Pérez Cárceles, María Dolores

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Pérez Cárceles, María Dolores

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Pérez Cárceles, María Dolores

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Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Ciencias Sociosanitarias

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Diagnosis of vitality in skin wounds in the ligature marks resulting from suicide hanging
(Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2017-09) Giménez, M.; Martínez Díaz, F.; Nuno Vieira, D.; Falcón Romero, María; Legaz Pérez, Isabel; Luna Maldonado, Aurelio; Osuna Carrillo-Albornoz, Eduardo Javier; Pérez Cárceles, María Dolores; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
Ascertaining the vital origin of skin wounds is one of the most challenging problems in forensic pathology. The forensic literature describes biomarkers and methods for differentiating vital and postmortem wounds, although no clear conclusions have been reached. The aim of this study was to characterize human vital wounds by analyzing the concentrations of metallic ions and the expression of P-selectin and cathepsin D in skin wounds in the ligature marks in a cohort of suicidal hangings for which vitality was previously demonstrated. A total of 71 skin wounds were analyzed within a postmortem interval of 19 to 36 hours. The concentration of Fe, Zn, Mg, and Ca and the expression of P-selectin and cathepsin D were analyzed together and separately. The majority of autopsied suicidal hangings were men (86%) with complete hanging mode (60.7%) in which there was a high frequency of subcutaneous injuries (78.3%). High concentrations of Ca and Mg compared with Fe and Zn were found. Ca and Zn concentrations decreased, and Fe concentration increased with the seriousness of the injury. A high percentage of moderately negative expression of both proteins was correlated with subcutaneous injury and low or medium concentrations of Fe. In conclusion, the joint study of metallic ions and proteins allows to characterize and to differentiate an injured vital wound of noninjured skin, especially when the damage in the tissue affects to the majority of the structures of the skin, but these results will need to be complemented with other biomarkers in time-controlled samples to further help in the differentiation of vital and postmortem wounds.
Open Access
Estimation of human bloodstains time since deposition using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and chemometrics in simulated crime conditions
(Elsevier, 2024-06-26) Mengual-Pujante, Miguel; Peran, Antonio J.; Pérez Cárceles, María Dolores; Ortiz López, Antonio; Pérez Cárceles, María Dolores; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
Blood in the form of stains is one of the most frequently encountered fluid in crime scene. Estimation of the time since deposition (TSD) is of great importance to guide the police investigation and the clarification of criminal offences. The time elapsed since deposition is usually estimated by modelling the physicochemical degradation of blood biomolecules over time. This work shows an ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and chemometrics study to estimate TSD of bloodstains on various surfaces and under different ambient conditions (indoor and outdoor). For a period from 0 to 212 days, a total of 960 stains were analyzed. Most of the eleven partial least squares regression (PLSR) models obtained showed a good prediction capacity, with a Residual Predictive Deviation (RPD) value higher than 3, and R2 higher than 0.90. Models for non-rigid supports showed better predictive capacity than those for rigid ones. A non-rigid surface model including the various non-rigid surfaces and ambient conditions was elaborated, which might be the most useful one from the criminalistic point of view. These results show that this technique can be a rapid, robust, and trustable tool for in situ determination of the TSD of bloodstains at crime scenes.
Open Access
Dental age estimation using multiphoton microscopy: a potential tool for forensic science
(Wiley, 2022-07-29) Bueno García, Juan Manuel; Martínez Ojeda, Rosa María; Fernández Escudero, Ana C.; Ávila, Francisco J.; López Nicolás, Manuel; Pérez Cárceles, María Dolores; Física
Normal aging affects the different structures of teeth, in particular, the dentine. These changes are useful in forensic disciplines as a tool for age estimation. Although multiphoton (MP) microscopy has been used to explore dental pieces, a relationship between age and MP response of the human dentine has not been proposed yet. The relationship between MP signals and natural dentine aging is investigated herein. An index of age (INAG) combining two-photon excitation fluorescence (TPEF) and second harmonic generation (SHG) images has been used to quantify these changes. The results show that the INAG significantly decreases with age. Moreover, peritubular dentine size and collagen internal properties are also modified with age. This information confirms the usefulness of this technique in forensic age estimation after disasters (natural or manmade) with a lack of comprehensive fingerprint database. Courts and other government authorities might also benefit from this tool when the official age of individuals under special circumstances is required for legal or medical reasons.
