Emilio Nuzzolese

Incorporation of radio frequency identification tag in dentures to facilitate recognition and forensic human identification.

Forensic identification using odontology is based on the comparison of ante-mortem and post mortem dental records. The insertion of a radio frequency identification (RFId) tag into dentures could be used as an aid to identify decomposed bodies, by storing personal identification data in a small transponder that can be radio-transmitted to a reader connected to a computer. A small passive, 12 x 2,1 mm, read-only RFId-tag was incorporated into the manufacture of three trial complete upper dentures and tested for a signal. The aim of this article is to demonstrate the feasibility of manufacturing such a dental prosthesis, the technical protocols for its implantation in the denture resin and its working principles. Future research and tests are required in order to verify human compatibility of the tagged denture and also to evaluate any potential deterioration in strength when subjected to high temperatures, or for damage resulting from everyday wear and tear. It should also be able to withstand the extreme conditions resulting from major accidents or mass disasters and procedures used to perform a forensic identification.

Forensic approach to an archaeological casework of "vampire" skeletal remains in Venice: odontological and anthropological prospectus.

Abstract:  During the years 2006–2007, the Archeological Superintendent of Veneto (Italy) promoted a research project on mass graves located on Nuovo Lazzaretto in Venice, where the corpses of plague deaths were buried during the 16th and 17th centuries. The burials were of different stages and are believed to be the remains of plague victims from the numerous outbreaks of pestilence, which occurred between the 15th and 17th centuries. Among the fragmented and commingled human bones, an unusual burial was found. The body was laid supine, with the top half of the thorax intact, arms parallel to the rachis axis, the articulations were anatomically unaltered. Both the skull morphology and the dimensions of the caput omeris suggest the body was a woman. A brick of moderate size was found inside the oral cavity, keeping the mandible wide open. The data collected by the anthropologist were used to generate a taphonomic profile, which precluded the positioning of the brick being accidental. Likewise, the probability of the brick having come from the surrounding burial sediment was rejected, as the only other inclusions found were bone fragments from previous burials in the same area. The data collected by the odontologist were employed for age estimation and radiological dental assessment. The forensic profile was based conceptually on the “circumstances of death” and concluded that the positioning of the brick was intentional, and attributed to a symbolic burial ritual. This ritual confirms the intimate belief held at those times, between the plague and the mythological character of the vampire.

Dental Contribution to an Anthropological Forensic Case Work of Skeletal Remains in Miglionico Countryside (South Italy)~!2010-01-16~!2010-04-29~!2010-07-14~!

This report contains the results of a forensic study of human remains discovered by a forester in the countryside surrounding Miglionico (Southern Italy) in August 2007. A total of 286 bone fragments were excavated at the scene and an osteological analysis was carried out by two forensic pathologists, one of which had a anthropological background. A forensic odontologist was also involved to ascertain the completeness of the skeletons and to make an inventory of the skeletal material. It was hoped also to establish a cause of death and period in which it occurred, and if possible to attempt to identify the individual. Age and odontological assessment was also provided. This report will highlight the contribution of an odontological and radiological analysis in relation to fragments of maxil- lary bones with teeth in situ, and also with teeth lost post-mortem. Findings from morphological, dental and radiological examination, UV illumination in the compact bones and radioisotope scan ( 14 C) revealed these skeletal remains belonged to at least three separate individuals, dating between 600 and 1000 AD, and therefore having archaeological significance. The case shows the relevance of forensic odontology in an anthropological evaluation which deals with discovered human remains of jaws and teeth.

