Application of geometric morphometrics in ancient human remains / 解剖学报

Based on the data collection and analysis of the sample landmarks, the geometric morphological method shows great prospect in the study of human remains. The purpose of this paper is to briefly outline the application of geometric morphological method in research of human remains and gives an outlook on the application of the method in the study of ancient children.

Application of new methods on the study of ancient human remains in China in recent years / 解剖学报

In the past decade, in addition to using traditional naked-eye morphological analysis, two-dimensional measurement and data comparison, more and more scholars placed great emphasis on the application of new technologies available and supported the study of ancient human remains from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Through outlining recent advances in the application of new techniques on research of ancient human remains, this paper briefly summarized the characteristics of present research and gave an outlook on future research of ancient human remains in China.

Lack of Corpses for Teaching and Research / A Falta de Cadáveres para Ensino e Pesquisa

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to address the importance of providing unclaimed corpses and cadavers donated for use in studies, focusing on the training of health professionals, the improvement of professionals already trained in this area and the advance of research, mainly in surgical techniques, in the scope of educational and research institutions, both public and private. It seems unanimous, among the authors who deal with the matter, the view that the use of corpses is irreplaceable in technical training and professional development. There is, however, a lack of the material in question, which in turn is due to a series of difficulties raised here, such as the lack of regulation centers that manage the flow of capture and distribution of cadavers and the decrease in the number of unclaimed corpses. The following problem is thus defined: on the one hand, there is a clear need to obtain human remains for basic education in the health area - fundamentally in the disciplines of Anatomy - for the improvement of professionals in this area and for research - such as the disciplines of surgical techniques -; on the other hand, the lack of cadaveric material is evident, a fact that, by consequence, has been compromising the final quality of health services, especially those of surgical nature. A bibliographic survey was carried out aiming to know the state of the art on the current legislation and on the Bills currently submitted to the National Congress. It was found that, despite the existence of legislation concerning this matter, it is necessary to have legislative-normative improvement to encompass the several demands, including those of the emerging technologies. The legislative process is very slow, taking into account the need indicated here, considering the significant increase in the number of courses in the health area. It is necessary, therefore, that urgent measures be taken to supply the needs in the area, which must necessarily take place through legal and regulatory norms.

RESUMO O estudo tem como objetivo abordar a importância da disponibilização de cadáveres não reclamados e de cadáveres doados para utilização em estudos, com foco na formação de profissionais da área da saúde, no aperfeiçoamento de profissionais já formados nessa área e no avanço de pesquisas sobretudo em técnicas cirúrgicas, no âmbito de instituições de ensino e pesquisa, tanto públicas como privadas. Parece unânime, entre os autores que versam sobre a matéria, a opinião de que a utilização de cadáveres é insubstituível na formação técnica e no aperfeiçoamento do profissional. Verifica-se, entretanto, a falta do material em questão, o que, por sua vez, se deve a uma série de dificuldades aqui levantadas, como a falta de centrais de regulação que administrem o fluxo de captação e distribuição de cadáveres e a diminuição do número de cadáveres não reclamados. Configura-se, assim, o seguinte problema: por um lado, tem-se a clara necessidade de obtenção de restos mortais humanos para o ensino básico na área da saúde - em se tratando fundamentalmente das disciplinas de Anatomia -, para o aperfeiçoamento de profissionais dessa área e para pesquisa - a exemplo das disciplinas de técnicas cirúrgicas -; por outro lado, é flagrante a carência de material cadavérico, fato que, por via de consequência, vem comprometendo a qualidade final dos serviços de saúde, em especial os de caráter cirúrgico. Realizou-se aqui levantamento bibliográfico visando conhecer o estado da arte sobre a legislação vigente e os projetos de lei em tramitação no Congresso Nacional. Verificou-se que, apesar da existência de legislação concernente à matéria, é necessário haver aperfeiçoamento legislativo-normativo para contemplar as diversas demandas, incluídas as tecnologias que vêm surgindo. O processo legislativo é muito lento em face da necessidade aqui apontada, considerado o expressivo aumento do número de cursos na área da saúde. É mister, pois, que sejam tomadas medidas urgentes para suprir o passivo na área, o que deve realizar-se necessariamente por meio de regulamentação legal e normativa.

