OBJECTIVE: Age-at-death estimation is usually done manually by experts. As such, manual estimation is subjective and greatly depends on the past experience and proficiency of the expert. This becomes even more critical if experts need to evaluate individuals with unknown population affinity or with affinity that they are not familiar with. The purpose of this study is to design a novel age-at-death estimation method allowing for automatic evaluation on computers, thus eliminating the human factor. METHODS: We used a traditional machine-learning approach with explicit feature extraction. First, we identified and described the features that are relevant for age-at-death estimation. Then, we created a multi-linear regression model combining these features. Finally, we analysed the model performance in terms of Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Bias Error (MBE), Slope of Residuals (SoR) and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE). RESULTS: The main result of this study is a population-independent method of estimating an individual's age-at-death using the acetabulum of the pelvis. Apart from data acquisition, the whole procedure of pre-processing, feature extraction and age estimation is fully automated and implemented as a computer program. This program is a part of a freely available web-based software tool called CoxAGE3D, which is available at https://coxage3d.fit.cvut.cz/. Based on our dataset, the MAE of the presented method is about 10.7 years. In addition, five population-specific models for Thai, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Greek and Swiss populations are also given. The MAEs for these populations are 9.6, 9.8, 10.8, 10.5 and 9.2 years, respectively. Our age-at-death estimation method is suitable for individuals with unknown population affinity and provides acceptable accuracy. The age estimation error cannot be completely eliminated, because it is a consequence of the variability of the ageing process of different individuals not only across different populations but also within a certain population.

• Klíčová slova
• Acetabulum, Adult age-at-death estimation, Automated feature extraction, Machine-learning, Multi-linear regression, Three-dimensional surface analysis,
• MeSH
• acetabulum * diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lineární modely MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• software * MeSH
• soudní antropologie * metody   MeSH
• strojové učení * MeSH
• určení kostního věku * metody   MeSH
• zobrazování trojrozměrné * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

This paper focuses on tetraamminecopper(II) perchlorate (TACP), a relatively newly used and popular homemade explosive that is insufficiently described in the literature. The compound was analyzed using commonly used forensic laboratory techniques such as FTIR, Raman, XRPD, and DTA. The TACP molecule was labeled with four 15N atoms on ammonia ligands to assign vibrational modes to the resulting bands. The paper also describes the thermal decomposition of TACP using thermoanalytical methods TGA/MS. The TACP decomposes to the final product CuO in six distinct ranges, releasing N2O, NO, HCl, O2, H2O, and NH3. It has been found that TACP is not a stable compound and will decompose spontaneously to ammonia, ammonium perchlorate, and basic copper perchlorate within a few months if exposed to air at room temperature. Residues of precursors have been detected in TACP prepared by four improvised preparation methods published on the Internet. These residues can be used to identify the precursor used in the preparation. The post-blast residues of TACP are of ordinary shape, but the use of TACP as an explosive can be indicated by the presence of a high content of copper and chlorine atoms in post-blast residues. The results of canine detection of TACP indicate that the dog is able to detect TACP, but the dog is likely to focus on the smell of ammonia in the TACP odor.

• Klíčová slova
• FTIR, Forensic analysis, Powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, TACP, Tetraamminecopper(II) perchlorate,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Blunt trauma acting against the human body presents the fundamental cause of pulmonary fat embolism (PFE) and fat embolism syndrome. The aim of the present study was to investigate PFE in non-survivors after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study conducted in University Hospital Ostrava, Czech Republic. Within a 4-year study period, all non-survivors after CPR because of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were assessed for the study eligibility. The presence/seriousness of PFE was determined by microscopic examination of cryo-sections of lung tissue (staining with Oil Red O). RESULTS: In total, 106 persons after unsuccessful CPR were enrolled in the study. The most frequent cause of death in the study population (63.2% of cases) was cardiac disease (ischemic heart disease); PFE was not determined as the cause of death in any of our study cases. Sternal fractures were identified 66.9%, rib fractures (usually multiple) in 80.2% of study cases; the median number of rib fractures was 10.2 fractures per person. Serious intra-thoracic injuries were found in 34.9% of cases. Microscopic examination of lung cryo-sections revealed PFE in 40 (37.7%) study cases; PFE was most frequently evaluated as grade I or II. Occurrence of sternal and rib fractures was significantly higher in persons with PFE than between persons without PFE (p = 0.033 and p = <0.001). Number of rib fractures was also significantly higher in persons with PFE. The occurrence of serious intra-thoracic injuries was comparable in both our study groups (p = 0.089). CONCLUSIONS: PFE presents a common resuscitation injury which can be found in more than 30% of persons after CPR. Persons with resuscitation skeletal chest fractures have significantly higher risk of PFE development. During autopsy of persons after unsuccessful CPR, it is necessary to distinguish CPR-associated injuries including PFE from injuries that arise from other mechanisms.

