Browsing by Author "Márquez-Grant, Nicholas"
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Item Open Access Age-related trends in the trabecular micro-architecture of the medial clavicle: is it of use in forensic science?(Frontiers, 2020-01-22) McGivern, Hannah; Greenwood, Charlene; Márquez-Grant, Nicholas; Kranioti, Elena F.; Xhemali, Bledar; Zioupos, PeterThe mechanical and structural properties of bone are known to change significantly with age. Within forensic and archaeological investigations, the medial end of the clavicle is typically used for estimating the age-at-death of an unknown individual. Although, this region of the skeleton is of interest to forensic and clinical domains, alterations beyond the macro-scale have not been fully explored. For this study, non-destructive micro-computed tomography (µ-CT) was employed to characterize structural alterations to the cancellous bone of the medial clavicle. Fresh human cadaveric specimens (12-59 years) obtained at autopsy were utilized for this study, and were scanned with a voxel size of ∼83µm. Morphometric properties were quantified and indicated that the bone volume, connectivity density, mineral density, and number of trabeculae decreased with age, while the spacing between the trabeculae increased with age. In contrast to other sub-regions of the skeleton, trabecular thickness, and degree of anisotropy did not correlate with age. Collectively, this could suggest that the network is becoming increasingly perforated with age rather than exhibiting trabecular thinning. These results are used in the context of deriving a potential protocol for forensic investigations by using this particular and largely unexplored region of the skeleton, and provide inspiration for future experiments concerning micro-architectural and small scale changes in other regions of the human skeleton.Item Open Access The application of dual energy X-ray soil screening in forensic archaeology(Elsevier, 2022-09-07) Kent, Daniel; Márquez-Grant, NicholasThe need to forensically search soil for small artefacts at a burial site or traces of evidence in a deposition site is a common task shared by investigators and forensic archaeologists. In forensic casework, the importance of finding small pieces of evidence, such as personal effects or ballistic fragments, cannot be overstated as it can assist in the positive identification of the deceased, give an insight into the manner and cause of death, and identify any perpetrators. The soil search methods known as wet and dry sieving, are cumbersome, time-consuming and have limited success for some soil types. This often leads to the decision not to search, resulting in missed opportunities to identify potential evidence. The primary aim of this study was to investigate if a dual energy X-ray baggage scanner could be used to search for items of potential forensic interest in soil. A trial was conducted using a Smiths Detection ScanTrailer 100100 V-2is mobile X-ray inspection system to establish if it could be used to detect organic, inorganic, and metallic items located within soil. The soil type and natural variables such as water and organic content were adjusted to simulate different environments. The baggage scanner was found to provide a quick and easy way to detect items contained within various soil types, particularly in a sand rich matrix. It is estimated that using this method to search 1 m3 of soil, when broken down into samples that are < 13 cm in depth, would take around one hour to complete, compared with 100 to 150 person-hours by manual sieving. This is believed to be the first use of dual energy X-ray technology for this purpose and shows the potential for further research and use of this method in forensic archaeology.Item Open Access Assessing the reliability of microbial bioerosion features in burnt bones: a novel approach using feature-labelling in histotaphonomical analysis(Elsevier, 2021-03-22) Végh, Emese I.; Czermak, Andrea; Márquez-Grant, Nicholas; Schulting, Rick J.Objectives Recent histotaphonomic studies have focused on the presence of features thought to be caused either by bacteria (microscopic focal destruction/MFD and cyanobacterial tunnelling) or fungal (Wedl tunnelling types 1 and 2) attack on unburnt bone. Identifying these characteristics on burnt bones could indicate the state of decomposition before burning, with important repercussions for both archaeological and forensic contexts. Materials and Methods Fleshed pig (Sus scrofa, N = 25) tibiae were left exposed on a field, then collected at 14-, 34-, 91-, 180-, 365-day intervals before being burnt in an outdoor fire (≤750 °C). Fresh (fleshed) legs (N = 10) acted as unburnt and burnt controls. Thin sections were examined using transmitted light microscopy and backscattered scanning electron microscopy. Diagenetic traits were quantitatively and systematically assessed by a novel data labelling application developed