Journal of Forensic Research

Estimating the age of immature stages of necrophagous flies developing on corps, may provide clues for understanding the minimum post-mortem intervals (PMI) to aid death investigation. It can be hard to comprehend precisely the interval age of developmental stage that does not increase in size including egg. In this study we investigated the feasibility of predicting egg age from ovi-position to hatching over 2 hour’s intervals of egg development. The expression profile of three genes, cuticle I, Ecdysone receptor (EcR) and chymotrypsin of lucilia cuprina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were determined at 2, 6, and 8 hours of egg development. Semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR were applied for profiling of indicated genes expressions from eggs of different developmental stages by designing specific primers sets. Target transcripts were then quantified from the gel using image J and syn gene programs. The results indicated time-dependent expressions of the three genes with significant increase at the selected time points. Cuticle 1 expression was increased up to 2, 25 and 6 folds at 4, 6 and 8 hours respectively when compared to 2 hours expression level. Likewise a significant induction of both chymotrypsin and EcR (around 1.2, 1.7 then 1.2 and 3, 2, 6 folds, respectively) during 4, 6 and 8 hours were observed. Collectively our results indicate that developmental eggs exhibit differential and specific time-dependent expression profile of target genes that can contribute as measurable factors in future investigations.

The best available data source on lethal cases of medical malpractice is the files of the institutes of forensic medicine. The medico-legal autopsies are ordered by the prosecutor general when a case of alleged medical malpractice comes to his attention. A retrospective analysis of 243 cases of suspicious medical malpractice, from 2009 to 2011, was conducted at the Egyptian Forensic Medicine Authority. This study showed that hospital doctors were more affected by medical malpractice claims than doctors in private practice. It also showed that although surgery is the discipline with most accusations of medical malpractice, the rate of confirmed cases with proven causality is low.

Extra thoracic injuries in rib fractures often include intra-abdominal organ injuries, commonly liver and spleen. The study was conducted with an objective to determine the association between rib fractures and liver and spleen injuries among medico legal autopsies with blunt abdominal trauma at the mortuary of tertiary referral centre in eastern Nepal for the period of one year. Among a total of 68 cases studied, male: female ratio was 3.53:1 and the mean age 30.76 ± 5.14 years. The presence of liver injuries was significantly increased in all rib fractures (P value 0.378, OR 1.552) and right sided only or bilateral ribs fractures (P value <0.05, OR 0.33). Spleen injuries are significantly associated with left sided only or bilateral rib fractures (P value <0.05, OR 3.02). A significant difference exists between organ injuries with associated rib fractures compared to those without fracture, implying that the presence of rib fracture is a good indicator of organ injury

The experience of using autosomal short-length amplicon STRs or miniSTRs in profiling of degraded DNA and mass disaster victims is extended into the realm of X-chromosomal (ChrX) STR miniaturization. About half of the total X-STRs are now short-length amplicons and the focus is shifting to using the mini versions of all of them. Joint multiplexing of these loci can be used for solving complex paternity cases and association of mass disaster victims with their families. This technology may herald a new dimension for research in population genetics and evolution. We present an overview of the progress made thus far and the future scope and prospects for X-miniSTRs.

Background: Age assessment may be a crucial step in postmortem profiling leading to confirmative
identification. In children, Demirjian’s method based on eight developmental stages was developed to determine maturity scores as a function of age and polynomial functions to determine age as a function of score. Aim: Of this study was to evaluate the reliability of age estimation using Demirjian's eight teeth method following the French maturity scores and Indian-specific formula from developmental stages of third molar with the help of orthopantomograms using the Demirjian method.

Materials and Methods: Dental panoramic tomograms from 30 subjects each of known chronological age and sex were collected and were evaluated according to Demirjian’s criteria. Age calculations were performed using Demirjian’s formula and Indian formula. Statistical analysis used was chi-square test and ANOVA test and the Pvalues obtained were statistically significant.

Results: There was an average underestimation of age with both Indian and Demirjian’s formulas. The mean absolute error was lower using Indian formula hence it can be applied for age estimation in present Gujarati population. Also, females were ahead of achieving dental maturity than males thus completion of dental development is attained earlier in females.

Conclusion: Greater accuracy can be obtained if population-specific formulas considering the ethnic and environmental variation are derived performing the regression analysis.