Gentile Guendalina, Andreola Salvatore, Bailo Paolo, Battistini Alessio, Boracchi Michele, Tambuzzi Stefano, Zoja Riccardo
From the Laboratorio di Istopatologia Forense e Microbiologia Medico Legale, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2020 Dec;41(4):280-286. doi: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000000609.
Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray (SEM/EDX) analysis is an investigation whose potential has become increasingly important in the field of forensic research and diagnosis. We present the procedure to perform a well-carried-out SEM/EDX analysis on corpses affected by different types of injuries, such as blunt force trauma, ligature strangulation, electrocution, sharp force trauma, gunshot wounds, and intoxication. After the areas of forensic interest have been macroscopically identified, the sampling can be performed in 2 different ways: apposition of the double-sided graphite tape on the damaged area or performing the excision of a biological sample. In both cases, a proper negative control sample is required. In all cases, SEM/EDX analysis can detect exogenous microtraces consistent with the types of injuries involved. In blunt force trauma, microparticles of different nature deriving from the contact of the blunt instrument with the victim may be observed; in sharp force trauma, metal microtraces (Fe, Cr, Al, Ti) can be identified. In ligature strangulation, exogenous microtraces may be found in the cutaneous furrow. In electrocution, it allows to identify the pathognomonic metal pattern (Cu, Zn, Fe) of the "electric mark." In gunshot wounds, the main applications regards the detection of metal particles (Pb, Ba, Sb) of gunshot residues. Finally, in the analysis of intoxicants, it may identify traces of toxic substances. Thus, the authors conclude that SEM/EDX analysis can provide essential information to assist in the medicolegal investigation of death.
能量色散X射线扫描电子显微镜（SEM/EDX）分析是一项在法医研究和诊断领域潜力日益重要的调查。我们介绍了对受不同类型损伤影响的尸体进行全面SEM/EDX分析的程序，这些损伤包括钝器伤、勒颈、触电、锐器伤、枪伤和中毒。在宏观上确定法医关注区域后，采样可以通过两种不同方式进行：将双面石墨胶带贴在受损区域或切除生物样本。在这两种情况下，都需要一个合适的阴性对照样本。在所有情况下，SEM/EDX分析都可以检测到与所涉及损伤类型一致的外源性微痕。在钝器伤中，可能会观察到钝器与受害者接触产生的不同性质的微粒；在锐器伤中，可以识别出金属微痕（铁、铬、铝、钛）。在勒颈中，可能会在皮肤沟痕中发现外源性微痕。在触电中，它可以识别出“电痕”的特征性金属模式（铜、锌、铁）。在枪伤中，主要应用在于检测枪击残留物的金属颗粒（铅、钡、锑）。最后，在毒物分析中，它可以识别有毒物质的痕迹。因此，作者得出结论，SEM/EDX分析可以提供重要信息，以协助进行法医学死亡调查。
