Biomedical subjects

G Di Vella

Publications and source records attributed to G Di Vella.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Factors affecting decomposition and Diptera colonization.

Understanding the process of corpse decomposition is basic to establishing the postmortem interval (PMI) in any death investigation even using insect evidence. The sequence of postmortem changes in soft tissues usually gives an idea of how long an individual has been dead. However, modification of the decomposition process can considerably alter the estimate of the time of death. A body after death is sometimes subject to depredation by various types of animals among which insects can have a predominant role in the breakdown of the corpse thus, accelerating the decomposition rate. The interference of the insect community in the decomposition process has been investigated by several experimental studies using animal models and very few contributions directly on cadavers. Several of the most frequent factors affecting PMI estimates such as temperature, burial depth and access of the body to insects are fully reviewed. On account of their activity and world wide distribution, Diptera are the insects of greatest forensic interest. The knowledge of factors inhibiting or favouring colonization and Diptera development is a necessary pre-requisite for estimating the PMI using entomological data.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Human and insect mitochondrial DNA analysis from maggots.

During the course of our forensic investigations, we have encountered situations where it would have been useful to have evidence, other than direct contact between the two, for concluding that a carrion-fly maggot developed on a particular human victim. If a maggot collected during a death investigation did not develop on the victim, then its age is not relevant to estimating the postmortem interval. In this study we demonstrate that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data can be obtained from the dissected gut of a maggot that had fed on human tissue. These data can be used to identify both the human corpse upon which the maggot had been feeding and the species of the maggot itself.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Determination of postmortem interval from old skeletal remains by image analysis of luminol test results.

The luminol test is routinely used in forensic serology to locate blood traces and identify blood stains not visible to the naked eye; its sensitivity is reported as ranging from 1:100,000 to 1:5,000,000. To evaluate the possibility of correlating the postmortem interval with blood remnants in bone tissue, the luminol test was performed on 80 femurs with a known time of death, grouped in five classes. Powdered bone (30 mg) was recovered from compact tissue of the mid-shaft of each femur and was treated with 0.1 mL of Luminol solution (Sirchie Finger Print Laboratories, Inc.). The reactions were observed in a dark room and filmed by a TV camera equipped with a recording tape. An intense chemiluminescence was observed after a few seconds in all 20 femurs with a PMI ranging from 1 month to 3 years. On the 20 femurs with a PMI ranging from 10-15 years, a clear chemiluminescence was visible with the naked eye in 80% of the sample. Among the 20 femurs with a PMI ranging from 25 to 35 years, a weaker chemiluminescence appeared in 7 femurs (33% of the sample). In the 10 femurs with a PMI ranging from 50 to 60 years, a faint reaction was observed only in a single femur. In none of the ten femurs with a PMI over 80 years was chemiluminescence observed. The image of each reaction was computerized and analyzed for gray scale. The results of image analysis show a possible quantitative relationship between the PMI and luminol chemiluminescence in powdered bone.

Bone and Bones↗

PubMed1998

Sex determination by discriminant analysis of patella measurements.

The authors have analyzed 80 skeletons (40 males and 40 females) from the collection at the Institute of Legal Medicine of the University of Bari belonging to a known contemporary Southern Italian population; time of death was around 1970 and ages ranged from 25 to 80 years. Seven measurements taken on 80 intact, undeformed right patellae (max height, max width, thickness, height and width of the external facies articularis, height and width of the internal facies articularis) were used to determine sex by multivariate discriminant analysis. One function associating two parameters (max width and thickness) obtained the highest value of correct sex determination with a rate of 83.3%; other functions showed a higher percentage of misclassification (up to 17.5%). This study tests the success rate of correct sex prediction based exclusively on patellar dimensions. The discriminant factors carried out by statistical analysis may aid the forensic anthropologist when no other human skeletal remains suitable for sex determination are available.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Seatbelt injury to the common iliac artery: case report.

