Transmission of Ancient Chinese Forensic Medicine in the West:The View from Xiyuan Jilu(Records for Vindication)

Chinese forensic medicine has a long and brilliant history,and the forensic knowledge in ancient China represents the world’s highest medicolegal level at the time.Among all extant essays and works on China’s early medical jurisprudence,Xiyuan Jilu(Records for Vindication)written by Song Ci in 1247 CE,during the Southern Song dynasty,is the oldest text on legal medicine in the world.Subsequently,this work went through successive editions and expansions.The book was not simply a manual providing instruction on conducting inquests;it also established standards for all judicial practices in ancient China.From the beginning of the 18th century,the earliest existing Yuan edition and subsequent editions of this book were translated.They contributed to the broad dissemination of ancient Chinese forensic culture in the West.By discussing the diffusion of Xiyuan Jilu and its corresponding studies in the Western world,this paper intends to expound on the cultural transmission of early Chinese forensic medicine,and reveal its values and impacts on the history and development of legal medicine worldwide to provide an illustrative example of Sino-Western medical and cultural exchange.

Improving Evidence-Based Practice in Forensic Medicine:Validation of INtegration of Forensic Epidemiology and the Rigorous EvaluatioN of Causation Elements and Principles of Evidence-Based Reporting in FORensic Medicine-Pathology version in Indonesia

Introduction: Expert opinions presented in legal proceedings should be scientifically accountable, which is known as evidence-based practice (EBP). Although forensic medical expert opinions are essential in legal proceedings, the methods used to formulate them are not always evidence based or based on standard methods. In forensic medicine, EBP has not been explicitly applied, including in Indonesia. One potential approach to formulate evidence-based expert opinions is called INtegration of Forensic Epidemiology and the Rigorous EvaluatioN of Causation Elements (INFERENCE). In addition, there is also no universal guideline for making forensic pathological reports. One prospective guideline is named the Principles of Evidence-based Reporting in FORensic Medicine-Pathology version (PERFORM-P). Methods: This article describes the validation process of INFERENCE and PERFORM-P in Indonesia. This study uses a mixed method through three interrelated phases, i.e., (1) a cross-sectional survey to determine the characteristics of Indonesian forensic doctors and their current practice, (2) the adaptation and validation process of the two tools through a review by the Indonesian College of Forensic Medicine, and (3) a one-group pre-postintervention study to assess the validity and reliability of forensic medical expert opinions formulated using Indonesian-INFERENCE (i-INFERENCE) and reported using Indonesian-PERFORM-P (i-PERFORM-P). Results and Discussion: In general, both tools received a positive reception and can potentially be used in the Indonesian setting with some additions/clarifications in the user manuals. Participants envision that both tools will be most useful in complex cases. Conclusions: By obtaining the i-INFERENCE and the i-PERFORM-P, it is hoped that Indonesian forensic medical doctors are better equipped in analyzing and reporting complex cases, and the implementation of EBP can be improved.

Anatomical changes correlated with chronic pain in forensic medicine

This study was performed to determine the relationships between chronic pain and anatomic changes that may occur in the body.Autopsies were performed on fatalities that required death investigation in Linn County,IA,or adjacent and nearby areas.Persons with chronic pain were older than the control population at the time of death.Diabetes,hypertension and depression were more common in persons with chronic pain.Certain causes of death may also have been related to chronic pain.The heart,lungs,liver,spleen and kidneys were significantly heavier in persons with chronic pain;emphysema and pleural and abdominal adhesions were more common in persons with chronic pain.There appear to have been diffuse changes in the body related to chronic pain.These changes may have been mediated by a number of systemic mechanisms that are involved with chronic pain,including cardiovascular activity,the immune system,the neuroendocrine system and others.

An Emergence of Dental Tissues in the Forensic Medicine for the Postmortem Interval Estimation:A Scoping Review

It is observed that there is not enough literature to support the usefulness of dental tissue in forensic medicine for the estimation of postmortem interval(PMI).Therefore,the authors of this article have systematically reviewed the available literature to understand the most used dental tissues,the methods employed to evaluate these tissues,and their reliability in PMI estimation.A MEDLINE-PubMed search engine was used to review the literature using the keywords“teeth,”“dental tissues,”“post‑mortem interval,”and“forensic dentistry”from 2001 until 2020.The most used tissue was dental pulp,but other cellular‑.and molecular‑level dental tissues such as enamel,dentin,cementum,periodontal ligament,odontoblast,and mitochondrial and nuclear DNA and RNA were also used.Based on this observation,the authors have provided the categorical classification to evaluate these dental tissues into morphological,histopathological,and molecular‑level examination to understand the reliability of these dental tissues.The molecular examinations to evaluate these tissues were widely employed and emerging in the estimation of PMI as this method could provide a reliable outcome when compared with others.Since the literature reviewed was not enough to answer our questions,however,to conclude,the dental pulp is the widely used tissue so far.Further,more studies are required to authenticate the role of other dental tissues to predict the PMI at an early stage with cost‑effective and most convenient techniques.

