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Age estimation is a key factor for identification procedure in forensic context. Based on anthropological findings, degenerative changes of the sternal extremity of the 4th rib are currently used for age estimation. These have been adapted to post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT). The aim of this study was to validate a post-mortem computed tomography method based on a revision of the Iscan's method on a French sample. A total of 250 PMCT (aged from 18-98 years (IQR 36-68 years, median 51 years); 68 (27%) females) from the Medicolegal Institute of Paris (MLIP) were analyzed by two radiologists. The sternal extremity of 4th right rib was scored using method adapted from Iscan et al. Weighted κ was used to evaluate intra- and inter-observer reliability and Spearman correlation was performed to evaluate relationship between age and score. Confidence intervals for individual prediction of age based on 4th rib score and sex were computed with bootstrapping. The intra-observer reliability and inter-observer reliability were almost perfect (weighted κ = 0.85 [95%CI: 0.78-0.93] and 0.82 [95%CI 0.70-0.96] respectively). We confirmed a high correlation between the 4th rib score and subject age (rho = 0.72, p 0.001), although the confidence intervals for individual age prediction were large, spanning over several decades. This study confirms the high reliability of Iscan method applied to PMCT for age estimation, although future multimodal age prediction techniques may help reducing the span of confidence intervals for individual age estimation.Trial registration: INDS 0,509,211,020, October 2020, retrospectively registered.

On the evening of November 13, 2015, the city of Paris and its surroundings was hit by a series of attacks committed by terrorist groups, using firearms and explosives. The final toll was 140 people deceased (130 victims and 10 terrorists or their relatives) and more than 413 injured, making these attacks the worst mass killings ever recorded in Paris in peacetime. This article presents the forensic operations carried out at the Medicolegal Institute of Paris (MLIP) following these attacks. A total of 68 autopsies of bodies or body fragments and 83 external examinations were performed within 7 days, and the overall forensic operations (including formal identification of the latest victims) were completed 10 days after the attacks. Over this period, 156 body presentations (some bodies were presented several times) were provided to families or relatives. Regarding the 130 civilian casualties, 129 died from firearm wounds and one died from blast injuries after an explosion. Of the 10 terrorists or their relatives who were killed, eight died from suicide bombing, one was shot by police and one died from crush injuries due to partial collapse of a building following the police raid against a terrorist’s hideout after the attacks. All mass shootings were perpetrated with AK-47 or Zastava M70 assault rifles using 7.62 mm × 39 mm cartridges. In the case of ballistic injuries, death was most often obviously caused by craniocerebral injuries, extensive organ lacerations and/or massive haemorrhage. Among the terrorists killed by bombing, the lesion patterns were body transection, multiple amputations, extreme organ lacerations and the presence of foreign bodies owing to the shrapnel load (steel nuts, glass fragments) or the explosive charge fastening system of the devices. This discussion highlights the particular difficulties of interpretation encountered within the framework of ballistic injuries, a conclusion that should lead to a modest and realistic approach in these exceptional situations where forensic operations involve a very large number of victims in a constrained time.

Several reports discuss the added value of postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) in the forensic analysis of mass fatality incidents (MFIs), such as the 2009 Victorian bushfires, the Grenfell tower...

Terrorist attacks have been on the rise. During the recent terrorist attacks in France, terrorists perpetrated their acts using weapons of war, as well as explosive charges. These two modes of action, when combined, can create skin lesions with similar macroscopic appearances, which can sometimes go unnoticed because of body fragmentation. A total of 68 autopsies, 83 external examinations, 140 standard radiographic examinations, and 49 computed tomography (CT) scans were performed over 7 days during the 2015 terrorist attacks in France. Bodies were injured by firearms and shrapnel-like projectiles. We analysed the clinical findings for the secondary blast cutaneous lesions from the explosive devices and compared these lesions with ballistic-related lesions to highlight that patterns can be macroscopically similar on external examination. Secondary blast injuries are characterised by penetrating trauma associated with materials added to explosive systems that are propelled by explosive air movement. These injuries are caused most often by small, shrapnel-like metallic objects, such as nails and bolts. Propulsion causes ballistic-type injuries that must be recognised and distinguished from those caused by firearm projectiles. Differentiating between these lesions is very difficult when using conventional criteria (size, shape, number and distribution on the body) with only external examination of corpses. This is why the particularities of these lesions must be further illustrated and then confirmed by complete autopsies and radiological and anatomopathological examinations.Key pointsWhen occurring simultaneously in terrorist attacks, injuries caused by secondary blasts appear as cutaneous wound patterns that can be macroscopically very similar to those caused by firearm projectiles.The criteria usually found in the literature for distinguishing these two types of projectiles may be difficult to use.It is important in these difficult situations to benefit from systematic postmortem imaging.Systematic autopsy and then anatomopathological analyses of the orifices also help determine the cause of the wounds.

