tissue from the left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC, Brodmann's area 46), and the medial part of the orbitofrontal cortex (MOFC, Brodmann's area 11/12), in six patients with schizophrenia and six control brains. Although in the past decade several studies performed transcriptome profiling in schizophrenia, this is the first study to investigate both hemispheres, providing new knowledge about possible brain asymmetry at the level of gene expression and its relation to schizophrenia. We found that in the left hemisphere, twelve genes from the DLPFC and eight genes from the MOFC were differentially expressed in patients with schizophrenia compared to controls. In the right hemisphere there was only one gene differentially expressed in the MOFC. We reproduce the involvement of previously reported genes TARDBP and HNRNPC in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, and report seven novel genes:SART1, KAT7, C1D, NPM1, EVI2A, XGY2, andTTTY15. As the differentially expressed genes only partially overlap with previous studies that analyzed other brain regions, our findings indicate the importance of considering prefrontal cortical regions, especially those in the left hemisphere, for obtaining disease-relevant insights.

The diagnosis of death as a result of starvation is established on anthropological measurements, visual appearance of the deceased on external and internal examination, microscopic analysis, laboratory testing, and exclusion of other causes of death. Herein, we present our findings on a case of 95-year-old man who died of starvation. After the diagnosis of starvation was established by traditional forensic medicine methods, we have conducted retrospective segmental analysis of stable carbon (δ13 C) and nitrogen (δ15 N) isotope ratios in hair sample. This method reveals periods of starvation through decrease in δ13 C and increase in δ15 N along the strand of hair. Our analysis revealed the decrease of 0.6 ‰ in δ13 C during the last 10-12 weeks prior to death, similar as reported in other investigations. Also, a decrease of 0.7 ‰ in δ15 N during the last 8-10 weeks prior to death was determined that was different than observed in previous studies.

Introduction Approximately half of all injury-related fatalities in the agricultural industry are associated with farm tractors. Skill-based psychomotor tasks, such as driving and operating such machines, are easily impaired as a consequence of the use of alcohol. We have analyzed characteristics of fatal traffic accidents involving tractors in Zagreb County, with special accent to prevalence of alcohol use among drivers. Subjects and methods The material comprised all fatal accidents involving tractor drivers in Zagreb County between the years 2001 and 2005 where a medicolegal autopsy had been performed and samples taken for subsequent forensic toxicological analysis. The total of 47 cases were included. Data were collected on characteristics of the fatally injured as well as on circumstances and dynamics of the accident itself. The results are presented with absolute and relative frequencies. Results Ninety-one percent (43 out of 47 cases) of fatally injured were males. No person was under the age of 18, 70% were between 18 and 65 years of age and 30% were above 65 years of age. Blood alcohol reading was negative in only 13 out of 47 analyzed cases (28%). Six cases (13%) had blood alcohol concentration (BAC) below 0.50 mg/mL, further 6 between 0.50 and 1.49 mg/mL, 16 (34%) between 1.50 and 2.49 mg/mL and the remaining six had BAC between 2.50 and 3.49 mg/mL. Median BAC among 34 fatalities with positive blood alcohol level was 1.80 mg/mL, while the highest concentration observed was 3.49 mg/mL. Multiple injuries were the most common cause of death (43%) followed by crush asphyxia (26%). Most of the victims (81%) died at the scene of the accident and all of them died within the first 24 h. In the majority of accidents (79%), the tractor operator was a victim of the vehicle rollover. Conclusion High percentage of farm tractor users driving under influence and high median BAC indicates that legislation alone is not sufficient in preventing accidents. Further effort should be directed toward education aimed to increase awareness of the obvious risk that alcohol use represents to driving and workplace safety. Taking into account that the overwhelming majority of fatalities occurred from rollovers, strong encouragement should be given to implementation of rollover protecting structure (ROPS) devices in order to prevent such type of fatalities.

