After attending this presentation, attendees will gain knowledge of a new method, and its reliability, for height estimation using photogrammetry. This presentation will impact the forensic science community by demonstrating how height estimation of the subject videotaped while in the act of robbery is a parameter that can be accurately estimated using the proposed method, respecting the experimental conditions described, and that it can consequently be utilized in probatory inquiries. The identification of subjects by means of image comparison has already been used in the past; however, the advent of new software for the elaboration of images has provided a new impact and new resources useful for the application of techniques for the identification of the culprits. The sensitivity of the results of the investigations which, in association with other evidence, can point the judge towards a verdict of guilt or innocence, making the use of reliable scientific methods necessary, without neglecting to highlight the possible objective limits of the techniques used. These scientific studies have had a particular impact in Italy, where the identification of the culprit by means of the comparison between the images of the arrested suspect and those of the subject videotaped in the act of robbery is allowed. The application of such techniques; however, requires the permission of the suspect to be filmed by the bank surveillance system; in addition, the images filmed during the robbery need to be of excellent quality. When this permission is denied, it might be useful to collect the information regarding the robber’s stature from the images taken during the robbery itself. During this study, the possibility of determining the stature of a subject by means of photogrammetry was investigated; such technique is defined as the procedures that make use of photographs in order to obtain the position, the shape and the dimension of a subject. Preliminarily, actual heights (in cm) were obtained by measuring a selection of 288 people including subjects of a height ranging from 150 cm to 200 cm with a metallic pole; they were all photographed while standing in a doorway, so as to simulate the images of subjects taken in the doorway of a bank. The selected subjects were measured by a standardized method. They were photographed (wearing shoes) positioned both standing still and in movement; another operator measured the actual height by using a metric pole, standing still, wearing the same shoes. The photographs obtained were examined (by another operator who was unaware of the actual heights) using a professional image editing software to determine the height of the people selected using the grid technique. In the assessment of the height of a person in motion, it was attempted to standardize the measurement by filming the subjects placed in such a position that their center of gravity corresponded with the threshold of the door. From what has been seen so far, the use of photograph for forensic purposes can be considered useful only when the subject is filmed in a static position (i.e., inside the bank doorway). The mean differential values between the actual height and the height measured in people standing, ranging from – 0.90 cm to + 1.24 cm, confirm the reliability of the technique. However, the validity of the technique for the measurement in motion is unreliable, owing to the high variability between the actual heights and the measurements obtained by a professional image editing software (ranging from – 3 cm to + 6 cm).

Il ricorso in ambito forense a tecniche di imaging per l’analisi e ricostruzione delle lesività scheletriche, è oggetto di crescente interesse, in ragione delle indiscutibili prerogative offerte dalla “virtopsy”. L’Istituto di Medicina Legale di Bari, in collaborazione con la Radiologia di Bari, già da diversi anni riconosce l’efficacia delle tecniche eidologiche nell’ambito della localizzazione di proiettili e frammenti ritenuti in ambito balistico, nonché nella valutazione dei complessi lesivi derivanti da grandi traumatismi o nei cadaveri “preziosi”. Dopo la disamina delle possibilità applicative individuate in letteratura medico-legale, gli Autori discutono i limiti e le prospettive della virtopsy, con particolare riferimento alle esperienze maturate su casistica rilevante.

he study of decomposition by using accumulated degree days (ADDs) has been suggested not only in terrestrial decay but also for water-related deaths. Previous studies have demonstrated that the accumulation of thermal energy as a function of the post-mortem submersion interval (PMSI) can be derived from a descriptive decompositional scoring system (DSS). In order to verify how useful can the total aquatic decomposition score (TADS) for ADD prediction be, a comparative taphonomic study has been performed between two series of bodies: 16 corpses found floating in shallower waters with a presumptive PMSI from 3 to 118 days and exposed to water temperatures (Tw) between 10.5 and 20.3 °C approximately equating from a minimum of 46 to 1.392 ADD; 52 bodies, all victims of a single shipwreck, found in sequestered environments and subjected to constant Tw of 4 °C for 210 days approximately equating to 840 ADD. The two series of bodies have revealed different stages of decay and a large DSS variability. In most of bodies, freshly formed adipocere was able to delay the appearance of later decompositional stages explaining why most of the bodies were in relatively good condition. Although promising, the accuracy of the TADS model can be affected by adipocere and animal activity. The TADS model suffers of the same limitations for ADD calculations as they can give a false perception of accuracy due to the complexity of integrating all changing factors affecting human decay in sequestered and non-sequestered marine environments (currents, animal activity, water temperatures, depth of submersion).

