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Various infectious diseases, including COVID-19, MERS, and tuberculosis, are global public health issues. Tuberculosis, which is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), is highly contagious and can be transmitted through inhalation of the bacteria. However, it has been assumed that the infectiousness of bacteria and viruses in dead bodies weakens as the time from death increases. In particular, there is little awareness of infection control measures concerning decomposed bodies or even the need for such measures. The deceased, in whom we discovered MTB 3 months following her death, was a woman in her 80s who died at home. We performed judicial autopsy, because police suspected homicide when her husband hanged himself. Obtained organs were used for microscopic examination by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Ziehl-Neelsen staining. In addition, real-time PCR and mycobacterial culture testing using Ogawa's medium were performed for the detection of MTB. We found that the MTB in the decomposed body remained viable and potentially infectious. To identify the bacterial strain further, we performed DNA-DNA hybridization and identified the strain as MTB complex. Potentially infectious live MTB survived in the dead body far longer than had been previously reported. Pathologists should consider microbial culture tests for all autopsied cases in which the decedent's medical history or macro-examination suggests possible infection, even when a long duration of time has passed since death. Pathologists and specialists who perform autopsies should recognize that all dead bodies are potentially infectious, including those in which long periods have elapsed since death.

Forensic experts are often in confrontation with the challenging task of determination of stature along withrace, age etc. for the purpose of establishing the identity of the deceased individual in those circumstanceswhere only skeletal remains, mutilated or dismembered body parts, extremely decomposed body parts etc.are provided by investigating authorities. In the current study, a genuine attempt has been made to arriveat the population specific regression equation for stature prediction from the percutaneous length of Tibia.The subjects chosen for this study include 120 adult males belonging to Tamil population falling withinthe age range of 21 to 30 years. Stature and percutaneous lengths of right and left Tibia from each subjectwere precisely recorded following standard protocols using appropriate instruments and analysis of thedata collected was done applying Pearson correlation through SPSS software version 26 to arrive at theregression equations for stature assessment based on percutaneous right and left Tibial lengths respectively.By comparing the regression formulae obtained from the present study with those derived from variouspopulation specific studies done on Indian population, our regression equations found to be distinctive toTamil population and therefore can be authentically applied for calculation of stature of deceased frompercutaneous Tibial length in males of Tamil population whenever skeletal remains are available.

Here we report for the first time the SARS-CoV-2 detection in autolysed samples from an exhumed decomposed body post-thirty six days after death. Both naso-oropharyngeal swabs and visceral samples from the lung, intestine, liver, and kidney were collected from the body exhumed post-fifteen days after burial, stored in viral transport medium and in saturated salt solution respectively. Naso-oropharyngeal swabs showed the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 genome as identified by the amplification of viral E, N, RdRP, or ORF1ab genes by RT-PCR. Subsequent examination of tissues reveal the detection of the virus genome in the intestine and liver, while no detection in the kidney and lung. These results signify the genome stability and implicate the virus survival in decomposed swab samples and in tissues and thereafter in storage solution. Further results also indicate spatial distribution of the virus in tissues during the early stage of infection in the subject with no respiratory distress. Considering the presence of cool, humid, and moist location of the exhumation, the presence of virus genome might also indicate that SARS-CoV-2 can persist for more than seven days on the surface of dead bodies similar to the Ebola virus, confirming that transmission from deceased subjects is possible for an extended period after death. These results further reaffirm the robustness of the RT-PCR aiding in the detection of viruses or their genome in decomposed samples when other methods of detection could not be useful.

In several medico-legal cases, bone samples analysis may provide the only source of toxicological information. This case study reports the analysis of a human bone specimen, belonging to a 46-year-old man, found 3 months after his death due to cervical–thoracic injuries in a motorcycle accident. Bone specimen was the only available material for toxicological analysis, among few skull hair and rotten skin. Analysis was performed by a newly developed and validated ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography–mass spectrome- try/mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method, following simple and efficient sample pretreatment. The results were in accordance with the man’s medical record: Alprazolam and zolpidem were found at 2.2 and 5.4 ng/g of bone, respectively. Both these drugs were prescribed to the deceased.