Human-made and natural disasters can result in severely fragmented, compromised, and commingled human remains. The related disaster victim identification (DVI) operations are invariably challenging, with the state of the remains potentially precluding some identifications. Practitioners involved in these DVI operations will routinely face logistical, practical, and ethical challenges. This review provides information and guidance derived from first-hand experiences to individuals tasked with managing DVI operations with fragmented human remains. We outline several key issues that should be addressed during disaster preparedness planning and at the outset of an operation, when incident-specific strategies are developed. Specific challenges during recovery and examination of fragmented remains are addressed, highlighting the importance of experienced specialists at the scene and in the mortuary. DNA sample selection and sampling techniques are reviewed, as well as downstream effects of commingling and contamination, which can complicate reconciliation and emphasise the need for rigorous quality control. We also touch on issues that may arise during communication with families. While recommendations are provided, they are not intended as proscriptive policy but rather as an addition to the general recommendations given in the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) DVI Guide, to inform preparative discussions between government officials, judiciary, police, and forensic specialists.Key pointsA DVI operation for an incident characterised by many fragmented and otherwise compromised human remains poses specific challenges that may prolong and complicate identifications.Specialists should be consulted at the outset to address key issues related to the aim and extent of the operation.Specialist expertise in handling compromised human remains is indispensable at the scene, in the mortuary, during reconciliation, and for quality control.Continuous consultation between representatives from government, the judiciary, law enforcement, the media, and various forensic specialists will prevent unnecessary delay and facilitate accurate and timely communication.

Forensic anthropological knowledge has been used in disaster victim identification (DVI) for over a century, but over the past decades, there have been a number of disaster events which have seen an increasing role for the forensic anthropologist. The experiences gained from some of the latest DVI operations have provided valuable lessons that have had an effect on the role and perceived value of the forensic anthropologist as part of the team managing the DVI process. This paper provides an overview of the ways in which forensic anthropologists may contribute to DVI with emphasis on how recent experiences and developments in forensic anthropology have augmented these contributions. Consequently, this paper reviews the value of forensic anthropological expertise at the disaster scene and in the mortuary, and discusses the way in which forensic anthropologists may use imaging in DVI efforts. Tissue-sampling strategies for DNA analysis, especially in the case of disasters with a large amount of fragmented remains, are also discussed. Additionally, consideration is given to the identification of survivors; the statistical basis of identification; the challenges related to some specific disaster scenarios; and education and training. Although forensic anthropologists can play a valuable role in different phases of a DVI operation, they never practice in isolation. The DVI process requires a multidisciplinary approach and, therefore, has a close collaboration with a range of forensic specialists.

In cases of terrorist bomb attacks, the issue of victim identification is the principal aim. For investigators and justice, terrorists must also be identified in a timely manner. The fragmentation of bodies caused by explosive devices however makes this operation difficult. The cases presented correspond to six autopsies of perpetrators carrying explosives. Their explosive belts produced different body sections on areas correlated with the location on the body of carrying explosive charges. Indeed, cross-sectional areas are the signature of the level of explosive devices on the body, and some fracture features through the damage of certain areas of constitutional weaknesses are specific elements to consider. These elements can allow a quick distinction between victims and terrorists, in order to assist in the medico-legal process of identification.

The terrorist attack of July 14, 2016 in Nice (France) was a devastating event. A man voluntarily drove a truck into a crowd gathered for the fireworks display on the seaside "Promenade des Anglais," plowing pedestrians down over more than 2 km before being shot dead. At the time of this report, a total of 86 casualties and more than 1200 formal complaints for physical and psychological injuries have been recorded. The aim of this work is to describe the forensic management of this event and its immediate aftermath. This paper reaffirms the basic tenets of disaster management: a single place of work, teamwork in times of crisis, a single communication channel with families and the media, and the validation of the identifications by a multidisciplinary commission. This paper highlights other essential aspects of the organization of the forensic effort put in place after the Nice attack: the contribution of the police at the crime scene, the cooperation between the disaster victim identification (DVI) team, and the forensic pathologists at the morgue, applying the identification (ID) process to unconscious victims in the intensive care unit, the input of volunteers, and the logistics associated with the management of the aftermath of the event. All of the victims were positively identified within 4 and a half days. For the first time in such a paper, the central role of medical students in the immediate aftermath of the disaster is outlined. The need to address the possible psychological trauma of the non-medical and even the medical staff taking part in the forensic effort is also reaffirmed.