• Klíčová slova
• CPR-associated injuries, Cardiac massage, Pulmonary fat embolism, Resuscitation, Rib fractures,
• MeSH
• embolie tuková * komplikace   MeSH
• fraktury žeber * etiologie   MeSH
• kardiopulmonální resuscitace * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• plicní embolie * komplikace   MeSH
• poranění hrudníku * etiologie   MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Sex estimation is one of the crucial trends in cases of findings of unknown skeletal remains in forensics and bioarchaeology. The changing nature of sexual dimorphism (population specificity, secular trend, other external and internal factors influence) brings challenges to developing new methods; and there are new aims to be independent of these changes such, as the method by Musilová et al. (2016). These methods need to be evaluated on different datasets to determine if they are truly reliable among populations from different places and times, in the case of bioarchaeology. This study assessed the application of the aforementioned method on non-European contemporary and ancient populations to identify the reliability of the method on this separate dataset. The study sample consisted of 96 CT scans of skulls from contemporary Egyptians and 54 3D models of skulls from the Egyptian Old Kingdom Period (2700-2180 BC). The classifier method, previously tested on both Czech and French populations, yielded high accuracies (over 90 %) for sex estimation. For the contemporary Egyptian skull sample, the classifier was able to determine males versus females with an 89.59 % accuracy rate and an AUC value (area under the curve - a measure of the combined specificity and sensitivity of the test) of 0.99; this proves that the classifier is reliable even with a lower degree of accuracy. Conversely, the Old Kingdom Period sample yielded a lower level of accuracy at around 70 % (61.11 %, precisely), although with an AUC value of 0.92, the result is not considered reliable.

• Klíčová slova
• 3D-scans, Recent and ancient Egypt, Sex estimation, Sexual dimorphism, Skull method testing,
• MeSH
• hlava MeSH
• lebka diagnostické zobrazování   anatomie a histologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pohlavní dimorfismus MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• soudní antropologie * metody   MeSH
• určení pohlaví podle kostry * metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

This work presents an automated data-mining model for age-at-death estimation based on 3D scans of the auricular surface of the pelvic bone. The study is based on a multi-population sample of 688 individuals (males and females) originating from one Asian and five European identified osteological collections. Our method requires no expert knowledge and achieves similar accuracy compared to traditional subjective methods. Apart from data acquisition, the whole procedure of pre-processing, feature extraction and age estimation is fully automated and implemented as a computer program. This program is a part of a freely available web-based software tool called CoxAGE3D. This software tool is available at https://coxage3d.fit.cvut.cz/ Our age-at-death estimation method is suitable for use on individuals with known/unknown population affinity and provides moderate correlation between the estimated age and actual age (Pearson's correlation coefficient is 0.56), and a mean absolute error of 12.4 years.

• Klíčová slova
• 3D surface analysis, Adult age-at-death estimation, Auricular surface, Automated analysis, Data mining methods,
• MeSH
• data mining MeSH
• faciální stigmatizace MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• obličej MeSH
• pánevní kosti * diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• software MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Cementochronology has long been associated in the literature with a high correlation between chronological and estimated age, and low differences between the two ages. The excessive accuracy was rather suspicious, and the method did not even appear in common forensic practice. An important step towards more widespread use of the method is the need to standardize work procedures, including indexes for recording the quality of cementum, preparation of thin sections and the age calculation. In our study, we used the standardized protocol for the preparation of thin sections in a set of Czech modern teeth of known age and sex. In the initial phase, 11.5% of the teeth were discarded due to severe caries in the medial part of the root. In a set of single extractions (55 teeth from 55 individuals), we focused on the detailed results of the age estimation, using precision and accuracy indicators. We also used different dental development data to calculate age, given inconsistencies in the use of eruption / mineralization. In a set of multiple extractions (68 teeth from 22 individuals), intra-individual variability was examined. The result of the application of the standardized protocol is an estimate of age with an absolute inaccuracy of -1.7 years and a relative inaccuracy of 5.4%. Calculation of precision and accuracy in the set of single extractions, however, showed the method's limitations: the imprecision measuring the variability of cementum increments counts increased with chronological age, as did the inaccuracy. The use of different dental development data did not significantly increase the accuracy of the age estimation results. Intra-individual variability remains poorly understood - in the set of multiple extractions the differences within one individual ranged between 0.9 and 10.8 years.

• Klíčová slova
• Age-at-death estimation, Cementochronology, Czech modern population, Protocol, Standardization, Validation,
• MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• prořezávání zubů MeSH
• určení zubního věku * metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The muzzle imprint mark characteristically associated with contact or near contact entrance gunshot wounds exemplifies one of the most informative external findings in forensic medical practice. The presence of the muzzle imprint mark on the body's surface proves ballistic trauma, point of entry, and range of fire. Moreover, its appearance and configuration may indicate the type of the involved weapon and the way the firearm had been positioned and held at the time of discharge. In this paper, we present the contact shot wound pattern of an 83-year-old man who committed suicide with a Frommer Stop 12 M autoloading pistol of caliber 7.65 mm Browning. Initially, the muzzle imprint mark configuration in relation to the entrance gunshot defect in the victim's right temple indicated an unusual application or orientation of the pistol's barrel during discharge, thus, strongly suggesting a non-suicidal act. However, a critical confrontation of postmortem findings along with the results of ballistic expertise provided a clear explanation, which comprised the remarkable construction and unique muzzle design of the used handgun.

