Experience based efficient approach for DNA-led identification of highly carbonized human remains.

In case of severely burned bodies, victim identification by visual or fingerprints recognition is often prevented by altered body conditions. To overcome these circumstances, different techniques are available. Among these, the most reliable is molecular identification, especially in cases of detached body parts.

Forensic species identification: practical guide for animal and plant DNA analysis.

The importance of non-human DNA in the forensic field has increased greatly in recent years, together with the type of applications. The molecular species identification of animal and botanical material may be crucial both for wildlife trafficking and crime scene investigation. However, especially for forensic botany, several challenges slow down the implementation of the discipline in the routine.

Diagnosing coronary thrombosis using multiphase post-mortem CT angiography (MPMCTA): A case study.

While post-mortem angiography (PMA) is gradually establishing its role in Forensic Radiology, the available literature in Italy lacks a solid foundation, particularly regarding its use in criminal court proceedings. An illustrative example of multiphase post-mortem CT angiography (MPMCTA) is presented here to encourage the systematic implementation of PMA methods. To demonstrate concordance between MPMCTA and the reference standard (autopsy and histology) in a case of acute coronary thrombosis, we report a case where MPMCTA, autopsy, histological and toxicological analyses were performed on a previously healthy 51-year-old man.

The role of ethyl glucuronide in supporting medico-legal investigations: Analysis of this biomarker in different postmortem specimens from 21 selected autopsy cases.

Ethanol determination in postmortem blood is one of the most frequently requested analyses in legal medicine and forensic toxicology. Ethyl glucuronide is a non-oxidative ethanol metabolite. It is also a useful marker of ante-mortem alcohol ingestion when ethanol itself has been completely eliminated from the body and could be considered in autopsy cases to obtain more reliable indications.

Lateral saccular laryngeal cyst and unexpected asphyxial death.

We present the case of a 41-year-old man with a herniated saccular laryngeal cyst in the left cervical region who died unexpectedly at home from acute asphyxia. A few days before death the patient complained an obvious palpable swelling on the left side of the neck. The autopsy showed an oval-shaped mass originating on the wall of the larynx and herniating into the extralaryngeal region.

Unexpected intrauterine fetal death in parvovirus B19 fetal infection.

Parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy can be transmitted to the fetus through the placenta. The consequences for the health of the fetus are very variable and can be very serious. They include intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) and miscarriage, which can lead to medico-forensic questions.

Spontaneous umbilical cord hematoma: an unusual cause of fetal mortality: a report of 3 cases and review of the literature.

Spontaneous hematoma of the umbilical cord represents a rare cause of fetal morbidity and mortality and the outcome is poor in half of the cases. There are many risk factors, such as infections, morphologic anomalies, alterations of the vessel walls, prolapses, twisting and traction of the cord, but in many cases the causes remain unknown. We present 3 cases of umbilical cord hematoma which took place at the end of the pregnancy and were followed by perinatal death of the fetus.