Forensic Experts’Opinion Regarding Clinical Forensic Medicine Practice in Indonesia and Malaysia

Clinical forensic medicine is a progressing branch.In Indonesia and Malaysia,there is inadequate information regarding this practice.It is always unclear about the job scopes and practitioners involved in this field.The study outlined in this article is aimed to explore the current clinical forensic medicine practice compared to existing systematic practice globally and hence analyzing for presence of difference in this practice between these two countries.A qualitative study was conducted by forensic experts in Indonesia and Malaysia from September to November 2015.In‑depth interview was carried out to obtain data which were then validated using literature and legal documents in Indonesia and Malaysia known as the triangulation validation method.Data were presented in narrative form.In Indonesia,forensic pathology and clinical forensic medicine were approached as one whereas in Malaysia separately.This practice was conducted by a general practitioner in collaboration with other specialists if needed in Indonesia;whereas,in Malaysia,this practice was conducted by forensic pathologists or medical officers in the absence of forensic pathologists.Both Indonesia and Malaysia followed the continental regimen in practicing clinical forensic medicine.There was still a lack of involvement of doctors in this field due to lack of understanding of clinical forensic medicine.The current clinical forensic medicine practice has not developed much and has no much difference in both countries.The gap between the current practice with systematic practice cannot be justified due to the absence of one standardized code of practice.

Forensic Study on Objective Evaluation of Visual Acuity of Ametropia with the Event-related Potential P3

Objective In this study,we aimed to assess the characteristics of the P3 component from an event-related potential(ERP)that was induced by visual acuity(VA)processing.Furthermore,we sought to provide electrophysiological evidence for the objective evaluation of VA.Methods We recruited 32 participants with myopia-related ametropia.They reported no other ocular diseases and had an uncorrected VA of 4.0 in both eyes.We used the block letter“E”at different visual angles and orientations as the graphic stimuli.The oddball paradigm,consisting of 4 modules,was used for ERP analysis.The standard stimuli of each module were identical,with a visual angle of 1°15′.The visual angles of the target stimuli were 1°15′,55′,24′,and 15′.The VA test was performed on each eye separately for all participants,and all characteristics of the P3 component were analyzed.Results There was no significant difference in the P3 peak letencies between the target stimulation angle 1°15′group and the 55′group,or between the target stimulation angle 24′group and the 15′group.There was a significant difference in the P3 peak letencies between the target stimulation angle 1°15′group and the 24′group as well as the 15′group.There was a significant difference in the P3 peak letencies between the target stimulation angle 55′group and the 24′group as well as the 15′group.No significant differences were observed in the P3 amplitude between modules.Conclusion In the oddball paradigm,P3 elicitation indicated a cognitive response to the target stimuli.These data showed that the characteristics of P3 can be used as an objective evaluation of VA.

Hair Analysis of Mammals of Brazilian Wildlife for Forensic Purposes

Wildlife trafficking is classified as the fourth largest illegal commerce in the world. Taxonomic identification of wildlife is an ordinary process for forensics experts. The aim of this study was to analyze animal’s hair from Brazilian’s wildlife through microscopic and compare morphology of bristle among species analyzed. Hair samples of nine species were analyzed. Glass slides were analyzed through optical microscopy and following measurements were obtained: total length, medulla diameter, overall diameter and overall ratio diameter of the medulla’s diameter. The images obtained at identification of animals through the morphology of hair and the statistics analysis corroborates in favor for the validation of the technique.