for this study. Results Features meeting the published characteristics of microbial bioerosion (‘Wedl tunnelling’, ‘lamellate’ and ‘budded MFD’) were significantly correlated with time since deposition on the unburnt bones. Only budded MFD increased significantly over time in the burnt groups. However, the presence features meeting the published characteristics of Wedl 2 tunnelling were present on the fresh burnt bones, indicating that they are an artefact. Discussion The presence of many features seemingly indistinguishable from those caused by bioerosion on the freshly burnt control bones suggests that burning is not only able to conceal features thought to be the result of bioerosion but can produce them as well. Thus, such features are not a reliable indication of bioerosion. Budded MFD may be a viable indicator but more research is required.Item Open Access Changes to the micro-architecture and material properties of the human clavicle and rib in ontogeny(2019-12) McGivern, Hannah L; Zioupos, P; Márquez-Grant, NicholasThe detrimental effects of ageing on the human skeleton are universally resonant. With increase in age, an increased fragility at the macroscopic scale is observed in bone, which is indicative of changes that occur at different levels within the heterogeneous and complex, hierarchical arrangement of this biological composite. In spite of that, a comprehensive understanding of ageing characteristics in the medial clavicle is largely missing from the literature. The seminal research currently available concerns developmental markers such as morphological alterations to shape and structure, which are capped at the point of skeletal maturity. Estimating age-at-death continues to be one of the most challenging responsibilities for forensic anthropologists when compiling a biological profile for unidentified skeletonised human remains (most especially following the maturation of the skeleton). The medial clavicle and sternal rib ends are fundamental to age estimation; the former is the last bone to fuse in the human skeleton making the development ideal for estimating age when the remainder of the skeleton has completed epiphyseal fusion, and the latter are easily accessible during routine autopsy. Current methods which utilise these skeletal sub-regions are primarily qualitative and rely on the expert interpretation of subjective traits which relate to broad and descriptive phase categories. There is a need to go beyond using morphological biomarkers currently employed in forensic anthropology. The introduction of new, quantitative techniques is therefore fundamental to addressing the following unanswered question: what significant, ontogenetic changes occur beyond the macro-scale which can be utilised for generating multivariate age prediction models for the clavicle and rib? In order to address this question, the primary research aim for this research was to characterise statistically significant (p0.7 to effectively predict age-at-death. This novel approach addresses disciplinary norms through the application of micro-computed tomography (µ-CT), nanoindentation and the combined diagnostic power of two thermo-analytical techniques (DSC-TGA) to elucidate agerelated changes in a sample of 161 cadaveric specimens from 58 donors at a scale beyond what has thus far been presented in the literature. Accordingly, a series of associated hypotheses were devised concerning the individual constituent parts, which altogether contribute to the physical manifestiations of age and form the complex arrangment of bone, using each of these techniques. The effect of the size of the sample has also been considered. The age range of the sample in question (12-59 years) focuses on a division of the age spectrum which has received less attention in previous studies, particularly in comparison to study groups which have primarily comprised of elderly individuals. Firstly, a non-destructive assessment of the morphometric characteristics of the trabecular bone located in the medial end of the clavicle was implemented using micro-computed tomography (µ-CT) to test for statistically signficant (p0.7 which is indicative of a strong model. iv Additionally, the value of adopting a multi-method system was illustrated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) which revealed the extent to which principal components (namely HVIT, EIT, percentage loss of organic weight [Or%] and final percentage weight of mineral phase [Ash%]) were contributing to clustering patterns associated with age. These findings explore the research hypothesis which concerns the identification of changes to clavicle and rib physiology and mechanical behaviour in ontogeny; details that will hold significant value in medico-legal cases for age-atdeath estimation. This research also addresses set objectives concerned with the development of easily reproducible and accurate methods of age-at-death estimation using