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Imagining life before the advent of modern medical treatments is challenging. Today, congenital dysplasia is typically diagnosed within the first months of a child's life, allowing for timely intervention. In the past, however, this condition often went unrecognized and untreated, as evidenced by archaeological findings that document the presence of congenital dysplasia persisting into adulthood. We present the case of the individual recovered from the hypogeal cemetery of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vercelli, Italy, a funerary context dated from the 18th to the 19th century. Using macroscopic and radiographic analyses, various morphological irregularities were identified, consistent with the characteristics of developmental hip dysplasia. The skeletal remains identified as FU12 SU151 include a right os coxa and femur, belonging to an adult female. The femur features a 90-degree femoral head angle and a shortened neck with nodules. The acetabulum shows significant morphological changes, including a triangular shape and absence of lunate surfaces, deviating from the normal structure for femoral articulation. CT scans revealed a void within the acetabulum, indicating an absence of material. Despite preservation challenges that restrict the identification of definitive signs, our findings offer valuable insights into possible developmental dysplasia in historic skeletal remains. This research provides insights into the impact of untreated congenital conditions on past populations, underscoring the importance of preserving and studying such remains to enhance our understanding of historical health issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imagining life before the advent of modern medical treatments is challenging. Today, congenital dysplasia is typically diagnosed within the first months of a child’s life, allowing for timely intervention. In the past, however, this condition often went unrecognized and untreated, as evidenced by archaeological findings that document the presence of congenital dysplasia persisting into adulthood. We present the case of the individual recovered from the hypogeal cemetery of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vercelli, Italy, a funerary context dated from the 18th to the 19th century. Using macroscopic and radiographic analyses, various morphological irregularities were identified, consistent with the characteristics of developmental hip dysplasia. The skeletal remains identified as FU12 SU151 include a right os coxa and femur, belonging to an adult female. The femur features a 90-degree femoral head angle and a shortened neck with nodules. The acetabulum shows significant morphological changes, including a triangular shape and absence of lunate surfaces, deviating from the normal structure for femoral articulation. CT scans revealed a void within the acetabulum, indicating an absence of material. Despite preservation challenges that restrict the identification of definitive signs, our findings offer valuable insights into possible developmental dysplasia in historic skeletal remains. This research provides insights into the impact of untreated congenital conditions on past populations, underscoring the importance of preserving and studying such remains to enhance our understanding of historical health issues.

• Three Y-STRs amplification kits were tested with 63 critical skeletal remain samples. • PowerPlex® Y23 achieves more RFU and reportable loci than the other kits. • The newly developed Investigator® Argus® Y-28 showed a good performance. Y chromosome short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) typing is a useful tool in scenarios such as mass graves analysis or disaster victim identification and has become a routine analysis in many laboratories. Not many comparisons have been performed with the currently available commercial kits, much less with degraded skeletal remains. This research aims to evaluate the performance of three commercial Y-STR kits: Yfiler™ Plus, PowerPlex® Y23, and Investigator® Argus Y-28 in 63 degraded skeletal remains from mass graves. PowerPlex® Y23 yields more reportable markers and twice the RFU on average, while Yfiler™ Plus and Investigator® Argus Y-28 exhibited a similar behaviour. Additionally, Argus Y-28, which has not been tested with this kind of samples in literature before, showed a good performance. Finally, a predictive model was attempted to be developed from quantification and autosomal STR data. However, no acceptable model could be obtained. Nevertheless, good Y-STR typing results may be expected if at least 50 pg DNA input is used or 13 autosomal markers were previously obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When human remains are inadvertently located, case-related circumstantial information is used to generate an identification hypothesis, and the preservation of the remains typically informs which identification methods may then be used to validate that hypothesis. What happens, however, when there is no contextual information to generate an identification hypothesis? This paper presents the case of a near-complete human skeleton discovered at Sandy Point in Victoria, Australia. The circumstances of the case did not facilitate an identification hypothesis, and with no hypothesis to triage the identification process, all possible identification methods were employed. Preservation of the individual meant neither a visual nor a fingerprint identification was possible, and the lack of an identification hypothesis meant there was no antemortem reference data to compare with the postmortem DNA or dental information. Consequently, in addition to historical research, novel methods, such as radiocarbon dating and genetic intelligence, were utilized to complement information provided by the forensic anthropology and odontology analyses, which ultimately resulted in the identification. This example highlights the complexity of cases of unidentified skeletal remains and emphasizes the fact that identification is a process that necessarily requires a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach. Key points Human skeletal remains were recovered from Sandy Point, Victoria. The absence of circumstantial information and the poor preservation (i.e. skeletonized) of the remains precluded the formation of an identification hypothesis, rendering the identification process complex. Only through the integration of anthropology, odontology, molecular biology, radiocarbon dating, historical research, and genealogy were the remains able to be identified as Mr. Christopher Luke Moore, who drowned in 1928. Human identification is a process that necessarily requires a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human remains have been recovered from a number of historic shipwrecks and their associated sites, often hundreds of years post-mortem. While remains of victims who have fled following wrecking can be subject to a range of environmental exposures, human remains in marine environments are subject to unique decomposition processes, faunal predation and impacts on DNA. Researchers in museums and academic institutions holding historic shipwreck remains have applied a plethora of scientific testing methods to extract information from artefacts and shipwreck remains. Specialist forensic DNA techniques, often adapted from ancient and archaeological DNA methods, are designed to maximize DNA recovery, and advances in technology and forensic biology have increased options for genotyping compromised human skeletal samples. A vast array of new genetic markers can now be targeted for interrogation to reveal externally visible characteristics, biogeographical ancestry or extended genetic relatives of victims. Some of these techniques have already been applied to historic shipwreck remains. This paper reviews current and emerging forensic DNA techniques available for recovering and revealing genetic information from historic shipwreck remains. It aims to direct investigators conducting genetic testing on historic shipwreck human remains to forensic DNA techniques as a possible approach for yielding further invaluable information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of the paleoanthropological materials study of the 5th – 7th centuries originating from under the kurgan mounds and ground burials located in the Volga-Don steppes territory. Eleven skeletal remains of 8 men, 2 women, and 1 child were studied. The data obtained as a result of the paleopathological analysis of the material dating back to the post-Hunnic-early Turkic period have been introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. In the course of the paleoanthropological material analysis, analogies with nomadic cattle breeding groups residing on this territory in the Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, and Late Middle Ages have been established in terms of gender, age, and pathological indicators. The findings were confirmed despite the small number of the analyzed series. In adult individuals, a number of dental conditions were recorded, indicating that viscous foods rich in fats and proteins had dominated the diet of the early Turkic time population. The mobile lifestyle of the Volga-Don steppes population of the 5th – 7th centuries was reflected on the skeletal remains of the studied individuals in the form of stress indicators associated with horse riding and body exposure to low temperatures. The presence on a number of skulls of the studied group of traces of the use of deliberate artificial deformation allows us to make the assumption that they had traditions that were characteristic of the nomads of the Eastern European steppes of the first centuries of our era.