Herein, we present a rare case of suicidal intoxication with carbon monoxide produced via reaction of formic and sulphuric acid with additional toxic effect of formic acid. The deceased was a 22-year-old men found dead in the bathroom locked from the inside. A bucket filled with liquid was found next to him, together with an almost empty canister labeled “formic acid” and another empty unlabeled canister. The postmortem examination revealed corrosive burns of the face, neck and chest, cherry-pink livor mortis, corrosive injury to the oropharyngeal area and trachea, subpleural petechiae, 100 mL of blood in stomach and superficial erosions of stomach mucosa. Toxicology analysis revealed 30 % of carboxyhemoglobin in the femoral blood and the presence of the formic acid in various samples. Quantitative analysis of formic acid was performed by measuring methyl ester derivative of formic acid by using headspace gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. The highest concentration of formic acid was measured in the lungs (0.55 g/kg), gastric content (0.39 g/L), and blood (0.28 g/L). In addition, it was established that content of the unlabeled canister had a pH value of 0.79 and contained sulphuric ions. Morphological and toxicology findings suggested that the main route of exposure to formic acid was inhalation of vapors with a possible ingestion of only small amount of liquid acid. The cause of death was determined to be combined intoxication with carbon monoxide and formic acid.

We present a case of fatal intoxication by the application of a transdermal fentanyl patch upon a superficial bleeding abrasion of a 2-year-old girl. The grandmother discovered the body of the child in bed at approximately 7 a.m. External examination revealed a properly developed, nourished, and hydrated child, with some vomit in the nostrils and inside the mouth. There was no evidence of trauma besides small contusions and abrasions on the knees, with a patch placed over the largest abrasion. Closer inspection revealed that this was transdermal fentanyl patch. Internal examination and microscopic analysis revealed regurgitation of stomach content, cerebral and pulmonary edema, and liver congestion. Toxicology analysis revealed trace levels of fentanyl in the blood just above the limit of detection (2 ng/mL), while concentrations in the urine, liver, and kidney were approximately 102, 28, and 10 ng/mL, respectively. Investigation discovered that the child injured her knee while playing the evening before. The grandmother applied the patch to cover the injury, unaware that she had used a fentanyl transdermal patch instead of simple band-aid. Although fatal intoxications are uncommon among young children in high-income countries, it is of major interest to raise awareness of such events especially since a great majority of these are preventable. The presented case points at the need for more thorough education of users and more strict rules in prescribing and handling of this potent medicine. As well, we find this case to be a useful contribution to the evaluation of postmortem fentanyl concentrations in fatal intoxication in a small child.

When a parturient has myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction, both maternal and fetal complications may result. MG is found in at least 1 in 10,000 women of reproductive age; it is not rare. Transitory neonatal MG (TNMG) develops in 12% to 20% of newborn infants whose mothers are myasthenic. The investigators reviewed 65 patients with MG over the course of 69 pregnancies in the years 1972-1999. The average maternal age was 28 years. Just more than half of them had had MG for less than 5 years, and 9 women were diagnosed at the onset of pregnancy. Moderate or severe MG was present in 57% of affected women; 11% had ocular MG. Sixteen patients in whom MG remitted completely received no treatment. Thirty others received only pyridostigmine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, whereas 23 patients received steroids in addition. Nine women underwent plasmapheresis when MG deteriorated in the final weeks of pregnancy. A majority of pregnancies ended in term delivery, but there were five premature births and a single miscarriage. In general, patients were admitted to the hospital 2 to 4 weeks before the expected time of delivery. More than 80% of labors were completed vaginally. In only one instance was cesarean delivery done because of worsening MG (before plasmapheresis was available). Pyridostigmine was given intramuscularly rather than orally at the start of labor, and prednisone was continued, sometimes in an augmented dose. MG deteriorated during late pregnancy in 14.5% of women and puerperally in another 16%. All patients with severe disease deteriorated, but only one had myasthenic crisis. These women had a shorter history of MG than those without any exacerbation. The incidence of TNMG in this series was 30%. It did not develop in any infant whose mother underwent plasmapheresis. Normal pregnancy and delivery are realistic expectations for mothers with MG. Only if MG is exceptionally severe should operative delivery be considered. In any given case the course of MG during pregnancy cannot be predicted.