the medial clavicle and sternal end of the sixth rib without specialist anthropological expertise. The results presented also contribute to basic knowledge of mechano-biology for micro- and nano-structures that influence fracture risk at the organ level, which is of interest to clinicians in orthopaedic biomechanics and is also vital to other sectors. For example, the automotive industry can use such data to establish whether age-related changes to the structure and material composition of these bones lessens the failure threshold and mechanical behaviour of the chest in vehicle collisions. This information in turn could also contribute to the improvememt of automotive safety designs.Item Open Access Cut or Burnt? – Categorizing morphological characteristics of heat-induced fractures and sharp force trauma(Elsevier, 2021-02-28) Mata Tutor, Pilar; Benito-Sánchez, María; Villoria Rojas, Catherine; Muñoz García, Alexandra; Pérez Guzmán, Inés; Márquez-Grant, NicholasDistinguishing trauma from heat-induced fractures is a challenge faced by forensic anthropologists and pathologists during medicolegal investigations in which fire has been used by the perpetrators to destroy evidence. This paper aims to validate the provided identification features to distinguish between fire induced alterations and sharp force trauma. A total of 80 cremated adult individuals were used in this paper: 3 recently deceased embalmed cadavers from Cementerio Sur de Madrid for the sharp force trauma experiment in which 55 pre-burning injuries were inflicted using a machete and a serrated knife in different anatomical regions. And 77 cremated individuals from the Forensic Anthropology and Odontology Laboratory osteological collection. Five cremated long bones from this collection were selected, and 10 cuts were manually inflicted using a serrated knife to analyse post-burning trauma. Heat-induced changes and trauma morphologic characteristics were thus documented and analysed. The examination and documentation of morphological traits enabled the production of a heat-induced changes visual guide and a flow-chart. Two intraclass correlation tests were performed to validate the capacity of the observer to distinguish between fire related alterations and toolmarks. The results obtained in the statistical analysis indicate that, even if the toolmarks are visible and recognizable upon macroscopic observation by the observers, some features, such as the step and the transverse fractures can be mistaken with inflicted trauma. The use of the proposed features coupled with careful anthropological examination is recommended and has been found functional for participants with no prior knowledge in the analysis of cremated remains.Item Open Access Decomposition variability between the scene and autopsy examination and implications for post-mortem interval estimations(Elsevier, 2021-11-24) Giles, Stephanie B.; Errickson, David; Márquez-Grant, NicholasForensic experts rely on scene and/or autopsy photographs to estimate the post-mortem interval (PMI) when an in-situ assessment of decomposition is unfeasible. The degree of decomposition may vary between the scene and autopsy, which importantly could affect estimations of the unknown PMI in forensic casework. This study aimed to investigate decomposition variability between the scene and autopsy and assess the subsequent effect on the accuracy of PMI estimations. Scene and autopsy photographs from 94 cases with known PMI were used from the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner in Pittsburgh, United States. The total decomposition scoring (TDS) method measured the overall decomposition level, and 28 markers of decomposition were recorded as a percentage of the total body surface area (TBSA). In 60% of cases the TDS had increased at autopsy causing significant overestimations of the autopsy PMI and 86% of decomposition markers varied between the scene and autopsy. Decomposition progressed during mortuary time lags (MTL) of 3–44 h, where bodies were stored in a pre-autopsy refrigerator at 4 °C, suggesting that refrigeration may not always delay decomposition. This research also assisted in validating photographs as a proxy for real-time decomposition assessments. While the autopsy photographs conferred higher quality than the scene photographs, the scene photographs produced more accurate PMI estimations. Forensic experts should exhibit caution when estimating the PMI from autopsy photographs alone, as they may not accurately reflect scene decomposition. To prevent misinterpretation of the PMI estimation, both scene and autopsy photographs should always be requested.Item Open Access Dental age estimation based on pulp chamber/crown volume ratio measured on CBCT images in a Spanish population(Springer, 2020-07-17) Molina, Ana; Bravo, Manuel; Fonseca, Gabriel M.; Márquez-Grant, Nicholas; Martín-de-las-Heras, StellaDental age estimation in living individuals is