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Determining the sex of human remains through cranial morphology.

Sex determination is the keystone of a biological profile, yet few qualitative methods of cranial sex determination have been tested. This analysis examines the accuracy and precision of 17 morphological features of the skull commonly used to determine the sex of unknown skeletal remains. The sample consists of 46 identified skulls from the 19th century St. Thomas' Anglican Church Cemetery in Belleville, Canada. Nasal aperature, zygomatic extension, malar size/rugosity, and supraorbital ridge proved the most useful; of secondary value are chin form and nuchal crest; mastoid size is of tertiary consideration; nasal size and mandibular symphysis/ramus size rank fourth; forehead shape ranks fifth; and palate size/shape are sixth. Skull size/architecture provides an internal standard to assess the relative sizes of other traits. This research is a necessary step in establishing the credibility of morphological sex determination with respect to the Daubert and Mohan criteria for admissibility in a court of law.

Cephalometry↗

[Myeloma in an archaeological skeleton from Hofstadir in Mývatnssveit].

Archaeological investigations have been ongoing in the cemetery at Hofstadir in Mývatnssveit since the summer of 1999. To date, the remains of two chapels as well as 78 skeletons have been excavated, dated to between the 11th and 15th century. A skeleton was excavated in the summer of 2003 which showed pathological changes indicative of a malignant disease. Palaeopathological cases of malignancies are very rare, and it is therefore important to report on each case. Skeleton HST-027 was a female, aged 45-50 years at the time of death. Standard osteological methods were used to determine the sex, age and stature. Macroscopic analysis was carried out on the skeleton and all pathological changes on each bone described. The cranium, ribs, left os coxa and all left long bones were then radiographed to aid in the diagnosis. The analysis showed lytic lesions in all the flat bones, as well as the vertebrae, ribs and the proximal end of the left femur, all changes indicative of multiple myeloma. Palaeopathologically myeloma and metastatic cancer (then usually due to breast cancer in the case of women) are often difficult to distinguish. However there is no new bone formation surrounding the lesions, which means that metastatic cancer is unlikely to be the cause. Skeleton HST-027 from Hofstadir is the first published case of malignant disease in Iceland, and one of the clearer cases of myeloma in an archaeological specimen, but to date, approximately twenty cases have been reported world-wide.

Bone Neoplasms↗

[The dental surgeon Fiacre-Joseph of Goy, a formerly miraculously cured priest of the slaughter September 1792].

Catholic priest Fiacre-Joseph of Goy, born in the Auvergne, was imprisoned in Les Carmes at the end of August 1792. On September 2, during the September massacres, he was thought to have been killed and was taken to the Vaugirard cemetery, where the carter realized that he was only severely injured. Miraculously saved from the massacres, de Goy then became a dental surgeon. Under the Directoire, he resumed his ecclesiastical career, acquiring from the member of the National Convention, Merlin de Thionville, the Mont-Valérien monastery, where he died on February 19, 1806.

Catholicism↗

[The early bronze age graveyards of Franzhausen I, lower Austria. 2. Demographic analysis].

In a recent study of 714 graves of the Early Bronze Age cemetery, Franzhausen I, 658 individuals were demographically analysed. The masculinity rate and the mortality rate in the age groups were of similar order compared with estimates derived from other series of this period. On the base of a stationary population model, life tables were calculated showing life expectancy at birth to be 25.8 years and at the age of 20, 17.7 years. Also computed were: the crude death rate (Z = 38.8); and the population size (P = 31 or 65). The lack of infants were estimated by regressions (5q0 = 58%) and the results are discussed.

Age Factors↗

[Air quality assessment in an urban-industrial area: the Taranto case study].