Modernization of Medicine in the Ottoman Empire and Its Effects on Forensic Sciences

Modernization in medicine began in the Ottoman Empire in the 19^(th)century.Until that time,medical education had been provided through the traditional master-apprentice practices and its methods had relied on custom or religion.The most important of these reforms was in 1827,when the first medical schools in surgical and clinical branches were opened in Istanbul.The lack of contemporary understanding in medical education until that time had caused an underdevelopment in forensic sciences as it had in various other fields.Following the reform movements,the contents of the forensic medicine curriculum,mainly influenced by the French medical schooling,touched upon all areas of forensic sciences such as pathology,toxicology,organic chemistry,neuropsychiatry,gynecology,handwriting analysis and criminalistics.It was noteworthy to see such rapid development in scientific modernization considering the fact that,before the reform movements,the religion had a repressive effect and it was forbidden to even perform laboratory tests or examinations on corpses.In the modem Turkish Republic,founded in 1923 after World War I,scientific reforms gained momentum and began competing with the modem world.Such that,after a letter sent to the Turkish Government by Albert Einstein in 1933,the contemporary Turkish universities embraced the scientists who escaped from the Nazi regime.

Bioluminescent Assay of Microbial ATP in Postmortem Tissues for the Estimation of Postmortem Interval

To study the relationship between changes of microbial ATP in four kinds of murine tis-sues and the postmortem interval （PMI）, healthy SD rats were sacrificed and their muscles, livers, spleens and kidneys were sampled at different postmortem intervals. The concentration of microbial ATP was detected using bioluminescent assay and the data was statistically analyzed. The concentra-tion of microbial ATP in muscle increased with PMI time. The peak appeared at the 7th day after death, and at the 10th day, microbial ATP in muscle tissue increased again. In internal organs, the peaks of microbial ATP were observed at the 8th day after death and the level decreased during 8–10 d. The differences in microbial ATP concentration in liver, spleen and kidney were not statistically significant. During day 0 to day 9 after death, the correlation was best between PMI and microbial ATP in muscle. With PMI as the independent variable, the cubic polynomial regression equation was Y=0.02X3–0.166X2–0.666X＋13.412 （R2=0.989, P〈0.01）. In internal organs, the best correlation was found between PMI and microbial ATP during day 0 to day 10. With PMI as the independent variable, the cubic polynomial regression equation was Y=0.016X3–0.127X2–0.809X＋13.324 （R2=0.986, P〈0.01）. There existed high correlations between PMI and microbial ATP concentration in rat tissues. Since only a small amount of tissue was needed for the detection and the sample was not affected by self-decomposition, the method may extend the time range of PMI estimation.

Spectrophotometric Determination of Trimethylamine-nitrogen in Cadaver Tissues for the Estimation of Late Postmortem Interval:A Pilot Study

To study the relationship between the late postmortem interval （PMI） and trimethyl-amine-nitrogen （TMA-N） in postmortem tissues of cadaver, TMA-N in muscles, livers and kidneys of rats was measured at different postmortem intervals （PMI） by using a modified spectrophotometric method. The results indicated that the detection sensitivity of TMA-N was 1 mg/L, and there was a good linear correlation between the value of absorbance （A value） and TMA-N at the concentration of 1-10 mg/L （R2=0.9991）. Although TMA variation in muscles was different from that in inner organs during the time since death, TMA-N changes in cadaver tissues was positively correlated with PMI. During 2 to 7d since death, the best correlation between PMI and TMA-N concentration was found in muscles. With PMI as an independent variable, the cubic polynomial regression equation was y=-0.457x3 ＋6.519x2-24.574x＋27.207 （R2=0.969）. During 3 to 8 days since death, PMI was best correlated with TMA-N concentration in inner organs. With PMI as the independent variable, the cubic polynomial regression equation was y=0.509x3-9.153x2＋55.727x-95.819 （R2=0.953）. It was concluded that TMA-N in tissues could be used as a new estimator for late PMI. The method used in this study offered advantages such as accuracy, sensitivity, little samples required and wide PMI estimation.

The Exact Estimation of Visual Acuity by VEP Technology:A Report of 726 Cases of Eye Injury

This study explored the accuracy of using visual evoked potentials(VEP)technology for visual acuity estimation.The enrolled 726 patients with post-traumatic unilateral decrease in visual acuity included the injured eyes served as the experimental group,and the healthy eyes as the control group.The least signal visual angle(LSVA),and amplitude and latency of P100 were chosen as test indexes.The results under different experimental conditions were recorded by PRVEP technology.All data collected were processed...