Entre vidas objetificadas e vítimas da escravização: a trajetória das ossadas do Cemitério dos Pretos Novos, no Rio de Janeiro / Between objectified lives and victims of slavery: the bones of the Pretos Novos Cemetery, in Rio de Janeiro / Entre vidas objetivadas y victimas de la esclavización: la trayectoria de los huesos del Cementerio Pretos Novos, en Rio de Janeiro

Resumo Nos últimos anos, diversas iniciativas no Brasil e no mundo apontam para um novo enquadramento da escravidão que procura trazer à tona o ponto de vista dos escravizados. Elas são elaboradas em torno de uma nova moralidade que denuncia o processo de vitimização a que foram submetidos. No entanto, a construção dessas novas narrativas é permeada por conflitos e ambiguidades. Partindo de uma etnografia sobre as ossadas do sítio arqueológico Cemitério dos Pretos Novos, tento trazer à tona a multiplicidade de atores e representações que transcendem e ressignificam o processo de vitimização. Com isso, procuro iluminar a complexidade da construção contemporânea da categoria da vítima, em particular as vítimas da escravização no Brasil.

Abstract In recent years, slavery has been redefined in new frames that emphasizes the enslaved’s perspective. This change brings a new morality that denounces the process of victimization of the enslaved. But these narratives are permeated by conflicts and ambiguities. Through an ethnografic research of the bones found in the Pretos Novos Cemetery archeological site, this article analyzes the multiplicity of actors and representantios which transcend and ressignify the victimization process and highlights the complexity of the contemporary category of victim, in particular victims of slavery, in Brasil.

Resumen En los últimos años, varias iniciativas en Brasil y en todo el mundo revelan un nuevo marco de esclavitud que busca llevar a cabo el punto de vista de los esclavizados. Ellas se elaboran en torno a una nueva moral denunciando el proceso de victimización que han sufrido. Sin embargo, la construcción de estos nuevos relatos está impregnada de conflictos y ambigüedades. A partir de una etnografía sobre los restos del sitio arqueológico Cementerio de Pretos Novos, trato de poner de manifiesto la multiplicidad de actores y representaciones que trascienden y re-significar el proceso de victimización. Con eso, trato a la luz de la complejidad de la construcción contemporánea de la categoría de víctima, en particular las víctimas de la esclavitud en Brasil.

The Paleoparasitology in Brazil and Findings in Human Remains from South America: A Review

The review article presents some of the history of how paleoparasitology started in Brazil, making highlight the great responsible Dr. Luiz Fernando Ferreira and Dr. Adauto Araújo, the trajectory of paleoparasitology in Brazil since 1978 and its performance in science to the present day. In sequence, it is made a presentation of parasitological findings on human remains found in archaeological sites in South America, highlighting Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Peru, where major discoveries have occurred. Many of the parasites found in archaeological material and mentioned in this review went out of Africa with the peopling of Europe and from there they dispersed around the world, where climatic conditions allow the transmission. However, humans have acquired other parasites of animals, since humans invaded new habitats or creating new habits adopting new technologies, thus expanding its range of influence on the environment. Thus, this review article is finalized with information that explain the importance of these findings in the interaction between parasites, human host, and ambient.

Reconstruction of body injuries leads to unraveling mystery behind unidentified mutilated skeletonised human remains.

Medico legists are frequently requisitioned by investigating agencies to examine and opine regarding identity, cause, manner & time since death of unidentified mutilated decomposed/ skeletonised human remains. Such an opinion in some of these cases can be very intriguing or even impossible to make. However, availability and examination of relevant facts/ information/ documents with regards to circumstantial evidences and their corroboration with autopsy findings including reconstruction of body injuries and examination of articles pertinent to the case can do wonders in this regard. The case relates to unidentified mutilated human remains in advanced stage of decomposition, partial adipocere formation, near skeletonisation & partial mutilation, recovered from a ground well not in use for drinking water purpose, tied to a heavy stone slab. The pelvis and left Femur bones showed sharp cut injuries in unique and patterned fashion. The paper discusses important issues of reconstructive Forensic Medicine in the light of the given case.