The use of three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction technologies in forensic science is gaining increasing relevance for the documentation and analysis of traumatic injuries. This approach provides an innovative, non-invasive, precise, and reproducible method that is particularly well-suited for evidentiary purposes in judicial contexts. This study presents two forensic cases of suspected death from dog attacks, in which 3D models were reconstructed to analyze bite-related injuries identified on the victims' bodies, with the aim of distinguishing them from bite marks caused by other species. Specifically, the Dexis 3600 intraoral scanner was used for data acquisition, Agisoft Metashape software was employed for photogrammetric processing and Geomagic Control X was utilized for 3D analysis. In the first case, five bite wounds were analyzed; in the second case, ten lesions were examined. The findings demonstrate that the integration of 3D scanning and photogrammetry in forensic and forensic odontology practice can significantly enhance the accuracy of animal bite mark assessment. This integration provides objective support in both identifying the lesion typology and attributing the injuries to a specific animal species, as well as reconstructing the overall dynamics of the attack - an essential aspect of forensic expert analysis.

Digital dentistry is undergoing rapid evolution, with three-dimensional imaging technologies increasingly integrated into routine clinical workflows. Originally developed for accurate dental arch reconstruction, modern intraoral scanners have demonstrated expanding versatility in capturing intraoral mucosal as well as perioral cutaneous structures. Concurrently, photogrammetry has emerged as a powerful method for full-face digital reconstruction, particularly valuable in orthodontic and prosthodontic treatment planning. These advances offer promising applications in forensic sciences, where high-resolution, three-dimensional documentation of anatomical details such as palatal rugae, lip prints, and bite marks can provide objective and enduring records for legal and investigative purposes. This study explores the forensic potential of two digital acquisition techniques by presenting two cadaveric cases of animal bite injuries. In the first case, an intraoral scanner (Dexis 3600) was used in an unconventional extraoral application to directly scan skin lesions. In the second case, photogrammetry was employed using a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera and Agisoft Metashape, with standardized lighting and metric scale references to generate accurate 3D models. Both methods produced analyzable digital reconstructions suitable for forensic archiving. The intraoral scanner yielded dimensionally accurate models, with strong agreement with manual measurements, though limited by difficulties in capturing complex surface morphology. Photogrammetry, meanwhile, allowed for broader contextual reconstruction with high texture fidelity, albeit requiring more extensive processing and scale calibration. A notable advantage common to both techniques is the avoidance of physical contact and impression materials, which can compress and distort soft tissues, an especially relevant concern when documenting transient evidence like bite marks. These results suggest that both technologies, despite their different origins and operational workflows, can contribute meaningfully to forensic documentation of bite-related injuries. While constrained by the exploratory nature and small sample size of this study, the findings support the viability of digitized, non-destructive evidence preservation. Future perspectives may include the integration of artificial intelligence to assist with morphological matching and the establishment of digital forensic databases for pattern comparison and expert review.

Interpretation of opioid-related toxicity and death requires integration of exposure, measured toxicology, individual susceptibility, and alternative causes. We systematically reviewed human pharmacogenetic/pharmacogenomic (PGx) and multi-omic studies published from 1 January 2008 to March 2026, identified through MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection. JBI tools informed risk-of-bias assessment, and findings underwent effect-size-oriented narrative synthesis and descriptive mapping. The 75-study corpus was predominantly PGx (51 studies, 68.0%); only 17 studies addressed transcriptomic/epigenetic, metabolomic, proteomic, or integrated approaches, and seven retained other molecular classifications. These domains therefore differ substantially in evidential maturity. The most coherent PGx findings concerned CYP2D6-dependent codeine and tramadol bioactivation, CYP2B6-dependent methadone disposition, and ABCB1-related tissue distribution. Omics findings were exploratory, with limited external validation and specificity for fatal causation; proteomics rested on a single investigation. Forensic interpretative directness was high or moderate in 36 studies and low or absent in 39. No nitazene-specific study met this review’s molecular eligibility criteria. Certainty was very low for the four outcome-focused bodies assessed with GRADE; integration utility and confounder control were appraised narratively. Molecular findings may explain discordance between inherited susceptibility, parent-drug/metabolite patterns, and the observed phenotype. Downstream signatures may also reflect chronic exposure, terminal hypoxia, or postmortem change. Neither the descriptive evidence-map scores nor individual molecular markers provide validated estimates of forensic risk or establish cause of death independently.

Background: Congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) caused by complete tracheal rings and absence of the pars membranacea is rare and potentially lethal in infancy. Agenesis or hypoplasia of the medullary arcuate nucleus (ARC), a chemosensitive component of the ventral medullary surface, has been implicated in disordered respiratory control in sudden perinatal and infant deaths. The coexistence of these two abnormalities is uncommon. Case: A 2-month-old male infant, apparently healthy, was found unresponsive on his parents’ bed in the early morning. The pregnancy was uncomplicated, aside from maternal obesity and tobacco use. Given a context compatible with either sudden natural death or accidental overlay/suffocation, a full forensic autopsy was ordered. An external examination showed diffuse cyanosis and minor superficial abrasions without significant trauma. An internal examination revealed heavy, congested lungs with petechiae and cerebral edema. The heart and great vessels were anatomically normal, and the ductus arteriosus was closed. Histological examination demonstrated congenital tracheal stenosis characterized by complete cartilaginous rings with absent pars membranacea and bilateral agenesis of the medullary arcuate nucleus. The overall findings supported an acute hypoxic–ischemic event during sleep. Conclusions: This case documents a rare, isolated CTS with complete rings and absent pars membranacea coexisting with bilateral ARC agenesis, providing a plausible organic substrate (“cum materia”) for sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI). It underscores the importance of standardized neuropathological examination with serial brainstem sections in SUDI investigations and of distinguishing explained SUDI from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which remains unexplained after complete investigation (“sine materia”).