1.Lip Prints in Sex and Race Determination
Neo Xiao Xu ; Khairul Osman ; Sri Pawita Albakri Amir Hamzah ; Noor Hazfalinda Hamzah
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2012;10(1):29-33
Individual identification is an important and challenging task in forensic investigation. Lip print on drinking glass or cigarette butt found at crime scenes may link to a suspect. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in lip print between sexes or races, differences in lip measurement between sexes or races and determine a way to estimate sex and race by using lip print or lip measurements for main races in Malaysia. A total of 134 subjects (67 males and 67 females) of Malay, Chinese and India were recruited from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Campus Kuala Lumpur (UKMKKL), Malaysia. Lip prints were taken by using a lipstick and a transparent cellophane tape. Lip measurements were taken by using electronic digital callipers. Lip prints were classified according to Tsuchihashi classification. Statistical analysis indicated that there was a significant difference in lip print between sexes (p < 0.001) but not in races (p > 0.05). Width of oral opening and the height of lower lip both indicated significant differences between sexes (p < 0.001) while the height of upper lip and lower lip each indicated significant differences between races (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant interaction between sexes and races for all lip measurements. Formulae for sex and race determination were calculated with Classification Tree when there was significant difference between every comparison. Tables of accuracy percentage and performance evaluation for method in categorizing sex or race by using lip print or lip measurement were made. For validation of method in sex determination based on the formulae formed, accuracy in females is 90% and 65% in males. Therefore, overall percentage of accuracy in sex determination was 77.5%. This study can provide a preliminary idea about the use of lip prints in sex or race determination among Malaysian population.
2.An Epidemiological Study of Abdominal and Pelvic Injury Trauma in post-mortem Cases at Hospital Kuala Lumpur Between The Year of 2002-2003
Abdul Halim Mansar ; Muhammad Aadeel T ; Khairul Osman ; Sharin Iskandar A.W
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2008;6(2):65-73
The abdominal pelvic cavity has always been regarded as one of the most vulnerable regions of the body. Injuries to this part have been known to be
very serious. Based on this a retrospective study was performed on postmortem cases with abdominal and pelvic trauma from 1 October 2002 to 31 January
2003 at the Forensic Institute, Hospital Kuala Lumpur to determine the common pattern of abdomino-pelvic injuries, the injury’s relationship to epidemiological and socio-economic factors, risk organ within the abdominopelvic
region and relationship between injuries and survival period. A total of 122 cases abdomino-pelvic were obtained stemming from medico legal postmortems procedures. Results indicated that those aged between 21 to 30
years (38.5%) had the highest incidence of this type of injury. Categorization based on gender showed that males (90.2%) dominated most of the cases.
Prevalence based on socio-economic status showed that lower socioeconomy class (52.5%) had the highest incident. This was followed by the middle
income (39.3%) and finally the higher income group. The most numerous type of trauma was non-penetrating trauma (94.3%). It was also found that
victims with low injury severity score (ISS) had a longer survival period as compared to those with high ISS. It was also noted that victims with two or
more region injuries either were spot dead or brought dead. The most common combination of injuries was abdomen, pelvic, chest and limb. In most blunt
trauma cases majority of victims had one or two organ involvement while penetrating injuries were difficult to asses. The most common organ involved
in this type of trauma was liver (72.1%), pelvic bone (47.5%) and spleen (43.4%). In conclusion, abdomino-pelvic injury is a serious condition and
should not be overlooked. Proper attention towards their diagnosis and management is important and so any patient of head injury with coma must be considered as having intra-abdominal injury until proven otherwise.