one of the most frequent requests undertaken by forensic odontologists. The aim of this study was to estimate the dental age by pulp/tooth volume ratio, as measured on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, in a Spanish population. This study included 313 teeth from 107 adult individuals, 56 females and 51 males with a mean age of 44 ± 14 years. The statistical analysis of the results took account of clustering (multiple teeth in individuals). Linear regression models were constructed on the relationship between pulp/tooth volume ratio and chronological age for each tooth type. The highest coefficient of determination (R2) value was provided by the upper incisors (36.6%), and the difference between chronological and estimated age was less than 5 years in 31.3% of the sample and less than 10 years for 65.7%. CBCT is an accurate imaging technique to measure dental volume with a relatively low radiation dose, and it can be used to assess dental age in living adult individuals. Volumetric changes in the pulp cavity with increasing age proved valuable to estimate dental age in this Spanish populationItem Open Access Determining the postmortem timing of sharp force damage and the pre-burning condition of burnt bone(Springer, 2023-08-15) Végh, Emese I.; Márquez-Grant, Nicholas; Schulting, Rick J.Major complications in the palaeopathological analysis of burnt human remains include distinguishing whether bone was fresh or dry at the time of burning, and whether trauma/damage was inflicted ‘perimortem’ or postmortem. Some prehistoric societies are suggested to have defleshed human remains prior to cremation, mostly classified based on the lack of warping and thumbnail fractures. The distinction between perimortem and postmortem sharp force trauma (SFT) characteristics has rarely been investigated on burnt bones. This study investigates whether these features are distinguishable on burnt bone, as well as assessing the rate of cutmark survival, and the presence of heat-induced fractures in relation to the bone’s pre-burnt collagen content. Pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) tibiae were left to decay in a field for 14, 34, 91, 180, and 365 days in Wytham Woods, Oxfordshire, UK. Prior to burning, bones were inflicted with SFT by a non-serrated and partially serrated knife and a flint blade (N = 15/bone). Fleshed bones with cutmarks and bones without trauma served as controls. Cutmark survival, features, and heat-induced fractures were recorded on the burnt bones and compared with the collagen extracted from unburnt bones at the abovementioned time intervals. Statistical analysis included linear regression and MANOVA. Heat-induced fractures did not depend on the limited collagen loss during the 1-year postmortem inverval (PMI) prior to burning. There was a loss (mean 18.4%) of identifiable cutmarks after burning. Significant alterations in the cutmark characteristics appeared after 6 months of exposure in burnt bones, marked by the increase in postmortem features, which can inform on the pre-burning PMI.Item Open Access Don´t forget the children! a review of the consequences of natural disasters and epidemics on childhood health and mortality in the past(Maney Publishing (T&F), 2022-02-09) Squires, Kirsty; Hookway, Esme; Márquez-Grant, NicholasNatural disasters, pandemics, and epidemics have devastating impacts on communities. Poverty, famine, ill health, social isolation, and death are some of the consequences of such events. Transformations in culture, religion, political and economic stability, and other social aspects can also be attributed to catastrophic incidents. Whilst such events have been well documented and studied, little attention has been given to their effect on children. Using osteoarchaeological and historical evidence, this review article explores how children appear to have been affected during, and in the aftermath of, natural disasters and epidemics. A range of cases from Antiquity to the modern day is provided, alongside three focal case studies. This research demonstrates analogies with the present-day where countries face disease outbreaks, droughts, floods, and earthquakes. Ultimately, the findings presented in this paper illustrate the extent to which these events shaped the lives and deaths of children in the past.Item Open Access The effect of seasonality on the application of accumulated degree-days to estimate the early post-mortem interval(Elsevier, 2020-08-01) Giles, Stephanie B.; Harrison, Karl; Errickson, David; Márquez-Grant, NicholasThis study investigated the effect of seasonal variables on decomposition in the early post-mortem period using 26 donated human cadavers at the University of Tennessee’s Anthropology Research Facility (ARF), USA. The rate and pattern of decomposition in human cadavers (as measured by TBS and the revised TBSsurf methods) did not vary significantly between all seasons. Summer and autumn