Post-mortem diagnosis of drowning is a real challenge, especially in a decomposed body. The diatom test is considered a reliable scientific assessment in several countries including China. The lung...

As per prevalent view to determine cause of death in decomposed body is not rewarding in most of the cases but in our study we have determined cause of death in 30 cases out of 58 cases. Despite technical difficulties in handling the body and artifactual alteration of the tissue, the decomposed body may still reveal cause of death in significant number of cases. Fifty eight medico legal autopsies of decomposed bodies were conducted by us at M.G.M. Medical College, Indore, M.P. over twenty months study period from February 2012 to September 2013, Male (67.24%) predominance was seen in decomposed bodies with male female ratio of 2.44: 1. Maximum contribution by adult's 86.21% age group between 18 to 60 years followed by juvenile less than 18 years age group in 6.90% cases and least number of cases were seen in old age more than 60 years age group in 3.45% of Cases. Decomposition pattern categorized and 39.66% cases were in advance stage of decomposition followed by 37.93% cases was in moderate stage and least number 22.41% cases were found in early stage. The cause of death was ascertained in 51.72% of cases. Asphyxia (36.67%) was the commonest cause of death in decomposed bodies followed by cranio-cerebral damage in 30% of cases. Most of the decomposed bodies were found in summer season (65.52%) followed by rainy season in 25.86% of cases. Very few numbers of studies are available about decomposed body in available literatures.

Post mortem changes due to putrefaction sometimes make people wrongly consider the autopsy of a decomposed body as unrewarding. A 5-year retrospective study was conducted and included all types of decomposed body subject to medicolegal autopsy, excluding bone remains and charred bodies. Sociodemographic, medical, and forensic data were collected. In the 350 cases included, most were socially isolated mature males discovered at home. The cause of death was determined in 80% of cases, and the manner of death in 86.6%. Identification was considered effective in 99.7% of cases by the chief prosecutor. The authors show that such an autopsy usually answers most questions raised by the investigation but can also be a valuable tool in the prevention, making it possible to define a profile of persons at risk of dying alone. In addition, they underline that forensic scientists should be cautious in their identification of conclusion as diverging views regarding the concept of "presumed identity" may lead to ethical tensions between judiciary and prosecutors as well as the medical community.

It is a difficult task to determine the cause of death for decomposed bodies found in water. Diatom test has been shown to provide supportive evidence for the diagnosis of drowning. According to our previous studies, the ratio of diatom content in lung tissue to diatom content in drowning medium (L/D ratio) is a very useful indicator to distinguish between drowning and postmortem immersion. In this article, we presented a case of a highly decomposed body being recovered from water with no significant findings on its cause of death. We applied the microwave digestion-vacuum filtration-automated scanning electron microscopy method (MD-VF-Auto SEM) to detect diatoms in the organs and suspected drowning medium. In this case, positive results are found in diatom tests of lung tissue, liver tissue and kidney tissue, while the L/D ratio analysis suggested that the victim was more likely to suffer from postmortem immersion. Taking the result of L/R ratio and other findings into consideration, we can eliminate the possibility of drowning. With continuous study, the L/D ratio analysis would be a valuable tool in diagnosis of drowning. Keywords: Forensic pathology, Drowning, Diatom test, L/D ratio

