title: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) as a tool for the analysis of nonhuman skeletal remains in a medico-legal setting.
abstract: To confirm the nature and forensic significance of questioned skeletal material submitted a medico-legal setting is a relatively common procedure, although not without difficulties when the remains are fragmented or burned. Different methodologies have been described for this purpose, many of them invasive, time and money consuming or dependent on the availability of the analytical instrument. We present a case in which skeletal material with unusual conditions of preservation and curious discovery was sent to a medico-legal setting to determine its human/nonhuman origin. A combined strategy of imagenological procedures (macroscopic, radiographic and cone beam computed tomography - CBCT-technology) was performed as non-invasive and rapid methods to assess the nonhuman nature of the material, specifically of pig (Sus scrofa) origin. This hypothesis was later confirmed by DNA analysis. CBCT data sets provide accurate three-dimensional reconstructions, which demonstrate its reliable use as a forensic tool.
authors.affiliation: Forensic Pathology Department, Institute of Legal Medicine, Seville, Spain. Electronic address: joaquin.lucena@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Joaquin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lucena
authors.affiliation: Dental Sinai, Seville, Spain.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mora
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, Badajoz, Spain.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.affiliation: Center of Research in Biomedical Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco, Chile; Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru.
authors.forename: Mariela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.affiliation: CIMA Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, University of La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
authors.forename: Mario G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Cantin
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Forensic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
authors.forename: Gabriel M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Fonseca
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D044707:Forensic Sciences; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013552:Swine / Q000235:genetics; D014070:Tooth / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: Cone-beam computed tomography; Forensic anthropology; Forensic dentistry; Human remains; Species determination