cadavers had comparable rates of accelerated decomposition despite significant differences in both ADD and temperature (p<0.05). Spring cadavers had the slowest onset of decomposition characteristics, even compared to the few decomposition characteristics expressed in winter. Seasonal variation in humidity, rather than temperature, may be the overarching driving force for decomposition progression in the early post-mortem period. Both TBS and TBSsurf methods were poor predictors of the PMI (R²=0.4) and significantly over-estimated the PMI across all seasons, although to a lesser extent in spring. This study also demonstrated no relationship between known ADD and TBS/TBSsurf (R²=0.025). TBS and TBSsurf are ADD-based PMI estimation models that cannot be validated under experimental conditions. Accounting for seasonal expression of individual decomposition characteristics is needed for improvement of PMI predictability in forensic practiceItem Open Access Establishing a minimum PMI for bone sun bleaching in a UK environment with a controlled desert-simulated comparison(Springer, 2020-08-15) Stokes, Sarah; Márquez-Grant, Nicholas; Greenwood, CharleneMicroenvironments play a significant part in understanding the post-mortem interval in forensic taphonomy. Recently, the value of weathering factors in relation to obtaining a PMI has been investigated further. In this study, observations were made to calculate the length of time it takes for three different bone elements (femur, rib, and scapula) to bleach in a UK summer and winter. This research also investigated whether there were any physicochemical modifications to the bone caused by bleaching. Porcine femora, scapulae, and ribs were placed into open and shaded areas of an outdoor research facility located in Oxfordshire, UK, during summer (July–Sep) and winter months (Dec–Mar). The specimens were monitored at 3-week intervals using photography, and an observational scoring method was developed to quantify the extent of bleaching. As temperatures are typically much lower in the UK compared with warmer climates, a controlled indoor-simulated desert experiment was also undertaken to be used as a control. This allowed sun bleaching and changes to the bone chemistry to be monitored in a controlled, high-UV environment for comparison with the UK outdoor experiments. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to analyze physicochemical modifications to both the mineral and organic components of the bone. The FTIR was used to calculate crystallinity index (CI), mineral to organic ratio, and the relative amount of carbonate concentrations. Weather data was collected and a positive correlation was found between both ultraviolet (UV) levels and accumulated degree days (ADD) when compared with observational bleaching scores. Bleaching (whitening) of the bone samples occurred in both seasons but at different rates, with the bleaching process occurring at a slower rate in winter. During summer, the initial bleaching process was evident at 6 weeks, and by 9 weeks, the bones were an off-white colour. During the winter period, whitening of the bone started at 9 weeks; however, only the scapula and rib samples displayed a similar off-white colour. This colouration was observed at 13 weeks rather than at 9 weeks. The desert simulation samples started bleaching in a similar pattern to the outdoor samples after 1 week but the bones did not fully bleach. The bone chemistry, based on physicochemical properties obtained from the FTIR, showed a significant statistical difference between the simulated desert and winter season when compared against a control sample. For the winter samples, the mineral to organic ratio was significantly higher than that in the control, suggesting a reduction in the proportion of organic. For the samples in the simulated desert environment, the crystallinity index was significantly higher than that in the control samples, suggesting an increase in crystallinity. The results of this experiment support the fact that it is possible to achieve bleaching in a UK environment and that the minimal time frame for this to occur differs in seasons.Item Open Access Estudio antropológico de las alquerías de Benizahat y Zeneta (Vall d´Uixó, Castellón). Una ventana a la vida rural andalusí(Universitat de Valencia, 2021-12-31) Olivé-Busom, Júlia; López-Costas, Olalla; Márquez-Grant, Nicholas; Kirchner, HelenaDuring the Andalusi period, modern day Vall d'Uixó (Castellón, Spain) was formed by a series of hamlets that were inhabited by Islamic population until the 16th century. Through the anthropological analysis of 99 skeletons from two of these hamlets, Benizahat and Zeneta, this study explores the possible existence of differences in the lifestyle of males and females and occupational stress related to the rural economy of this population. In addition, their living conditions and stress levels during growth are assessed through the