Decomposition research is still in its infancy, but significant advances have occurred within forensic anthropology and other disciplines in the past several decades. Decomposition research in forensic anthropology has primarily focused on estimating the postmortem interval (PMI), detecting clandestine remains, and interpreting the context of the scene. Additionally, while much of the work has focused on forensic-related questions, an interdisciplinary focus on the ecology of decomposition has also advanced our knowledge. The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the fundamental shifts that have occurred to advance decomposition research, such as the role of primary extrinsic factors, the application of decomposition research to the detection of clandestine remains and the estimation of the PMI in forensic anthropology casework. Future research in decomposition should focus on the collection of standardized data, the incorporation of ecological and evolutionary theory, more rigorous statistical analyses, examination of extended PMIs, greater emphasis on aquatic decomposition and interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary research, and the use of human cadavers to get forensically reliable data.

Recent advances in forensic anthropology: decomposition research

Pharmaceutical residues in the environment have the potential to harm wildlife. A population’s fragility or an animal’s secretive nature may preclude capture and the use of invasive/destructive sampling techniques that are typically used in a risk assessment. Conventionally favoured matrices gathered opportunistically from carcasses have a finite lifespan, thereby limiting the detection window. This multidisciplinary paper aims to promote the use of non-invasive approaches and optimize use of even the most degraded carcasses. We highlight a selection of promising alternative, unconventional and underutilized sample types that could be applied in environmental monitoring efforts and wildlife forensic investigations. With a focus on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), now under increasing scrutiny in the freshwater and terrestrial environment, we first illustrate current sampling practices and gaps in knowledge by summarizing exposure of: 1) aquatic organisms to urban effluent discharged into waterways, and, 2) scavenging species to veterinary residues in livestock and other carrion. We then consider the merits and limitations of a range of alternative environmentally robust sample options that offer a broader detection interval for NSAIDs, with emphasis on hair, wool and feathers. The viability of eyes/ocular material, bone matter, fecal matter, injection sites, ingesta/pellets and scavenging/coprophagous insects are also discussed.

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Merging Wildlife and Environmental Monitoring Approaches with Forensic Principles: Application of Unconventional and Non-Invasive Sampling in Eco-Pharmacovigilance

Estimation of post-mortem time interval (PMI) is a key parameter in the forensic investigation which poses a huge challenge to the medico-legal experts. The succession of microbes within different parts of the human body after death has shown huge potential in the determination of PMI. Human body harbors trillions of microorganisms as commensals. With the death of an individual when biological functions are stopped, these microorganisms behave contrarily along with the invasion of degrading microbes from the environment. Human cadaver becomes a rich source of nutrients due to autolysis of cells, which attracts various invading microorganisms as well as macroorganisms. At different stages of degradation, the succession of microorganisms differs significantly which can be explored for accurate PMI estimation. With the advent of microbial genomics technique and reduction in the cost of DNA sequencing, thanatomicrobiome and epinecrotic community analysis have gained huge attention in PMI estimation. The article summarizes different sources of microorganisms in a human cadaver, their succession pattern, and analytical techniques for application in the field of microbial forensics. KEY POINTS: • Thanatomicrobiome and epinecrotic microbiome develop in postmortem human body. • Lack of metabolic, immune, neuroendocrine systems facilitate microbial succession. • Analysis of postmortem microbial communities predicts accurate PMI.

Thanatomicrobiome and epinecrotic community signatures for estimation of post-mortem time interval in human cadaver

The colonization of decomposing remains by necrophagous insects such as blow flies is of forensic importance because the progression through the various stages of insect development can be correlated to time of death. The ability to infer this information hinges on accurate determination of the fly species that are associated with the entomological evidence collected. This evidence can include eggs, larvae, pupae, and puparial casings. Determination of the egg’s identity is particularly challenging because the eggs of multiple species are morphologically very similar. We report here that the species identity of fly eggs can be determined from their chemical fingerprint signatures acquired by direct analysis in real time high-resolution mass spectrometry (DART-HRMS). Thus, freshly laid eggs were collected and readily distinguished from multiple necrophagous fly species in the Manhattan area of New York City. These species included representatives from the blow fly family (Calliphoridae), specifically Calli...