Authors’ Response: Authors’ Response

Sir, Thank you for the opportunity that your editorial policy gives us to go into some aspects of our research thoroughly. We know our case report is ‘‘receiving extraordinary emphasis in the mass media’’ and it seems this is the main ‘‘reason’’ for the criticism received. In fact, recently RAI, Italian national TV, has aired for the second time (the first time being March 24, 2010) only a part of the documentary made by National Geographic. To be precise, the news about our research spreads worldwide after a poster presentation (1) at the 2009 AAFS annual meeting in Denver, and the world’s first broadcast of the documentary was February 23, 2010. It is relevant to underline that emphasis in the documentary (according to the authors and the broadcast) that this was not on the ‘‘vampire’’ discovery, but on the scientific analysis from a forensic point of view of the belief in revenants, based on a possible archeological evidence of an exorcism. The application of forensic techniques on an ancient superstition related to the years of the Black Death (2) was the reason for the interest of the National Geographic Society, which supported a research project after a review by scientists; some aspects of this research have just been presented as an oral presentation (3) at the Last Word Society section during the 2011 AAFS annual meeting in Chicago and also published in an Italian book (4). It is important to remember that the first presentation of the identification of a possible ritual of exorcism involving a vampire was made at a scientific meeting of the Italian Society of Anthropology and Ethnology in 2008 (5); one of the Italian colleagues who signed the letter to which we are responding was present at that meeting and on that occasion stressed that the data presented represent evidence of an anomalous burial. Before proceeding further with the answers to the questions raised by colleagues, it is important to note that the entire research framework presents a hypothetical reconstruction of the facts based on the archeological pieces of evidence and the analysis of ancient traditions: it is not therefore a ‘‘truth’’ but a reconstructive hypothesis. Forensic scientists know the implication of the difference between what can be extrapolated by a piece of evidence and what actually was the case (6): facts that can be known in each detail only by those involved in them. With the awareness of the necessity of intellectual modesty, the authors have tried to propose a hypothetical but plausible reconstruction of what might have happened in that place at that time. The intentional deposition of the brick in the mouth is strictly linked with the contextual analysis. Here, we present a section of the excavation map: all the human remains of the Lazzaretto Nuovo and the contextual analyses are in fact being studied as research project of University of Florence since 2007 and some results have recently been published (7,8). The stratigraphic analysis, as evidenced by Fig. 1 (where the stratigraphic units are identified with the initials US), shows how the burial of ID6 was intercepted at two different times by the excavation of two other graves: ID1 and ID12. It is possible to infer that US – 112 intercepted ID6 when her body was already skeletonized. It is suggested not only by the general stratigraphy (8) but also from the fact that the second graves physically cut the bones of the skeleton in question producing typical postmortem fractures. Unlike US – 112, the burial cut US – 114 intercepts ID6 grave without disrupting relations between the bones. The maintenance of the temporo-mandibular joint, and also the preservation of the cervical articulation, the sternum-clavicle articulation, and the humeral-scapular relations, in spite of the evidence of the intersection between the two burials, allows a reconstruction of a disturbance that occurred when the corpse was not even completely skeletonized (as reported by Duday (9), Mallegni and Rubini (10), and Canci and Minozzi (11)). This evidence therefore suggests that, at the time of the deposition of ID1 (ID6 occurred separately as it is clear from the intersection between the two grave cuts), the body of ID6 was uncovered during its decomposition: the gravediggers encountered that cadaverous phenomena which was interpreted, at the time, as evidence of vampirism. Barber (12) and also Borrini (13) have written about the link between the birth of the belief in vampires and also stages of decay (a part of the research supported by the National Geographic Society also regarding this topic); this and perhaps because of the brevity of the articled reviewed (about dental issues and not archeological or cultural ones) is why the authors were not too clear, which gave rise to the misunderstanding with Italian colleagues. The reference to ‘‘body quite intact’’ and the holed shroud are assumed considering other cases of ‘‘vampire exhumations’’ cited by the authors of the 17th century as More (14) or 18th century as Calmet (15); in these reports, as better explained elsewhere by Borrini (13), the corpse was described as ‘‘undamaged by decay’’ (16), although it exhibited distinct changes nowadays known as lack of rigor mortis, the epidermolysis and the emphysematous stage: this postmortem phenomena had been instead interpreted as a stigmata of vampirism. We have already explained that it was possible to hypothesize ID6 at the moment of the grave reopening as a decomposing and not skeletonized body by the intersection between ID1 and ID6 and by the preservation of the joints. These allow us to hypothesize the presence of a shroud because of the verticalization of the left clavicle associated with medial rotation of humeri (Canci and Minozzi [11], Duday and Guillon [17]). It is certainly true that this phenomenon might be attributable to a wall effect originated from possible barriers in the ground (not present in this case) or a coffin, but no evidence of wooden containers for ID6 or any other skeletons in the site were attested during the excavation. There were no traces in the stratigraphy of linear demarcation (Canci and Minozzi [11]) and even nails that indicated the presence of such containers for corpses, as has been found at other sites more or less contemporary (18). The finding in other individuals is noteworthy, as well as the presence of the taphonomic aforementioned indicators of a shroud, the use of small pins to secure the bandages (Fig. 2). When the authors reported that ID6 was ‘‘interred supine in a simple burial pit (covered space),’’ they indicate the absence of evidence that could suggest the presence of a coffin, as just explained previously. Nevertheless, a shroud can create a delayed filling because of its decay at different times than those of the corpse, as it happens with clothes (Canci and Minozzi [11]). With regard to the modification of bones, it is important to remember that the decomposition can create an empty space within the body’s volume (Mallegni and Rubini [19]). Again, the ‘‘slight rotation of skull’’ is J Forensic Sci, May 2012, Vol. 57, No. 3 doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02099.x Available online at: onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Orthodontic surgery and professional liability: the homozygote twin case.

Abstract:  A professional liability lawsuit of an orthodontic case is presented through its medico‐legal assessment. The patient underwent an orthodontic treatment combined with several maxillo‐facial surgical interventions. Several temporomandibular joint complications followed, plus he was unhappy with aesthetic results and modifications to his facial features. He wanted to verify from a medico‐legal point of view the treatment received as he believed something was not done lege artis. The result of the orthodontic assessment was that there were no indications for such surgical interventions, along with other professional negligence: no psychological support given and no indications as to the aesthetic results postsurgery. It was decided to carry out an orthodontic assessment also on his homozygote twin brother, who was discovered to have the same malocclusion. His medico‐legal assessment did not substitute the evidence obtained from the deceased, but gave added weight to the final technical conclusion.