3.Relationship of Hair Characteristics and Two Largest Ethnic in Malaysia
Rafina Mimi Muhamad ; Pua Hiang ; Atiah Ayunni Abdul Ghani ; Balkhis Bashuri ; Abdul Aziz Ishak ; Khairul Osman
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2012;10(2):19-23
Determination of races in the analysis of hair on scalp is one of the challenges faced in forensic analysis to identify
victims, suspects and crime scene. This study aimed to determine the differences among the two main races in Malaysia
which included Malay and Chinese, through the examination of the characteristics of hair. These includes general features
of the hair, patterns of cuticle, colors, cortex pigment distribution and characteristics of medulla - types, thickness and
medulla index. This study was carried out by using a light microscope and consisted of five steps, which were sample
preparation, examination of common features of hair, preparation and examination of cuticle scales matrix, cortex and
medulla. Result showed that most of the Malay have dark brown pigments while Chinese have pigments of light brown
color. We also noted that thickness of medulla can also be used to differentiate between Malay and Chinese where average
values for Malay and Chinese are 7.59 ± 1.45 μm and 9.12 ± 1.85 μm, respectively. The average values of medulla index
for Malay and Chinese were noticeably different at 0.17 ± 0.02 μm and 0.18 ± 0.02 μm, respectively. However, textures,
thickness of hair, patterns of cuticle scales, and types of medulla do not show any significant difference between Malay and
Chinese. In conclusion, this study has shown that pigment colors, thickness of medulla and medulla index are important
characteristics that can be used to determine race
4.A Preliminary Study of Malay and Chinese Bite Mark in UKM Using Dental Wax
Wong Lai Hong ; Balkis Bashuri ; Atiah Ayunni Abdul Ghani ; Nor Atika Md Ashar ; Khairul Osman
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2015;13(1):1-5
Identifi cation of unknown suspect through bite marks has always been challenging. Narrowing list of suspects through sex
and race markers is always recommend but rarely utilized due to limited publication in this area. Thus, this preliminary
research was aimed to study the difference of bite mark made on dental wax between sex and race. A sample size of 40
UKM undergraduates comprising of Malay (male = 10, female = 10) and Chinese (male = 10, female = 10) were used in
this study. Bite mark of subject was obtained through dental wax, digitally scanned and analyzed using Image-J software.
Parameters measured were anterior teeth size, intercanine width and anterior teeth relative rotation. Result indicated
that mandible left canine tooth size had signifi cant sexual dimorphism (p < 0.05) in differentiating sex. The means for
male and female measured were 4.63 ± 1.05 mm and 5.35 ± 0.87 mm respectively. In addition to the result, tooth size of
maxillary left canine and mandible left lateral incisor were signifi cantly different (p < 0.05) between races. Means for
mandible left canine Malay and Chinese were 5.27 ± 1.01 mm and 4.50 ± 1.22 mm respectively. Furthermore, left lateral
incisor mandible had means of 5.15 ± 0.87 mm and 4.60 ± 0.74 mm for Malay and Chinese respectively. Unfortunately,
there were no signifi cant differences for intercanine width and anterior teeth relative rotation between the two major races
in Malaysia. In conclusion, this research has demonstrated the possibility of using tooth size of mandible left canine,
maxillary left canine and mandible left lateral discriminate sex and race.
Tooth
5.Determination of malathion levels and the effect of malathion on the growth of Chrysomya megacephala (Fibricius) in malathion-exposed rat carcass.
Rashid Rumiza Abd ; Khairul Osman ; Ismail Mohd Iswadi ; Zuha Raja Muhammad ; Hassan Rogaya Abu
Tropical biomedicine 2008;25(3):184-90
This study was conducted to examine the effect of malathion on the development of Chrysomya megacephala. A total of 12 adult Sprague-Dawley rats was divided into 4 groups. Each animal in the 4 groups was given orally 0 (control), 10, 25 and 50ml/kg body weight of malathion, respectively. Chrysomya megacephala larvae were then allowed to grow on the liver of carcass. Larvae development was estimated by means of weight and length, time of adult emergence and survival rate. Results indicated that for the first 6 to 30 hours, larvae from control group developed more rapidly than larvae feeding on tissue containing malathion. However, the 3 doses of malathion did not exhibit significant impact on larvae length and weight. The time required for adult emergence was significantly greater for malathion-treated colony which was 10 days compared to 7 days in control colony. Control larvae of C. megacephala had higher survival rate compared to larvae exposed to the three different doses of malathion. Analysis of the tissues indicated that all rats and fly samples were positive for malathion. Malathion concentration was highest in liver. It was concluded that the presence of malathion altered the development rate of C. megacephala and thus disrupted normal postmortem interval estimation.