The process of recovering and identifying human remains from individual and mass graves has proven to be the most effective method of resolving the fate of missing individuals in the former Yugoslavia. These efforts have two primary objectives: medicolegal—to identify the cause of death, and humanitarian—to bring closure to living family members, thus supporting the human rights of both the living and the deceased. From 1996 to the present, the remains of 388 individuals killed during the 1991 War in Croatia were recovered from the Glina and Petrinja areas (Sisačko–Moslovačka County). The purpose of this paper is to report on the demographic and taphonomic characteristics of the recovered remains, and identify factors responsible for the discrepancy in the identification ratios. To identify factors potentially responsible for the noted discrepancy, data were collected on the taphonomic characteristics of the recovered remains, the types of burials, as well as the factors responsible for positive identification. These factors included: forensic DNA testing, dental criteria, special signs (healed fractures, etc.), clothing and personal artifacts. The age distributions between males and females in the sample are significantly different. The mean age-at-death for males is 51.6 years, for females 67.0 years. In both sexes the majority of identifications (62.9% in females and 45.9% in males) were established through a combination of biological and non-biological features. In terms of the types of graves from which the bodies were recovered, positive identification in both sexes was lowest in mass graves (61.2% for males, and 84.2% for females). Females from mass graves were, however, better preserved than males—36.6% of males recovered from mass graves were completely skeletonized, while the same was true for only 19.3% of females (χ2=7.06, P

Although certain air weapons attain muzzle velocities comparable to some firearms, their successful use for committing suicide is rarely seen. Herein, we report a case of a young female died shortly after urgent admission to the hospital with penetrating gunshot wound to the chest. The autopsy revealed perforation of the pericardium and two perforative defects to the right heart ventricle. Injury was inflicted by a 0.177 caliber pellet, fired from an air rifle found near her body. Investigation ruled the death as suicide. The used air rifle fired the pellet with the energy density of 1.9 J/mm(2) , substantially above the threshold for inflicting injury. The pellet penetrated through two layers of cotton fabric and several layers of tissue to inflict fatal injury to the heart. In addition, we provide an insight into the wounding potential of air weapons, which illustrates the need for greater caution in handling those devices. Language: en

Dentalna erozija danas je najčešća nekarijesna promjena na zubima, a nastaje zbog dugotrajnog djelovanja kiselih kemijskih čimbenika na površinu zuba, bez utjecaja bakterija. Ti se čimbenici dijele na unutarnje i vanjske. Unutarnji čimbenik je kiseli želučani sadržaj koji se zbog povraćanja može naći u usnoj šupljini, a vanjske čimbenike predstavljaju sve kisele tvari koje se unose u usta, najčešće pojedine vrste hrane i pića te lijekovi. Svrha ovog prikaza je upozoriti na mogući utjecaj kombiniranog lijeka s analgetičkim učinkom (aktivne komponente – paracetamol, propifenazon, kodein-fosfat i kofein) na promjene na zubima. U radu se opisuju vrlo specifične erozije na usnenim dijelovima zuba te njihova ljubičasto-plavkasta boja uočena tijekom obdukcije pothranjenog 35-godišnjeg muškarca koji je umro tijekom prijma na bolničko liječenje. Heteroanamnestički je dobiven podatak o dugogodišnjoj ovisnosti o kombiniranom analgetiku. Osim promjena na zubima, obdukcijom su ustanovljene erozije sluznice želuca, kronični vrijed u području dvanaesnika, kronična upala jetara te hipoplazija koštane srži. Uzrok smrti bila je obostrana gnojna upala pluća s velikim gangrenoznim žarištem lijevog pluća. Kemijskotoksikološkom analizom potvrđena je prisutnost svih farmakološki aktivnih tvari u mokraći, žučnoj tekućini, tkivu jetara i bubrega, želučanom sadržaju, te u ekstraktu zuba. Raspravlja se o vjerojatnom mehanizmu nastanka promjena na zubima i promjenama na drugim tkivima i organima, kao posljedicama dugotrajne ovisnosti o kombiniranom analgetiku. Ističe se važnost zuba kao prikladnoga za toksikološku analizu metodom plinske kromatografije te važnost interdiciplinarnog pristupa u rješavanju forenzičnih slučajeva. Posebno se ističe izolacija analgetika iz zuba, kao korisna dijagnostička metoda u slučaju sumnje na zloporabu tih lijekova., Dental erosion is currently the most common non-carious change on the tooth resulting from longterm effects of acidic chemical (pH