Introduction The aim of this study was to assess the agreement between postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) and autopsy in detecting traumatic head injuries. Materials and Methods Consecutive cases of death that underwent both unenhanced PMCT and conventional autopsy were collected from our institution database during a period of 3 years and reviewed retrospectively. PMCT images were reviewed for the presence of fractures (cranial vault, skull base, facial bones and atlas/axis) and intracranial hemorrhage. Kappa values were calculated to determine the agreement between PMCT and autopsy reports. Results 73 cases were included, of which 44 (60%) had head trauma. Agreement between PMCT and autopsy was almost perfect (κ = 0.95) for fractures and substantial (κ = 0.75) for intracranial hemorrhage. PMCT was superior to autopsy in detecting facial bone and upper cervical spine fractures, and intraventricular hemorrhage. However, in some cases thin extra-axial blood collections were missed on PMCT. Conclusions The agreement between PMCT and autopsy in detecting traumatic head injuries was good. Using a combination of both techniques increases the quality of postmortem evaluation because more lesions are detected.

Over the last few years, palaeogenomic studies of the petrous bone (the densest part of the temporal bone) have shown that it is a source of DNA in both larger quantities and of better quality than other bones. This dense bone around the otic capsule has therefore been called the choice substrate in palaeogenomics. Because the practice of forensic genetics responds to different imperatives, we implemented a study aimed at (i) understanding how and why the petrous bone is an advantageous substrate in ancient DNA studies and (ii) establishing whether it is advantageous in forensic STR typing. We selected 50 individual skeletal remains and extracted DNA from one tooth and one petrous bone from each. We then amplified 24 STR markers commonly used in forensic identification and compared the quality of that amplification using the RFU intensities of the signal as read on the STR profiles. We also performed histological analyses to compare (i) the microscopic structure of a petrous bone and of a tooth and (ii) the microscopic structure of fresh petrous bone and of an archaeological or forensic sample. We show that the RFU intensities read on STR profiles are systematically higher in experiments using DNA extracted from petrous bones rather than teeth. For this reason, we were more likely to obtain a complete STR profile from petrous bone material, increasing the chance of identification in a forensic setting. Histological analyses revealed peculiar microstructural characteristics (tissue organization), unique to the petrous bone, that might explain the good preservation of DNA in that substrate. Therefore, it appears that despite the necessity of analysing longer fragments in forensic STR typing compared to NGS palaeogenomics, the use of petrous bones in forensic genetics could prove valuable, especially in cases involving infants, toothless individuals or very degraded skeletal remains.

This paper describes a new approach to determine characteristics of the implement used to inflict trauma which involves the histological analysis of exogenous particles. Based on Locard’s principle “every contact leaves a trace,” we decided to assess whether histological examination of bone and soft tissue around a penetrating injury (sharp force trauma) could provide evidence of the offending implement. Case reports and experimental studies have demonstrated the potential of cut mark features in bone to identify the causative implement and potentially assist in identifying the perpetrator. Scanning electron microscopy in combination with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDS) have previously been reported to identify exogenous particles from various implements. In medical research, histological techniques are used to study the impact of foreign particles in tissues originating from implants. However, the routine use of histology in forensic medicine focuses on understanding type and timing of injuries. Based on three forensic cases, the results presented in this paper demonstrate that histology offers a cost-efficient and reliable means to detect foreign particles related to offending implement and/or to the environment where the victim was located. The interpretation of histological results was performed in conjunction with the macroscopic autopsy findings and anthropological analysis of bone samples.

Human remains found in aquatic contexts are frequently recovered incomplete and badly decomposed, and therefore present a challenge for medico-legal institutes as their possibilities of analysis for identification and investigation of cause and manner of death are limited. This article aims to demonstrate the potential of forensic examination and analyses (DNA, toxicology, diatoms and entomology) on a set of bones recovered from a river in Strasbourg and the possibility to trigger identification of the victim and circumstances of death despite the state of decomposition and incompleteness of remains.

