title: [Modern biology, imagery and forensic medicine: contributions and limitations in examination of skeletal remains].
abstract: Forensic examination is often requested when skeletal remains are discovered. Detailed visual observation can provide much information, such as the human or animal origin, sex, age, stature, and ancestry, and approximate time since death. New three-dimensional imaging techniques can provide further information (osteometry, facial reconstruction). Bone chemistry, and particularly measurement of stable or unstable carbon and nitrogen isotopes, yields information on diet and time since death, respectively. Genetic analyses of ancient DNA are also developing rapidly. Although seldom used in a judicial context, these modern anthropologic techniques are nevertheless available for the most complex cases.
authors.affiliation: Institut médico-légal, 2 place Mazas, 75012 Paris. dominique.lecomte@interieur.gouv.fr
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lecomte
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Plu
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Froment
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D001801:Blood Stains; D001827:Body Height; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000737:chemistry; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D055110:Radiometric Dating; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012863:Skeleton; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D004247:DNA