Image Analysis on Corneal Opacity:A Novel Method to Estimate Postmortem Interval in Rabbits

Corneal opacity is one of the most commonly used parameters for estimating postmortem interval （PMI）. This paper proposes a new method to study the relationship between changes of corneal opacity and PMI by processing and analyzing cornea images. Corneal regions were extracted from images of rabbits＇ eyes and described by color-based and texture-based features, which could represent the changes of cornea at different PMI. A KNN classifier was used to reveal the association of image features and PMI. The result of the classification showed that the new method was reliable and effective.

Time Course of Histomorphologic Features during Chronic Burn Wound Healing

In forensic pathology, it is always indispensable to determine burn wound vitality or age to accurately assess the relationship between death and any burn wounds. Subsequently, the determination of wound age is a definitive and still cutting-edge subject in forensic pathology. Therefore, deep second-degree burn injuries were induced in a group of mice. At 7, 12, 17, 21 and 28 days post-burn, burn wound specimens were histomorphologically differentiated and compared with normal intact skin using H&E stain. The study revealed that the burn wound during healing process was usually incorporated of infiltration of inflammatory cells, granulation tissue formation and epithelialization within 7 - 12 days post-burn. Then, the surface of burn wound was partially ulcerated in association with epidermal necrosis, dermal disorganization and degeneration of the sebaceous gland 17 - 21 days post-burn. Finally, the regenerated skin retained the structure of normal skin at 28th day post-burn. Our study demonstrated that the histopathological changes of burn wounds involved deep dermis, and the pathological changes occurred at distinctive time phases were almost different in comparing to regular intact skin. Such age estimation of burn wounds is important when a cadaver or a burnt body has many burns of diverse times, especially in criminal cases.

Evaluation of the Early Age Married Girls Applying to Our Department

Underage marriages are going on to keep their commonness in countries such as Turkey although frequencies of them are decreasing in the world. According to the law, marriages before eighteen years old are also defined as early marriages. Being married of girls at early ages makes these children deprived from education life and their vicinity. Therefore severe psychological difficulties occur in these children. In this study, 19 girls, who were being married at early ages and psychologically examined between January 1st, 2013-April 1st, 2015 in physical and mental health committee of the Dicle University, Medical Faculty, were taken to evaluate. These 19 cases were retrospectively assessed in sociodemographic data (age, education level, and relative degrees), type of marriage, state of mind, forensic reports and files. Of 410 cases, who admitted to our mental and physical committee, 19 (4.6%) were at the category of early age marriage. These 19 cases range between 13 and 17 years of age. Three of them (15.8%) were thinking of suicide and one of them (5.3%) attempted suicide. At least, one mental disorder was diagnosed in 8 (42.1%) of the cases and the most common diagnose was acute stress disorder in four (21.1%) cases. It has been stated that marriages at early ages are caused by economic and cultural reasons. As conclusion, being married of children at early ages is an important risk factor in social and mental health.

Expression Profiling of MicroRNAs in Hippocampus of Rats Following Traumatic Brain Injury

The changes of microRNA expression in rat hippocampus after traumatic brain injury（TBI） were explored. Adult SD rats received a single controlled cortical impact injury, and the ipsilateral hippocampus was harvested for the subsequent microarray assay at three time points after TBI： 1st day, 3rd day and 5th day, respectively. We characterized the microRNA expression profile in rat hippocampus using the microRNA microarray analysis, and further verified microarray results of miR-142-3p and miR-221 using quantitative real-time PCR. Totally 205 microRNAs were identified and up-/down-regu-lated more than 1.5 times. There were significant changes in 17 microRNAs at all three time points post-TBI. The quantitative real-time PCR results of miR-142-3p and miR-221 indicated good consistency with the results of the microarray method. MicroRNAs altered at different time points post-TBI. MiR-142-3p and miR-221 may be used as potentially biological markers for TBI assessment in forensic practice.