Malathion
;
Chrysomya megacephala
;
development aspects
;
Adult
;
Carbon ion
6.Blunt force trauma to skull with various instruments
Nur Amirah Sulaiman ; Khairul Osman ; Noor Hazfalinda Hamzah ; Sri Pawita Albakri Amir Hamzah
The Malaysian Journal of Pathology 2014;36(1):33-39
Deaths due to blunt force trauma to the head as a result of assault are some of the most common
cases encountered by the practicing forensic pathologist. Previous studies have shown inflicting
injury to the head region is one of the most effective methods of murder. The important factors
that determine severity of trauma include the type of weapon used, type and site of skull fracture,
intracranial haemorrhage and severity of brain injury. The aim of this study was to determine the
characteristics of blunt force trauma to the skull produced by different instruments. Nine adult
monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) skulls were used as models. Commonly found blunt objects
comprising of Warrington hammer, hockey stick and open face helmet were used in this study. A
machine calibrated force generator was used to hold the blunt object in place and to hit the skulls
at forces of 12.5N and 25N. Resultant traumatic effects and fractures (linear, depressed, basilar,
comminuted, and distastic) were analyzed according to type of blunt object used; surface area of
contact and absolute force (N/cm2) delivered. Results showed that all investigated instruments were
capable of producing similar injuries. The severity of trauma was not related to the surface area of
contact with the blunt objects. However, only high absolute forces produced comminuted fractures.
These findings were observational, as the samples were too small for statistical conclusions.
7.Post mortem changes in relation to different types of clothing
Chee HauTeo ; Sri Pawita Amir Hamzah ; Khairul Osman ; Atiah Ayunni Abdul Ghani ; Noor Hazfalinda Hamzah
The Malaysian Journal of Pathology 2013;35(1):77-85
Post mortem changes are important in estimating post mortem interval (PMI). This project’s aim
was to study the effect of burial and type of clothing on rate of decomposition, which can contribute
to estimating PMI for victims. 12 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) carcasses were separated into
3 groups: no clothing, light clothing and heavy clothing. Control subjects were placed on the
ground surface while test subjects were buried at 30 cm depth graves. Soil samples prior and after
decomposition were collected for soil pH and moisture analysis. Post mortem change was assessed
using a Total Body Score system. The head, neck and limb regions were found to decay faster than
the body trunk region. Mummifi cation occurred on body parts that were exposed directly to the
atmosphere while adipocere formed on some buried subjects. Burial delayed decomposition due
to lower insect activity and lower soil temperature. The soil layer also blocked the accessibility of
majority of the arthropods, causing further delay in decomposition. Clothing enhanced decay for
bodies on ground surface because it provided protection for maggots and retained moisture on tissues.
However, clothing delayed decomposition in buried bodies because it physically separated the bodies
from soil and arthropods. Higher sun exposure and repetitive exhumation showed acceleration of
decomposition. The decomposition process increased soil pH and moisture percentage values. Soil
pH initially increased until pH 8.0-8.4 followed by a slight decrease while soil moisture percentage
changed inconsistently. Burial was signifi cant in affecting post mortem change, F(1,11)=12.991,
p<0.05 while type of clothing was not signifi cant, F(2,9)=0.022, p=0.978 and combination of both
type of clothing and burial factors were also not signifi cant, F(2,3)=0.429, p=0.686. For validation,
an accuracy of 83.33% was achieved based on soil pH and soil moisture percentage analysis.