On Thursday, November 6th, 2008, a 14-year-old Taiwanese junior high school girl, Fang Fang (方芳), was last seen skipping school at noon with her schoolmate, 14-year-old Tang Weiwei (鄧瑋瑋). They met up with Tang’s friend, 15-year-old Xu Jiajin (許家晉), and 19-year-old Xu Zhihao (徐志皓). Instead of following the initial plan to spend time at an Internet cafe, Xu Zhihao found Fang to be sexually attractive and suggested that they go to his uncle’s nearby old vacant two-level residence unit. In a bedroom on the second level, Xu Zhihao knocked Tang unconscious with an iron bar and instructed Xu Jiajin to bring her to the room next to the kitchen. Xu Zhihao next knocked Fang unconscious with his fist when she entered the room. He then raped her. To eliminate her as a witness, Xu Zhihao strangled Fang and cut her throat in the presence of Xu Jiajin. They packed the corpse in a plastic bag and disposed of it by dropping it from the second level into the building’s backyard. They later covered the corpse with a wooden plank to delay discovery. When Tang regained consciousness, she asked about Fang’s whereabouts and was informed that Fang had left. Tang was warned not to report anything to the police, and later she was released at the metro station. More than three days after Fang’s disappearance, on Monday, November 10th, 2008, Fang’s father finally reported to the police that his daughter was missing. It was not until four months later, in early March 2009, that Fang’s decomposed body was discovered. The police investigation finally led to the arrest of Xu Zhihao and Xu Jiajin on Tuesday, May 12th, 2009. On Tuesday, January 26th, 2010, Xu Zhihao was sentenced to death for the murder of Fang, while Xu Jiajin was sentenced to serve time behind bars at a juvenile detention center, because of his juvenile status as an accomplice in the case. On Wednesday, November 24th, 2010, Xu Zhihao’s sentence was reduced by the High Court to life imprisonment with the condition that he serve a minimum of 25 years.

Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid (DNA) is unique to each and every individual and it remains constant throughout the life as it follows the laws of Mendelian inheritance. However DNA analysis is widely accepted techniques for personal identification. DNA extraction and isolation from ancient bone samples, degraded body parts etc. is still quite difficult and challenging task for forensic scientist. But new upcoming technology like nanotechnology will help for analysis of such samples for DNA. Hence, in this review article we are short listed some of the research articles which used the different nanoparticles for DNA extraction. Where different nanoparticles used for the DNA extraction were cited and explained in brief.

วารสารสมาคมแพทย์นิติเวชแห่งประเทศไทย, 12, 1, 80-91

We report the case of a middle-aged male working on board a ship. His body was found floating in the river, near shoreline, by security officials. A postmortem on the decomposed body revealed a recent myocardial infarction. Comorbid conditions included coronary atheromatous disease and long term tobacco smoking. Not all bodies found dead in water are likely to have drowned. This case demonstrates the importance of a thorough forensic investigation, particularly in histological terms, in subjects found dead in water, in order to ascertain the real cause of death, which may not be always assigned to asphyxia by drowning.

A severely decomposed body was found partially submerged in a creek. A bag of brown fibrous seeds was found nearby. Postmortem examination revealed saponified soft tissues and assorted skeletal elements without evidence of ante- or perimortem trauma. Anthropological, dental, and investigative evidence identified the decedent as a 31-year-old man who had been reported missing approximately two months prior after a suicide note was found at his residence. Investigation indicated he had purchased Cerbera seeds from the Internet. The fruits of the Cerbera “suicide” tree contain the toxin cerberin, a cardiac glycoside, which can induce heart block and lethal arrhythmias. Extensive putrefaction of the tissues and a lack of appropriate laboratory reference standards precluded identification of cerberin on postmortem toxicology. The seeds found at the scene were sent to a research botanist who identified them as Cerbera manghas L. of the plant family Apocynaceae. Based on these findings, the cause of death was determined to be cerberin poisoning. We are not aware of previously reported cases of cerberin poisonings within the United States, even though its use for suicidal and homicidal means has been well documented in eastern Asia and the Indian Ocean regions. The relative ease of obtaining these seeds through the Internet may result in deaths anywhere in the world. This case highlights the difficulties in identifying the putative toxin in postmortem samples when unusual and exotic poisons are used. Atypical consultants, a botanist in this particular case, may allow appropriate determination of the cause and manner of death.

Postmortem CT angiography (PMCTA), by one of several methods, is an established technique for forensic investigation. Decomposition will eventually preclude PMCTA due to loss of vessel integrity, but these limits are not well established. This report illustrates a case in which PMCTA was used successfully in a decedent that was moderately decomposed. Imaging also provided a clear indication of the cause of death, in lieu of autopsy. In concert with history, scene and external evaluation, PMCTA aided the final establishment of manner and cause of death in this decomposed body.