The goal of this presentation is to describe the correlation between Early Childhood Caries (ECC) and the phenomenon of child neglect. This presentation will impact the forensic science community by underlining the importance in order to sensitize oral health physicians to this problem and prevent child maltreatment. Introduction: Dental caries is an infectious, contagious, and multifactorial disease that was recently identified as the single most common chronic childhood disease. Increasingly dental caries in infants or ECC, if persistently left untreated, is recognized as part of the phenomenon of child neglect, in particular dental neglect, since dental caries, periodontal diseases, and other oral conditions, if left untreated, can lead to pain, infection, and loss of function, thus reducing an infants’ quality of life. Moreover, the effects of EEC can be long term, increasing risk for dental problems later in life, and interfering with basic social functioning, as well as optimal growth and development. This kind of child maltreatment, resulting in failure to seek or obtain appropriate dental care, often results from many risk factors that usually interact, such as: parental ignorance or depression, intimate partner violence, lack of finances, family isolation, child’s disability, and lack of perceived value of oral health. Some researches reported a relationship between abuse and oral care among samples of children who underwent maltreatment and other studies highlighted that income seems to influence infants’ medical and dental care access and quality. The goal of this work is to describe the correlation between ECC and the phenomenon of child neglect, analyzing causes, consequences and manifestations, in order to inform and sensitize oral health physicians to the problem of dental neglect and prevent this kind of child maltreatment. Materials and Methods: A random sample of 63 parents/guardians afferent to three pediatric services in Bari was delivered a self-report questionnaire. Over half of the sample (37 subjects) were males and 26 were females. Their mean age was 4.9 years. The questionnaire recorded socioeconomic, demographic, and dental service-use data about their family and children. Information about general health, diet, and oral hygiene habits were also collected. Each questionnaire was completed by a clinical dental examination carried out on each child of the family. For the description of the dental conditions we followed Wyne nomenclature for ECC. Results: The analysis of data collected showed: of examined children, 63% had EEC; 48% were coded type I, 13% type II, and 2% type III. Among infants fed with baby bottles (36.5%), 78% were affected by type I EEC and 22% by type II ECC, while children not fed with baby-bottles had lower percentage of ECC (30% type I and 7.5% type II), as 60% of infants were ECC free. Concerning plaque debris, this sample revealed that 51% had poor debris and 49% medium or large debris. With reference to plaque, it is important to assess possible coexistences of plaque debris and EEC. Infants’ oral hygiene habits were analyzed, which showed results that among subjects who never used toothbrush 2 showed type I and type II EEC. Of children who reported to brush their teeth once a day, 68% were affected by type I and type II ECC, becoming 46% among infants who reported to brush their teeth twice a day, while 70% of subjects that stated to brush their teeth three times a day were suffering from type I EEC. The last factor analyzed was socioeconomic status, considering first father/mother employment/unemployment and secondly the category of job (mean income), and EEC type. Among the analyzed sample, 50% of infants unaffected by EEC belonged to low income families, while the remaining 50% could be divided into: 37.5% of children belonging to medium income families and 12.5%

La carie è stata identificata come la malattia singola cronica piú comune dell’infanzia; il suo controllo e prevenzione dovrebbe essere una priorità per gli odontoiatri. Scopo di questo studio è descrivere la correlazione tra le carie precoci dell’infanzia (ECC) ed il fenomeno della negligenza su minori. Ad un campione random di genitori afferenti a diversi servizi di pediatria a Bari è stato consegnato un questionario contenente dati socioeconomici, demografici e riguardo le cure odontoiatriche; il questionario è stato completato da una visita odontoiatrica. Su 63 bambini esaminati, il 61.9% (n=39; 95% CI=49.9-73.9) presentava ECC; il 47.6% (n=30; 95% CI=34.9-60.6) erano ECC di tipo I, il 12.7% (n=8; 95% CI=5.6-23.5) di tipo II e l’1.6% (n=1; 95% CI=0-8.5) di tipo III. In particolare, la frequenza di ECC di tipo II e III è risultata maggiore nei bambini provenienti da famiglie con reddito basso (chi-quadro=8.50; p=0.03).

