There are several methodologies available to estimate time since death based on different changes that a corpse undergoes after death. However, these methods are imprecise due to the decomposition process being affected by several factors, principally temperature and humidity. Current trends for the determination of the Postmortem Interval (PMI) attempt to estimate the PMI in a quantifiable manner, based on chemical changes on and in the body, summarized in the field of “thanatochemistry”. Although these methodologies have improved PMI estimates, additional research has been developed to increase the accuracy and precision of this determination. As a result, the fields of “thanatobiology” and “thanatomicrobiome” have emerged. Thanatobiology is based on the estimation of the PMI from DNA/RNA degradation, signaling pathways of cell death, and protein analysis. Thanatomicrobiome refers to changes in the bacterial communities as a consequence of the decomposition process. Although both approaches seem to improve PMI estimates, applications of thanatobiology methodologies are more appropriate in the first phases of decomposition, while thanatomicrobiome analyses are applicable in advanced stages. Further research is needed in these new fields in order to establish their applicability in forensic cases. This is a review of the current state-of-the-art methodology in these two subfields.

Establishing a positive identification of human remains found in a forensic setting is often accomplished through DNA, fingerprints, or odontology. However, when these primary identifiers cannot be applied, practitioners can rely on combining points of concordance derived from other identification modalities such as antemortem trauma, pathology, or unique skeletal morphologies to build up a case for identification. In order to conduct these comparisons, forensic anthropologists must be well trained and experienced in human skeletal variation and antemortem trauma to properly evaluate a particular skeletal trait and understand its value with respect to personal identification. In addition to macroscopic analysis of skeletal features and standard radiographic images, recent forensic anthropological efforts of establishing personal identity from the skeleton have employed high-quality clinical imaging technologies. This article presents three forensic anthropological cases in which positive identification was established on the basis of multiple antemortem to postmortem comparison modalities that included skeletal variation, antemortem fracture morphologies, trabecular patterns, dental traits, and implanted surgical devices. These cases use a variety of imaging techniques, such as cranial radiographic images, dental radiographs, computed tomography, photography, and 3D surface scans of the skeletal remains, to achieve personal identification. The identification of the remains becomes a top priority in forensic investigations. Dental treatment, implanted surgical devices, anatomical variation, and healed skeletal trauma can provide useful features for the antemortem vs. postmortem records comparison. This article discusses three cases in which multiple forms of antemortem and postmortem imaging were used to compare skeletal areas of interest. All cases were carried out by the Mercyhurst University Forensic Anthropology Team.

Age-at-death is one of the most valuable pieces of information in a biological profile, and is an important step in identifying remains. Age-at-death estimation by dental means is performed by forensic odontologists and forensic anthropologists in their daily casework tasks. Both forensic odontologists and forensic anthropologists must be aware of all of the age indicators and of all of the methods that can offer the sufficient scientific robusticity that forensic cases require. Osteological and dental methods of age estimation rely on developmental changes in younger individuals and on degenerative changes in older individuals. Skeletal methods based on developmental changes are highly reliable, while methods based on degenerative or post-formation changes show higher variability. From all skeletal methods, those relying on tooth formation and development are the most accurate to assess an individual’s age. Dental methods of age estimation can be implemented in the skeletal analysis of juvenile and adult remains, representing an additional indicator of age. The aim of this review paper is to provide a practical reference for applying dental age estimation to human remains as a part of skeletal analysis.

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Background: Positive identification is at the forefront of tasks for forensic practitioners when a set of remains is discovered. Standard means of identification include fingerprints, dental, and DNA analyses; however, additional methods are utilized by forensic practitioners to identify remains when these primary methods of identification are not applicable. Comparative radiography has become a frequently employed approach for positive identification, specifically focused on individualizing characteristics evident in human skeletal variation. Regions that display wide ranges of morphological variation within the human skeleton include the cranium as well as the thorax. With regard to the cranium specifically, paranasal sinuses have been recognized as unique features and are valuable for identification purposes. Objectives: This paper explores the basic information of the anatomy and development, range of variation, and the importance of paranasal sinuses in forensic contexts. Results: This article discusses how practitioners can best use the morphological information contained in the paranasal sinuses and how to compare the antemortem and postmortem datasets involving different imaging modalities for positive identification purposes, in order to provide practical concepts that may assist in cases where paranasal sinuses may be used for forensic human identification. Conclusions: Understanding the development of paranasal sinuses, the imaging techniques applied for their visualization, as well as the principles of identification, is key to conducting proper antemortem vs. postmortem comparisons and effectively utilizing paranasal sinuses in forensic identification contexts.

Background/Objectives: Identification of human remains is of utmost importance for criminal investigations and providing closure to the families. The reconstruction of a biological profile of the individual will narrow down the list of candidates for identification. From another perspective, facial approximations performed by a forensic artist can provide investigative leads, with the identity being confirmed by primary or secondary methods of identification. In recent years, DNA analysis has evolved, trying to create a portrait of the perpetrator/victim based on External Visible Characteristics (EVCs), the color of the eyes, hair, and skin and Biogeographical ancestry (BGA), called DNA phenotyping. Despite these advances, currently, there are no studies integrating the biological profile performed by forensic anthropologists, the facial approximation created by forensic artists and EVCs determined by DNA. The goal of this work was to integrate these three investigative leads to enhance the possibility of human identification. Methods: Five donated remains from Mercyhurst were studied through these approaches: reconstruction of biological profile, facial approximation and estimation of EVCs based on previous studies. Results: Our results indicated the feasibility of integrating this biological profile and EVCs data into the facial approximation developed by the forensic artist, aiming to an enhance portrait of the remains. In a second phase of this project, the accuracy of the integrated facial approximation will be assessed. Conclusions: This study pointed out the importance of an interdisciplinary approach towards the identification of human remains, as well as the combination of current methods with new technologies.