confrontation with other peninsular Islamic populations. Although the studied sample is not clearly distinguishable from other Andalusian populations in terms of physiological and occupational stress, the significant differences in the distribution of Schmörl’s nodes between males and females and the high frequencies of dental caries in the population should be highlighted.Item Open Access Ethical considerations and publishing in human bioarcheology(Wiley, 2022-01-07) Squires, Kirsty; Roberts, Charlotte A.; Márquez-Grant, NicholasINTRODUCTION: As bioarcheologists and forensic anthropologists, we are writing to highlight the apparent lack of ethical consideration, or mention of ethics, in published papers, especially when publishing on archeological human remains. In many situations, data deriving from excavated human remains provide the deep time perspective relevant to populations today (e.g., Binder et al., 2014). However, bearing in mind current ethical debates around the excavation, analysis, and curation of human remains (e.g., Squires, Errickson, & Márquez-Grant, 2019), and any in the future, we do need to address the ethics surrounding our research and its publication as we go forward.Item Open Access Evidence of otitis media and mastoiditis in a Medieval Islamic skeleton from Spain and possible implications for ancient surgical treatment of the condition(Elsevier, 2020-11-21) Olivé-Busom, Júlia; López-Costas, Olalla; Quer-Agustí, Miquel; Márquez-Grant, Nicholas; Kirchner, HelenaObjective To evaluate lesions on a cranium from the Iberian Peninsula and assess its medico-historical and paleopathological significance. Materials The skeletal remains of a juvenile individual found in a Medieval Islamic grave (10th -16th century) in Eastern Spain. Methods Macroscopic examination of the left and right temporal bones, binocular microscopy, X-ray, and Scanning Electron Microscopy - Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) were performed. Results A sub-oval perforation superior to the right mastoid process and pathological changes on the right temporal bone were identified. SEM-EDS confirmed the presence of copper in the surrounding area of the perforation. Conclusions The observed pathological changes are most likely compatible with otitis media and subsequent mastoiditis. The sub-oval perforation could be interpreted either as an abscess or as evidence of a surgical procedure (mastoidectomy) or a combination of both; and the Cu traces may be the result of an associated object or, possibly, the application of a plaster with copper acetate used as medical treatment. Significance This case contributes to the paleopathological record and the interpretation of similar cases, and also helps in the understanding of medical care and treatment in Medieval Islam. Limitations The lack of similar pre-modern cases of surgical intervention limits comparability to clinical cases. Suggestion for further research: Exploration into indicators of health care in past populationsItem Open Access Examination of misconceptions surrounding fatal fire victims(Elsevier, 2023-07-27) Harding, Mary-Jane; Márquez-Grant, Nicholas; Williams, MikeFire deaths are not unusual in forensic investigative practice but due to the destructive nature of fire they are often very difficult to investigate. With the need to identify the deceased and the events surrounding the manner and cause of death, knowledge of thermally induced alteration to the human body is important. Within the fire investigation community, a number of misconceptions have been present for years regarding the protrusion of the tongue as an indicator of life during the fire, and fractured skulls as the result of brains boiling and skulls exploding. This work presents qualitative analysis on the experimental burning of 42 unembalmed human donated cadavers by the San Luis Obispo Strike Team (SLOFIST) on their annual Forensic Fire Death Investigation Course (FFDIC) between 2017 and 2019. Prior to burning, the position of the tongue within the dental arch was confirmed and sharp, blunt, surgical and gunshot trauma to the cranium documented. Temperature was recorded from ignition through to suppression with thermocouples present both within the scene and the body. Post burn analysis on the position of the tongue, observation of cranial fractures and presence of brain tissue were recorded and analysed in conjunction with thermocouple data, fire scene dynamics and body demographics. The results provide a more comprehensive understanding of the thermal environmental factors involved in producing the phenomena that facilitate these misconceptions, identifying that a more thorough understanding of individual fire scenes and their development is essential when interpreting alteration and injury to the body of the fatal fire victim.Item Open Access Final thoughts on WWI and WWII legislation, recovery, identification and burial of human remains: best