Diagnostic workup of 49-year-old woman presented with large distended abdomen revealed a mesenchymal tumor of pelvic origin filling almost the whole abdominal cavity. Angiography confirmed that tumor goes from the uterus. Bilateral internal iliac artery embolization was performed preoperatively. Subsequently, the patient underwent successful surgical removal of the tumor which was found to be a 25-kg uterine leiomyoma.

The dopaminergic system is of crucial importance for understanding human behavior and the pathogenesis of many psychiatric and neurological conditions. The majority of studies addressing the localization of dopamine receptors (DR) examined the expression of DR in neurons, while its expression, precise anatomical localization and possible function in glial cells have been largely neglected. Here we examined the expression of D2-like family of DR in neuronal and glial cells in the normal human brain using immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence. Tissue samples from the right orbitomedial (Brodmann’s areas 11/12), dorsolateral (areas 9/46) and dorsal medial (area 9) prefrontal cortex were taken during autopsy from six subjects with no history of neurological or psychiatric disorders, formalin-fixed, and embedded in paraffin. The sections were stained using novel anti-DRD2, anti-DRD3, and anti-DRD4 monoclonal antibodies. Adjacent sections were labeled with an anti-GFAP (astroglial marker) and an anti-CD68 antibody (macrophage/microglial marker). The pyramidal and non-pyramidal cells of all three regions analyzed had strong expression of DRD2 and DRD4, whereas DRD3 were very weakly expressed. DRD2 were more strongly expressed in layer III compared to layer V pyramidal neurons. In contrast, DRD4 receptors had a stronger expression in layer V neurons. The most conspicuous finding was the strong expression of DRD2, but not DRD3 or DRD4, receptors in the white matter fibrous astrocytes and in layer I protoplasmic astrocytes. Weak DRD2-immunoreactivity was also observed in protoplasmic astrocytes in layers III and V. These results suggest that DR-expressing astrocytes directly participate in dopaminergic transmission of the human prefrontal cortex.

The differences between peritumoral brain tissue infiltrated by tumor and vasogenic edema were prospectively evaluated by comparing the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of peritumoral areas of infiltrative tumors (anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas) to that of peritumoral areas of noninfiltrative tumors (metastatic carcinomas) on 54 patients. Peritumoral ADCs indicated the possibility of differentiation between tumor infiltration and vasogenic edema, as well as between primary gliomas and metastases.