Clinical forensic imaging and fundamental rights in Austria

Clinical forensic imaging encompasses the diverse application of imaging procedures that serve the same purpose:to enable the analysis and investigation of criminal activities and consequences of a crime.All kinds of imaging techniques and their corresponding images can be subsumed under“forensigraphy”,a more comprehensive term for forensic imaging created by the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Clinical Forensic Imaging in Graz,Austria.As the word forensigraphy suggests,criminal imaging material should be of use in forensic investigations.Ideally,this can lead to new findings that would not have been revealed without the application of imaging techniques and are moreover admissible as evidence in criminal proceedings.However,the admissibility of evidence can only be facilitated through the implementation of clinical forensic imaging techniques into the forensic routine case work,which requires a precise pre-analysis of the corresponding legal framework.Because taking and displaying internal images of a person’s body touches upon various aspects of one’s physical and psychological integrity,imaging methods in general and clinical forensic imaging methods especially have a strong impact on and interfere regularly with the fundamental rights of the concerned person.Particularly with regard to a possible medical context,certain legal regulations have to be taken into account.Therefore,this paper examines forensic imaging in the field of radiological forensigraphy,specifically its in vivo(i.e.clinical)application.It is designed to enlighten readers as to the great significance of legal barriers that emerge from fundamental rights,as laid down in the European Convention on Human Rights(ECHR),when dealing with clinical forensic imaging.As a result,the legal framework of clinical forensic imaging procedures are comprehensively described,the relevant fundamental rights,especially the right to respect for private and family life,the right to data protection and certain procedural guarantees,are concisely presented to further raise awareness regarding the importance of fundamental rights.

Epidemio-toxicological profile of suicide cases:analysis from a forensic unit in Brazil

The suicide phenomenon involves complex interactions between psychological,biological,cultural and socio-environmental factors.This study aimed to assess the epidemiological and toxicological profiles of officially confirmed suicide victims.Aretrospective study was performed using autopsy reports,forensic anthropology examinations and police summaries of all suicide cases that underwent toxicological analysis at an Official Forensic Laboratory(Minas Gerais,Brazil)in 1 year.The sample set was composed of 351 suicide victims,predominantly men(70.32%),most of them were adults between 31 and 64 years old(62.11%),with mixed skin colour(48.89%)and low educational level(66.44%).The most common suicide method was hanging(57.79%),followed by intoxication(30.45%).Most victims presented positive toxicological results(56.41%),especially for the presence of medicines(37.6%),illicit drugs(36.3%)and pesticides(26.1%).Our study corroborated previous data that most suicide victims have low educational levels.The most common toxicological findings were medicines,especially prescription drugs,followed by illicit drugs and pesticides.We hope this study contributes to reflections and planning of preventive suicide programmes,considering the described profiles of victims.

Troponin and Its Applications in Forensic Science

Troponin is used as the part of today's therapeutic sciences,but is also used in forensics.Studies on troponin and its use in forensic medicine have been retrieved from systematic internet search of databases"PubMed","Google Scholar","Medline,"and"Science Direct"with the last search performed in December 2019.A total of 38 publications have been reviewed that met the study criteria and have been cited in this article.Discussions on troponin often relate to its valuable attributes and particularly to its handiness as a diagnostic marker for different coronary heart disease.More specifically,it is a sensitive and specific indicators of damage to the heart muscle(myocardium)."Troponin was established in toxicological examinations as a biomarker of cardiovascular injury induced by drugs.Troponin degrades in a regular and predictable fashion and could be a reliable marker for determining the time and cause of death.In this review,the author outlines the potential application of troponin in forensic science.

Influence and Challenge of COVID-19 in Forensic Identification

During the COVID-19 epidemic,the professionals in the field of forensic pathology,forensic sciences in general,and clinical forensic medicine have been performing medicolegal investigation in their communities.The forensic medical personnel who carry out such investigation/identification are facing a great risk of potential infection.Therefore,forensic institutions and forensic examiners should improve their awareness of infection risk and take universal precautions to prevent infection and spread of coronavirus.In addition,forensic experts should abide by the laws when they deal with social unrest and also strengthen research on COVID-19-related medical issues.

COVID-19:A Challenge for Forensic and Pathological Researchers

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)emerged in Wuhan,Hubei province,in December 2019,then spread rapidly in a very short time resulting in thousands of deaths.Unfortunately,details about the pathological mechanisms involved in the disease-including those associated with death-are currently scant.It is important to perform autopsies and pathological examinations of patients who have died from COVID-19 as soon as possible.This is the responsibility of forensic and pathological researchers,but it does pose various challenges.Such autopsies should be conducted in an isolated operating room under constantly maintained negative pressure.The examiners should be protectively equipped in accordance with biosafety level 3 requirements.It is essential to disinfect the room,facilities,instruments,and materials after the procedure and to dispose of all wastes appropriately.Cautious and precise operations during autopsies and pathological examinations will minimize the possibility of viral transmission.As many autopsies of COVID-19 patients as possible should be performed,until a detailed understanding of the mechanisms involved in COVID-19 pathogenesis and death has been attained.