There are two very common sayings about corpse (dead body). The first common saying is that “the corpse is a silent witness who never lies” and the other common saying is that “the dead body is extremely eloquent and honestly informative, if one exercises patience in listening to it.” Both these sayings were proved in one of our cases. In the present case, decomposed body of an unidentified female individual aged about 25 - 26 years was recovered from the bank of western Yamuna canal in Haryana. The police made the efforts for establishing the identity of the deceased but could not succeed. The body was forwarded to the district hospital for autopsy along with the inquest report. However, the body being in advanced stage of decomposition so it was referred from the district hospital to the department of Forensic Medicine, PGIMS, Rohtak (Haryana) for the examination and the expert opinion regarding the cause of death. The findings observed on examination of the body helped to deduce the cause, time and manner of death whereas certain important objective features of identification were also observed and ultimately proper identity of the deceased could be established beyond the reasonable doubt by DNA profile of the samples preserved at autopsy. The autopsy findings, DNA profile and the results of examination of other materials (exhibits) taken from the body not only revealed the truth from the silent witness—the corpse, but also provided objective and scientific evidence to establish the corpus delicti in this case.

Confirmation of a potential disinterred grave was sought by GC and GC/MS analyses of lipid extracts of whole soils and white particulate matter. Fatty acid profiles and concentrations determined for three of the soils correlated with the deposition of a large amount of exogenous organic matter, most likely adipocere and/or decomposed body fat. Determination of C 16:0 and C 18:0 fatty acid δ 13 C values by GC/C/IRMS revealed the input to be isotopically distinct from common British domesticated animals, plotting closely to values determined for adipose fat obtained from of a murder victim. By considering the difference between δ 13 C values (Δ 13 C 18:0–16:0 ) a potential isotopic proxy for identifying the source of adipocere (human) and adipose tissue was proposed.

Forensic entomology can be defined as the knowledge of insect and its relationship with a decomposed body. Post-mortem interval (PMI) can be determined by taking into consideration the insect species, the developmental stage of the insects and surrounding temperature as the duration of the life cycle stages depends on temperature. Parasarcophaga (Liopygia) Ruficornisis a well-known flesh fly species of medical importance, both as a myiasis-producing agent and fly seen in a forensic entomology context. Sarcophagidae, commonly known as flesh fly. Parasarcophaga Ruficornis larvae were reared in the incubator at 20,25,30,35 and 40°C separately. The developmental data, temperature and relative humidity of the rearing room were recorded from the time the larvae were collected until the emergence of the adult flies. The duration of the developmental stages of Parasarcophaga Ruficornis for all temperatures was recorded accordingly. Results obtained indicated that Parasarcophaga Ruficornis developmental stages grew normally up to 35oC but at higher temperatures there was mortality; however, the rate of the development of the developing stages was very high at 40°C. At low temperature, the time required to complete the life cycle was highly prolonged. Thus it is very important to consider the temperature during the determination of perfect PMI. The life cycle was completed in about 21 days at 20oC, 18 days at 25oC, 14 days at 30oC, 11 days at 35oC and 10days at 40oC.

One cannot not communicate [1] and in that sense, also the absence of normal tissue or normal bodily content within the human body may contain identifying shape information. Identifying replacements in human bodies may contain consequences of human enhancement [2] such as dental restorations, osteosynthetic implants [3], replacement of normal colour pigments by way of tattoos [4] but also abdominal calcifications. Using high-tech for delineating abdominal content against other substances seems like an offshoot [5] but we should not overlook inherent relevance of intricacies of identifying shape features due to repugnance or banality [6,7] when really, morphological value needs to be considered. In this case of a decomposed 65 year old woman, antemortem (Fig. 1A) and postmortem abdominal computed tomography (CT) images (Fig. 1P) showed a fecalith (Fig. 1, images numbered 1–4) as well as what appeared to be a calcified myoma (Fig. 1, images numbered 5–8). Abdominal calcification shapes allow to differentiate specific types [8]. Assuming that an iterative process in the genesis of fecaliths [9] will invariably result in a unique shape motivates us to propose that also this particular antemortem/postmortem match is unique (see Fig. 1 incl. legend).