• Klíčová slova
• Contact shot, Entrance wound, Gunshot wound, Interpretation, Muzzle imprint,
• MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• penetrující poranění hlavy * MeSH
• sebevražda * MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• soudní balistika MeSH
• střelné rány * MeSH
• střelné zbraně * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH

Along with the growing popularity of electronic documents authorised with digitally captured signatures, such evidence has appeared in the work of forensic practitioners. Many different vendors offer signature pads with varying specifications. It is therefore expected that forensic handwriting experts will be called upon to compare questioned and known samples captured with completely or partially different hardware and software combinations. Such cases may be challenging as numerical handwriting data produced by various equipment may differ not only in the type of information captured and its quality, but also in its structure and coding. In this research, numerical data of handwriting - i.e. spatial coordinates, force, and time values - were acquired with 26 different combinations of hardware and software to study characteristics of their coding. The analysis of samples revealed that scaling of numerical data is not only hardware but also software dependent. Therefore, their compliance with the ISO/IEC 19794-7 standard is recommended to improve the data interoperability. This standard emphasizes the importance of supplementing numerical signature data with scaling ratios of the used signing solution. The paper also includes descriptions of several phenomena observed in the acquired data to highlight possible pitfalls in performing inter-solution comparisons in casework.

• Klíčová slova
• Data, Digitally captured signatures, Forensic handwriting examination, Hardware, ISO/IEC 19794-7, Software,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

OBJECTIVES: The appearance of sexually dimorphic traits varies depending on the type of bone, age, environmental and genetic factors and is closely linked to skeletal maturation sequence. Subadult sex estimation currently shows inconsistent accuracy and methods do not incorporate indicators of maturation. The goal of this study is to apply the Santos et al. (2019) adult sex estimation method on virtually reconstructed subadult os coxae and account for pelvic maturation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The right os coxae of 194 female and male individuals aged 11-30 years from Marseille, France were virtually reconstructed from computed tomography (CT) scans. Santos et al.'s (2019) 11 traits were scored as female, male, or indeterminate. Maturation of 10 pelvic epiphyseal sites was scored using a four-stage system (0-3) to obtain a composite maturity score from 1 to 30. RESULTS: Three maturity groups were identified based on composite maturity scores ranging from 0 to 30. Individuals with a composite maturity score of 15 or higher showed 98 % sex estimation accuracy and a 6 % indeterminate rate. Scores of 2 for the ischiatic tuberosity or 1 for the anterior superior iliac spine can be used as proxies for a composite maturity score of 15 and application on incomplete bones. DISCUSSION: Sexual dimorphism was observed in the epiphyseal maturation sequence and the development of sexually dimorphic pelvic traits. The Santos et al. (2019) method is applicable on immature individuals who meet a maturation threshold with comparable accuracy to adults, without relying on known or estimated age.

• Klíčová slova
• Maturity, Morphoscopic traits, Pelvis, Sexual dimorphism, Subadult,
• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• epifýzy anatomie a histologie   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• pánevní kosti anatomie a histologie   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• počítačová rentgenová tomografie MeSH
• soudní antropologie MeSH
• určení kostního věku metody   MeSH
• určení pohlaví podle kostry metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

INTRODUCTION: AIM:: To compare injuries after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) caused by manual or mechanical chest compressions in resuscitated patients with non-traumatic cardiac arrest. METHODS: This retrospective, multicenter study was based on autopsy reports of patients who died after CPR; individuals with a traumatic cause(s) of cardiac arrest were excluded. Patients were divided into two CPR groups: mechanical and manual. The Abbreviated Injury Scale was used to objectively evaluate the most serious injuries and the New Injury Scale Score was used to summarize all injuries. RESULTS: Of 704 patients, data from 630 individuals were analyzed after exclusion of those with trauma-related cardiac arrest. Manual CPR was performed in 559 patients and mechanical in 64 subjects. There were no differences in sex, bystander CPR, or etiology of cardiac arrest between the two groups, however, mechanical CPR was significantly longer (X vs. Y, p = 0.0005) and patients in this group were younger (X vs. Y, p = 0.0067). No differences were found in the incidence of CPR-related injuries between the groups. The median number of the most serious injury (according to Abbreviated Injury Scale) was 3, which was not statistically different; the median number of injuries according to the New Injury Severity Score was 13 in both groups (low probability of fatal injury). Type of injuries were also similar with the exception of pericardial damage that was more prevalent in mechanical CPR group. Only age and bystander CPR were found to be independently associated with the autopsy-documented trauma. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that mechanical chest compressions do not increase the incidence and severity of CPR-related injury in comparison with manual methods despite significantly longer CPR duration.

• Klíčová slova
• Autopsy, CPR related trauma, Mechanical chest device, Resuscitation,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH