Previous studies have shown that palmprints can be employed to reveal the sex of the print donor when direct identification is not possible. However, most of the methods require that the entire print ...is preserved, thus restricting the usage of the partial and lower-quality prints found at the scene. This research aimed to examine if the distances between digital triradii on the palm exhibit sexual dimorphism and to develop sex classification models for the Croatian population. The study sample comprised 119 left palmprints (66 males and 53 females) and 134 right palmprints (73 males and 61 females) on which we took eight measurements based on the distance between digital triradii. We examined the sexual dimorphism of variables using an independent samples t-test and developed logistic regression models for sex classification. All variables showed statistically significant sexual dimorphism (P < 0.001). Univariate models achieved sexing accuracy 64%-85%, while the accuracy of the multivariate models ranged from 81% to 87%. The research demonstrated that measurements of the interdigital palmar area could be used for estimating sex from palmprints in the Croatian population. Therefore, they can be employed in investigations to reveal the sex of the perpetrator and reduce the list of potential suspects.
Aim To develop discriminant functions for sex estimation on medieval Croatian population and test their application on contemporary Croatian population. Methods From a total of 519 skeletons, we ...chose 84 adult excellently preserved skeletons free of antemortem or postmortem changes and took all standard measurements. Sex was estimated/determined using standard anthropological procedures and ancient DNA (amelogenin analysis) where pelvis was insufficiently preserved or where sex morphological indicators were not consistent. We explored which measurements showed sexual dimorphism and used them for developing univariate and multivariate discriminant functions for sex estimation. We included only those functions that reached accuracy rate >80%. We tested the applicability of developed functions on modern Croatian sample (n = 37). Results From 69 standard skeletal measurements used in this study, 56 of them showed statistically significant sexual dimorphism (74.7%). We developed five univariate discriminant functions with classification rate 80.6%-85.2% and seven multivariate discriminant functions with an accuracy rate of 81.8%-93.0%. When tested on the modern population functions showed classification rates 74.1%100%, and ten of them reached aimed accuracy rate. Females showed higher classified in the mediaeval populations, whereas males were better classification rates in the modern populations. Conclusion Developed discriminant functions are sufficiently accurate for reliable sex estimation in both medieval Croatian population and modern Croatian samples and may be used in forensic settings. The methodological issues that emerged regarding the importance of considering external factors in development and application of discriminant functions for sex estimation should be further explored.
To compare the population group from the Šopot graveyard with population groups from traditional Croatian medieval graveyards by using anthropological, craniometrics, and mitochondrial (mtDNA) ...analysis and to examine if the cultural differences between population groups reflect biological differences.
We determined sex, age at death, pathological, and traumatic changes of skeletal remains from the Šopot graveyard and compared them with a cumulative medieval sample from the same region. We also performed principal component analysis to compare skeletal remains from Šopot with those from Ostrovica and other Central European samples according to 8 cranial measurements. Finally, we compared 46 skeletons from Šopot with medieval (Ostrovica) and contemporary populations using mDNA haplogroup profiling.
The remains from Šopot were similar to the cumulative sample in lifestyle and quality of life markers. Principal component analysis showed that they were closely related to Eastern Adriatic coast sites (including Ostrovica and Šopot) in terms of cranial morphology, indicating similar biological makeup. According to mDNA testing, Šopot population showed no significant differences in the haplogroup prevalence from either medieval or contemporary populations.
This study shows that the Šopot population does not significantly differ from other medieval populations from this area. Besides similar quality of life markers, these populations also had similar biological markers. Substantial archeological differences can therefore be attributed to apparent cultural influences, which in this case do not reflect biological differences.
To examine seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in industry workers population sample.
From 23 to April 28, 2020, we conducted serological testing ...for antibodies (Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM)) on 1494 factory employees living in the Split-Dalmatia and Šibenik-Knin County (Croatia).
We detected antibodies in 1.27% of participants (95% confidence interval CI 0.77-1.98%). In Split facility 13/1316 (0.99%, 95% CI 0.53-1.68%) of participants were tested positive, of which 13/1079 (1.20%, 95% CI 0.64-2.05%) of those living outside the facility and 0/237 (0%, 95% CI 0-1.26%) of those living inside the facility. In Knin facility, 6/178 (3.37%, 95% CI 1.25-7.19%) participants were tested positive for antibodies.