Personal identification consists of the comparison of ante-mortem information from a missing person with post-mortem data obtained from an unidentified corpse. Such procedure is based on the assessment of individualizing features which may help in providing a conclusive identification between ante-mortem and post-mortem material. Anatomical variants may provide important clues to correctly identify human remains. Areas of idiopathic osteosclerosis (IO), or dense bone islands (DBIs) characterized by radiopaque areas of dense, trabeculated, non-inflamed vital bone represent one of these, potentially individualizing, anatomical features. This study presents a case where the finding of DBI was crucial for a positive identification through CT-scan. A decomposed body was found in an apartment in June 2014 in advanced decomposition and no dental records were available to perform a comparison for positive identification. Genetic tests were not applicable because of the lack of relatives in a direct line. The analysis of the only ante-mortem documentation, a CT-scan to the deceased dating back to August 2009, showed the presence of three DBIs within the trabecular bone of the proximal portion of the right femur. The same bony district was removed from the corpse during the autopsy and analysed by CT-scan, which verified the presence of the same features. Forensic practitioners should therefore be aware of the great importance of anatomical bone variants, such as dense bone islands for identification purposes, and the importance of advanced radiological technique for addressing the individualizing potential of such variants. We propose that anatomical variants of the human skeleton should be considered as being “primary identification characteristics” similar to dental status, fingerprints and DNA.

A case of roentgenographic identification of a decomposed, visually unidentifiable, edentulous deceased person is reported. Comparative evaluation of ante-mortem and post-mortem plain radiographs provided positive identification, confirming the presence of a transitional lumbar vertebra with concordance in dysmorphic features of a spinal dysraphism, and the configuration of sternotomy sutures used for surgical reconstruction of the sternum post-coronary artery bypass surgery. In addition, comparison of ante-mortem and post-mortem dental orthopantomograms confirmed the presence of iatrogenic dental evidence, in the form of amalgam tattooing. The use of amalgam tattooing in establishing identification has only been reported once previously in the literature (Slabbert et al., 1991). The stability in morphology and the location of the amalgam particle was sufficient to confirm the identification of the deceased as a single trait or as an adjunct to other identification criteria.

A badly decomposed body required identification by means of DNA analysis. A brother and sister of the deceased were available as reference subjects. Although investigation of Y-chromosomal markers established an exclusion condition, autosomal markers suggested a positive identification. In order to increase the reliability of the tests, X-chromosomal markers were also investigated. This analysis showed the body to have an XXY genotype (Klinefelter's syndrome). A number of hypotheses were assessed using biostatistical methods, ultimately resulting in a definite identification. The special aspect of Klinefelter's syndrome proved highly useful for biostatistical analysis.

The diagnosis of death due to drowning may be difficult, especially in cases of advanced decomposition, as most findings indicative of drowning sought for during post-mortem imaging and autopsy become obscured. The detection of diatoms within the corpse may still allow for the diagnosis of drowning, even if all other findings have decomposed. Other particles found in natural bodies of water, especially near the shore, are shell fragments. These shell fragments do not decompose either and can therefore also be detected within a badly decomposed body. We here report the detection of such shell fragments by post-mortem computed tomography in the airways of a body showing signs of decomposition. The presence of fragments in even very peripheral bronchi indicated that large amounts of shell fragment-laden water were aspirated, thus leading to the conclusion that the man died due to drowning.

An outwardly mummified and inwardly badly decomposed body was found in a garage. At autopsy, no injuries were detected. Apart from coronary heart disease, with an old myocardial scar and a hepatic steatosis, the most striking finding was a large intracranial epidural hemorrhage situated at the left frontal lobe. As a relevant traumatic genesis could be ruled out, we deemed this a nontraumatic epidural hematoma. This finding is extremely rare. Several underlying disorders have been discussed as causes of spontaneous epidural hematomas. In this presented case, the authors discuss possible etiological factors.