In the absence of any other conclusive forensic evidence, DNA profiling is the method of choice for body identification. This study focuses on the case of a carbonized corpse whose complete autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) profile could not lead to direct identification by the investigators. To assist in the progress of investigation, we endeavoured to determine the biogeographical origin and eye colour of the deceased individual. Along with Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA analyses, we applied a next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach to the study of ancestry informative markers (AIMs) using the HID-Ion AmpliSeq™ Ancestry Panel launched by Thermo Fisher Scientific. This work gave us the opportunity to test this new technology in a real forensic case. Although this study highlights the benefits of such a combined approach, as it markedly improves the specificity of the biogeographical profile, it also underlines the need for the accurate characterization of a larger collection of reference populations and the necessity of caution in data interpretation.

Las excavaciones en la Quebrada de los Burros, en el litoral de Tacna (Perú), han descubierto un campamento de pescadores y recolectores de moluscos (QlB) ocupado entre 10.000 y 6.000 a.p., durante el Holoceno Temprano y Medio. seis niveles sucesivos de ocupación han sido excavados por decapado, cada uno contando con aterrazamientos del piso, fogones, áreas de actividad diversas y acumulaciones de desechos alimenticios marinos, mezclados con restos de fauna terrestre. El conjunto de estos desperdicios demuestra que, desde el inicio de la ocupación, los ocupantes dominaban perfectamente el medio marítimo pero explotaban también las lomas. los instrumentos de piedra y hueso atestiguan un ajuar muy sofisticado de pesca, recolección y caza. dos fases de ocupación fueron singularizadas, la primera durante el Holoceno Temprano (ca. 10.000 a 7.000 a.p.), la segunda durante el Holoceno Medio (ca. 7.000 a 6.000 a.p.). los análisis efectuados sugieren para la primera fase una sucesión de ocupaciones breves y posibles contactos con las tierras altas y, al contrario, una ocupación más intensa y casi permanente a lo largo del año para la segunda fase, durante la cual las materias primas líticas proceden todas de sectores cercanos. una estrecha relación con sitios chilenos Chinchorro está confirmada.

This case study presents the results of the recovery and analysis of three sets of disarticulated and incomplete human remains found in Ecuador, within the Amazonian jungle. Recovered body parts sustained extensive sharp force trauma situated on different aspect of the skeleton. The anthropological examination (bone reassembly, biological profile) was followed by a detailed analysis of cut marks, including a basic experimental study on pig bones to demonstrate that dismemberment may have occurred within a certain amount of time after death. Despite the location (deep into the Amazonian jungle) and the perpetrator's actions (dismemberment and dispersion of body parts in a river), forensic work both on the field and in laboratory allowed identification of the victims and the reconstruction of the sequence of events.

En el marco de la cooperacion entre la Embajada de Francia en Quito y la Policia del Ecuador y siguiendo un pedido especial de la misma, se brindaron dos talleres teoricos y practicos de antropologia forense bajo la responsabilidad de Tania Delabarde, antropologa e investigadora del IFEA en Ecuador. La antropologia forense utiliza las metodologias de la arqueologia y de la antropologia fisica para la recuperacion y el analisis de cuerpos descompuestos y/o esqueletizados de interes forense. El...

Al finalizar la temporada de excavacion 2007 en el campamento de Quebrada de Los Burros (QLB), el levantamiento de una capa de valvas del molusco Perumytilus purpuratus (chorito de playa) en el nivel N7, que corresponde a la ocupacion mas antigua del sitio, revelo una interrupcion de los depositos en el metro M8 (angulo suroeste de la excavacion). La extension de las conchas dejaba lugar a una zona de arena esteril de 5/6 cm de grosor, cubriendo una estructura eliptica conformada por grandes ...

El Instituto Francés de Estudios Andinos, en colaboración con la Cooperación Regional Andina, el Servicio de Cooperación y Acción Cultural de la Embajada de Francia en el Ecuador y la Cruz Roja Ecuatoriana organizaron el primer seminario «Jóvenes Investigadores en ADN Antiguo» del 29 de marzo al 02 de abril de 2010 en la ciudad de Quito. Este taller internacional se propuso reunir a los jóvenes investigadores en genética humana trabajando en la América Latina, y brindar una formación teórica ...

