Remains identification by frontal sinus radiographs.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
W D Haglund
Publications and source records attributed to W D Haglund.
Contribution of rodents to postmortem artifacts of bone and soft tissue.
Postmortem disturbance of human remains by rodents extends beyond production of characteristic tooth mark artifacts in dry bones. Three case examples are presented that demonstrate a spectrum of rodent damage to dry and fresh bone and to fresh and mummified soft tissue. In one case, human remains are used for nesting purposes. Rodents are also noted to be vectors of bone transport. Rodent activities can affect bone recovery, human identification, and interpretation of artifacts to bone and soft tissue. Guidelines to differentiate soft tissue artifacts caused by rodents and carnivores are suggested.
Adult↗
Use of facial approximation techniques in identification of Green River serial murder victims.
Since 1982, the remains of 41 victims of the Green River Serial Murderer have been recovered. The majority were discovered as skeletal remains, and 24 facial approximations have been used in attempts to develop leads for identification of nine of these victims. Nine different artists were used. Interpretations of the same victim varied greatly. For those victims subsequently identified, resemblance of the facial approximation to the deceased showed considerable variation, but in some cases was quite accurate. This experience created a unique opportunity to compare different methods of facial approximation techniques and artists, and to comment on their efficacy in aiding identification.
Face↗
Recovery of decomposed and skeletal human remains in the "Green River Murder" Investigation. Implications for medical examiner/coroner and police.
The Green River Murder Investigation in King County, Washington, is currently the longest active serial murder investigation in U.S. history. During its course, over 26 separate scenes with from one to five victims each have been processed. The experience of the authors is presented in order to acquaint other agencies with techniques of outdoor scene processing that have evolved during recovery of remains from Green River and other skeletal cases.
Bone and Bones↗
Death notification.
Family notification in sudden, unexpected, and violent death is a major responsibility of law enforcement, medical examiner, and coroner offices. This report reviews and discusses the process and procedures utilized in death notification and provides suggestions to accomplish this difficult task more effectively.
Attitude to Death↗
Identification of decomposed human remains by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) profiling.
After routine methods failed to establish positive identification of a decomposed homicide victim, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) typing techniques using blood from the victim and putative parents of the victim were used. This is the first report in the literature of a case using DNA fingerprinting in a "parentage" context to establish identity of unidentified, decomposed human remains.
DNA↗
Canid scavenging/disarticulation sequence of human remains in the Pacific Northwest.
Greater understanding of animal scavenging of human remains can assist forensic science investigators in locating and recovering dispersed skeletal elements, in recognizing damage produced by scavengers, and in making more informed estimates of the postmortem interval. The pattern of skeletal damage can indicate whether the body was scavenged while intact or at some time after other natural processes of disarticulation had begun. This study analyzed thirty partially to fully skeletonized human remains with respect to scavenging at the time of body discovery in order to determine if a patterned consumption sequence existed. The scavengers were primarily coyotes (Canis latrans) and domestic dogs (C. familiaris). Sixteen non-carnivore-scavenged remains were also examined and contrasted with the carnivore-scavenged sample. Observed postmortem intervals from death to recovery ranged from 4 h to 52 months. Results demonstrate that canid scavenging of human remains takes place in sequential stages: Stage 0 = no bony involvement; Stage 1 = ventral thorax damaged and one or both extremities removed; Stage 2 = lower extremity involvement; Stage 3 = only vertebral segments remain articulated; and Stage 4 = total disarticulation. Results revealed a clear correspondence between stages of disarticulation and the postmortem interval.
Adolescent↗
Processing of skeletal remains. A medical examiner's perspective.
A multidisciplinary approach to the investigation of skeletal remains is presented. Guidelines for recovery, documentation, examination, processing, storage, and release of skeletal material are offered and discussed.
Bone and Bones↗
Tooth mark artifacts and survival of bones in animal scavenged human skeletons.
Animal scavenging activity can result in production of tooth mark artifacts. Such activity can confound interpretation of skeletal material and the identification process. To date, these topics have received limited attention in the forensic science literature. This study discusses the nature of various animal tooth mark artifacts and typical damage to selected bony elements. This study also assesses survivability of various skeletal elements over time. Two major factors that affect which bones are recovered and the amount of damage are circumstances which shelter remains from animals and human population density of the area where the skeleton is recovered.
Adolescent↗
A technique to enhance fingerprinting of mummified fingers.
This report details a fingerprinting technique for softening mummified fingers and hands using Metaflow and Restorative, a fluid for rehydration of desiccated tissue. This procedure has proven successful in cases of extreme desiccation and has allowed for good fingerprint detail to be developed.
Adolescent↗
Identification of serial homicide victims in the "Green River Murder" investigation.
The Green River Murder Investigation in King County, Washington, is currently the longest and most active serial murder investigation in U.S. history. To date, little information has been reported on methods used in identification of serial murder victims. In this paper, various methods used in victim identification are reviewed and difficulties encountered during the course of the investigation are described. The experience of the authors is presented in order to acquaint other agencies with problems of victim identification associated with these serial murder victims and to provide key methods that may be useful in other such investigations.
Adolescent↗