The quantitative alteration of the DNA content in strangulation marks is an artefact

It is frequently difficult to prove the vitality in cases of fatal hanging. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between elevated DNA content and reduced water content of strangulation marks.

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Six forensic entomology cases: description and commentary

Several cases are reported which show that a wide range of applications in medico-legal questions and hygiene together or apart from estimating the PMI can be answered by use of Forensic Entomology techniques including close observation of larval development.

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Severe post mortem damages by ants on a human corpse

We report a case of skin damages on a human corpse found in late spring in a suburban area of Cosenza (Region Calabria, Southern Italy) caused by activity of Tapinoma nigerrimum (Nylander) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

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Neglect of the elderly: forensic entomology cases and considerations

Wounds of living persons are a potential target for the same flies that live, or feed early on corpses. This can lead to complications in estimation of PMI but also allows to determine additional information that might be valuable in a trial, or during the investigations.

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Insect Traces and the Mummies of Palermo – a Status Report

In an interdisciplinary investigation of the mummies of the Capuchin Monastery in Palermo we made entomological findings with regards to the comparatively poor state of preservation of the deceased, to provide enlightenment about the process of natural mummification, as little is known about how the bodies were handled after death until they were laid out in the basement.

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Insektenbefall am Leichnam als Wissensquelle in der Gerichtsmedizin

NaturwissenschaftlerInnen und GeisteswissenschaftlerInnen sprechen verschiedene Sprachen. Sie denken anders und arbeiten mit völlig verschiedenen Werkzeugen.

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Flies and ants: A forensic entomological neglect case of an elderly man in Calabria, Southern Italy

This is a case of an 80-year-old man who was neglected for one to two weeks in Calabria (Italy). Different flies and ant lesions were present.

Key Words: neglect of the elderly, forensic entomology, ants, ant lesions, Diptera.

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Auf falscher Fährte: Leichenerscheinungen und Fehlinterpretationen

Fehlinterpretationen und damit nicht beachtete Einflussfaktoren können kriminalistische Ermittlungen auf die falsche Fährte führen und Sachbeweise unberücksichtigt lassen.

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In Erinnerung an den renommierten Rechtsmediziner Prof. Dr. Otto Prokop – geboren vor 100 Jahren

… möchte ich hier in etwas persönlicherer Weise an den Mann erinnern, der genau diese Ausbildung für Ärztinnen und Ärzte, Polizistinnen undPolizisten sowie Geheimdienst-Mitarbeiterinnen und -Mitarbeiter verkörperte: den Leiter des Institutes für Gerichtliche Medizin der Humboldt-Universität in Berlin. Es war Professor Dr. Otto Prokop.

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