The usefulness of glycophorin A (GPA) as a marker of bleeding was investigated in decomposed bodies by using anti-human GPA monoclonal antibody immunohistochemically. Ninety-one specimens consisting of 37 skin and 54 muscle specimens were obtained from 21 autopsy cases with various degree of decomposition, which ranged from 12 h up to 2-3 months after death. The presence or absence of the bleeding in the specimens was evaluated macroscopically and was divided as follows: (1) specimens without bleeding (31 specimens), (2) specimens with bleeding (15 specimens), and (3) suspect specimens (45 specimens), in which the bleeding was not clear. By a peroxidase-labeled streptavidin-biotin method, positive reaction products for GPA were observed only within the blood vessels in the specimens without bleeding. On the other hand, in the specimens with bleeding, positive reaction products for GPA were seen not only within the blood vessels but also the extravascular tissues. Therefore, a specimen can be diagnosed as bleeding when GPA is distributed both within blood vessels and tissue outside the vessels. In application of GPA to 45 suspect specimens, 42 specimens (93%) were distinguished from the specimens with bleeding or without bleeding. These results prove that GPA is very useful as a marker of bleeding. The detection of GPA by the immunohistochemical method will help to differentiate between bleeding and hemoglobin (Hb) diffusion from blood vessels in a decomposed body.

Two cases are presented in order to emphasize the importance of mitochondrial DNA in forensic medicine. The first case involved a charred body which could not be identified by morphological means because of severe destruction of all tissues. The parallel use of PCR methods using genomic DNA and sequencing of the mitochondrial d-loop region produced unequivocal and reproducible results. In the second case, various parts of a highly decomposed body were investigated. The application of standard PCR methods for genomic DNA proved unsuitable to answer the question whether the body parts belonged to the same body. However, when sequencing of mitochondrial DNA segments amplified from tissue and bone samples was performed, clearly interpretable results were obtained.

When estimating the time since death or manner of death, the identification and the pathological evaluations of a body are generally impeded by post mortem changes. Research and case studies help experts to achieve a more accurate diagnosis, but at present there is scant literature covering topics concerning forensic science and decompositional processes in aquatic environments. The two case studies presented each involve a decomposed body found in a unique aquatic environment; namely wells containing ground water. In Case 1 an entomologist attended the scene and in Case 2 an entomologist was only involved after 20 months when it was decided that the insect evidence collected at the second autopsy may be useful in determining a time frame. The first case highlights the problems associated with body retrieval from aquatic environments as the body was removed it dismembered. Fortunately, the well was able to be drained, so much of the insect evidence was retrieved. In the second case the body was found dismembered but the entomological evidence was overlooked and lost. During the second autopsy insects were found, collected, and sent to an entomologist to help clarify the post mortem interval.

The cause and manner of death in submersion cases are a routine challenge for forensic pathologists as they present considerable diagnostic difficulties. The present study was undertaken with a view to determine the characteristic pattern in bodies retrieved from water. From a total of 6779 medicolegal deaths reported at an Apex Medical Centre, Yeotmal, a rural district of Maharashtra over a 10-year study period, only 110 cases (1.6%) were decomposed and 243 cases (3.6%) were non-decomposed bodies retrieved from water with a rate of 0.6 decomposed body as compared with 1.4 non-decomposed bodies per 100,000 population per year. However, out of total 353 bodies retrieved from water, 31.2% were decomposed and 68.8% non-decomposed. Male predominance was seen in both groups with peak at 31-40 years. The cause and manner of death were ascertained as 89.9% and 82.7%, respectively, in decomposed bodies as compared with 100% and 96.3%, respectively, in non-decomposed bodies. Drowning was the commonest cause of death in both groups with suicide as the commonest manner of death in decomposed bodies in contrast to accidental in non-decomposed bodies. Excessive amount of pleural fluid, aquatic animal activity and mud/vegetation in lower respiratory tract was more commonly encountered in decomposed bodies. However, fine white froth was not seen in any of the cases in contrast to 81% non-decomposed bodies. Bodies were commonly recovered from wells in both groups. Most of the bodies were retrieved in the rainy season followed by summer and winter seasons in both groups.