Dental caries was identified as the single most common chronic childhood disease; its control and prevention should be a priority for dentists. Aim of our work is to describe the correlation between early childhood caries (ECC) and the phenomenon of child neglect. To a random sample of parents afferent to pediatric services in Bari was delivered a questionnaire recording socioeconomic, demographic and dental service-use data, completed by a dental examination. Of the 63 children examined, 61.9% (n=39; 95% CI=49.9-73.9) presented with ECC, of which 47.6% (n=30; 95% CI=34.9-60.6) were classified as Wyne’s Type I; 12.7% (n=8; 95% CI=5.6-23.5) were classified as Type II; and 1.6% (n=1; 95% CI=0-8.5) as Type III. In particular, the frequency of Types II and III were shown to be higher in low-income families (chi-square=8.50; p=0.03).

After attending this presentation, attendees will be able to use a modified DNA extraction protocol useful on degraded specimens of bones, teeth, and other various tissues. This presentation will impact the forensic science community presenting factual details that ancient DNA research shares a common problem with forensics and other approaches requiring analyses of museum and non-invasively collected specimens; the amount of endogenous DNA available in the samples is often limited. Thus, extraction techniques that retrieve as much DNA as possible from a specimen are of crucial importance. A wide range of techniques has been published to date, all of which aim to maximize DNA yields, while minimizing the co-extraction of PCR inhibitors. Due to low levels of endogenous DNA, environmental, bacterial, and postmortem DNA damage, as well as the potential presence of environment-borne inhibitors that co-extract with DNA, the recovery of DNA data from degraded specimens can still pose a significant challenge. Previously, DNA extraction from the dental pulp samples was performed following a modified protocol of a Total RNA isolation system, suitable for DNA extraction from samples containing only a small number of nucleated cells. The same method was used for the bone samples. The protocol was partially modified by lengthening the incubation time of the cell lysis step: each sample of dental pulp was placed, overnight, at room temperature, in a single microtube containing 350 L of SV RNA Lysis Buffer. These protocols were applied to five skeletons discovered in Canosa di Puglia (Bari, Italy), during the archaeological excavations of tombs. These protocols do not allow for a complete characterization of genetic systems; however, even though the results obtained were satisfactory considering that the bones were ancient dated between the sixth and seventh centuries. The extraction method on bones, teeth and various tissue fragments of human remains, making some changes to previous protocols used were tested. Following this, the success of amplifying ancient DNA was estimated. Five cases are presented: In the first case, human remains were found in the Apulian countryside in 2002. They most probably belonged to a man who disappeared in 1989 according to the results of parentage testing by forensic hemogenetic investigations performed on the remaining members of the alleged missing man’s family. In the second case, human remains were found in 2006 on an Italian highway which probably belonged to a man reported as missing. Identification was made by comparing the DNA of the remains to a blood sample taken from a brother. The third case involved human remains, discovered in 2009 near a rest home for the elderly in the province of Bari, most likely belonging to an 84-year-old man who disappeared in 1995. In this case identification was carried out by comparing the genetic profile of the remains to a blood sample taken from the son of the missing man. The fourth case involved the remains of two unknown skeletonized individuals discovered two meters underground. They were discovered in the small town of Marsicovetere, in southern of Italy where a trench for an oil duct was being excavated. In this case, the remains consisted of two full human skeletonized bodies that were highly fragmented. They were presumed to be from a prehistoric period because of their extreme lightness and porosity: they were extremely fragile. The skeletons were removed from the trench by digging around the remains and taking them out along with the soil. The last case concerned remains found in the attic of a church in Potenza in March 2010. DNA extracted from the human remains was compared with the DNA extracted from the blood of members of the missing girl’s family in order to establish identification. The modified method for extracting the DNA genome, followed

