Cohen Philip R
Dermatology, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, USA.
Dermatology, Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine, Vallejo, USA.
Cureus. 2025 Aug 17;17(8):e90269. doi: 10.7759/cureus.90269. eCollection 2025 Aug.
Forensic dermatology includes the evaluation of not only the skin and mucosa of a decedent but also that person's nails and hair. In addition to assessing decedents, forensic dermatology also encompasses the evaluation of victims of abuse, assault, deprivation, human trafficking, neglect, and torture. The dermatologist can contribute to the assessment of decedents; they can provide insight regarding the differentiation of both medication-associated reactions and benign melanocytic lesions from trauma to the skin or mucous membranes. Evaluation of nails for possible exposure to heavy metal poisoning can also be performed by the forensic dermatologist. In addition, an estimate of the time since death, the victim's body position when he or she died, and the possible cause of death can be determined when the dermatologist evaluates the decedent's lividity. Salient information can be obtained during the evaluation of tattoos by a forensic dermatologist; a unique tattoo, such as a mastectomy tattoo, or the presence of four or more random concordant tattoos, based on comparison to antemortem documentation, can possibly be used to establish a positive identification of the decedent. The pillars of forensic dermatology are collaboration, documentation, and education. A colorimetric scale for the forensic evaluation of decedents with skin of color has been established by the collaboration between a dermatologist and forensic pathologists. A template for a forensic dermatology expert analytical report, to communicate the observations made during a forensic dermatology consultation, has also been developed. Training in forensic dermatology for medical students and physicians is warranted. Subspecialties of forensic medicine traditionally include anthropology, ballistics, botany, entomology, and odontology. Forensic dermatology has recently been introduced to be a growing component of global forensic practice. In conclusion, forensic dermatology is an integral subspecialty of forensic medicine.
法医皮肤病学不仅包括对死者皮肤和黏膜的评估，还包括对其指甲和毛发的评估。除了评估死者，法医皮肤病学还涵盖对虐待、袭击、剥夺、人口贩运、忽视和酷刑受害者的评估。皮肤科医生可以为死者的评估做出贡献；他们可以提供有关药物相关反应以及良性黑素细胞病变与皮肤或黏膜创伤之间鉴别的见解。法医皮肤科医生还可以对指甲进行评估，以确定是否可能接触重金属中毒。此外，当皮肤科医生评估死者的尸斑时，可以确定死亡时间、受害者死亡时的身体姿势以及可能的死因。法医皮肤科医生在评估纹身时可以获得重要信息；根据与生前记录的比较，独特的纹身，如乳房切除术纹身，或四个或更多随机一致的纹身的存在，可能有助于确定死者的身份。法医皮肤病学的支柱是协作、记录和教育。皮肤科医生与法医病理学家合作，建立了一种用于对有色人种死者进行法医评估的比色量表。还制定了一份法医皮肤病学专家分析报告模板，用于传达法医皮肤病学咨询过程中的观察结果。有必要对医学生和医生进行法医皮肤病学培训。法医学的传统子专业包括人类学、弹道学、植物学、昆虫学和牙科学。法医皮肤病学最近已被引入，成为全球法医实践中一个不断发展的组成部分。总之，法医皮肤病学是法医学不可或缺的子专业。
