Matteo Borrini

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.

A Biological and Procedural Review of Forensically Significant Dermestes Species (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

ABSTRACT The analyses of the insect species found on decomposing remains may provide useful information for the estimation of the minimum time elapsed since death and other parameters, such as causes and circumstances of death. The majority of research has focused on the early colonizing species, typically blowflies, while research concerning late colonizing insects is currently sparse. Dermestid beetles of the genus Dermestes L. (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) are one of the predominant insect species associated with decomposing remains during dry decay and skeletal stages of decomposition. In some dry environments, Dermestes species are likely to be the only necrophagous insects feeding on the decomposing remains. Furthermore, Dermestes species (immature and adults), their remains (cast skins and fecal material), and their artifacts (pupal chambers) are frequently found associated with ancient remains (e.g., mummies, fossils). Dermestes species have a worldwide distribution and are considered important in decomposition processes, forensic investigations, and economically as a known pest of stored products. Despite their recognized forensic importance, there is limited data documenting the ecology, biology, and the growth rates of the forensically relevant species. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive synopsis on the available literature concerning Dermestes species associated with forensic cases. In particular, aspects of colonization behavior, growth rates for forensic taxa and potential best practice guidelines for forensic casework encompassing late colonizing Dermestes species are discussed.

A Statistical Method for Reassociating Human Tali and Calcanei from a Commingled Context

In a commingled context, assessing that a talus and a calcaneus correspond to the same individual could become a primary step for accurately sorting human remains. For this purpose, the lengths and widths of the trochlea, posterior calcaneal articular surface, and posterior talar articular surface were measured in 197 individuals (105 males, 92 females) from the Athens Collection. A total of 12 highly accurate equations for reassociating tali and calcanei were developed, using simple and multiple linear regression analysis and they were found to be suitable for sorting commingled human remains. Bilateral asymmetry and sex did not have an effect on the accuracy of the method.

A BPA Approach to the Shroud of Turin

An investigation into the arm and body position required to obtain the blood pattern visible in the image of the Shroud of Turin was performed using a living volunteer. The two short rivulets on the back of the left hand of the Shroud are only consistent with a standing subject with arms at a ca 45° angle. This angle is different from that necessary for the forearm stains, which require nearly vertical arms for a standing subject. The BPA of blood visible on the frontal side of the chest (the lance wound) shows that the Shroud represents the bleeding in a realistic manner for a standing position while the stains at the back—of a supposed postmortem bleeding from the same wound for a supine corpse—are totally unrealistic. Simulation of bleeding from the nail wounds contacting wood surfaces yielded unclear results.

Sharp Force Trauma Death in a Young Individual From Medieval Gloucester.

Abstract The authors of the present work evaluate the trauma observed on the skeletal remains of an individual from medieval Gloucester and reconstruct the events that led to his death. The almost complete skeleton was recovered from the cemetery of St Owen and dates to the late medieval period. Several methods were used to determine the sex and age of the individual. The anthropological examination showed that the remains belonged to a young male, between the ages of 17 and 19 years. The young man also had antemortem pathologies that were related to his diet and lifestyle, as he appears to have had iron-deficiency anemia and Schmorl nodes. The trauma observed on the remains consisted of 3 cut marks located on the cranium, left radius, and right scapula. The cuts seem to have been inflicted by a heavy weapon, such as a sword. The trauma pattern observed is consistent with defensive action, and the fact that this skeleton was the only one in the collection that has evidence of trauma suggests that this was a case of interpersonal violence.

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

A 2000 Year-old cold case: the violent death of a roman mariner between archaeology and forensic anthropology

During archaeological excavation of the Roman port of Pisa in 1999, two skeletons came to light, laden down by a Roman ship, sunk and partly preserved, probably caused by a disastrous flood in the River Auser. Skeletons belonging to an adult male and a small dog, resembling the present Dachshund breed, were recovered. The canine rested on he mans left upper limb at the forearm level. This 2000 year-old cold case has been investigated using physical and forensic anthropological techniques which allowed us to define the biological profile of this subject: including the sex, age, height and skeletal pathology. The taphonomic analysis of bones and the context as a possible crime scene let us understand the decomposition and death dynamics revealing the causes of the partial dismemberment. The case presented is an example the physical anthropology as a discipline useful for the analysis of skeleton human remains, and as a useful tool in the reconstruction of ancient events and bio-archaeological data in synergy with forensic sciences.