The goal of the following study is to clarify whether the skeletal remains over 70 years old from missing persons and their alleged relatives shared identical Y-STR loci. Nowadays, advances in ancient DNA extraction techniques and approaches of using multiple different Y-STRs have significantly increased the possibility of obtaining DNA profiles from highly degraded skeletal remains. Given the ages and conditions of the skeletal remains, ancient DNA extraction methods can be used to maximize the probability of DNA recovery. Considering that information about distant relatives is more relevant for long-term missing persons and alleged family members are male, Y-STR loci analysis is considered the most appropriate and informative approach for determining paternal lineage relationship. In this study, Y-STR genotypes obtained from these alleged relatives were identical to each other and to the alleles of missing persons' consensus profiles at more than 22 loci examined, whilst not being found in Y-STR population database from Y-Chromosome STR Haplotype Reference Database. Therefore, Missing Person No.7 and Missing Person No.18 have a patrilineal relationship with reference samples from Family1 and Family2, respectively. In addition, the fact that Y-STR haplotypes obtained from skeletal remains of missing persons and reference samples are not found in the Han Chinese people from East Asian demonstrates its rarity and further supports a paternal lineage relationship amongst them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Succession patterns of carrion insects on large mammal's carrion has been widely studied, notably to estimate the post-mortem interval in forensic investigations as accurately as possible. However, little attention has been paid to the carrion insects living inside these bones once a carcass is skeletonized. One very recent study documented flies emerging from pig carcasses, and only scarce authors reported the presence of other carrion insects taking advantage of the bone marrow. We, thus, aimed to (1) estimate the frequency of inner-bone space colonization by carrion insects, with particular attention to bone-skipper flies; (2) identify the insects living inside the carrion bones; and (3) determine whether or not carrion insects found within the bones can successfully exit the bones and complete their development. We extensively sampled 185 large mammals' bones collected from twelve vulture feeding stations and four isolated carcasses in southwest France and northern Spain. Sampled bones were opened, and the insects found inside were identified. For two bones, foramen, i.e., the holes providing a natural entrance and exit to the bone's inner cavity, was monitored with a camera to assess the insect's putative exit. We describe the entomofauna, i.e., the set of insect species, living within the bones, and illustrate insects' ability to exit the bones for their subsequent development and maturity. These results are discussed in the framework of carrion insect conservation and forensic entomology perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In forensic anthropology, the estimation of skeletal sex results in a dichotomous outcome: male or female. This poses challenges when dealing with transgender individuals. Italy has the highest rate per capita of transgender murders, making their identification a compelling issue. This study presents three cases of unidentified skeletal remains of transgender women (MtF) that underwent autopsies in the 1990s at the Institute of Legal Medicine of Milan. The transgender status of the individuals was determined from the autopsy records which indicated the co-existence of breast implants and male genitalia. The biological profile was created by estimating sex, age, ancestry, and stature, and the bones were investigated looking for evidence of Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS). Anthropological estimations revealed that the skeletons belong to male, adults, European individuals, between 164 and 184 cm. Fragmented gelatinous masses were found in association with two skeletons, which were interpreted as remnants of breast implants. In two cases, signs of remodeling of the cortical surface were observed on the zygomatic bones, although the bone marks observed here were not specific enough to link them to FFS. Despite some limitations, this study highlights the need for greater awareness among practitioners about this limitedly addressed issue, advocating for a more inclusive forensic anthropology that strives to improve methods and interpretation of evidence for the identification of transgender individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropologists have led the way in formulating techniques that reveal skeletal differences between males and females. Understanding of physical differences in the pelvis related to childbirth, hormonal impacts on bones, and extensive comparative studies have provided anthropologists with an array of traits and measurements that help them estimate sex using just bones. Forensic anthropologists and bioarcheologists are improving their ability to differentiate males and females by increasing research on a variety of postcranial bones and through the use of molecular data, especially new methods called proteomics, to identify sex in prepubescent juveniles. As remains from more cultures and time periods are studied, sex identification will continue to improve, because skeletal sex differences are in large part biologically determined. Yet, anthropologists have also been at the forefront of arguing that sex lies on a spectrum. Anthropologists who view sex as on a spectrum may deter sex identification progress; from their perspective, an individual of an undetermined sex may just be a nonbinary individual. Anthropologists who consider sex is on a spectrum are coming to this conclusion in part because they are looking for anatomical ideals, mistaking pathology for variation, and confusing independent variables with dependent variables. Nonetheless, anthropologists need to continue to improve sex identification techniques to reconstruct the past accurately, which may reveal less strict sex roles than previously presumed and help with the identification of crime victims. Forensic anthropologists should also increase their efforts to identify whether individuals have undergone medical procedures intended to change one's gender due to the current rise in transitioning individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generating a DNA profile using autosomal Short Tandem Repeat (STR) DNA allele from skeletal remains is a crucial step in the identification process for mass disaster and unidentified person situations. The capacity to extract substantial amounts of relevant DNA from bones, which were highly durable biological components that can withstand soil elements and climatic conditions over long periods of time, would be advantageous. 