Paul Bailet

Identification by frontal sinus pattern in forensic anthropology

The authors report forensic cases from the literature, as well as two personal homicide cases, of identification through comparison of frontal sinus radiographs. A general discussion about identification using frontal sinus X-rays is presented, pointing out the reliability of the method, in reference to the uniqueness of the frontal sinus in humans, but also some difficulties, especially in reference to the distance, orientation and angle of the X-ray technique.

Anatomical reconstruction of fragments of burned human bones: a necessary means for forensic identification

The aim of any forensic inquiry concerning accidental or criminal cremations is to identify the victims. This identification depends on an essential approach: a careful collection and ultrasonic cleaning of the fragments and splinters of burned bones, and reconstruction--as far as possible--of bone specimens, which implies that forensic anthropologists are well experienced in the field of burned bones.

Experimental Single Controlled Study of Burned Bones: Contribution of Scanning Electron Microscopy

Burned bones were studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy. The samples were cut from a maxillary-mandibular block taken during an autopsy. These fragments were heated in a furnace under controlled temperature conditions for 60 minutes. The temperatures ranged from 150 to 1150 degrees Celsius. The results are as following: (i) there are significant alterations of the bone, more and more obvious as the temperature increases, (ii) it appears to be difficult to establish a precise correlation between the temperature and the scanning electron microscopy patterns.

CONTRIBUTION OF MICROSCOPIC PLANT ANATOMY TO POSTMORTEM BONE DATING

The authors describe a microscopical method of studying plant anatomy for estimating the age of vegetal organs which can help to date bones. This procedure was not based on counting the number of annual rings, as usually, but on demonstrating a completely primary structure without development of secondary formations; this material was considered as a part of a young root system whose development would correspond to about one year. The usefulness and limits of this procedure are discussed.

Method for identifying putrefied corpses by facial casting

The authors developed an original method for casting the face of putrefied corpses, which allowed a three-dimensional facial cast of an individual to be made. This method used several stages: face restoration by subcutaneous injections of specific materials, casting by elastomer, then three-dimensional positive image building. This technique enabled the person to be recognized and then identified, and seems to be useful in such difficult cases.

Glenoid retroversion: The palaeopathological perspective

Retroversion of the glenoid articular plane has not received sufficient attention in palaeopathological studies. Occasionally mentioned in severe forms of osteoarthritis, exceptionally studied in extreme congenital forms isolated or in the context of malformation syndromes and overlooked in cases of minor dysplasia, it is nonetheless a valuable marker for identifying debilitating pathological conditions, abnormal shoulder laxity or sequelae of obstetric palsy. It is sometimes associated with other anomalies of the shoulder, the acromion or the coracoid processes of the scapula or the proximal end of the humerus. In this contribution, we first define a new method for measuring glenoid retroversion based on recent embryological and anatomical findings. This new method is particularly well adapted to archaeological remains for its simplicity and the possibility of using it with very fragmentary scapulae. We then applied it to eight pathological cases of various origins, dysplasias or acquired forms of glenoid retroversion; semiological analysis enabled the definition of diagnostic criteria for the main aetiologies. Several new diagnostic features are described, in particular for sequelae of obstetric palsy in adults.