The study showed relatively small SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence in the DIV Group population sample.
The osteometric methods are the most reliable way to estimate the sex of skeletons when DNA analysis is not used. However, as osteometric studies usually ignore the overlap in male and female ...skeletal dimensions, they rarely achieve accuracy sufficient for forensic application. To resolve this issue, recent studies suggest sex estimation only when posterior probability (pp) is greater than 0.95, but that approach does not always provide sufficient accuracy and creates a large proportion of unsexed skeleton. Thus, our study aimed to explore whether it is possible to adjust pp on skeletal measurements with pronounced sexual dimorphism to meet 95% accuracy and to enable sex estimation on a reasonable proportion of individuals. From 207 skeletons, we included 65 postcranial measurements and selected 10% of variables with the highest sexual dimorphism. We computed univariate and bivariate discriminant functions using pp threshold of 0.5, 0.95, and the threshold required to achieve accuracy of ≥ 95%. Discriminant functions with pp=0.5 obtained accuracy of 85%–93%, while those with pp≥0.95 and adjusted posterior probabilities obtained 94%–99%. However, we showed that by selecting a particular threshold, sex could be estimated on a greater proportion of individuals than for pp≥0.95: 42%–86% vs. 24%–62% for univariate and 69%–95% vs. 49%–78% for bivariate functions. Therefore, when developing sex estimation models, we suggest not to use fixed pp level, but to adjust pp to achieve 95% accuracy and to minimize the percentage of unsexed skeletons.
•We developed a binary classification method for optimizing classification thresholds.•As example data, we used three male and female handprint measurements (n=160).•We tested classification ...performances of LDA by traditional and proposed approach.•Traditional approach provided accuracies 78.7–92.5 % and PPVs/NPVs 78.2–93 %.•The newly proposed approach provided accuracies ≥ 95 % and PPVs/NPVs ≥ 95 %.
Binary classification techniques are commonly used in forensic examination to test if a specimen belongs to a particular group and base the expert opinion on the questioned evidence. However, most of the currently used methods do not achieve sufficient accuracy due to the ignoring of the specimens classified in the overlapping area. To address the issue, we proposed a novel Adjusted binary classification (ABC) algorithm that automatically adjusts posterior probabilities to reach classification accuracy and positive/negative predicted values (PPV, NPV) of 95 %.
In the presented example, we used three handprint measurements from 160 participants (80 males and 80 females) to develop models that would classify sex from their dimensions. The sample was split into the training/cross-validated (70 %) and testing sample (30 %). We developed four classification models using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) by employing traditional single cut-off values and ABC approach that for each group provides a specific posterior probability cut-off threshold.
In the cross-validated sample, the accuracy of traditional models was 78.7–92.5 %, while PPVs/NPVs ranged between 78.2 and 93 %. ABC models provided 95 % accuracy, PPV, and NPV, and could classify 35.5–88.1 % of specimens. In the testing sample, ABC models achieved accuracy of 97.3–100 %, PPV/NPV 95.4–100 %, and could be applied to 29.1–87.5 % of specimens.
The study demonstrated that the ABC approach could adjust classification models to reach predefined values of accuracy, PPV, and NPV. Therefore, it could be an efficient tool for conducting a binary classification in forensic settings and minimizing the possibilities of incorrect classifications.
