Human identification through the patella—Report of two cases

• Published in: Forensic science international Vol. 238; pp. e11 - e14
• Main Authors: Silva, Rhonan Ferreira, Franco, Ademir, Mendes, Solon Diego Santos Carvalho, Picoli, Fernando Fortes, de Azevedo Marinho, Décio Ernesto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-05-2014; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Bones; Criminal investigations; Decomposition; Deoxyribonucleic acid; Forensic Anthropology; Forensic engineering; Forensic medicine; Forensic science; Forensic sciences; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Fractures, Bone - surgery; Human; Human identification; Humans; Male; Medical; Medical imaging; Medical Records; Middle Aged; Missing persons; Patella; Patella - diagnostic imaging; Patella - surgery; Pathology; Radiography; Stainless steel; Surgical instruments; Tomography; Brazil; Forensic anthropology; Forensic medicine; Human identification; Patella
• ISSN: 0379-0738; 1872-6283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.02.025

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.