[Correlation between the lengths of the long bones of the forearm and the fibula with body height in our population].

BACKGROUND/AIM: The task of a forensic examiner during exhumation of skeletal remains is to calculate antemortem height of a person whose skeletal remains were found. Anthropological investigations which provided formulae for calculating ante-mortem body height date back from XIX or from the first half of XX centuries. The most commonly used formulae are those of Trotter-Gleser, which were used to investigate skeletal remains from the World War II. Those investigations were conducted on skeletal remains of various ages and degrees of decay. Our experience with exhumation have shown that the present formulae do not deliver reliable values of antemortem height. The aim of this study was to investigate if there is a correlation of the length of long bones of leg and forearm with body height within our population and to establish the formulae for calculating ante-mortem body height within our population based on the obtained values. METHODS: The lengths of ulna, radius, fibula and tibia were determined precisely by measuring bones on living individuals using a digital X-ray system. The height of individuals whose bones were measured was determined using an anthropometer. RESULTS: The highest degree of correlation between bone length and body height was found for tibia in males (r = 0.859, p < 0.005) and ulna in females (r = 0.679, p < 0.05). We calculated the regression formulae for determination of ante-mortem body height that differ from the current body height formulae. CONCLUSION: In our population the length of long bones of the forearm and the leg are characterized by various degree of correlation with body height. The formulae that we set, make less distinction between the measured and the calculated body height as compared with the Trotter-Gleser formulae. We do hope that their implementation will facilitate identification of sceletal remains in our population.

[Premortal data in the process of skeletal remains identification].

BACKGROUND/AIM: The basic task of a forensic examiner during the exhumation of mass graves or in mass accidents is to establish identity of a person. The results obtained through these procedures depend on the level of perceptibility of post mortal changes and they are compared with premortal data obtained from family members of those missing or killed. Experience with exhumations has shown significant differences between the results obtained through exhumation and the premortal data. The aim of the study was to suggest the existance of the difference between premortal data and the results obtained by exhumation regarding the some parameters, as well as to direct premortal data colection to the specific skeletal forms. METHODS: We performed comparative analysis of the results of exhumation of skeletal remains in a mass grave and the premortal data concerning the identified persons. The least number of individuals in this mass grave was calculated according to the upper parts of the right femur and it helped in calculating the smallest number of individuals in mass graves to be 48. A total of 27 persons were identified. Sex was determined by metrics and morphology of the pelvis. Personal age in the moment of death was determined by morphology features of groin symphisis and morphology of sternal edge of ribs and other parts of scelets observations. The hight was calculated as average results of length of long bones and Rollet coefficients. RESULTS: There was a complete match in terms of sex and age matched within an interval that could be established based on the skeletal remains. All the other parameters were different, however, which made identification significantly more difficult. CONCLUSION: The premortal data is an important element of identification process and it should be obtained by the forensic doctor and directed towards more detailed examination of the skeletal system.

[Ambient temperature impact on hepatocellular liver damage in rats following intake of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine].

BACKGROUND/AIM: 3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) is a psycho-stimulating agent. It is usually taken orally in the form of tablets. It is absorbed throught the gastrointestinal mucous membrane. Hyperthermia is the most prominent clinical sign of MDMA intake. The most prominent forensic finding of lethal MDMA poisoning is myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular bleeding. However, liver and kidney damage: have also been described. The aim of this research was to determine if ambient temperatures affect liver damage in the experimental rats. METHODS: The experiment was conducted for 8 h and 24 h, at temperatures of 12 degrees C, 22 degrees C and 32 degrees C. Both biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, AP, gamma GT and LDH) and pathohistological changes of the liver were monitored. RESULTS: Our reserch demonstrated that the most serious lever damage occurred at 32 degrees C. Liver damage was manifested as portal inflammation, periportal necrosis, lobular necrosis, stasis, intralobular hemorrhage and incerease of liver enzymes serum activity. CONCLUSION: Liver damage after MDMA intake rises with the increase of ambient temperature, and it is most pronounced at the temperature of 32 degrees C.

[Histochemical detection of primary shell residue mixture in the entry of gunshot wounds]. / Histohemijsko dokazivanje rezidua inicijalne smese kapisle u ulaznom otvoru strelne rane.

Alizarin red S, a commonly used organic dye in the histologic identification of calcium deposits, also forms colored reaction products with other metal ions, such as barium and lead, which are present in primer residue. The possibility was presented of using this histochemical technique in determination of firing distance based on the results in experimentally made close-range gunshot wounds (up to 1 m) by using several types of firearms.