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International journal of legal medicine2013; 128(2); 369-377; doi: 10.1007/s00414-013-0854-3

A histomorphological analysis of human and non-human femora.

Abstract: Histology is used to describe post-mortem bone alterations, trauma, pathology and age estimation and to separate human and non-human bones. Many scholars are however not familiar with the intricate and variable microstructure of bone, and due to the complex nature of some classification systems, bone histomorphology is often incorrectly described or identified. Little information is available on the histomorphology of non-human bones found in southern Africa, and therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the histomorphology of non-human species commonly found in southern Africa, namely, impala and monkeys, along with cat, dog, cow, sheep, equid and pig. Human femora were included for comparative purposes. The periosteal surface of femora was described and focussed only on the arrangements of vascular canals, primary osteons and secondary osteons. The results compared favourably to other studies and also added a histomorphological description of impala femora which consisted of primary vascular longitudinal bone tissue. A large degree of overlap and combinations of bone tissue types was observed, as well as evidence which allows animals from similar taxonomic orders to be grouped together. Primary vascular bone was primarily observed in artiodactyls (cow, pig, sheep and impala), while Haversian bone was recognised in carnivores (cat and dog), Perissodactyla (horses and donkeys) and primates. These differences can be used to exclude human from unknown bone fragments and also serve to caution investigators when using animal models to infer human bone tissue responses to thermal damage, ballistic trauma, etc., as bone tissue types different to that of human bone may respond differently.
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Publication Date: 2013-04-21 PubMed ID: 23604414DOI: 10.1007/s00414-013-0854-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The researchers performed a detailed analysis of the bone structure (histomorphology) of different animal species commonly found in southern Africa, comparing it with human bone structure. The study aimed to better understand the unique microstructure of bone among these species and provide insights into clear demarcation between human and non-human bones.

Objective and Purpose of the Study

  • The main objective of the study was to describe the histomorphology (study of the microscopic structure of tissues) of non-human species common in southern Africa such as impala, monkeys, cats, dogs, cows, sheep, horses, donkeys, and pigs.
  • The researchers also included human femora in their analysis for comparative purposes.
  • The purpose behind this comparison was to provide clear differentiation between the bone structures of human and non-human species to improve forensic analysis, for instance, when trying to identify post-mortem bone alterations, trauma, and pathology.

Methodology

  • The team focused on the periosteal surface of femora. Periosteal surface is the outer surface of the bone, where they examined the arrangement of vascular canals, primary osteons, and secondary osteons.

Findings

  • The analysis revealed a considerable amount of overlap and combinations of bone tissue types across species.
  • It was found that animals from similar taxonomic orders tend to group together based on their bone structure.
  • Primary vascular bone tissue was mostly observed in artiodactyls (cow, pig, sheep, and impala), while Haversian bone was recognised in carnivores (cat and dog), Perissodactyla (horses and donkeys), and primates.

Implications and Limitations

  • These differences could allow for the identification and exclusion of human fragments from unknown bone samples.
  • The study also warns investigators about potential challenges when using animal models to study human bone tissue responses to trauma or thermal damage, as different bone tissue types may respond differently to such incidents.

Uniqueness of the Study

  • This study is unique as it added a histomorphological description of impala femora which consisted of primary vascular longitudinal bone tissue.
  • This is valuable as there was previously little information available on the histomorphology of non-human bones found in southern Africa.

Cite This Article

APA
Brits D, Steyn M, L'Abbé EN. (2013). A histomorphological analysis of human and non-human femora. Int J Legal Med, 128(2), 369-377. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-013-0854-3

Publication

International journal of legal medicine
ISSN: 1437-1596
NlmUniqueID: 9101456
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 128
Issue: 2
Pages: 369-377

Researcher Affiliations

Brits, Desiré
  • Forensic Anthropology Research Centre, Department of Anatomy, University of Pretoria, PO Box 2034, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa, desire.brits@wits.ac.za.
Steyn, Maryna
    L'Abbé, Ericka Noelle

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Diagnosis, Differential
      • Femur / anatomy & histology
      • Forensic Anthropology / methods
      • Humans
      • Periosteum / pathology
      • Postmortem Changes
      • South Africa
      • Species Specificity

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