Introduction Nasal polyposis (NP) is considered to be the state of chronic inflammation of nasal mucosa and sinuses presenting with various nasal symptomatology. In most cases, it is treated conservatively. Recently, functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) was developed as the valuable and advantageous surgical procedure to treat NP. Despite the inherited risks of this procedure, its complication rate is considered to be acceptable compared to potential benefits for the patient. Case Fifty-five-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for surgical removal of the nasal polypus. After the usual pre-surgery procedures, the patient underwent FESS. Under general anesthesia, left sphenoid sinus was opened and cleaned from the imflammatory discharge, polypus was excised, and following the trepanation the left maxillary sinus was left to drain out. Polypus and pieces of sinonasal mucosa were sent to pathohistological analysis, which yielded in diagnosis of inverted sinonasal papilloma. The early postoperative recovery was regular, but 2 h upon the surgery, the patient started to lose consciousness gradually falling into the state of coma. CT scan and angiography of the head revealed pneumocranium, defect of the left ethmoidal sinus, hematoma in the left frontal cerebral lobe, as well as the hemorrhage in all four cerebral ventricles. A series of neurosurgical procedures followed in the next 8 days. Despite the attempts to resolve above complications, the patient remained comatous and died 16 days after the polypectomy. Autopsy revealed the extensive oval-shaped defect on the skull base in the left posterior part of cribrous plate of the left ethmoid bone. The brain appeared swollen and heavily congested, showing the zone of subarachnoidal hemorrhage in basal face of left frontal lobe. Frontal serial sections revealed large intracerebral haematoma in basal periventricular structures of left frontal lobe extending to the whole ventricular system. Apart from the above, most prominent finding was bilateral bronchopneumonia. The cause of death was attributed to bronchopneumonia following the brain trauma, manner of death ruled as violent. Conclusion Although majority of the patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis or NP recover well after the endoscopic surgery, the possibility of undesirable outcome must not be ignored. This case calls for assessment of potential medical liability caused by malpractice. Having in mind rather high prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis and NP, legal aspects of postoperative death should be carefully analyzed.

We tested a new approach to the stature prediction that could be used in the identification process of human skeletal remains of unknown identity. The stature of 19 female and 21 male adult cadavers was measured within 24 h after death and considered to be equal to the living stature. The antero-posterior radiographs of all limbs were taken, and the maximum length of the six long bones was measured from radiographs. There was a significant difference in the stature and maximum length of long bones between female and male cadavers (p

The aim of the article is to provide physicians with guidelines for differentiating human from animal skeletal remains. Morphologic features which clearly distinguish human and nonhuman bones are presented, together with an overview of the methods available for further analysis of bone material. Process of bone identification is exemplified through the case of skeletal remains recovered in Lika district in Croatia. Instructions for the physicians faced with bone material are given in order to better understand their possibilities and limitations when interpreting such findings.

Normal pregnancy and childbirth are known to be associated with marked changes in the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems. Generally, enhancement of clotting activity persists to prevent the risk of major hemorrhage. Hemostatic problems, either associated with a specific complication of pregnancy and labor or due to a hereditary or acquired bleeding diathesis or thrombophilias, present a significant cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. This article reviews hemostatic disorders in pregnancy and the peripartal period from the standpoint of the obstetrician.

Objective: Newer technologies have become very popular, but the selfie-mania has reached a stage where people are so engrossed in selfie- taking that they endanger themselves risking electrocution by live wires contacts on the top of railway wagons. We present one such case, dealing with issues related to selfie deaths. Case report: After witnessing the accident on the rooftop of a parked railway wagon, police found an electrocuted 20 years-old male. Our victim’s arms were semi-flexed in elbows and slightly spaced apart, while his legs were semi- extended with the knees raised somewhat off the rooftop. Above the body and the rooftop of the wagon extends the driving guide for the railway wagon’s electricity supply made of fuller copper ; above this guide, there is another made of stranded copper. The electrocuted body was completely burned and yellowish-brown in colour, in places, fragments of the clothes could be identified ; his waist belt, white training shoes, and socks were all charred. Some of his belongings, including a smartphone, were scattered nearby. As well, throughout the scene, pieces of slightly burned clothes could be found. On the live wires contacts on the top of the railway, there could be identified two traces of welding on that first wire. Similar traces of welding can be seen from the rooftop of a railway wagon. Discussion: Mostly, deaths caused by electrocution are accidental in manner. Suicides by electrocution are rare ; homicides are even more unusual. These accidental cases can be blamed on defective tools or electrical appliances. When caused by high-voltage wires, as in our case, they occur secondary to inadvertent contact with a high- voltage line. Inadvertence is likely to be due to the socially apprehended relationship between personality and selfie-posting behaviours. Namely, selfies or self-portrait photographs are typically shared on social networking services. Conclusion: We aimed to draw attention and increase awareness of the potentially harmful consequences of selfie-taking behaviours. In order to avoid such events provoked by technology-addicted trends, several actions should be undertaken. Increasing safety in public, in particular, workplace routines for many professionals should be a priority to reduce the number of unsafe events. Firming up the education and promoting risks of such behaviour should be a manner for public health organisations to diminish this hazard.