Human Y-short tandem repeats (STRs) are tandem repeat arrays of two to seven base pair units on non-recombining region (NRY) of the human Y chromosome. Studies on Y-STR are interesting in both ...population genetics and forensics. The aim of this study was to investigate the population genetic properties of 17 STR loci on Y chromosome in the northern Croatia region. We carried out a statistical analysis of the data from previously performed genetic analysis collected during routine forensic work by the Forensic Science Centre “Ivan Vučetić”. A total of 220 unrelated healthy men from northern Croatia were selected for the purpose of this study. Genomic DNA was extracted using Chelex procedure from FTA® cards. Y-chromosomal STRs were determined using the AmpFISTR Yfiler PCR amplification kit. The haplotype frequencies were determined by direct counting and analyzed using Arlequin 3.1 and analysis of molecular variance calculated with the Y chromosome haplotype reference database online analysis tool. A total of 210 haplotypes were identified, 200 of which were unique. Total haplotype diversity was 0.995. Locus diversity varied from 0.331 for DYS392 to 0.783 for DYS385 locus. Allele frequencies diversity was 0.662. Discrimination capacity was 95.7%. The use of European minimal haplotype set indicated the most resemblance of this population to the Croatian capital of Zagreb, with modest resemblance to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Hungary. This article provides the first overview of the Y chromosome STR variability in northern Croatia, thus providing the referent point for any future forensic and genetic epidemiology efforts in this region.
The study aimed to test the applicability of the Probabilistic Sex Diagnosis (DSP) method in the bioarchaeological context by validation with known sex data obtained by aDNA analysis on the medieval ...samples from the Eastern Adriatic coast. We tested the method on 57 skeletons of known sex using 30 different combinations of measurements. The possibility of sex estimation ranged from 35.90 to 86.11% depending on the combinations used while sexing accuracy ranged from 92.86 to 100%. Females were classified correctly in all cases, and only one male was misclassified in all combinations that could be tested. Accuracy rates higher than 95% were obtained for every combination where the number of available measurements was larger than 15. Therefore, we encourage further validation of the method on different ancient populations and implementation of the method for creating reference sex data and development of metric and non-metric population-specific sex estimation standards.
•We tested DSP method by comparison to known sex data obtained by aDNA analysis.•Sample consisted of 57 skeletons from medieval Eastern Adriatic coast sites.•Depending on chosen measurements sex could be estimated in 35.90–86.11% cases.•Sexing accuracy ranged from 92.86 to 100%.•We suggest DSP method for creating reference data for sex in ancient populations.
Blood group phenotypes have been associated with COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. This study aimed to examine ABO/Rh blood group distribution in COVID-19-related deaths considering demographics ...and pathological conditions.
We conducted a retrospective study at the University Hospital Center Split, Croatia, that included 245 COVID-19 positive individuals that died from April 8, 2020, to January 25, 2021. We extracted data on their blood groups, demographics, and pre-existing comorbidities and compared findings with general population data from blood group donations (n = 101,357) and non-COVID-19 deaths from 2019 (n = 4968).
The proportion of dead males was significantly higher than in non-COVID-19 cases (63.7% vs. 48.9%, P < 0.001), while the proportion of older individuals did not differ. The prevailing pre-existing diseases were hypertension (59.6%), diabetes (37.1%), heart failure (28.8%), digestive disorder (26.5%), and solid tumor (21.6%). The ABO distribution in the deceased and donors' group showed significant differences, with the higher prevalence of A/AB group and lower prevalence of 0, but with individual differences significant only for AB and non-AB groups. There was a reduced proportion of females within the deceased with group 0 (P = 0.014) and a higher proportion of AB individuals with coronary heart disease (P = 0.024).
The study confirmed a higher risk of death in males. The lower proportion of type 0 in deceased individuals was greater in females, implying that group 0 is not necessarily an independent protective factor. Coronary heart disease was identified as a potential risk factor for AB individuals.
Aim To determine the incidence of metopism in the modern and archaeological Croatian population. Methods A total of 800 specimens (454 modern multi-slice computed tomography MSCT scans and 346 dry ...archaeological skulls) were visually examined for metopic suture presence. The metopic suture was deemed complete when aligned nasion to bregma. Results In the overall sample, the metopic suture was observed in 36 of 800 subjects (4.5%): 19 of 424 (4.5%) men and 17 of 370 (4.6%) women. A significant difference was not observed between modern and archaeological samples (chi square = 3.219, P = 0.359) or between the sexes (chi square = 0.006, P = 0.939). The frequency of metopism varied from 3.5% in the modern population to 7.04% in the samples from the Roman period. Conclusion There are no visible secular changes on metopic suture in the Croatian population through time. Some variations can be the result of differences in sample size in different time periods.
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