OBJECT: The chemical-physical characterization of suspended particulate matter and particulate deposition, heavy metals and benzo[a]pyrene, found in the town of Taranto and the nearby industrial area (steelworks, cement production, refinery). DESIGN: Atmospheric deposition Bulks, air of High Volume (HV) samplers equipped with PM10 probe and total suspended particulate matter samplers were used. SETTING: 4 sites of monitoring in different urban areas: two of them close to the cokery, one near the school, and the last one in the town of Statte (Taranto). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Determination of suspended and deposition particulate matter concentration, further determination of heavy metal concentration in the suspended and deposition particulate matter, and determination of BaP concentration. RESULTS: Data evidenced that in the site of Tamburi Cemetery (near the cokery) suspended particulate matter PM10 concentrations vary with the different seasons (warm period: 67 microg/m3, cold period: 39 microg/m3). Lead concentrations are lower than the national limit (0,5 microg/m3); for those heavy metals not yet regulated by law, values are comparable with other industrial areas. Deposition particulate matter concentrations found nearby the steelworks (warm period: 699 mg/m2d, cold period 575 mg/m2d), vary in each different monitoring site. In the town of Statte (Taranto) the concentrations found are: 236 mg/m2d in the warm period, and 154 mg/m2d in the cold period. BaP concentrations for PM10 found in the area of Tamburi near the cookery are the following: 1,9 ng/m3 in the warm period, and 2,6 ng/m3 in the cold period. CONCLUSION: A very compromised situation is found in the area under study as regard air quality, especially the particulate matter in its different fractions and its content of organic and inorganic pollutants.

Air Pollution↗

[Cripples at the medieval hospital of Bátmonostor, Hungary--archeological findings].

Cripples from the medieval hospital of Bátmonostor, Hungary. People with disabilities were generally burdened with a painful fate in ancient times, however in the hospitals was no effective therapy. The hospital of Batmonostor was founded at late 13th century, The authors examine by morphological, radiological and histological methods 426 complete skeletons excavated from medieval (14th-15th century) cemetery of Bátmonostor (Hungary). Among them 30 cases (7.1%) of bony ankylosis, (24 cases on lower limb and 6 cases on upper limb) was found. Sacroiliac ankylosis 3 cases, Bechterew's spondylitis ankylopoetica 1 case was seen. Spondylitis tuberculosa and malum Potti 4 cases, and hunchback with other aetiology 2 cases was detected. Beside the cases with ankylosis severe posttraumatic osteomyelitis (7 cases), primary malignant bone tumors (2 cases) and an osteoplastic metastatic tumors (probably prostata carcinoma) was diagnosed. Paleopathologic study of the physically disabled may yield information and insight on the prevalence of crippling disorders. The authors hypothetize, that crippled persons lived in the hospital until their deaths.

Ankylosis↗

[Comparative measurements of right and left branches of the mandible].

Eighteen pairs of mandible measures were evaluated according to sex on europide skulls coming from south-eastern Hungarian cemeteries of the X-XII., centuries in order to disclose possible measure differences between the left and right side. Only a single measure, the smallest sagittal diameter of the collume mandibulae showed significant difference between both sides which was observed in both groups of men and women. The percentual relative frequencies according to which the 18 measures were equal on the left and right side (within 1 millimeter measuring error) changed between 39.9% and 82.0% (average 58.6%) with men, and between 45.9% and 83.2% (average 59.6%) with women. The examined measures proved to be greater on the right side by 3.2% with men and by 4.6% with women.

Anthropometry↗

[Neanderthal markers of the frontal bone--a conspicuous Hallstatt cranium of the burial field Dietfurt/Oberpfalz].

Between the skulls from early Iron Age cemeteries of the Hallstatt period (Beilngries, Dietfurt, Schirndorf and some other localities) in the Upper Palatinate (Bavaria) the skull Dietfurt 13/1 attracted attention because of its archaic traits at the viscerocranium and because of its extraordinarily large cranial capacity (1654 cm3). Such large cranial capacities were well known from Neandertals. Therefore this skull was examined for other neandertaloid traits: It was shown that the values for the angle of inclination and the vault-angle of the frontal bone fell into the neandertaloid range. With regard to the traits of the frontal bone Dietfurt 13/1 takes a more intermediate position between Homo sapiens sapiens and the Neandertals than the frontal bone from Hahnöfersand, which is dated about 36.300 +/- 600 years B.P. (Bräuer 1980). It is discussed, whether the specific traits of the frontal bone of Dietfurt 13/1 could fall within the variability of the subfossil Homo sapiens sapiens without postulating a phase of hybridization between Neandertals and anatomically modern man. Consequently, in the compilation of prehistorical skeleton-series more attention should be given to measures of the frontal bone.

Adult↗

A comparison of age estimation using discriminant function analysis with some other age estimations of unknown skulls.