practice, challenges, and recommendations(Elsevier, 2021-03-19) Márquez-Grant, Nicholas; Errickson, David; Morgan, Sarah; Ronner, Eva; Giles, Stephanie B.The ‘WWI and WWII Symposium: Legislation, Recovery, Identification and Burial of Human Remains’, took place on 13th March 2020 (Márquez-Grant and Errickson, 2021). The event was in the form of a round table discussion with participating specialists who focus on the forensic recovery and identification of war casualties, particularly with a focus on Europe. Although the event saw a large amount of knowledge exchange, the discussion went far beyond those who attended the session. As a result, this Special Issue in ‘Forensic Science International’ is aimed at disseminating the discussion to a wider number of individuals while incorporating further views and input from specialists who could not be in attendance on the day.Item Open Access Forensic DNA extraction methods for human hard tissue: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of technologies and sample type(Elsevier, 2022-12-08) Finaughty, Chandra; Heathfield, Laura Jane; Kemp, Victoria; Márquez-Grant, NicholasDNA identification of human remains has a valuable role in the field of forensic science and wider. Although DNA is vital in identification of unknown human remains, post-mortem environmental factors can lead to poor molecular preservation. In this respect, focus has been placed on DNA extraction methodologies for hard tissue samples, as these are the longest surviving. Despite decades of research being conducted on DNA extraction methods for bone and teeth, little consensus has been reached as to the best performing. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a thorough systematic literature review to identify potential DNA extraction technique(s) which perform optimally for forensic DNA profiling from hard tissue samples. PRISMA guidelines were used, by which a search strategy was developed. This included identifying databases and discipline specific journals, keywords, and exclusion and inclusion criteria. In total, 175 articles were identified that detailed over 50 different DNA extraction methodologies. Results of the meta-analysis conducted on 41 articles – meeting further inclusion criteria - showed that statistically significant higher DNA profiling success was associated with solid-phase magnetic bead/resin methods. In addition, incorporating a demineralisation pre-step resulted in significantly higher profiling successes. For hard tissue type, bone outperformed teeth, and even though dense cortical femur samples were more frequently used across the studies, profiling success was comparable, and in some cases, higher in cancellous bone samples. Notably, incomplete data sharing resulted in many studies being excluded, thus an emphasis for minimum reporting standards is made. In conclusion, this study identifies strategies that may improve success rates of forensic DNA profiling from hard tissue samples. Finally, continued improvements to current methods can ensure faster times to resolution and restoring the identity of those who died in obscurity.Item Open Access Histomorphometric analysis of the variability of the human skeleton: forensic implications(Elsevier, 2020-04-23) Cummaudo, Marco; Raffone, Caterina; Cappella, Annalisa; Márquez-Grant, Nicholas; Cattaneo, CristinaIn the last decades, the histomorphometric analysis of bone tissue has been utilized to develop equations for species discrimination of fragmentary bone. Although this technique showed promising results, its main limitation concerns the lack of knowledge on the histomorphometric variability which may exist between different bones of the skeleton. In a previous study, we demonstrated a significant histomorphological variability in different bones of the same individual and even in different sections of the same bone. The present study aimed at investigating the extent of intra-individual variability in bone histomorphometry throughout the human adult skeleton and areas of a single bone. Samples were taken along an entire medieval male adult human skeleton (aged between 26 and 45 years), including long, flat, irregular and sesamoid bones for a total of 49 cross-sections. The histomorphometric analysis revealed that the size of both Haversian systems and Haversian canals were statistically significantly larger in long and irregular bones compared to flat bones. Moreover, osteons were generally bigger in the diaphysis compared to the proximal and distal metaphyses, whereas Haversian canals showed a higher uniformity in the different portions of each bone. The present study has highlighted the importance of conducting similar studies on both human and nonhuman skeletons at different stages of skeletal maturity in order to shed light on the extent of variability in the size of osteons and Haversian canals. This, in fact, represents an important prerequisite to develop reliable