Introduction: the continuous improvement of the forensic evaluation techniques often includes the combined use of different methods with the purpose of obtaining proper answers to delicate topics. The classical histology together with histochemical and histochronological investigations gives a comparative evaluation of morphological and chronological data and so allowes to define the survival time and same time to demonstrate the existence of medical malpratice. Sometimes the questions made by the judge to the forensic pathologist are quite complex and difficult. for these reasons we want to give the pathologist an internationally validated tool, offering the timing of production of lesion causing the death. Material and Methods: In their laboratory work the authors took into consideration subjects died of natural and traumatic causes. In particular the authors included: subaracnoid haemorrhage (natural and post-traumatic), myocardial infarction, brain infarction, venous thromboembolism, aortic rupture and dissection, gastric and intestinal perforation and traumatic lesion of the skin. Using the classic histological method: haematoxylin-eosin and special histochemical stain, we evaluated the link between the examined lesions. In particular the histochronology: the procedure based on morphological aspects of macroscopic and microscopic findings, allowes to specify the age of the lesions with very good approximation. In our laboratory the histochronological method finds application in the medical-legal field, as routine activity, about the evaluation of the following disorders: myocardic necrosis, subaracnoid haemorrhage and pulmunary thromboembolism. The application of this histochronological method about other lesions (disorders of skin and digestive organs) represents an original and innovative technique carried-out in our laboratory from many years. About the study of rupture times of aortic and digestive organ wall it is possible to assert that the rupture has occurred in different moments. Furthermore about the skin lesions it is possible to make an evaluation of the features (ante-mortem and post-mortem) of the same lesions and, at the same time, to know the age of the onset. Results and Conclusions: the chronological interval betweern the time zero (lesion onset time) anr the time where the histological reaction appera, has been considered a classical histology limitation. So the necessity to add the histochronological study to the histological one, because the former gives the forensic pathologist the timing of the lesion examined and-at the same time-gives a decisive aid in the medical-legal practice because synthesizes on the chronological profile of the pathophysiological.

The role of histochronology in forensic practice : the Milan University legal medicine Institute experience / A. Lazzaro, G. Di Terlizzi, A. Farneti, G. Gentile, A. Locatelli, E. Marinelli, N. Orthmann, E. Ronchi, R. Stucchi - In: 19. Congress of the International Academy of Legal Medicine (IALM) : Milan (Italy), September 3-6, 2003 : Abstract bookRoma : Omnia Meeting & Congressi, 2003 Sep 04. - pp. 254-254 (( Intervento presentato al 19. convegno Congress of the International Academy of Legal Medicine (IALM) tenutosi a Milano nel 2003.

The role of histochronology in forensic practice : the Milan University legal medicine Institute experience

G. Gentile;
2003

Abstract

Introduction: the continuous improvement of the forensic evaluation techniques often includes the combined use of different methods with the purpose of obtaining proper answers to delicate topics. The classical histology together with histochemical and histochronological investigations gives a comparative evaluation of morphological and chronological data and so allowes to define the survival time and same time to demonstrate the existence of medical malpratice. Sometimes the questions made by the judge to the forensic pathologist are quite complex and difficult. for these reasons we want to give the pathologist an internationally validated tool, offering the timing of production of lesion causing the death. Material and Methods: In their laboratory work the authors took into consideration subjects died of natural and traumatic causes. In particular the authors included: subaracnoid haemorrhage (natural and post-traumatic), myocardial infarction, brain infarction, venous thromboembolism, aortic rupture and dissection, gastric and intestinal perforation and traumatic lesion of the skin. Using the classic histological method: haematoxylin-eosin and special histochemical stain, we evaluated the link between the examined lesions. In particular the histochronology: the procedure based on morphological aspects of macroscopic and microscopic findings, allowes to specify the age of the lesions with very good approximation. In our laboratory the histochronological method finds application in the medical-legal field, as routine activity, about the evaluation of the following disorders: myocardic necrosis, subaracnoid haemorrhage and pulmunary thromboembolism. The application of this histochronological method about other lesions (disorders of skin and digestive organs) represents an original and innovative technique carried-out in our laboratory from many years. About the study of rupture times of aortic and digestive organ wall it is possible to assert that the rupture has occurred in different moments. Furthermore about the skin lesions it is possible to make an evaluation of the features (ante-mortem and post-mortem) of the same lesions and, at the same time, to know the age of the onset. Results and Conclusions: the chronological interval betweern the time zero (lesion onset time) anr the time where the histological reaction appera, has been considered a classical histology limitation. So the necessity to add the histochronological study to the histological one, because the former gives the forensic pathologist the timing of the lesion examined and-at the same time-gives a decisive aid in the medical-legal practice because synthesizes on the chronological profile of the pathophysiological.
histocronology ; forensic practice ; histochronological investigations
4-set-2003
International Academy of Legal Medicine (IALM)
Book Part (author)
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/40922
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