70 femur male bone samples were collected from two different environmental mass graves (Al-Mahaweel massgrave) in Babil governorate and (Al-Saqlawiya massgrave) in Al-Anbar governorate in Iraq. The DNA from bone samples extracts were assessed by capillary electrophoresis and a standardized set of short tandem repeat (STR) loci are analyzed using Mutiplex 21 STR loci System to allow human identification by matching the profile of the dead individuals with their relatives. From these two different sites; soil samples were collected to analyze and study the different environmental factors and find a relation between the degree of preservation or degradation with these factors like temperature, humidity, salinity, PH and texture of soil and find how these factors can affect on pattern of degradation of DNA profiles. The average of the percentage of the detected alleles in each locus in the two sites; were 87% for Al-Mahaweel site and 32% for Al-Saqlawiya site. we found that clay soil, low salt concentration, PH slightly alkaline and low humidity for Al-Mahaweel site; all participate in DNA preservation while the chalky and very high salt concentration of Al-Saqlawiya site soil; all participate in DNA degradation. Predicting the effect of these factors on the quality of the DNA profiles can be helpful in finding better solutions for many complications that may face the process of analyzing samples and finding sufficient informative profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is of great value in forensics to procure information about a person when a next of kin, personal belongings, or other sources of nuclear DNA (nDNA) are unavailable, or nDNA is lacking in quality and quantity. The quality and reliability of the results depend greatly on ensuring optimal conditions for the given method, for instance, the optimal input of the copy number (CN) in next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods. The unavailability of commercial quantitative PCR (qPCR) methods to determine mtDNA CN creates the necessity to rely on recommendations to infer mtDNA CN from nDNA yield. Because nDNA yield varies between individuals, tissues, parts of the same tissue, and because mtDNA CN varies between tissues, such assumptions must be examined for a specific context, rather than be generalized. This study compares mtDNA CN calculated from nDNA yield and qPCR measured mtDNA CN. Seventy-five femurs from the Second World War victims were used as samples; they were cut below the greater trochanter, surface contaminants were removed by mechanical and chemical cleaning, samples were fully demineralized, and DNA was isolated. PowerQuant® Kit (Promega) was used to analyze DNA yield. An in-house method was used to determine mtDNA CN. Comparison of mtDNA CN from nDNA derived calculations and measured mtDNA CN highlighted vast differences. The results emphasize the need to perform qPCR to assess mtDNA CN before NGS analyses of aged bones' mitogenomes rather than estimating mtDNA CN from nDNA yield to ensure the quality and reliability of the results of NGS analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cephalic Index is defined as the ratio calculated by the occipitofrontal diameter (OFD) to the biparietal diameter (BPD). It has been reported that factors like race, ethnicity, genetic interactions, traditions, nutrition, environment, and climate influences head types. The multifariousness of our nation fascinates and raises the need for anthropometric studies in various regions and compare the outcomes. The cross-sectional study was carried on three different groups/subjects of either sex. Group 1 comprised of living subjects (Undergraduate students) belonging to this particular region. Group 2 comprised of those that presented to the radio-diagnosis department of Sir Sunderlal Hospital, IMS, BHU, UP, India. Group 3 comprised of dry skulls available in the departmental museum of department of Forensic medicine, IMS, BHU, UP, India. The measurement of maximum cranial breadth and maximum cranial length, are taken manually/on DICOM CT records depending on the group and recorded for analysis. The average CI in both the sexes and prevalence of the type is classified according to Martin and Saller classification. (1957). Objectives: The objectives were to find out the prevalence of the type of skull in the study population. It would also show the sensitivity of radiology and its efficaciousness in anthropometric measurements. To ascertain the mean CI, range of maximum cranial breadth and maximum cranial length. Result: A total of 70% amongst the study population shows dolichocephalisation. Conclusion: The observations and findings of the present study based on CT can be replicated in various communities, castes, and regions of India. The data can also be helpful in establishment of identity particularly race using skeletal remains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The study of the of the dental system and the postcranial skeleton of people which lived in distant historical epochs make understand how exogenous conditions affect the physique, constitution and other specificity of the human body. Material and methods. The studied materials consisted of the incomplete postcranial skeleton and fragments of the skull (including the right maxilla and mandible) of man 20-30 years old. This individual lived in the late 17th – beginning 18th centuries in Penza. The individual’s dental system has been studied in accordance with the methodology of A.A. Zubov and his following. Elements of the postcranial skeleton were studied according to the method of R. Martin. Results. The individual did not have odontological attributes typical of the eastern odontological branch. Attributes of the reduction complex of the dental system are weakly expressed. The most probable height of the individual was 167.9 cm (average height according to D.V. Pezhemsky’s rubrication). The left femur was characterized by the large pilaster- index, the high robustness-index, and low the torsion. Eurymeria was characteristic of both femur bones. Tibia bones had the massive structure. The right and left tibia bones were differed in size of the knemia index and the torsion angle. Conclusions. The eurymeria two femurs and the large pilaster-index of the left femur could be of the result of significant physical stress. Partial asymmetry of the tibia could be result of the unbalanced loading on the left and right legs as the result of the lameness of the individual.