In traffic accident victims, the seat belt syndrome is a well known injury which rarely involves the common iliac artery due to its posterior anatomical position and to protection by the pelvis. We report a case of blunt abdominal trauma related to the type of seat belt worn. The trauma provoked subintimal haemorrhaging of the left common iliac artery, without skeletal lesions or other visceral injuries. Correct diagnosis was delayed for three months after the crash, when an angiogram was performed to investigate disabling claudication and vascular pulse change in the left leg. This arterial injury could have been related to the association of two different types of force created during the crash ("compression/deceleration-type mechanism") that might have produced shearing forces causing a vascular wall discontinuity and/or an intimal flap. The authors speculate that the vascular lesion was observed on the same (left) side as the fastening point of the seat belt (a lap-and-shoulder belt with a three-point attachment) where the shearing forces may have been most intense due to the junction between the lap strap and the diagonal shoulder belt.

Abdominal Injuries↗

PubMed1997

Sex determination by discriminant analysis of calcanei measurements.

Eight measurements taken on the right calcaneus (maximum length, load arm width, minimum width, height of calcaneus, body height, breadth of the facies articularis talaris posterior, breadth and height of the facies articularis cuboidea) of a known contemporary Southern Italian skeletal population (40 males and 40 females) were used to determine sex by multivariate discriminant analysis. Three functions revealed a correct sex-determination of 85%. These functions were obtained by the association of the following parameters: maximum length, load arm width and breadth of the facies art. talaris post. (function no. 1); maximum length and breadth of the facies art. talaris post. (function no. 2); maximum length and height of the facies art. cuboidea and breadth of the facies art. cuboidea (function no. 3). These results may aid the forensic anthropologist when no other remains, useful for skeletal sex determination, are available.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Skeletal sex determination by scapular measurements.

Measurements of seven scapular parameters (max. length, max. breadth, max. distance acromion-coracoid, max. length of acromion, max. length of coracoid, length and breadth of glenoid cavity), taken from a known contemporary Italian (Apulian) skeletal population were analyzed to obtain sex determination by discriminant analysis. In the univariate analysis, the maximum scapular breadth shows the best discriminant attitude with lowest percentage of misclassification (8.75%). In the multivariate discriminant analysis it's possible to have a 95% correct sex determination using only three parameters (max. distance acromion-coracoid, maximum length of coracoid and length of glenoid cavity). The association of two measurements of glenoid cavity allows the determination of skeletal sex with 10% misclassification rate. The application of these measurements can therefore be considered quite useful in forensic investigation when just fragmented scapular remains are recovered.

Acromion↗

PubMed1993

[Determination of height in life using multiple regression of skull parameters].

The Authors have evaluated the possible correlations between cranial diameters and height in a population of 358 young males aged between 17 to 27 years old. The maximum anterior-posterior and lateral cranial diameters were measured along with stature. Then, the data was correlated using the SAS Program (Stepwise method) to obtain a multiple linear regression between height (dependent variable) and the cranial diameters (independent variable). Secondly, the Authors also studied the probable correlation between height and cranial diameters obtained without including the thickness of the soft tissues. In conclusion, they proposed a mathematical formula, applicable in forensic investigation, regarding the determination of the actual living stature of subjects for whom skills are the only skeletal remains available for identification procedures.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Using scapular measurements in regression formulae for the estimation of stature.

There are very few papers in forensic literature in which scapular dimensions have been used for estimation of living stature. Allowing the forensic duty to estimate the living stature of skeletal remains, using intact or fragmented scapulae, the Authors have performed multiple regression analysis between the measurements taken from 80 scapula (40 male and 40 female) belonging to a skeletal collection with anthropometric known data. Seven parameters (max length, max breadth, max acrocoracoid distance, length of acromion, max length of coracoid, length of glenoid cavity, width of glenoid cavity) have been recorded. By statistical analysis multiple and linear regressions have been obtained. The results show that living stature may be determined by using regression formulae of single or associated parameters taken from whole or fragmented scapulae. In absence of intact or fragmented long limb bones, scapula sample can be reliably employed for the estimation of stature in forensic practice.

Body Height↗