Forensic investigation usually deals with cases involving firearms. Deposition produced on hands and clothes after firearm shooting known as gunshot residue (GSR) is the primary marker, besides the presence of bullet and bullet wound, to prove that a suspect has fired a gun. This study was done to investigate the effects of GSR on development rate of Chrysomya megacephala and to apply the use of C. megacephala larvae in detection of GSR. About 100 larvae, respectively were exposed to two pieces of beef meat, one as control without GSR and another meat with GSR. Development rate of C. megacephala was monitored from larvae weight and length, survival rate and duration of development in each stage of life cycle. Post feeding larvae were used to examine accumulation of GSR. Presence of GSR was confirmed with the content of Plumbum (Pb) and Barium (Ba) as markers for GSR. Larvae from both meat, underwent acid digestion process for isolation of Pb and Ba, and quantitatively analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). It was found that the presence of GSR depressed the development rates and slowed down the total duration of life cycle approximately up to 12 hours in which larvae contained GSR required 242 hours to complete their development cycle from first instar to adult, compared to control larvae which only required 230 hours. Both of these elements were able to be detected from larvae of C. megacephala taken from meat containing GSR. Significantly higher concentrations of Ba detected within larvae feeding on meat containing GSR compared with control. In death cases, where dead remains underwent an advance decomposition process, the presence of GSR in the larvae system should be taking into consideration, since it may gives an error in estimation of PMI for up to 12 hours. Larvae of C. megacephala were able to be used as an alternative specimen for GSR detection when bullet could not be found at the crime scene and bullet wound could also be traced from highly decomposed body.

The decomposed body of a 53 or 57-year-old male was found with a gun in a locked car parked in a coin-operated parking lot. During autopsy, the entrance wound in the frontal bone showed a characteristic keyhole defect with internal and external beveling. There was no exit wound. The fragmented bullet traveled downward within the calvarium and struck the right orbital plate. Two independent linear fractures were observed away from the entrance. These were believed to be secondary fractures resulting neither from internal ricochet of the bullet nor from direct blunt force to the head. Although decomposition complicated the evaluation of the gunshot wound characteristics, microscopic examination confirmed large quantities of soot along the wound tract, supporting our conclusion that the range of fire was contact.

In an experiment involving five replications, the yields and qualities of chhana and rasogolla from goat milk, containing 1,2,3,4,5 and 6% fat were studied. Chhana was prepared by coagulating milk at pH 5.4 and 80°C using 0.5% lactic acid solution. Rasogollas were prepared by cooking chhana balls in 55% sugar syrup for 25 min. Milks with 1 and 2% fat gave chhana with dry surface, hard body and coarse texture. Chhana obtained from 3–6% fat-containing milks had fine textured, soft body with glossy white moist surface. Yield of chhana, total solids and fat contents of chhana varied significantly with variation in fat level of milk. Yields of chhana from milks containing 1,2,3,4,5 and 6% fat were 10.7, 11.6, 13.2, 14.0, 14.4 and 15.1% of the milk taken, respectively, and the corresponding percentages of fat in chhana were 9.3, 17.1, 22.2, 27.5, 33.1 and 38.0. The respective percentages of total solids in chhana were 39.8, 44.8, 47.9, 51.5, 55.2 and 58.7. While 3 and 4% milks gave round, soft, spongy rasogollas of acceptable quality, rasogollas from 1,2 and 5% milks were of poor quality. Milk with 6% fat produced rasogollas with completely decomposed body. Yields of rasogollas from milks containing 1,2,3,4, and 5% fat were 22.8, 25.4, 24.4, 28.4, and 28.4% of milk taken, respectively. The differences in yields were not significant. Increasing fat level in milk beyond 3% did not appreciably increase fat in rasogollas. Goat milk with 3–4% fat can thus be utilized successfully for preparing chhana suitable for rasogolla making which has great potential for development as cottage industry in goat-rich rural tropical Asia.

