title: Human identification through the patella--Report of two cases.
abstract: The human identification process is often performed by the comparison between acquired post-mortem (PM) fingerprints, dental patterns, or DNA sample with ante-mortem (AM) databases. However, in some special situations alternative sources of human identifiers reveal valuable part as forensic tools. In this context, medical records of surgical interventions and morphological bone traits are useful in the anthropological environment, specifically for the PM examination of skeletal remains. The present study reports two cases of positive human identifications by the comparative analysis between AM and PM radiographic medical records of surgically treated human patella. The present outcome highlights the importance of storing and updating medical records in order to aid human identification processes in special forensic situations.
authors.affiliation: Forensic Odontology, Federal University of Goias, Brazil; Forensic Anthropology and Legal Odontology, Scientific Police of Goias, Brazil. Electronic address: rhonanfs@terra.com.br.
authors.forename: Rhonan Ferreira
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Forensic Odontology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ademir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.affiliation: Forensic Odontology, Federal University of Goias, Brazil; Forensic Anthropology and Legal Odontology, Scientific Police of Goias, Brazil.
authors.forename: Solon Diego Santos Carvalho
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.affiliation: Forensic Odontology, Federal University of Goias, Brazil; Forensic Anthropology and Legal Odontology, Scientific Police of Goias, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando Fortes
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Picoli
authors.affiliation: Forensic Anthropology and Legal Odontology, Scientific Police of Goias, Brazil; Forensic Medicine, Federal University of Goias, Brazil.
authors.forename: Décio Ernesto
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: de Azevedo Marinho
mesh_terms: D018732:Forensic Anthropology; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D010329:Patella / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography
keywords: Forensic anthropology; Forensic medicine; Human identification; Patella