Phenotypic trait prediction in ancient DNA analysis can provide information about the external appearance of individuals from past human populations. Some studies predicting eye and hair color in ancient adult skeletons have been published, but not for ancient subadult skeletons, which are more prone to decay. In this study, eye and hair color were predicted for an early medieval adult skeleton and a subadult skeleton that was anthropologically characterized as a middle-aged man and a subadult of unknown sex about 6 years old. When processing the petrous bones, precautions were taken to prevent contamination with modern DNA. The MillMix tissue homogenizer was used for grinding, 0.5 g of bone powder was decalcified, and DNA was purified in Biorobot EZ1. The PowerQuant System was used for quantification and a customized version of the HIrisPlex panel for massive parallel sequencing (MPS) analysis. Library preparation and templating were performed on the HID Ion Chef Instrument and sequencing on the Ion GeneStudio S5 System. Up to 21 ng DNA/g of powder was obtained from ancient petrous bones. Clean negative controls and no matches with elimination database profiles confirmed no contamination issue. Brown eyes and dark brown or black hair were predicted for the adult skeleton and blue eyes and brown or dark brown hair for the subadult skeleton. The MPS analysis results obtained proved that it is possible to predict hair and eye color not only for an adult from the Early Middle Ages, but also for a subadult skeleton dating to this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Complete skeletonization with no soft tissue was seen as early as 23 days. • Bodies exposed to monsoon rainfall showed the lowest rates of skeletonization. • PMI estimation using TBS and ADD have poor applicability in tropical regions. • The influence of monsoons on skeletonization is an area for further research. Estimating the post mortem interval (PMI) in skeletonized cases is an extremely challenging exercise. Sri Lanka lacks adequate taphonomic research which is a serious limitation when assessing PMI in forensic death investigations. Methods that have been proposed to estimate PMI using the total body score (TBS) and accumulated degree days (ADD) are mainly based on data from continental and temperate climates and have shown less reliability in tropical climates. With the intention of developing a region-specific, evidence-based guide which would be applicable to tropical climates like Sri Lanka, we selected thirteen skeletonized remains with known PMIs from forensic case records and analysed their taphonomy in relation to selected weather data. We also compared the ADD values within our dataset with reference ranges calculated using published formula. All except one were found from outdoor locations. The TBS ranged from 24 to 32 and had a weak positive correlation with the PMI. The earliest appearance of skeletonization was 15 days in a body found indoors. The highest rate of skeletonization was seen in a body with a TBS of 32 and a PMI of 23 days. The average daily temperature and relative humidity were similar across all the cases however, the amount of rainfall varied. Bodies exposed to monsoon rains (n = 6) had a lower mean rate of skeletonization compared to those that were not exposed (n = 4) suggesting lower rates of decomposition during periods of heavy rainfall. No correlation was found between ADD and TBS. In 9 (69.2%) cases, the actual ADD was much lower than reference ADD ranges for TBS values, indicating poor applicability of TBS and ADD based formulae in estimating PMI within the Sri Lankan climate. Our study shows a strong need for taphonomic and entomological research in tropical climates to further explore the impact of monsoons on biotic and abiotic factors affecting skeletonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Morphological methods for sex assessment achieved accuracy of 72% on non-adults and 97% on adults. Sex was assessed for 71% and determined for 94% of the individuals. Combining morphological and genetic method allowed all the individuals to be sexed. Applied morphological methods performed well on Slovenian post-medieval adults, while poorly on non-adults. The first step in the analysis of human skeletal remains is the establishment of the biological profile of an individual. This includes sex assessment, which depends highly on the age of the individual and on the completeness and preservation state of the remains. Macroscopic methods only provide the assessment of sex, while for sex determination, molecular methods need to be included. However, poor preservation of the remains can make molecular methods impossible and only assessment can be performed. Presented research compares DNA-determined and morphologically assessed sex of adult and non-adult individuals buried in a modern-age cemetery (17th to late 19th century) in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of commonly used macroscopic methods for sex assessment on a Slovenian post-medieval population. Results demonstrate that for adults, macroscopic methods employed are highly reliable and pelvic morphology, even the sciatic notch alone, is more reliable than skull. In non-adults, macroscopic methods are not as reliable as in adults, which agrees with previous research. This study shows how morphological and molecular methods can go hand in hand when building a biological profile of an individual. On their own, each methodology presented some individuals with undetermined sex, while together, sex of all the individuals was provided. Results confirm suitability of sex assessment based on skull and especially pelvic morphology in Slovenian post-medieval adults, while in the non-adult population molecular methods are advised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The InnoXtract™ extraction and purification system is a purification method designed for DNA extraction from low-template samples, specifically rootless hair shafts. Its ability to successfully capture highly fragmented DNA suggests its suitability for use with other challenging sample types, including skeletal remains. However, the lysis and digestion parameters required modifications to successfully optimize the method for this sample type. A two-part digestion was developed utilizing a homebrew digestion buffer (0.5 M EDTA, 0.05% Tween 20, and 100 mM NaCl) and a supplemental lysis with the Hair Digestion Buffer included in the InnoXtract™ kit. Additionally, the magnetic bead volume was modified to improve DNA recovery from these challenging samples. With the altered protocol, the quality and quantity of DNA recovered from InnoXtract™ extracts were comparable to another commercial skeletal extraction method (PrepFiler™ BTA). This modified extraction method successfully purified sufficient amounts of quality DNA from a variety of skeletal samples to produce complete STR profiles. Successful STR typing from surface decomposition, burned, cremated, buried, and embalmed remains indicates the potential of this new method for challenging human identification and missing-person cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of diatom algae in bone