En los últimos años, el avance de las investigaciones sobre la biología de las poblaciones arqueológicas ha sido fundamental debido al aporte de la genética y de los análisis bioquímicos, que llevaron a un mejor conocimiento del origen de los poblamientos, el diagnóstico preciso de algunas enfermedades y los modos de vida con el estudio de la dieta. Desde 2004, las investigaciones hechas en el sitio de Japoto (el Ecuador, provincia de Manabí) permitieron estudiar a la población manteña, desde el punto de vista cultural y biológico, con el estudio de sus prácticas funerarias, la determinación de lesiones traumáticas e infecciosas, el análisis de elementos traza y la comparación con vestigios materiales para evaluar las conductas alimentarias. Los resultados de este estudio bioantropológico completan los conocimientos sobre la vida y muerte de las poblaciones prehispánicas, lejos de la imagen idílica de un Nuevo Mundo sin enfermedad. La población manteña de Japoto supo dominar su medio ambiente, adaptándose a las condiciones climáticas y geográficas, y aprovechando los recursos naturales para su alimentación y curar las enfermedades. Ces dernières années, les progrès dans la recherche sur la biologie des populations archéologiques ont été significatifs grâce à la génétique et aux analyses biochimiques. Celles-ci ont permis une meilleure compréhension de l’origine des populations, et de leurs modes de vie grâce à l’étude des comportements alimentaires et un diagnostic précis de certaines maladies. Depuis 2004, les fouilles archéologiques du site de Japoto (Équateur, Province de Manabí) ont permis d’étudier la population manteña, dans une perspective culturelle et biologique. Ont été étudiées les pratiques funéraires, la détermination des lésions traumatiques et infectieuses, l’analyse des éléments traces et la comparaison avec les vestiges archéologiques pour évaluer les comportements alimentaires. Les résultats de cette étude bio-anthropologique s’ajoutent au corpus des données sur la vie et la mort des populations préhispaniques, loin de l’image idyllique d’un Nouveau Monde exempt de maladie. La population manteña de Japoto a su tirer profit de son environnement en s’adaptant aux contraintes climatiques et géographiques de son milieu, y puisant les ressources nécessaires pour s’alimenter et lutter contre les maladies. In recent years, significant advances in research have been made on the biology of archaeological populations with genetic and biochemical analysis providing a better understanding of the origin of populations, lifestyles and diet, and accurate diagnosis of certain diseases. Since 2004, archaeological excavations on the site Japoto (Ecuador, Manabí Province) allowed the analysis of the Manteño population from a cultural and biological perspective, with the study of burial practices, identification of injuries and infectious diseases, trace element analysis and comparison with the archaeological material to assess eating behaviors. Far from the idyllic image of a New World free from disease before the Spanish conquest, the results of this study add to the bio-anthropological corpus of data on the life and death of Pre-Hispanic populations. The Manteños from Japoto took advantage of the site’s environment, adapting to climatic and geographical constraints, and taking benefit of natural resources for food and treatment to fight against diseases.

This case study presents the results of the recovery and analysis of three sets of disarticulated and incomplete human remains found in Ecuador, within the Amazonian jungle. Recovered body parts sustained extensive sharp force trauma situated on different aspect of the skeleton. The anthropological examination (bone reassembly, biological profile) was followed by a detailed analysis of cut marks, including a basic experimental study on pig bones to demonstrate that dismemberment may have occurred within a certain amount of time after death. Despite the location (deep into the Amazonian jungle) and the perpetrator's actions (dismemberment and dispersion of body parts in a river), forensic work both on the field and in laboratory allowed identification of the victims and the reconstruction of the sequence of events.

La caracterisation de traits phenotypiques est une des nouvelles applications dans le domaine de l’identification genetique des individus. En effet, cette approche vise a proposer l’etude en criminalistique de caracteres morphologiques obtenus a partir de l’analyse de sequences d’ADN impliquees notamment dans la determination de la couleur des yeux, des cheveux et de la peau. Les analyses sont actuellement realisees grâces a l’amplification et au sequencage de regions comportant des polymorphismes de sequences ( single nucleotide polymorphism [SNP]) mais leur emploi est controverse en France eu egard a la legislation en vigueur. Toutefois, un arret de la Cour de cassation du 25 juin 2014 semble permettre ces analyses. Cette decision serait-elle une autorisation a l’analyse de sequences d’ADN codant en matiere d’identification genetique ? Les auteurs presentent leurs travaux sur ce sujet et les elements du debat ethique et juridique pose par cette approche.

Objet L’apport des techniques histologiques a l’examen du squelette et des tissus mous putrefies en anthropologie medicolegale. Methode En complement de l’analyse des corps squelettises, l’examen microscopique du tissu osseux permet d’apporter des donnees essentielles aux problematiques analytiques telles que l’estimation de l’âge au deces, le delai post-mortem et l’etude des lesions traumatiques osseuses. Resultats La presentation de plusieurs cas examines a l’institut medicolegal de Paris permettra d’illustrer l’apport de l’histologie a l’examen anthropologique et thanatologique dans la determination du profil biologique des victimes et dans l’analyse des causes et des circonstances du deces.