Available methods of estimating the ages of unknown skulls are notoriously inaccurate. Making use of a unique opportunity to view several hundreds of remains from two nineteenth century cemeteries, various methods of estimating age were tested. A statistical method which gives relative weighting to each age indicator before reducing the data to a single pooled age estimate was found to be the most reliable. The greater the number of criteria which were utilized for age estimation, the more highly correlated was the estimated age of remains with the actual age at death. The degree of accuracy in estimating the ages of skulls of under 20 years was relatively high, when only the stage of development of dental tissues was examined. With increasing age over 20 the accuracy decreased, particularly at ages over 45. The range of age distribution of skulls estimated from published data on suture closure tended to be more restricted than that which may acutally occur.

Adult↗

[Paleopathologic findings in Hallstatt Period humans of Oberpfalz. Conclusions concerning the environment].

Pathological findings from early Iron Age inhumation burials from three cemeteries of the Hallstatt Period (Beilngries, Dietfurt and Schirndorf) in the Upper Palatinate (Bavaria) were compiled. Particular stress was laid upon possible conclusions concerning environmental conditions. The infrequency of cribra orbitalia demonstrates that the studied groups did not suffer from a deficiency of iron. The uncommon fractures of the extremity bones and lesions of the skull give at present the image of a peaceful era during the Hallstatt period in the Upper Palatinate. Caries could be ascertained by 5.4% of the adults from Dietfurt, by 4.9% of those from Schirndorf. In the Dürrnberg the percentage of such cases was lower (2.2%). This can be explained on the one side by the earlier death-rate climax on the Dürrnberg and on the other by differing nutritional habits. The teeth of the adult population from Dietfurt show enamel hypoplasia in only 14.9% of all cases. This low percentage gives cause to suppose that sufficient Vitamin A, C and D were present in the nutrition of the studied populations.

Bone and Bones↗

A grave matter--dental findings of people buried in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The exhumed remains of 181 people, buried during the period 1848-1984 were examined. Because of the carelessness of exhumations, only 125 yielded sufficient information to compare the condition of skulls and jaws with the period in the grave, while 63 yielded information about the teeth. No correlation could be shown between the condition of the skulls and jaws and the period interred, but it was found that the better preserved remains belonged to younger people. Dental findings included the presence of healthy and decayed teeth, gold foil restorations, gold and porcelain inlays, amalgam and silicate fillings, and vulcanite and acrylic dentures. Amalgam restorations were present in people buried from 1875 (114 years ago) and vulcanite dentures from 1882 (107 years ago). The characteristics of the earliest amalgam restorations showed that they could have been placed before 1850. Findings of this study indicate that: (a) one cannot on the appearance of exhumed remains estimate the burial period, (b) dental features were well preserved and can be used for dental identification if antimortem data are available, (c) advanced dentistry could have been practised in South Africa during the last century, and (d) recovery of human skeletal remains from old cemeteries should be undertaken with care to preserve as much information as possible. A plea is made for closer co-operation between developers of old graveyard sites and scientists in order to preserve as much information as possible.

Burial↗

Evaluating residence patterns among prehistoric populations: clues from dental enamel composition.

We determined enamel composition (Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Mn, Se, Zn, Al, Sr, Pb) for the mandibular canines of 94 individuals from 4 prehistoric Arikara cemetery populations, collecting the compositional data using scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive x-ray analysis. We examined each of the four samples independently and then pooled them for a group comparison using correspondence analysis. The results indicate significant intrapopulational dispersal, particularly when viewed by age and sex subgroups. When all sites are included for correspondence analysis, a distinctive pattern of adult male dispersal compared to the more tightly clustered adult female and subadult subsample is apparent. We hypothesize that the observed pattern of dispersal indicates local geographic and possible dietary differences among the groups. Furthermore, we hypothesize that the observed differences between males, and females and subadults for each site are the result of a residence pattern of out-migration for males.

Dental Enamel↗

Artistic expression in spontaneous paintings of depressed patients.