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Immunohistochemistry as a tool to characterize human skin wounds of hanging marks
(Romanian Society of Legal Medicine, 2019-03) Giménez, M.; Martínez Díaz, F.; Legaz Pérez, Isabel; Luna Maldonado, Aurelio; Osuna Carrillo-Albornoz, Eduardo Javier; Pérez Cárceles, María Dolores; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
Estimation of age and vitality of human skin wounds both in the living and dead is essential in forensic practice. The use of immunohistochemical parameters for the age estimation and vitality of human skin wounds remains difficult. Forensic literature describes different biomarkers and methods for the differential diagnosis of vital and post-mortem wounds, but to this day it is unclear its utility. The aim of this study was analysed wounds vital origin in a series of suicidal hangings were vitality had been demonstrated using fibronectin, cathepsin D and P-selectin, in order to discover the morphological changes that occur in a vital wound, and consequently, find useful vital injury diagnosis markers. A total of 15 human vital skin wounds from ligature marks from deaths by suicidal hanging and skin controls from same cadaver were analyzed in a postmortem interval between 19-36 hours. Fibronectine, cathepsin D and P-selectin were detected by immunohistochemistry. Our result shows a strongly fibronectin-positive reaction in basement membranes and interstitial connective tissue in all specimen of wounds of ligature mark. Granular staining pattern characteristic of cathepsin D was observed mainly in the basal layer of the epidermis in normal and wound skin. Cathepsin D analysis in ligature mark showed moderate positive and strong positive cells. A weak positive immunoreactivity P-selectin were found in vital wound compared with undamaged skin. In conclusion, our data show an increase of fibronectin and cathepsin D immunoreactivity expression and a decrease of P-selectin immunoreactivity in skin wounds from ligature marks from deaths by suicidal hanging of a postmortem interval between 19-36 hours.
Open Access
Is There a Role for the Microbiome and Sudden Death? A Systematic Review
(2021) Legaz Pérez, Isabel; Pérez Cárceles, María Dolores; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
Background. Sudden unexpected death (SUD) is one of the most important and worthy investigation case profiles in emergency medicine and forensic pathology. Sudden unexpected deaths in adults (SUDA) are frequently caused by cardiac events, while infections usually cause those in infants younger than one year (SUDI), and to a lesser extent, in children older than one year (SUDC). However, in some instances of children under the age of one dying (SIDS), a cause is not discovered despite a thorough investigation that includes a review of clinical history, examination of the death scene, and a complete autopsy. Several studies demonstrate that the microbiome influences host immunity, alters susceptibility to viral respiratory infections, and has a vital role in various health, disease, and death outcomes. The main objective of this systematic review was to compile and offer a complete vision of the main lines of research on microbiome and sudden death that have emerged in recent years and their relationship with forensic sciences, as well as the possible contributions or limitations in the field of forensic sciences. Methods. Following PRISMA principles, a systematic evaluation of the microbiome and sudden death in forensic science was conducted. In this review, our study classified the sudden deaths as SUDA, SUDI, and SIDS. Results. The role of microbiome research in sudden death is discussed in this review. Various studies have linked the detection of different bacteria or viruses as a probable cause of sudden death. Bacteria analysed differ between studies that used autopsy specimens from deaths classified as SUDA, SUDI, and SIDS, or, except in the case of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, which have been analysed in both SUDI and SIDS autopsies. In the case of viruses, only Cytomegalovirus has been analysed in both SIDS and SUDI cases. However, all the viruses studied are respiratory viruses found in samples of nasopharyngeal or lung fluid. Conclusions. Although the application of the microbiome in sudden death and other fields of forensic science is still in its early stages, a role of the microbiome in sudden deaths cannot be ruled out, but we cannot conclude that it is a significant factor either..
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Impact of the Human Microbiome in Forensic Sciences: a Systematic Review
(American Society for Microbiology, 2020-10-28) García, Manuel G.; Legaz Pérez, Isabel; Osuna Carrillo-Albornoz, Eduardo Javier; Pérez Cárceles, María Dolores; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
Numerous studies relate differences in microbial communities to human health and disease; however, little is known about microbial changes that occur postmortem or the possible applications of microbiome analysis in the field of forensic science. The aim of this review was to study the microbiome and its applications in forensic sciences and to determine the main lines of investigation that are emerging, as well as its possible contributions to the forensic field. A systematic review of the human microbiome in relation to forensic science was carried out by following PRISMA guidelines. This study sheds light on the role of microbiome research in the postmortem interval during the process of decomposition, identifying death caused by drowning or sudden death, locating the geographical location of death, establishing a connection between the human microbiome and personal items, sexual contact, and the identification of individuals. Actinomycetaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Alcaligenaceae, and Bacilli play an important role in determining the postmortem interval. Aeromonas can be used to determine the cause of death, and Corynebacterium or Helicobacter pylori can be used to ascertain personal identity or geographical location. Several studies point to a promising future for microbiome analysis in the different fields of forensic science, opening up an important new area of research.