After attending this presentation, attendees will understand that forensic investigations are based on a multidisciplinary approach in which autopsy findings and toxicological results often result in association with circumstances and crime scene investigations. This presentation will impact the forensic science community by demonstrating how recreational abuse of anesthetic and sedative agents in health care practitioners, especially anesthesiologists is an increasing event. This presentation will also show an unusual case of suicide in which the manner and means of suicide was dependent upon the occupation of the victim. Presented is a case of a 50-year-old man, anesthetist at the main local hospital, who was found dead in the house where he lived alone since separating from his wife. On the previous evening he was found on the landing’s floor with an occipital bruise injury and treated in the Emergency Department. The next day his brother, alerted by his colleagues that tried in vain to contact him, went to his house. He found that the front door had been left ajar, with a piece of furniture behind it. When he entered the flat, he noticed the corpse of the brother, supine on the living room’s floor near a piece of furniture. There were two drips with intravenous tubes almost empty (approximately 1 ml). One drip was still inserted in the dorsum of the victim’s right hand with tube for intravenous drip totally open. On the glass of this drip there was written “Miclela Caput” (meaning “Caput Mixture,” written incorrectly). On the glass of the other drip there was written “500 TPS+200 DIPR” (meaning Sodium Thiopental+Diprivan). In the house there were some empty blisters of Zolpidem, more than 20 packs of different drugs (some of them empty), an ash-tray containing white liquid, several empty ampoules of Propofol, Midazolam and Thiopental, and several new and used syringes. In the bedroom there were two knapsacks containing pornographic materials and four plastic phalli. External examination revealed abundant livor mortis, numerous recent needle marks with fresh and older hemorrhages in both arms, and a sutured occipital injury. Autopsy and histological findings were pulmonary and brain oedema, moderate fatty liver, acute poly-visceral congestion, hemorrhagic pancreatitis. Systematic toxicological analysis was performed on biological and non biological samples for alcohol, drugs of abuse and pharmaceuticals. Blood toxicological examination by GC/MS revealed lethal concentration of Zolpidem (0.86 μg/ml) and high therapeutic blood concentrations of Propofol (0.30 μg/ml), Midazolam (0.08 μg/ml), Amitriptyline (0.07 μg/ml), and low concentration of Thiopental (0.03 μg/ml). Zolpidem was also found in gastric content while Thiopental was found in urine. Hair segment analysis (0 – 2 cm) revealed Propofol (4,7 μg/mg) and the presence of Zolpidem, Amitriptyline and Ketoprofen. Residual’s toxicological analysis of the inserted drip (“Caput mixture”) revealed Propofol and Midazolam (approximately 1,9 and 0,08 mg/ml). Analysis of the non-inserted drip, showed Propofol and Thiopental (approximately 2 and 5 mg/ml). The low blood concentration of Thiopental suggests a self administration of the non-inserted drip at least 12 hours before death. The blood Propofol level was lower than or within the commonly accepted therapeutic range of 1.3– 6.8 μg/ml after a standard anesthetic induction dose. Published reports indicate that in most cases, the postmortem Propofol concentrations were at therapeutic levels. It should be pointed out that especially for those agents used in anesthesia; the therapeutic concentrations refer to patients being supported respiratorywise, while in non-supported or non-intubated patients such concentrations may be lethal. Most of those deaths are thought to have occurred because of the rapidity of Propofol’s injec

The goal of this presentation is to illustrate a little-known but noteworthy case concerning the wrongful conviction of a Southern Italy father whose two missing children were found dead in enclosed environment after approximately 1.5 years since their disappearance. This presentation will impact the forensic science community by warning and improving search operation, methods of investigation, and indictment process, based on the autopsy findings and physical evidence collected on the scene and from the bodies. Two young kids, 13- and 11-years-old respectively, originally from a small town in Southern Italy, were missing on June 5, 2006 (06:30 p.m.). Soon after their disappearance, a “missing child” search began. Broadcasters promptly aired a description of the missing children pushing the entire community to assist in the search and safe recovery of the child. But every effort was in vain for more than one year. During the search, the investigators collected enough evidence against the father who was arrested 17 months after the disappearance. He was indicted for kidnapping, homicide, and concealment of the two bodies. He never confessed the crimes and he claimed to be innocent. Three months after the conviction, a fireman found the two corpses in a subterranean dry cistern next to a more than 20-meter-high well water. The bodies were well preserved, almost mummified with only few body-parts skeletonized. Based on dental records they were identified as those of the two children missing 1.5 years before. Signs of a very low insect activity were present, reasonably consistent with a rapid skin dehydration. The autopsy showed no signs of defense injuries or ligature consistent with strangulation or captivation except for fractures of the axial skeleton at a number of points consistent with a fall from a low-medium height. The body of the elder brother (CP) presented major injuries with signs of recent hemorrhages and gut content analysis consistent with the last meal which provided enough evidence to ascertain a very short survival time. The younger brother (TP) showed minor injuries, signs of old hemorrhage, gastric and intestine emptying time consistent with a longer survival time of approximately 3-4 days, spent alone in the dark and cold cistern. No evidence of body removal or corpse displacement following death was observed. A long postmortem interval (PMI) of approximately 20 months was estimated mainly from the pattern of insect succession. Based on such physical evidence, on March 4, 2008, four months after conviction and 40 days after the recovery of the two bodies, the father was released from prison and exonerated from previous indictment of homicide.