A false belief exists that depressed patients are not creative. On the contrary, they have an urge to create--the creative spells are equivalent to the depression. They express themselves more easily through painting than through speech. They express their repressed feelings and ideas of sin and affect, suicidal tendency, etc., and in some cases, the spontaneous paintings have prophetic meaning. It is much easier for them to express their feelings through universal signs and symbols such as: face, posture; church, tower, bell, cross; coffin, tomb, cemetery, grave; skeleton, skull, bones; tree, mountain, boat, chair.

Art↗

[Malpractice--unnatural death. Medico-legal problems in the diagnostic activity of pathologists (author's transl)].

According to definitions of medical malpractice and of unnatural death it is established that medical measures under criminal principles of causality come into consideration as causes of death even without proof of guilt. That clinical and scientific sections are turned into means of judicial redress by the provisions of the Cemetery and Burial Act is challenged. It is recommended--as has been the case in other European countries for a long time--that all doctors have a duty of compulsory notification of signs of unnatural death.

Germany, West↗

[3 discoveries of amputations in Bern canton, Switzerland].

At La Neuveville (Switzerland) close to the Blanche Eglise a separately buried amputated leg from the 19th century was discovered. The pathological lesions of the knee joints are most likely due to a nonspecific infection (Osteomyelitis). However, postmortal defects made an exact diagnosis difficult. Two foot-amputated male burials were discovered on St. Petersinsel (Switzerland) in the monastery cemetery of the 11th to 15th century. The possible causes of these amputations are being discussed within the historical context.

Amputation, Surgical↗

Dislocation and/or congenital malformation of the shoulder joint. Observations on a Mediaeval skeleton from Denmark.

The purpose of this paper is to present a Mediaeval skeleton of an approximately 16 year old boy, which was excavated at a Danish cemetery containing ca. 150 graves. The skeleton reveals several pathologic changes, probably due to congenital malformation. The most intriguing find is seen at both scapulae, and the changes are bilateral symmetric. Both the glenoid cavities are placed posterior but at the normal height of the bone. The joints are almost perpendicular to their normal direction. The size of the glenoid cavities is normal and the shape is rather flat in accordance to the development stage of the skeleton, where the epiphysis of the rim has not yet appeared to form the gently concave fossa as normally seen in adults. Both the surface and the borderlines of the glenoid cavities are, however, more irregular than normally at that age. The position of the joints may be caused by dislocation and/or congenital malformation which is discussed. Due to the shape of the cavities, to the symmetric bilaterality, and to the minor congenital malformations, it is primarily believed to be caused by congenital malformation. Probably the young man was not much affected by the malformation of the shoulder joints, which is indicated by the normal form and size of the humeri and the well-developed muscle attachments of the bones. The claviculae seem shorter and more twisted than normal, which may be caused by a twisting of the scapulae. So the glenoid cavities may have pointed almost in the normal direction in spite of the malformation. Other minor malformations are spina bifida of the atlas and the 5. lumbar vertebra, multiple minor changes of the joints of both feet and malformations of one metatarsal bone in both feet. Agenesi of the praemolars is also seen. Although our study of the literature, we have not succeeded in correlation our finds with any known congenital syndrome, and as far as we know no similar case has been described in clinical observation or in skeletal finds.

Denmark↗

Identification of the cadaver remains of Josef Mengele.

In 1985 at the cemetery in Embu near Sao Paulo, Brazil, parts of a skeleton were exhumed, and now these parts have been examined to determine whether they are the remains of the corpse of Dr. Josef Mengele, the camp doctor of the Auschwitz concentration camp. The osteometrical and osteological findings ascertained correspond completely and consistently without contradiction with all the available personal data of Josef Mengele. Through a method of electronic visual mixing for the identification of the skull, it was determined that all the authentic pictures available used for comparison correspond definitely and consistently to the exhumed skull.

Aged↗

[Identification of the cadaveric remains of Josef Mengele].

In 1985 at the cemetery in Embu near Sao Paulo, Brazil, parts of a skeleton were exhumed, and now these parts have been examined in order to determine whether they are the remains of the corpse of Dr. Josef Mengele, the camp doctor of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. The osteometrical and osteological findings ascertained correspond completely and consistently without contradiction with all the available personal data of Josef Mengele. Through a method of electronic visual mixing for the identification of the skull, it was determined that all the authentic pictures available used for comparison correspond definitely and consistently in all details to the exhumed skull.

Forensic Medicine↗