Partha Pratim Mukhopadhyay

Morphometric features and sexual dimorphism of adult hyoid bone: a population specific study with forensic implications.

Hyoid is a U-shaped bone present in the ventral aspect of neck at the level of fourth cervical vertebra. Morphological variants of hyoid are well documented. The present study was designed to identify these morphological features and examine the sexual dimorphism of adult hyoid bone in Indian Bengali population. The present work consisted of direct measurement in autopsy cases in a population specific sample. It was observed that the hyoid was larger in males regarding width, antero-posterior length and slope of cornu. Using t-Test with alpha level of 0.05 the length of greater cornu was found to be the only variable not significantly different in the two sexes (p = .116).

Predictors of hyoid fracture in hanging: Discriminant function analysis of morphometric variables.

Hyoid is a U-shaped bone present in the ventral aspect of neck at the level of fourth cervical vertebra. It is a small bone placed between the root of tongue and the thyroid cartilage. Fracture of hyoid has great significance and importance in forensic pathology. It is well documented that fracture of hyoid is a recognized finding and indicator of strangulation (more common in manual or throttling than by ligature). Fracture of hyoid is less frequently reported in hanging. Discriminant function analysis was used with all predictors (width of hyoid, antero-posterior length of hyoid and length of greater cornu) were entered together. The analysis showed that 96.0% of original grouped cases could be correctly classified.

Determination of sex from an autopsy sample of adult hyoid bones

Determination of sex is the first and crucial step in the process of identifying human remains in forensic casework. Sex determination from skeletal remains is well studied and an extensively documented subject. The hyoid bone, however, has drawn less attention in studies of this nature. The present study was designed to derive a model for the determination of sex from the adult hyoid in a sample of the Indian Bengali population using discriminant function analysis on 50 adult bones (38 men and 12 women). The following discriminant function was obtained: DF = 0.103W + 0.118AP + 0.130CR + 0.483AW + 0.117DR − 20.64. Overall, 90% of the cases could be correctly classified into the two sexes by means of five predictors (overall width, length of the greater cornu, anteroposterior length, width of the body of hyoid and the distance between the lesser cornua) in the model. Cross-validated results showed correct classification in 90% of the cases. The results of this preliminary study show that these variables contribute to discrimination between the two sexes in the study population. Sexing of the adult human hyoid bone is thus possible with reasonable accuracy using the discriminant function on a sample obtained from the same population.

Forensic diagnosis and classification of snakebite (neurotoxic and haemotoxic) from renal changes at autopsy: morphological and histological determinants using a semi-quantitative method:

Mortality due to poisonous snakebite is an emerging public health concern. Of late, snakebite has drawn global attention. Snakebite is a well-known cause of renal pathology especially in the haemotoxic group. Deaths due to renal failure are very common in envenomation due to poisonous snakebite. In this investigation our aim was to devise autopsy-proven diagnostic criteria of snakebite from the renal changes to confirm and classify the type of snakebite in forensic casework. That would be of practical help to the forensic pathologist with access to limited resources. An arbitrary scoring system from histology was adopted for the present semi-quantitative analysis. The scoring system (with scores from 0 to 5) developed by the present study was effective, valid and was able to distinguish between snakebite and control. The score obtained at histology in cases of snakebite was significantly different from the control group (Mann-Whitney U = 71.5; P = 0.011). Using stepwise linear discriminant function (DF) analysis, the score (Mukhopadhyays score [MS]) was seen to be the only predictor of the type of snakebite. This model (DF = 1.05 × MS–1.78) could correctly classify 93.3% of the cases into neurotoxic and haemotoxic variety of offending snake. This is an effective, cheap and easy semi-quantitative method of distinguishing neurotoxic and haematoxic snakes from the renal changes at autopsy. It would be useful for practical application in centres where sophisticated biochemical or immunological analyses are not available due to limited resources.

Nephrotoxicity in krait bite: a rare case series of three fatalities in consecutive bites by a single snake

BackgroundDeath due to poisonous snakebite is a formidable health hazard. It is a matter of concern especially in agrarian countries. Clinically snakebite envenomation are neurotoxic and vasculotoxic. Krait (Bungarus faciatus) Venom is essentially neurotoxic.Nephrotoxicity in krait bite is an important issue that has been less studied and reported.Case presentationIn the present series, we report three cases of deaths in consecutive bites by a single banded krait.Significant renal involvement was found at autopsy. The kidneys showed interstitial haemorrhage and inflammatory cell infiltration. The renal changes were similar in all the three cases bitten by the same snake.ConclusionsFrom the findings of autopsy and histology of the present case series we can conclude that nephrotoxicity is an important effect of krait bite. Though less reported and researched kidney changes in krait bite is a significant issue in treatment as well as autopsy diagnosis. .We can also infer that the immunogenicity of the snake venoms can be different from our expectation.

Determination of Sex from Footprint Dimensions in Contemporary Indian Bengali Population: A Pilot Study

Footprint dimensions are vital evidences obtained from scenes of crime. Forensic scientists use this information to help identify the offender. Footprints have also been used to build the biological profile of an unknown individual for identification. The measurements are specific for race and sex. The objectives of the present study are to examine the sexual dimorphism of footprint dimensions in adults of an Indian Bengali sample and determine the sex from those measurements. The study was done on 100 adult volunteers of ethnic Bengali origin of West Bengal. Footprints were taken on glossy paper with blue stamp pad ink, and then measurements were taken to the nearest mm. Discriminant function analysis was conducted using several linear measurements, and discriminant function was obtained. Sex determination was successful in 82.0% of the samples. This study provides useful baseline morphometric data of footprints of the Indian Bengali population, which will aid in forensic investigations.

Determination of Age from the Length of Clavicle using Digital X-Ray in Adolescent Subjects: a Preliminary Study in Indian Bengali

The ossification of the medial end of clavicle has been extensively studied for estimation of age Variations in skeletal morphometry and maturation have been attributed to racial/ethnic differences.This study was designed to investigate the correlation of clavicular length with age in adolescent age group and to derive a mathematical model to determine age from length of clavicle in Indian Bengali population. The following regression equation was obtained

Fatal Case of Hexaconazole Poisoning: A Rare Case Report

Hexaconazol (a systemic fungicide) due to its low toxicity, is very rarely reported in literature of pesticide poisoning. With development of agricultural industries and change in the pattern of cultivation, such poisoning may become more frequent in the future. There is no documented report of death due to acute Hexaconazole poisoning till date. Liver is the primary target of organ damage. Severe involvement of other organs is also evident in this report. This fatal poisoning by Hexaconazole, perhaps the only case so far, is being reported for its rarity.