The recovery of different constituents of ammunitions in a dead body is of vital importance for investigation of firearm fatalities. The projectile that enters the body depends on the type of firearm used. The wound of entry and the wound of exit and the track are useful guides for reconstructing the incident of firearm injury. Most often, at autopsy, these projectiles are recovered from the body and preserved as materials of evidential values. This is further complicated when changes due to decomposition obscure and modify the appearances of the wounds of the entry and exists. In our country, especially with advent of readily available improvised firearms, the classical assembly of arms and weapons are not found. Handmade or improvised firearms produce injuries that are often unique and special. Here, we report a rare case of finding one revolver bullet, one country-made rifled bullet, and one shotgun felt wad along with multiple metallic pellets, all in a single decomposed body.

This article is concerned with forensic medical evidence and the several forms in which it was supplied to courts in early modern England. A specific trial is described and interpreted in detail, with particular attention being given to the kinds of information derived from the decomposed body of a young Quaker woman, believed either to have drowned or been murdered. The role of medical and lay evidence is evaluated and attention directed towards the ways in which the proceedings were recounted and recycled in post-trial publications. Major themes include popular attitudes towards dissection, the roles of lay and professional witnesses and the role of women as traditional sources of knowledge about the body.

A case of ligature self-suspension which remained undetected until the body was properly examined in the mortuary is reported. It emphasizes the need for the police surgeon attending the scene to undertake careful observation at the scene of death, particularly when postmortem decomposition is present.

The technique of immunocytochemistry was used to identify myoglobin in kidney, confirming a diagnosis of neuroleptic malignant syndrome following an otherwise obscure autopsy in a decomposed body. The features of neuroleptic malignant syndrome are reviewed with a differential diagnosis of myoglobin renal casts. The report emphasizes a thorough and detailed assessment of deaths which occur during treatment with neuroleptic drugs.

Identification of humans is usually performed by various scientific means, but comparisons of fingerprints, DNA profiles, and dental characteristics are the only accepted stand-alone forms of identification. Comparative dental identification is useful in the case of a heavily decomposed body because the fingerprint no longer exists and DNA profiling takes time. In comparative dental identification, collection of antemortem dental data is crucial because the identification cannot be performed with postmortem data alone. In most cases of identification of a decomposed or skeletonized body, the possible candidate for identification cannot be determined and collection of antemortem data is impossible. If there are no antemortem records, information that is helpful in identification is provided by forensic odontological and anthropological examinations. The postmortem examination process of estimating biological profiles such as age, sex, and stature is called postmortem profiling. With the postmortem profiling process, the search range of missing persons can be narrowed to determine a possible candidate for identification and collect antemortem data. With advances in technologies for analyzing DNA profiles

STR profiling using hard tissues obtained from a severely decomposed body is sometimes a laborious work. There is now on a market a new DNA extraction kit, PrepFiler™ Forensic DNA Extraction Kit (AppliedBiosystems), and we tested it for missing persons. Postmortem intervals ranged from weeks to several years. Fifteen bone fragments and eleven nails were used in this report. Genomic DNA was quantified by QuantiFiler ® DUO Quantification Kit (AppliedBiosystems), and STRs were analyzed using AmpFlSTR ® Identifiler ® PCR Amplification Kit (AppliedBiosystems). The profiling of 16 STR loci was successful in all nail samples. However, STR profiling was successful in only 6 of 15 bone materials. Nine cases failed to analyze STR polymorphisms using another DNA extraction kit, the QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (QIAGEN). For bone samples, it seems that STR profiling depends on the quality of samples.

A young prostitute disappeared in 1988 and her decomposed body was found in dumped 1991 in a front garden. A small clump of hairs was recovered from tapings taken from the body.Traditional DNA typing procedure gave no satisfactory results, but since hairs showed a sufficient quantity of medulla inside their stem, to increase the chance of success, in 2006 a multiplex STRs typing of hair-shafts was performed. The partial male DNA profile obtained was run against the UK National DNA Database in order to find a match.

Autopsy on an externally intact decomposed body showed empty thoracic and abdominal cavities with no trace of normal organ content. The process producing this previously unencountered situation is discussed.