Journal de recherche médico-légale

Accurate estimation of post mortem interval (PMI) can be crucial to the successful investigation of suspicious death. The forensic indicator blowflies are essential for accuracy in estimation of PMI. The Calliphoridae species Chrysomya megacephala and Chrysomya rufifacies were reared in laboratory condition for studying their time duration of different stages under the fluctuating temperature in three different seasons (i.e. rainy season, winter season and summer season).

In laboratory, at the fluctuating temperature during rainy season, winter season and summer season, Chrysomya megacephala took 237 hours 47 minutes, 263 hours 51 minutes and 211 hours 13 minutes respectively. Whereas the Chrysomya rufifacies took 239 hours 14 minutes, 286 hours 02 minutes and 216 hours 26 minutes during rainy season, winter season and summer season respectively.

This study shows that forensic investigators will have to take each of these variables into consideration from the development of insects in order to give a more accurate estimate of PMI.

Forensic odontology is a new concept in India. It has been recognized as a graduate course since 2007. Various fields of dentistry has correlation with this new branch, similarly orthodontist too has an important role in forensic science. In this article it has been emphasized that the records of orthodontist has a significant role in victim and culprit identification. A brief review of history of orthodontic in forensic and bite mark has been discussed.

Forensic odontology has developed as one of the admired and significant branches of forensic sciences. Therefore, the main intention of the study is to scrutinize the perception of forensic odontology and its practice among the dental practitioners. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 152 subjects including interns, BDS staff and MDS staff through a questionnaire proforma. The proforma consisting of 16 questions was prepared on the topic of forensic odontology. The student’s t-test and ANOVA test were used as tests of significance for data assessment and the statistical significance was set at p<0.05. In this study, 85% of dental practitioners maintain dental records and the most frequently used method among all is to record patient details (25.50%) which is followed by dental history (21.20%). Dental hard tissue (48.5%) and DNA (41.4%) examination were considered the ideal method of identification in case of mass disasters. Overall understanding of the theme seemed to be superior in senior faculty. This study shows that although there is an adequate knowledge and good attitude among dental practitioners regarding forensic odontology, yet they need more exposure from practical point of view.

Sex determination is important for individual identification. The present work aims to concentrate on the accuracy of scapula for sex determination in Egyptians by using 3D multi - slice computed tomography (CT) and to generate specific population discriminant formula for Egyptians with validation of its accuracy. A descriptive comparative study is done on 100 subjects recruited from those attending the Radiology Department and subjected to CT after taken informed consent. Seven dimensions are taken for each subject from each scapula. The results reveal males have larger scapula than females with no statistical significant difference between both sides in either sex. The accuracy of both bones for sex determination reaches 88% with the scapular breadth has the highest accuracy 82%. It could be concluded that scapula is useful in sex determination and the right scapula could be used alone or in combination with the left one. The discriminant equation developed from right maximum scapular height and left length of spine could apply on Egyptian population. Also CT is a good and reliable tool for scapular measurements.

The study of human foot and its impressions has countless implications in medico-legal practice. The foot and its impressions are unique to an individual and its dimensions are known to be reliable in the prediction of biological profile. A significant number of regression equations for the prediction of biological profile are derived from foot dimensions in weight bearing living subjects. With respect to the weight applied to the foot, arches of the foot are able to deform and reverse to normal alignment, changing the shape and size of the foot. Deformities of those arches are capable of affecting the foot dimensions as well. However, from a forensic perspective, there is a paucity of literature discussing the effect of body weight and arch height on foot dimensions or their effect on the accuracy of biological profile prediction. This article, therefore, briefly discusses the forensic implication of the foot and the effect of body weight and arch height on the accuracy of the regression equations derived from weight bearing subject as well as subjects with arch deformities.