Visual and spectrophotometric observations related to histology in a small sample of bruises from cadavers

Abstract

Spectrophotometry has been investigated as a means to estimate the age of bruises as experiments have indicated that it can be used to detect the presence of degradation products of hemoglobin (bilirubin and hemosiderin). However, there is no data relating spectrophotometric observations to histological findings in bruises of human skin. A small number of bruises in human cadavers were studied by spectrophotometry. The average first derivative value at 490 nm was more negative in bruises with stainable iron (hemosiderin) than in those without, confirming that spectrophotometry observations can indicate the presence of degradation products of hemoglobin in the skin. This confirms spectrophotometry may be a useful tool for estimating the age of bruises.

Forensic cases of bruises in pigs

“…Visual assessment of bruises as a method to determine the age of a bruise has been shown to be unreliable (Maguire and others 2005, Pilling and others 2010, Grossman and others 2011). Some studies have investigated the value of methods such as spectrophotometry and reflectance spectroscopy, immunohistochemistry, real-time quantitative (RTq) PCR measurements of mRNA and in situ hybridisation in estimating the age of bruises in both humans and animal models (Takamiya and others 2005, Nakajima and others 2006, Randeberg and others 2007, Hughes and Langlois 2011). Only one of these studies concerns experimental bruises in pigs (Randeberg and others 2007).…”

The routine use of iron stain for biopsies of dermatoses of the legs

“…The presence of hemosiderin in the skin has been described in numerous disorders, as discussed in a textbook of Dermatopathology: stasis dermatitis, Schamberg's disease (pigmented purpuric dermatosis), hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis, secondary to Monsel's solution application, secondary to iron sesquioxide application, Zoon's balanitis/vulvitis, atrophie blanche, erythema ab igne, traumatic fat necrosis, scurvy, antiphospholipid syndrome, pigmented pretibial patches, secondary to earrings, around glass fragments, dermatofibroma, juvenile xanthogranuloma, papular xanthoma, progressive nodular histiocytosis, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, giant cell tumor, granuloma faciale, melanoma, hemosiderotic fibrohistiocytic lipomatous tumor, pleomorphic hyalinizing angiectatic tumor, plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor, epithelioid sarcoma, neurilemmoma, apocrine adenocarcinoma, pilomatrixoma, acroangiodermatitis, Kaposi's sarcoma, angiosarcoma, targetoid hemosiderotic hemangioma and other vascular tumors. Pubmed literature review reveals additional conditions with dermal hemosiderin: ecchymoses, hemosiderotic atypical fibroxanthoma, Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome, cutaneous umbilical endometriosis, hyperthyroidism, atypical decubital fibroplasia, post leg sclerotherapy, minocycline adverse reaction and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis …”

Follow-up calls to next of kin relating to coronial autopsies

“…A small study requesting permission to use material from coronial cases for research following the conclusion of the autopsy 2 encountered no adverse responses and consent was given in all 10 cases. However, a vetting process was applied to determine if the family were unsuitable to be contacted, for example, due to distress or anger; thus a degree of screening was used and all calls were made in close time proximity to the death.…”