marrow has been used as forensic evidence of drowning for several decades; however, these studies are based on known or suspected recent drowning events. This study addresses the potential for diatoms to enter the bone marrow of skeletal remains, that is, de‐fleshed long bones post‐mortem. In laboratory and field experiments, bones were either inflicted with two access points by a cut and acid pitting or left intact. The bones were submerged in water for at least 1 week and up to 3 months. Samples of the bone surface and marrow were inspected for diatoms. The analysis considered the time required for diatoms to enter marrow and whether genus characteristics like size or mobility affect entry. The presence of an access point influenced diatom entry in that bones without an introduced access point had zero to one diatom present in the marrow, whereas a bone with an access point had >150 diatoms present in the marrow. The results of both laboratory and field phases suggest that diatoms will reliably colonize bone in as quickly as 1 week, establishing and maintaining communities for at least 3 months. However, the bone surface assemblages differ from the source community. Bone marrow displayed even more restrictive access to diatom colonization, resulting in communities dominated by small raphid diatoms. Based on these findings, we suggest some caveats on the use of diatoms as trace evidence in forensic science with recommendations for future avenues of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of archaeological sites in the Caribbean are under threat from various natural and cultural processes. This is particularly true for the smaller and more vulnerable islands in the Lesser Antilles. Here we report on the 2001 rescue recovery of human skeletal remains that were observed to be actively eroding into the sea at Boiling Rock, an Archaic Age site along the southeast coast of Barbuda. Analysis of the remains, representing three individuals, included an osteological inventory, stable isotope analysis to infer paleodiet, and direct radiocarbon dating. While excavation and recording were expedited due to the need for salvaging the skeletal remains and associated archaeological material, the results are an important contribution to the early stages of settlement on the island. This includes adding to the inventory of known Archaic Age sites on Barbuda (from six to seven), providing the only directly dated Archaic individual on the island going back to 3560–3220 cal years BP, isotopic analysis revealing a reliance on endemic marine protein and terrestrial C3 carbohydrates, and the description of grave goods, which is generally rare for burials of this age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is very important to generate phenotypic results that are reliable when processing chronological old skeletal remains for cases involving the identification of missing persons. To improve the success of pigmentation prediction in Second World War victims, three bones from each of the eight skeletons analyzed were included in the study, which makes it possible to generate a consensus profile. The PowerQuant System was used for quantification, the ESI 17 Fast System was used for STR typing, and a customized version of the HIrisPlex panel was used for PCR-MPS. The HID Ion Chef Instrument was used for library preparation and templating. Sequencing was performed with the Ion GeneStudio S5 System. Identical full profiles and identical hair and eye color predictions were achieved from three bones analyzed per skeleton. Blue eye color was predicted in five skeletons and brown in three skeletons. Blond hair color was predicted in one skeleton, blond to dark blond in three skeletons, brown to dark brown in two skeletons, and dark brown to black in two skeletons. The reproducibility and reliability of the results proved the multisample analysis method to be beneficial for phenotyping chronological old skeletons because differences in DNA yields in different bone types provide a greater possibility of obtaining a better-quality consensus profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Identification of an individual becomes essential in a dead body more than when he is alive. Identity becomes a problem in a dead person when the body is decomposed, mutilated, in skeletal remains or in mass causality death. The foremost essential thing in medico legal cases, becomes identity of the dead, rather than opinion about the cause of death, time since death or manner of death. The aim of this study was to arrive at the regression formula for assessing the age of the dead, based on the number of osteons in the sternal rib bone. Methods: The study involved 41 sternal ribs taken from 20 to 50 years old persons from the south Indian population at Institute of Forensic Medicine Department Madras Medical College. After autopsy a portion of rib bone was removed from the shaft of the fourth sternal rib near their anterior ends. A slide from the bone section was placed in the light microscope to study the number of osteons in full thickness of the compact bone of the rib. Result & Conclusion: In this study, age was plotted in the X-axis and the number of osteons were plotted in the Y - axis. A correlation coefficient (r) is derived. It summarizes the significance in the relationship of two variables. This study illustrates the estimation of age at death by counting the number of osteons in the rib bone from the age group of 20 to 48 years. It was proved that the number of osteons increases with age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forensic Anthropometry is an important tool in establishing the identity of mortal remains. This study aimed to investigate various dimensions of the mandible for sex determination in forensic and anthropological research. 50 normal mandibles from individuals between 20-50 years old were collected and measured using vernier calipers, mandibulometer, and measuring tape. The study found that mandible dimensions can accurately determine sex in highly decomposed or mutilated bodies. The Symphyseal Height, Body Height, Length of the Lower Jaw, Minimum Breadth of Ramus, Maximum Breadth of Ramus, Bigonial Breadth, Bicondylar Width, and Bimental Width were all found to be larger in males than females, with statistically significant differences observed for each of these parameters. The study found that Body Thickness and Body Length were not significantly different between males and females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The estimation of the time of death, or post-mortem interval, is a crucial aspect of forensic death-related investigations. However, accurate estimation can be challenging, especially when dealing with cadavers in advanced stages of decomposition and skeletal remains. The decomposition process and taphonomic changes can affect the body's external appearance, making it difficult to determine even an approximate time since death. Additionally, factors such as temperature, humidity, and the presence of insects and scavengers can accelerate or slow down the decomposition process, further complicating the estimation of postmortem interval. Forensic practitioners