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Species Identification of Necrophagous Insect Eggs Based on Amino Acid Profile Differences Revealed by Direct Analysis in Real Time-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Estimation of the postmortem interval based on the human decomposition process

Insects play a fundamental ecological role in the decomposition of organic matter. It is the natural tendency of sarcosaprophagous flies to find and colonize on a food source such as a cadaver as a natural means of survival. Sarcosaprohagous fly larvae are frequently encountered by forensic entomologists during post mortem investigations. The most relevant colonizers are the oldest individuals derived from the first eggs deposited on the body. The age of the oldest maggots provides the precise estimate of the post mortem interval. With advancement in technology, various new methods have been developed by scientists that allow the data to be used with confidence while estimating the time since death. Forensic entomology is recognized in many countries as an important tool for legal investigations. Unfortunately, it has not received much attention in India as an important investigative tool. The maggots of the flies crawling on the dead bodies are widely considered to be just another disgusting element of decay and are not collected at the time of autopsy. They can aid in death investigations (time since death, manner of death, etc.). This paper reviews the various methods of post mortem interval estimation using Calliphoridae to make the investigators, law personnel and researchers aware of the importance of entomology in criminal investigations. The various problems confronted by forensic entomologists in estimating the time since death have also been discussed and there is a need for further research in the field as well as the laborator. Correct estimation of the post mortem interval is one of the most important aspects of legal medicine.

https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/323701.pdf

Various methods for the estimation of the post mortem interval from Calliphoridae: A review

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Efficient molecular method/s for detection of Bt brinjal Event 142

Background: Proof of identity acts as a key title role in any criminal investigation. Training of tongue prints has been documented and acknowledged as the gold standard for personal identification worldwide nowadays. Tongue printing has proved as an innovative biometric tool and can be relied upon as an authoritative forensic tool. Research works have been carried out on tongue print independently. However, studies focusing on the morphology or shape of the tongue have not been commenced to a prodigious scope. Aim: The contemporary trial was undertaken upon the people to train and scrutiny the morphological shape of the tongue and validate their magnitude as assistance in sexual dimorphism. Materials and Methods: Hundred dental students in the age group of 18–25 years were included in the trial. For the trial clinical scrutiny, photographs and lingual impressions were recorded of the tongue. Results: In the current trial of the shape of the tongue for gender identification, we used two classifications. According to TCM criteria, five tongue shapes were used for gender identification: rectangle, acute triangle, obtuse triangle, square, and circle. Among the 100 subjects, the square-shaped tongue was chiefly observed, trailed by the circle and obtuse triangle. In the second criteria, Stefanescu et al. classified tongues into two shapes: U- and V-shaped. When the tongue shape was scrutinized, U shape was seen in 79 persons and V shape in 21 persons out of 100 subjects. Conclusion: Hence, the trial concluded that tongue prints exhibited a qualitative result among diverse sex groupings. It can be preached that the human tongue possibilities to distribute a point of exceptionality in morphological shape; besides, it is apt for utilization in gender acknowledgment.

Sexual Predilection of Lingual Morphology – A Cross-sectional Comparative Study

Estimated Incremental Benefits of Complete Vaccination Against Newcastle Disease in Layers

Death is defined as irreversible and permanent cessation of functions of three interlinked vital systems of body (the tripod of life) namely, the nervous, circulatory and respiratory systems. Death is end of dying. It is a process rather an event except in exceptionally rare situations where death may occur instantaneous such as in case of crushing of brain in vehicular accidents, death in nuclear explosions, bomb blasts etc. In the present investigation trend of deaths (hanging, poisoning, bum, road traffic accidents, train accidents, drowning and others) have been studied in Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh during the five years (2004- 2008) collected from the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. The percentage of road traffic accidents cases have been observed to be the commonest as compared to the others among the 3277 cases examined. In the suicida attempt cases, deaths were more due to poisoning than hanging in the year of 2007 while it was other way around in 2006. Deaths due to burning were more prevalent among females as compared to their counterparts. It was interesting to

Ruchi Sharma

Papers

Various methods for the estimation of the post mortem interval from Calliphoridae: A review

Efficient molecular method/s for detection of Bt brinjal Event 142

Sexual Predilection of Lingual Morphology – A Cross-sectional Comparative Study

Estimated Incremental Benefits of Complete Vaccination Against Newcastle Disease in Layers

Pattern of Deaths in Chhattisgarh