histological methods for species discrimination of fragmented bone.Item Open Access How do drugs affect the skeleton? implications for forensic anthropology(MDPI, 2022-03-29) Márquez-Grant, Nicholas; Baldini, Elisa; Jeynes, Victoria; Biehler-Gomez, Lucie; Aoukhiyad, Layla; Passalacqua, Nicholas V.; Giordano, Gaia; Di Candia, Domenico; Cattaneo, CristinaForensic anthropologists rely on a number of parameters when analyzing human skeletal remains to assist in the identification of the deceased, predominantly age-at-death, sex, stature, ancestry or population affinity, and any unique identifying features. During the examination of human remains, it is important to be aware that the skeletal features considered when applying anthropological methods may be influenced and modified by a number of factors, and particular to this article, prescription drugs (including medical and non-medical use) and other commonly used drugs. In view of this, this paper aims to review the medical, clinical and pharmacological literature to enable an assessment of those drug groups that as side effects have the potential to have an adverse effect on the skeleton, and explore whether or not they can influence the estimation of age-at-death, sex and other indicators of the biological profile. Moreover, it may be that the observation of certain alterations or inconsistencies in the skeleton may relate to the use of drugs or medication, and this in turn may help narrow down the list of missing persons to which a set of human remains could belong. The information gathered from the clinical and medical literature has been extracted with a forensic anthropological perspective and provides an awareness on how several drugs, such as opioids, cocaine, corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alcohol, tobacco and others have notable effects on bone. Through different mechanisms, drugs can alter bone mineral density, causing osteopenia, osteoporosis, increase the risk of fractures, osteonecrosis, and oral changes. Not much has been written on the influence of drugs on the skeleton from the forensic anthropological practitioner perspective; and this review, in spite of its limitations and the requirement of further research, aims to investigate the current knowledge of the possible effects of both prescription and recreational drugs on bones, contributing to providing a better awareness in forensic anthropological practice and assisting in the identification process of the deceased.Item Open Access Identification of human vs non-human bone (Sus Scrofa) in forensic anthropology : Histological perspectives(2018-09) Cummaudo, Marco; Márquez-Grant, Nicholas; Cattaneo, CristinaIn the event of natural disasters, residential and commercial fires, aircraft accidents as well as in clandestine burials, fragmented remains of pets, wildlife animals or other animals used for meat consumption (e.g. pig, cattle), can frequently become commingled with human remains. In such cases, forensic anthropologists are often asked to assist law enforcement in identifying the human or nonhuman origin of the remains. When the skeletal material is highly fragmented lacking any diagnostic feature, species discrimination by the assessment of gross morpohological characteristics may not be exploitable. Thus, forensic anthropologists must turn to other methods, such as the histological analysis. Though bone histology of mammals has been deeply explored since at least the seventeenth century, quantitative data available to perform species discrimination by histological analysis is still scarce and, above all, there is a lack of knowledge on the extent of variability in different bones of the skeleton, considering that most of the previous investigations focused exclusively on some specific bones (e.g. femur, rib), rather than having a wider overview of the entire skeleton. In this regard, this thesis aimed to investigate the intra- and inter-species variability of bone microscopic structure in human and pig (Sus scrofa) at different stages of skeletal maturity from both a qualitative (type of tissues) and quantitative perspectives (measurements of diameter, area and perimeter of secondary osteons and osteocyte lacunae). More than 3000 osteons and Haversian canals were measured during the analyses, as well as over 1200 osteocyte lacunae. This research demonstrated a significant intra-individual, intra-species and inter-species variability of bone microarchitecture which can have implications not only when II assessing the origin of an unknown bone fragment, but also when performing histological age-at-death estimation. Overall, it makes a significant contribution to knowledge of bone histomorphology and histomorphometry in human and pig since it represents the first attempt in investigating bone microarchitecture along the entire human and pig skeleton and provides new insight for species discrimination from a histological perspective’