8.Stature Approximation of Malays, Chinese and Indian in Malaysia Using Radiographs of Femur, Tibia and Fibula
Amal Hayati Zainal Abidin ; Khairul Osman ; Sri Pawita Albakri Amir Hamzah ; Noor Hazfalinda Hamzah ; Ab Halim Mansar ; Normaizatul Afizah Ismail
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2011;9(1):45-50
The study was conducted to create specific formulae for stature estimation of adult male population in Malaysia based on measurements of femur, tibia and fibula lengths using radiographic method. A number of thirty two Malaysians from hospitals involved as subjects in this study. The subjects were Malays (14), Chinese (8) and Indians (10) from 25-45 years old. The standing height of the subject was recorded before femur, tibia and fibula were scanned with an x-ray machine. The bones length was measured on the x-ray film in centimetres (cm) and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19.0 for Windows. The results showed a significant relationship (p < 0.05) between
stature and measurements of length of femur, tibia and fibula. Stature of Malays and Indians were significant (p < 0.05)with measurements of length of femur, tibia and fibula but insignificant in Chinese. Simple Linear Regression Analysis was used to derive regression equation for single bone and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis was used to derive regression equation for combination of femur, tibia and fibula. Six formulae for stature estimation of adult male population in Malaysia were derived. The formulae consist of three formulae for single bone, a formulae for combination bones with unknown race, a formulae for combination bones of Malays population and a formulae for combination bones of Indians population. Formulae for combination bones had the highest correlation coefficient compared to the formula using a single bone. Standard error was found to be high in all the formulae due to small sample size. Extension for this study is essential to provide Malaysia with accurate formulae.
9.Stature and Sex Estimation Using Foot Measurements for Malays and Chinese in Malaysia
Phang Sook Fun ; Khairul Osman ; Sri Pawita Albakri Amir Hamzah ; Noor Hazfalinda Hamzah ; Ab Halim Mansar ; Normaizatul Afizah Ismail
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2011;9(2):23-28
The aim of this study was to develop formulae for stature and sex estimation using foot length and foot width. A total of 150 subjects ranging in age from 20 to 30 years were recruited from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Kampus Kuala Lumpur (UKMKKL). The subjects were Malays (45 males and 45 females) and Chinese (30 males and 30 females). Stature, foot length and foot width were measured using anthropometric instruments in millimetres. Statistical analysis indicated that bilateral variation of various lengths was insignificant for all the foot measurements (Foot length/FL: t(298) = -0.235, p = 0.815; Foot width/FW: t(298) = 0.932, p = 0.352). Sex differences were found to be highly significant for all the measurements (Stature/S: t(148) = 12.550, p < 0.05; FL:t(148) = 11.692, p < 0.05; FW:t(148) = 8.321, p < 0.05). Stature was highly significant in Chinese rather than Malay (t(148) = -3.103, p < 0.05) but no significant differences were found in all the foot measurements (FL: t(148) = 0.002, p = 0.999; FW:t(148) = 1.362, p = 0.175). The highest correlation was found between stature and foot length in all groups. Linear and Multiple Regression Analysis were used to
develop formulae for stature estimation. However, the latter was found to be more accurate as the correlation coefficient was highest in the combination of foot length and foot width in all the formulae (S = 585.298+(4.898xFL)-(1.453xFW), F(2,149 = 149.324, p < 0.01, R2 = 0.670). Formulae for sex estimation were obtained by using the Classification Tree Analysis. Result had indicated that sex estimation formulae can help to determine the sex with 86.3-87.5% accuracy in females and 85.2-85.7% accuracy in males by using foot length while the accuracy is 68.4-76.8% in females and 77.8-81.0% in males by using foot width.
10.Alpha lipoic acid prevents pancreatic islet cells damage and dyslipidemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Siti Balkis Budin ; Kwa Poi Kee ; Monica Yau Swee Eng ; Khairul Osman ; Mokhtar Abu Bakar * ; Jamaludin Mohamed
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2007;14(2):47-53
In the present study, the effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on glycemic control and lipid profile in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats have been evaluated. Sprague Dawley rats were divided into nondiabetic (NDM), diabetic without supplementation (No Suppl) and diabetic with ALA groups. ALA was orally administered once a day for 8 weeks with a dose of 100 mg/kg BW. Supplementation of ALA to STZ-induced rats prevented the severe damage to the islet cells of the pancreas and lowered the plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Supplementation of ALA also suppressed the increased of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in the plasma of diabetic rats as well as increased high density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C) levels. In conclusion, this study suggest that ALA may be effective in controlling glycemic status and improving dyslipidemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and has the potential in reducing cardiovascular complications due to diabetes mellitus.
Rattus norvegicus
;
Streptozocin
;
Aminolevulinic Acid
;
Dyslipidemia
;
Thioctic Acid