Open Access
Aging and trace elements in human coronal tooth dentine
(Nature Research, 2020-06-19) Fernández Escudero, Ana C.; Prieto Bonete, Gemma; López Nicolás, Manuel; Maurandi López, Antonio; Legaz Pérez, Isabel; Pérez Cárceles, María Dolores; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
Teeth are a fundamental tool in forensic odontology for identification in a legal context of those individuals who cannot be identified visually or by other means. Dentine presents physiological exchanges of in trace elements after a period of mineralization and several factors can affect its concentration. The aim of this study was to investigate the concentration of 25 trace elements in the coronal dentine according to sex and type of tooth to determine their relationship with age. A total of 25 trace elements were analyzed in 150 human coronal dentine. Teeth were classified into three age groups, sex and tooth type. The trace elements were grouped as potentially toxic or essential. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry and Atomic Emission Spectroscopy were used. The toxic and essential elements were detected in the following order of concentration: Al > Pb > Sn > Li > As > Cd and Ca > P > Mg > Na > S > K > Sr > Zn > Ba > Fe > B > Ti > Mn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Co > Se > V. Our findings show an increase in the concentration of toxic (Pb, Li and Sn) and essential (B, Ba, K, Sr, S and Mg) elements in coronal dentin related to the age of the teeth, regardless of sex. The concentrations of Pb and K in dentin of molars and premolars are the elements that best relate their variations with age. In view of our results, the analysis of these trace elements in dentin in combination with other types of techniques could be established as an element to consider in age dating studies in different forensic situations.
Open Access
Correlates of preferring a passive role in decision-making among patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
(Elsevier, 2020-10-17) Morán-Sánchez, I; Bernal-López, MLÁ; Pérez Cárceles, María Dolores; Salmerón Martínez, Diego; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
Objective: To assess the factors associated with the persistence of clinician-led style in the therapeutic relationship in cases of serious mental illness, and the conditioning factors that the patients identify as determinants of their health. Method: Assessment of preferences in the decision-making process and health-related control locus of 107 outpatients with DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Demographic and clinical information was also obtained through review of available records and using several scales. Results: 64.4 % patients preferred to adopt a passive role in the therapeutic relationship. In the multivariate analysis, the preference of playing a passive role in the decision-making process was significantly associated with the elderly, being disabled, or the view that one's health depends on doctors (AUC ROC value: 0.80). Conclusions: Patients with severe mental illness more frequently preferred a passive role in the decision-making process. We found several factors associated with a preference for the "expert role" model. Practice implications: The identified factors may permit care to be tailored to the most probable expectations as regard decision-making. Since the populations concerned may be vulnerable and suffer inequalities in the provision of health services, promoting participation in the care process could help improve clinical parameters ethically.
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Genetic susceptibility to nicotine and/or alcohol addiction: a systematic review
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2019-05-23) Calle, Irene de la; Arjona, Fuensanta; Roca, Miriam; Cejudo, Pablo; Legaz Pérez, Isabel; Luna Maldonado, Aurelio; Osuna Carrillo-Albornoz, Eduardo Javier; Pérez Cárceles, María Dolores; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
Recent studies have confirmed the wide consumption of tobacco and alcohol in our society and the strong addiction generated by these substances, which is responsible for high public health expenditure. Understanding the biological mechanisms of nicotine and/or alcohol dependence should have huge public health repercussions in the future. The aim of this review was to analyze the main human genes and polymorphisms related to nicotine and/or alcohol addiction, to help understand the biological mechanisms involved and which may be useful for developing new treatments in the future.
Open Access
Aging and trace elements in human coronal tooth dentine
(Nature Research, 2020-06-19) Fernández-Escudero, Ana C.; Prieto-Bonete, Gemma; López-Nicolás, Manuel; Maurandi-López, Antonio; Legaz Pérez, Isabel; Pérez Cárceles, María Dolores; Didáctica de las Ciencias Matemáticas y Sociales
Teeth are a fundamental tool in forensic odontology for identification in a legal context of those individuals who cannot be identified visually or by other means. Dentine presents physiological exchanges of in trace elements after a period of mineralization and several factors can affect its concentration. The aim of this study was to investigate the concentration of 25 trace elements in the coronal dentine according to sex and type of tooth to determine their relationship with age. A total of 25 trace elements were analyzed in 150 human coronal dentine. Teeth were classified into three age groups, sex and tooth type. The trace elements were grouped as potentially toxic or essential. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry and Atomic Emission Spectroscopy were used. The toxic and essential elements were detected in the following order of concentration: Al > Pb > Sn > Li > As > Cd and Ca > P > Mg > Na > S > K > Sr > Zn > Ba > Fe > B > Ti > Mn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Co > Se > V. Our findings show an increase in the concentration of toxic (Pb, Li and Sn) and essential (B, Ba, K, Sr, S and Mg) elements in coronal dentin related to the age of the teeth, regardless of sex. The concentrations of Pb and K in dentin of molars and premolars are the elements that best relate their variations with age. In view of our results, the analysis of these trace elements in dentin in combination with other types of techniques could be established as an element to consider in age dating studies in different forensic situations.