rely on various methods, such as the examination of post-mortem changes in the body, the analysis of bone structures, and instrumental and molecular approaches. Despite these efforts and new methodologies, accurate estimation of PMI remains a complex task. The present review illustrates the main methods that can be used in such distinctive cases, seeking to provide forensic experts with useful elements to understand which approach best fits the case they have to evaluate in their ordinary practice. Estimating time since death can be challenging for forensic experts, and is one of the most challenging activities concerning the forensic world. Various methods have been assessed to calculate the postmortem interval on dead bodies in different stages of decomposition and are currently widely used. Nowadays, the only well-recognized dating technique is carbon-14 radioisotope measurement, whereas other methods have been tested throughout the years involving different disciplines with different and sometimes not univocal results. Today, there is no precise and secure method to precisely determine time since death, and late postmortem interval estimation remains one of the most debated topics in forensic pathology. Many proposed methods have shown promising results, and it is desirable that with further studies some of them might become acknowledged techniques to resolve such a difficult and important challenge. The present review aims at presenting studies about the different techniques that have been tested in order to find a valuable method for estimating time since death for skeletal remains. By providing a comprehensive overview, the purpose of this work is to offer readers new perspectives on postmortem interval estimation and to improve current practice in the management of skeletal remains and decomposed bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When studying unknown human remains, the estimation of skeletal sex and ancestry is paramount to create the victim's biological profile and attempt identification. In this paper, a multidisciplinary approach to infer the sex and biogeographical ancestry of different skeletons, using physical methods and routine forensic markers, is explored. Forensic investigators, thus, encounter two main issues: (1) the use of markers such as STRs that are not the best choice in terms of inferring biogeographical ancestry but are routine forensic markers to identify a person, and (2) the concordance of the physical and molecular results. In addition, a comparison of physical/molecular and then antemortem data (of a subset of individuals that are identified during our research) was evaluated. Antemortem data was particularly beneficial to evaluate the accuracy rates of the biological profiles produced by anthropologists and classification rates obtained by molecular experts using autosomal genetic profiles and multivariate statistical approaches. Our results highlight that physical and molecular analyses are in perfect agreement for sex estimation, but some discrepancies in ancestry estimation were observed in 5 out of 24 cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we describe multiple analytical strategies that were first developed for forensic purposes, on a set of three bone samples collected in 2011. We analyzed a single bone sample (patella) collected from the artificially mummified body of the Baron Pasquale Revoltella (1795–1869), as well two femurs which allegedly belonged to the Baron's mother (Domenica Privato Revoltella, 1775–1830). Likely due to the artificial mummification procedures, the inner part of the Baron's patella allowed the extraction of high-quality DNA yields, which were successfully used for PCR-CE and PCR-MPS typing of autosomal, Y-specific, and mitochondrial markers. The samples extracted from the trabecular inner part of the two femurs yielded no typing results by using the SNP identity panel, whereas the samples extracted from the compact cortical part of the same bone samples allowed genetic typing, even by the employment of PCR-CE technology. Altogether, 10/15 STR markers, 80/90 identity SNP markers, and HVR1, HVR2, and HVR3 regions of the mtDNA were successfully typed from the Baron's mother's remains by the combined use of PCR-CE and PCR-MPS technologies. The kinship analysis showed a likelihood ratio of at least 9.1 × 106 (corresponding to a probability of maternity of 99.9999999%), and thus confirmed the identity of the skeletal remains as those of the Baron's mother. This casework represented a challenging trial for testing forensic protocols on aged bones samples. It highlighted the importance of accurately sampling from the long bones, and that DNA degradation is not blocked by freezing at −80 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was based on the data from the casefiles of the Institute of Forensic Medicine (IFM) in Kosovo, to analyse and interpret trauma observed on individuals recovered from a mass grave in Rudnica, Serbia. The intention was to determine if there is a pattern of trauma characteristic of this mass grave that informs about the manner of death and whether this is consistent with witness testimonies. The study considers the limitations of such analysis and interpretation, with special consideration of the completeness of the remains. The casefiles of 54 individuals recovered from the Rudnica mass grave from April to June 2014 were examined. A descriptive analysis was undertaken of the demographic profile of the sample, primary site of burial, completeness of the bodies, type and distribution of trauma, and the documented cause of death. All the individuals identified from the Rudnica mass grave were male aged from 14 to 96 years at time of death originating from four separate primary events with two known primary burial sites. Overall, 56% of the bodies were almost complete, 35% incomplete, and 9% complete. Discussion of the determination of completeness is included herein. The only type of trauma documented on the remains was gunshot wound trauma with the distribution of injuries concentrated on the trunk, followed by the limbs and head/neck regions. The cause of death was established in 56% of the cases. A pattern of trauma on the skeletal remains from the Rudnica mass grave was established based on the distribution and type of trauma documented from the dataset of each individual. These findings can be used as a basis for future studies in this field of research by taking a similar approach on larger samples and addressing the limitations encountered here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mortal remains of Ferrante Gonzaga (Mantua, 28 January 1507-Brussels, 15 November 1557), Italian condottiere (military leader) leader and trusted man of Emperor Charles V, are presented and discussed from the physical-anthropological point of view. Ferrante Gonzaga was appointed by Charles V as viceroy of Sicily from 1535 to 1546 and governor of Milan from 1546 to 1554. His skeletal remains were found in a room of the current sacristy of the Duomo in a lead coffin of anthropomorphic shape enclosed in turn in a wooden box, parallelepiped-shaped with a «barrel» roof. Through the anthropological