Similarity, analogy, compatibility, identification: personal identification in forensic practice.

Background: Personal identification is a forensic procedure of recognizing a subject, whether corpse or living, based on a set of parameters and evidence. Spreading of video surveillance cameras has changed forensic application in identification. Indeed, there has been a shift from the evaluation of universally recognized anthropometric parameters to the spasmodic search for individual traits and/or characteristics that could be safely attributed to a single subject.

Interrupted aortic arch: from a singular forensic case to clinical and diagnostic cue.

Background: Abnormalities of aortic arch include variables related to structure, location, anatomical relationships and collateral vessels. This group includes the malformation known as "interrupted aortic arch". During fetal life, oxygenated blood is provided by materno-fetal circulation and own fetal circulation.

Psychosis in cocaine intoxication.

Background: Cocaine overdose is a condition in which an increase in blood pressure, heart rate and depth of breath is observed. Cocaine consumption also causes a wide and well-known neuropsychiatric symptomatology that is characterized by incomprehensible behavior, confused and disordered thoughts, and paranoia. Cocaine addiction is a worldwide public health problem, which has somatic, psychological, psychiatric, socio-economic, and judicial complications.

"When something goes wrong".

Background: Aspiration of food or liquids can result in suffocation, evolving in coughing, difficulty breathing and forced exhalation. Asphyxia occurs when the aspirated material occludes the upper airways, either in the proximal or distal tract, resulting in the inability to breathe. The risk of asphyxiation death, is increased if a person makes sudden movements while eating, walks or runs while eating, or even becomes distracted or frightened.

Reverse engineering in forensic investigations: a new approach to bite mark analysis.

The study of bite marks provides crucial elements that contribute towards identifying the biter. In many cases, it assumes importance when bite marks are detected on the body of a victim of violence, but it could also be relevant when the bite marks are seen on food substances at the crime scene. In both circumstances, comparing the bite marks with a suspect's dentition can be decisive in confirming or excluding the culpability.