Objective: Criminalistics investigations, particularly those considering a dead body found with certain delay, present challenges such as naming the deceased, ascertain the cause and the time of death. Rarely, these questions can be answered with certainty especially in case of assessing a purposely hidden body. Case report: After the fire destroyed an apartment, the firefighters found a mummy in the living room. The body, wrapped in blankets and prone on a sofa where it was concealed beneath the dump of rubbish, belonged to an unknown women. It turned out that she owned the apartment where her son lived but was missing after the fire. He was unemployed ; of problematic, addictive behavior and has been collecting trash and storing it in the apartment. Police concluded that he set the arson to disguise his mother’s mummy. She has not been seen alive by any of the neighbors for years and the last time she was seen by her general practitioner was seven years ago. She was the beneficiary of a German retirement pension and had it paid out by the mail. The fire burst out soon after the mail carrier refused to deliver payment to the son. Since the decisive identification was not possible without molecular DNA analysis, preserved teeth were collected. The DNA profile of teeth collected at the autopsy corresponded to that of the blood sample of the living mother of the mummified woman. Discussion: The autopsy of a mummified corpse is a significant challenge. Certain determination of the identity is undoubtedly the most pivotal challenge in these cases. In that vein, it is essential to conduct a DNA analysis of the remains. Another problem lies in deciding on the immediate cause of death, due to the lack of vital organs. On a mummy, it is almost impossible to spot any visible traces of injuries. Additionally, there is an incapacity to estimate the approximate time of death, what is best subtracted in Knight’s quote: "The opinion of any doctor who offers a single time of death, instead of a range, must be viewed with suspicion." Conclusion: Whenever the dead body is found with a delay and when late postmortem changes have already set on, many of our conclusions on the postmortal period are relative. In the case of mummified bodies, the preserved basic appearance of the corpse does not warrant accurate identification, and the DNA analysis is mandatory.

Objective: To illustrate the identification first by dactyloscopy and then by molecular DNA analysis, since the former was insufficient and failed to yield adequate results to solve the case. Case report: After they found a human finger in the city centre of Rijeka, concerned citizens alerted the police. After inspecting the scene, the finger was transported to the Department of Forensic Medicine where it was rehydrated (by injecting diluted glycerol). After that, the dactyloscopy was possible, and the fingerprint was photographed. However, the automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) was unable to recognize this particular fingerprint in comparison to any other from the system database. Therefore, it was concluded that the finger belonged to a person who was not suspected of committing a criminal offense, or has not been a part of a ten-finger dactyloscopic collection, so the identification process remained unsuccessful. The medical examiner recognized it was the fourth finger of the left hand of a male that was chopped off by some sharp object. At the same time, into the neighbour county of Karlovac, the dead body of a young man of known identity was found in the car. By criminalistic insight into the events, police investigators from the police department of the county of Primorsko-Goranska županija (PU PG) assumed that the finger found in Rijeka was associated with the male body found in the car near Karlovac. By taking the required samples from the corpse and sending the finger to the Forensic Science Centre "Ivan Vučetić" in Zagreb, it was possible to conduct a molecular DNA analysis that confirmed the match between the finger and the deceased. Discussion: Dactyloscopy is an accepted scientific method for physical and legal identification of a person based on papillary lines (primarily on fingers, palms, and thighs). It helps with the identification expertise by rapidly identifying deceased persons when recognition can not yeald satifactory results. The case outlines the need for proper co-operation between police officers and medicolegal experts, emphasizing the role of the forensic laboratories. Conclusion: Dactyloscopy as an undisputedly cost-effective and reliable classical identification method can provide quick information on the identity of a person in some instances. Sometimes, however DNA analysis is mandatory for definite identification.