examination of his skeleton, it was possible to demonstrate not only that the bones in the coffin really belonged to Ferrante Gonzaga, but also to highlight the strong bone structure of Ferrante as reported in the writings of those who knew this historical figure and could relate to his attitude to physical exercises and riding, activities that contributed strongly to defining it. In the anthropological study, other documented aspects of his life are considered: traces of wounds in battles, physical stress markers as far as well as surgical practices during the artificial mummification of his corpse. These aspects are highlighted and discussed through radiographic examinations of his remains. The physiognomic reconstruction of his face allows us to notice traits that also recur in other members of his closest kinship and are highlighted in their effigies as can be seen from the artworks of talented painters of the time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stature reconstruction from skeletal remains forms a part of the forensic anthropological analysis for the purpose of identification of an individual. The present study was conducted to estimate total length of femur from its fragments. Material & methods: 50 dry and processed femora of both sides were randomly collected from grossly normal and complete adult cadavers, from department of anatomy. The total length of the femur was noted first by using the osteometric board and then confirmed with the measurements taken by using a thread. In order to compare all measurements of the segments of femur, it had been divided arbitrarily into five segments. Data analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) package. Results: The mean length of segments on left side were segment 1= 8.08 ±0.712, segment 2= 8.28± 1.248, segment 3= 10.33± 2.214, segment 4= 13.92± 1.932 and segment 5= 2.76± 0.539. While mean length of segments on right side were segment 1= 8.10 ±0.706, segment 2= 8.30 ±1.346, segment 3= 10.43± 1.914, segment 4= 13.52 ±1.543 and segment 5= 3.10± 0.413. The mean length of femur bone on left side was 43.53± 2.785 while on right side was 43.43± 2.434 with p value= 0.782. Conclusion: The present study concluded that the mean length of femur bone on left side was 43.53± 2.785 while on right side was 43.43± 2.434. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was focused on the study of weapon‐related traumas in the skeletal remains of the soldiers who died in the Battle of San Martino (Italy, 1859). These remains are housed in the monumental ossuary of San Martino. The examination of 817 skulls revealed traces of injuries in 90 skulls, selected and submitted to anthropological studies. The aim of this work was to study the head injuries attributable to firearms and blade weapons in relation to the armaments and the military tactics used in that period. The shape, size, and features of the wounds were macroscopically examined to characterize the lesions. As regards the ballistic traumas, the caliber, the trajectory of the projectiles, and the kind of artillery were based on the diameter and localization of the entry and of the exit holes in the skulls. The sharp force traumas were identified as linear‐edge cuts or pointed lesions. The results evidenced different types of perimortem injuries, principally caused by firearms (79%) with projectiles of different calibers, mostly ranging between 14 and 18 mm. Sharp force injuries probably caused by bayonets and sabers had affected 17.8% of the skulls. The remnant 2.2% of the examined skulls presented only antemortem lesions. Moreover, seven other skulls showed healed lesions, in some cases surgically treated, testifying a rather intense war period, and the capacity of the soldiers to survive even severe injuries. The higher prevalence of gunshot wounds with respect to sharp force traumas is consistent with the military tactics and with the weapons used in that period: hand‐to‐hand combat was restricted and bayonet assault was unsuccessful compared to the use of efficient ranged weapons. This research presents important information on war‐related traumas, ballistic wounds and sharp force injuries of the armaments, and the military tactics of the mid‐19th century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After causing mass disasters that claimed the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers from countries around the world, the two Great Wars left some of them lost and missing. In France, these corpses reside in a legal vagueness where they belong neither to forensic anthropology nor archeology. Nevertheless, the process of identification and determining the cause of death requires the use of modern forensic anthropology by applying biological profiling and DNA analysis. New genomic methods also provide insight into the health statuses of these military populations, providing new perspectives on these periods of humanitarian crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When multiple sets of skeletonized human remains exist in the same context, they can become commingled due to multifactorial circumstances that affect the postmortem environment. Numerous techniques exist for reassociating commingled skeletal remains (e.g., visual pair-matching, and osteometric pair-matching); however, the scale of commingled skeletal assemblages influences the effectiveness of these approaches. Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) has recently been proposed as a rapid technique for obtaining elemental signatures from skeletal elements of multiple individuals and then reassociating those elements with their correct individual. This study evaluates the potential of portable LIBS as a useful tool for reassociating commingled human skeletal remains in forensic contexts. In this study six skeletons drawn from the donated skeletal collection at the Florida Institute for Forensic Anthropology and Applied Science, at the University of South Florida, were used to assess whether LIBS data could be used to reassociate multiple skeletal elements from the same individual. LIBS data were collected at 206 anatomical locations from 28 individual bones across each skeleton in the sample. LIBS data were reassigned to their individual with an accuracy of 91 % using quadratic discriminant analysis of dimensionally reduced data (via principal component analysis). The study demonstrates that portable LIBS has potential for reassociating commingled human skeletal remains from forensic contexts., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None, (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The availability of a reliable molecular assay in species recognition in forensic cases is of paramount importance when visual inspection or morphological methods are not exhaustive, especially from challenging samples. Here, two different caseworks involving bone samples founded during medico-legal outdoor investigations are presented. In order to exclude the human nature of the specimens and to determine the exact species they belong to, we proceeded with the molecular approach trying to generate sequences from the classical mtDNA markers cyt b and COI. However, they both gave critical results. For this reason, a short amplicon of ~ 150 bp of the 12S rRNA gene was used as an alternative.This short fragment was sufficient to identify the biological origin of the bone specimens with a high degree of certainty leading to the exclusion of their human nature. This work highlights the utility of the 12S rRNA and underlines the importance of deepen the choice of alternative shorter markers with respect to the classical ones, in order to achieve species identification even from challenging and degraded material in forensic criminal and wildlife caseworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sri Lanka, an island off the tip of the Southeast of the Indian subcontinent processes the earliest skeletal evidence of anatomically modern Homo sapiens (37,000 B.P.) and the best human skeletal record sequence in the South Asian region. Adding another to the list, the skeletal remains, which belong to Mesolithic culture were found at Pallemalala shell midden in Southern Sri Lanka during scientific archaeological exploration by Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya. Sri Lanka. The aim of the study was to determine the minimum number of human individuals, age, sex, and pathological conditions related to the ancient Pallemalala commiunity. For the primary analysis, 426 bone fragments were available. Out of those, 233 bones were identified as human bones which represent 7 minimum number of individuals. The rest of the collection comprises some animal bones and shell species. The community was predominated by the female population. The identified age categories were around 20 years, between 35-45 years, and over 45 years. The encountered pathological lesions were bone thickening, alveolar resorption, dental abscesses, dental caries, antemorterm tooth loss, calculus deposits and brown colour stains on teeth. Regarding the dietary pattern, it was evident that their diet may have consisted of coarse foodstuffs with an extremely basic dietary chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence and development of massive parallel sequencing (new generation sequencing) methods have opened up new prospects in the study of ancient organisms, including extinct ones. Numerous skeletal remains from archaeological and museum collections are often the only source of information on ancient species and populations. In this review, we discuss the features of human bone tissue and the advantages and disadvantages of bone material as a source of DNA for genomic analysis of ancient people. Here we present new methodological approaches to DNA extraction from ancient human skeletal remains and its preparation for large-scale parallel sequencing are presented, as well as prospects and directions for further research in a new interdisciplinary field, paleogenomics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimating time since death can be challenging for forensic experts, and is one of the most challenging activities concerning the forensic world. Various methods have been assessed to calculate the postmortem interval on dead bodies in different stages of decomposition and are currently widely used. Nowadays, the only well-recognized dating technique is carbon-14 radioisotope measurement, whereas other methods have been tested throughout the years involving different disciplines with different and sometimes not univocal results. Today, there is no precise and secure method to precisely determine time since death, and late postmortem interval estimation remains one of the most debated topics in forensic pathology. Many proposed methods have shown promising results, and it is desirable that with further studies some of them might become acknowledged techniques to resolve such a difficult and important challenge. The present review aims at presenting studies about the different techniques that have been tested in order to find a valuable method for estimating time since death for skeletal remains. By providing a comprehensive overview, the purpose of this work is to offer readers new perspectives on postmortem interval estimation and to improve current practice in the management of skeletal remains and decomposed bodies.

Simple Summary: For the correct identification of human skeletal remains, age is one of the key parameters. However, in adult individuals, this estimation is more difficult as it is not based on growing markers but on degeneration of the skeleton and the teeth. Thus, it can be very variable and less precise than age estimation in children and adolescents. The application of biochemical techniques, with their roots in aging research, could help to improve this estimation. This article presents the application of one of these approaches, aspartic acid racemization, to test its accuracy in a Spanish sample. This is based on the conversion of L-aspartic acid, the regular form of the amino acid in our proteins, into D-aspartic acid, its mirror image. The proportions of D-aspartic acid/L-aspartic acid increase with aging, enabling the determination of age in a more precise way than by applying forensic anthropology methodologies. This paper demonstrates that it was possible to apply this technique in a Spanish sample, obtaining accuracies of ±5 years of actual age. Additional studies should be developed to improve these estimates and to combine this technique with forensic anthropology methods. Correct age-at-death estimation in adult individuals is one of the challenges of forensic investigation. Forensic anthropology macroscopic techniques are non-invasive methods for this purpose. However, several methods need to be applied to accurately estimate age, and the difference between chronological and predictive age may still be around ±10 years. New research trends are focused on the inherent process of aging, which produces changes in tissues and organs at different biochemical levels. One of the oldest and most studied approaches in this field is aspartic acid racemization. The accuracy of this technique in age estimation has been widely demonstrated. However, only a few studies have assessed its accuracy in different populations. The aim of this research was to assess the accuracy of aspartic acid racemization in a Spanish sample and its applicability to forensic cases. Dentin from fifteen third molars from two Spanish populations (ages 19–70 years old) was isolated and D and L forms of aspartic acid were detected through GC/MS, according to a previous published protocol. D/L ratios were calculated and after the application of a regression analysis, a formula for age estimation was developed. The results were similar to previous studies, obtaining an R = 0.91 between racemization ratios and age and a mean absolute error (MAE) between chronological and predictive age of 5 years. These results were ratified by leave-one-out cross-validation, as well as the application of the formula to five teeth of a known age. Despite these promising results, this technique is not exempt from drawbacks; thus, further studies are required to apply this methodology to forensic cases and to combine it with forensic anthropology findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]